One of the great things about having a cat as a pet is their independence. They’re much easier to leave alone for a few days than many other pets since they often crave their space. However, if you are gone a lot, you’ll need to have someone come in and feed your cat. It can get pricey if you’re someone who travels often. Enter the automatic cat feeder. Investing in one can save your budget and your peace of mind, all while keeping your cat happy and fed. It’s the one item you never knew you needed when you adopted your feline friend.
We reviewed dozens of automatic cat feeders to identify the best of the best. We took into consideration things like whether it was programmable, the cost, whether it could accommodate wet and dry food, Amazon ratings, and much more. As we researched and reviewed, we were able to narrow our selections down to a list of the top five automatic cat feeders.
If you’re interested in giving your indoor cat a bit of the taste of the oudoors, without the dangers – you may want to check out The Best Cat Window Perches.
Our clear top pick for the best automatic cat feeder was the Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder. We loved that it had so many of the features that we were looking for, including spill-proof technology, programmable feedings, a locking design to keep your cat out of the food storage unit, and an affordable price point compared to others we reviewed.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Automatic Cat Feeders
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Automatic Cat Feeder Overall | Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder | 4.9 |
| Best Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Cat Feeder | HomeRunPet Automatic Feeder | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Automatic Cat Feeder | AmazonBasics Gravity Pet Feeder | 4.5 |
| Best Gravity Automatic Cat Feeder | Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder | 4.5 |
| Best Programmable Automatic Cat Feeder | WOPET Automatic Feeder | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Automatic Cat Feeder Overall: Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder
It was easy to see from our research that the Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder was going to top our list. It has all the features cat owners would look for in a feeder for their pet. First, it looks out for your pet’s health. While the storage unit on the Roffie feeder holds up to 6.5L of food, it will only disperse the amount you tell it to at the time(s) you designate each day. This ensures that your cat won’t be overfed and only gets what she should. You can also set each feeding to dispense different amounts if you don’t want your cat to have the same portion at each mealtime.
Second, it looks out for your pet’s safety. The Roffie feeder holds 6.5L of food, which is enough to keep your cat well-fed for a couple of weeks, although she probably won’t like it if you leave her that long. You don’t have to worry that your cat will get into the storage area where the food is because the Roffie feeder has a unique top-lock design to keep your pet away from the food stash. It also prevents your feline from pushing the panel buttons and inadvertently giving herself more food. The system also has a place for batteries, which will kick in as the power source if your home’s power goes out, ensuring your cat gets fed no matter what.
Finally, we love that it’s easy to use. Unlike some other ones we saw during our research, this one was a clean design with a simple program panel. The Amazon reviews supported our findings as less than 3% of the more than 220 reviews (at the time of publication) were critical. Users overwhelmingly loved this feeder – and we do too.
Roffie Automatic Cat Feature Key Features:
- Top-lock design to prevent your cat from getting into food
- Can program different food amounts for each feeding
- Stores large amount of food
- Back up battery power source
Best Gravity Automatic Cat Feeder: Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder
The positive points of the Ancaixin Automat Cat Feeder became apparent as soon as we started our research. We loved that it came with both a water station and a food station. Other automatic cat feeders only came with the feeder, but having a supply of fresh water throughout the day is also very important to a cat’s health and wellbeing. Both the water and food storage containers and the trays that hold the food and water are BPA free so you know they’ll be safe for your cat.
This gravity feeder also holds a lot of food. You can store up to a gallon of water and six pounds of food at a time, ensuring your cat will have enough food and water for days or even a couple of weeks. The water tank’s gravity system will continuously keep the bowl full of water but won’t let it overflow. These units are easy to clean too. Just use hot, soapy water and either dry them thoroughly with a towel or let them air dry before you fill them up again. The anti-slip pads on the bottom of each unit give you peace of mind that they’ll stay where you want them and your pet won’t be able to push them around all over your house!
All in all, there’s a lot to love about this gravity feeder and not much at all to dislike. In fact, other than not being able to handle wet food, there wasn’t much negative that we could say about the Ancaxin feeder. And if you decide that you don’t like it, you have 30 days to get a full refund.
Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder Key Features:
- Large storage supply for both food and water
- Water unit won’t overflow
- Plastic is easy to clean and toxin-free
- 30 days to get full refund after purchase if you’re dissatisfied
Best Budget Automatic Cat Feeder: AmazonBasics Gravity Feeder
While we do feature a lot of automatic feeders that have some pretty cool bells and whistles to impress both you and your cat, we also know that sometimes you need to stay mindful of the budget you have regarding your cat’s needs. If that’s you, then meet the AmazonBasics Gravity Feeder, a smart choice for you and your wallet.
Your cat will be thrilled with the extra-large dishes that hold the food and the water in these units. The size is great for one cat, but can also accommodate more than one if you have multiple kitties. Even though she may not realize it, your cat will also love the security of the non-skid feet which ensure that the feeder won’t move around when she’s trying to eat or drink.
As your cat’s caretaker, you will love the cut-out handles in the sides of each unit that make it easy to carry them. You’ll love how easy they are to clean, how the transparent storage units allow you to keep constant track of your cat’s food and water consumption, and how fashionable the gray color of the food and water bowls are. Finally, even if you don’t love everything we just mentioned, we know you’ll love the limited one-year warranty that comes with this feeder just in case something goes wrong with it.
AmazonBasics Gravity Feeder Key Features:
- Great and affordable price point
- Limited one-year warranty
- Bigger bowls to hold food and water
- Large and transparent food and water storage
Best Wi-Fi-Enabled Automatic Cat Feeder: HomeRunPet Automatic Feeder
If technology and control are the main features you’re looking for in an automatic cat feeder, the HomeRunPet Automatic Feeder is the choice for you.
While you can program the feeding schedule for your cat directly into the feeder itself, we know that you’ll want to use the app that comes with it instead. Precision is the name of the game when it comes to feeding your cat through this app and feeder. You can control when your cat eats and how much he eats simply by using the app on your phone. You can set the unit to dispense food up to five times a day with up to 200 grams of food released at each meal.
The food detection system within the feeder uses technology to avoid food blockage in the unit and infrared induction to make sure that your cat’s food never overflows the bowl. This feeder can also hold both wet and dry food, something that a lot of other Wi-Fi-enabled automatic feeders can’t do. It also has a large base, which means it’s very stable and not easily upended by your curious cat.
You will need to make sure that your Wi-Fi is strong enough to accommodate the feeder, so check what you have against the requirements before you buy. It also requires a lithium battery instead of regular batteries for backup, but the lithium battery is rechargeable and will last up to a month before you need to charge it again. You also get a 12-month warranty for this cat feeder if something goes wrong once you have it in your home.
HomeRunPet Automatic Feeder Key Features:
- Control cat’s feedings through an app
- Can accommodate both set and dry food
- Uses rechargeable lithium battery instead of regular batteries
- 12-month warranty
Best Programmable Automatic Cat Feeder: WOPET Automatic Feeder
The best of the programmable automatic cat feeders is the WOPET Automatic Feeder. It allows you to program up to four meals a day for your cat and control the portion size of each feeding. Want your cat to have more in the morning and evening but lighter portions the rest of the day? No problem for this automatic feeder.
We love that a lot of the programmable automatic cat feeders have voice recorders and the WOPET model features one too. You can record a message for your kitty that plays each time the unit dispenses food, calling her to dinner or reminding her that you’ll be home soon.
From a purely practical standpoint, portions of this feeder are dishwasher safe, which sets it apart from other feeders on our list and certainly makes it easier to keep clean. It also holds up to 7L of food, which is one more liter a lot of the other automatic feeders that we featured. You won’t have to refill this unit as often as you might other feeders.
The WOPET automatic feeder needs power to run, so you’ll have to position it near an outlet. It also has battery backup so your cat will still eat whether you have power in your home or not. Customer service for this product is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you won’t ever have to worry about having a problem with the feeder and not being able to get assistance for it.
WOPET Automatic Feeder Key Features:
- Bigger storage compartment than other programmable cat feeders
- Voice recorder so you can leave a message for your cat
- Complete control over portion size
- Customer service all day every day
Who Should Buy an Automatic Cat Feeder
Every cat owner would likely benefit having an automatic cat feeder in their home. If nothing else, it provides peace of mind that your cat will always be fed no matter what you have going on in your life and how long you’re away from home each day.
However, there are certain cat owners for whom an automatic feeder would be more of a necessity than others. If you work outside of your home and have unpredictable hours, occasional overtime, or a busy after-work social life, an automatic feeder will make sure that your cat is fed no matter what time you end up coming home.
Likewise, if you love to travel or are often away on weekends, an automatic cat feeder can be a huge asset. If you’re away for extended periods of time, you’ll still want to hire someone to check in on your cat, but for those shorter trips, a feeder will ensure that your pet stays well-fed during your travels – and save you money since they’re cheaper than always hiring a petsitter to stop in your home.
Finally, maybe you’re just someone who likes to plan ahead, to be prepared and know that your pet is also prepared no matter what might come up. An automatic cat feeder would give you peace of mind that your cat will always have the right amount of food at the right time no matter what is happening in your life or where the day takes you.
Important Features to Consider
An automatic cat feeder should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting an automatic feeder for your cat:
- Power source. Many of the cat feeders we reviewed had to have power to work. They either needed to be plugged into the wall or have batteries installed. However, gravity feeders don’t require any power at all. Consider whether you want to deal with batteries, have to position your cat feeder near an outlet, or see a cord coming out from it before you buy a feeder that requires power.
- Wi-Fi capability. Some people want to do everything on their phones, and that includes feeding their cat. If you want to use an app for that, you’ll want to choose a feeder that communicates with you via Wi-Fi. Two additional things to consider if you go that route are price and your internet connection. The price is almost always higher in a Wi-Fi-enabled feeder vs. one without that feature, so be prepared to pay more. Secondly, be sure to research the required internet connections before you purchase to make sure that your home Wi-Fi can handle the feeder.
- Storage amount. Different feeders hold different amounts of food. If you know that you’re going to be home to refill it most nights, the size of the storage won’t matter. However, if you’re a more frequent traveler who often stays away for several days at a time, you will want to buy one that can hold (and therefore dispense) more food.
- Type of food your cat eats. Many of the feeders we reviewed were only designed to hold and dispense dry food. We did feature several that could also handle wet food. If you want your cat to have wet food or even a mix of wet and dry, you’ll want to be sure and choose a feeder that can accommodate those choices.
- Amount of food dispensed. Some automatic cat feeders dispense the same amount of food at every meal and some could be customized for every feeding. Know what your cat needs, and if the amount varies throughout the day, be sure and choose a feeder that can handle that need.
- Communication with your cat. A lot of the automatic feeders that made our list enabled you to record a message for your cat that automatically played every time the food was dispensed for her to eat. Some even allow you to both talk to your cat and listen for her through your smartphone. Consider how much (or how little) communication you want to have with your cat while she eats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an automatic cat feeder and how does it work?
An automatic cat feeder is a device that provides your cat with a steady supply of food if you are not there to feed him. Different feeders work in different ways. Here are the three main types of automatic cat feeders that we profiled and how they work.
Gravity feeders require no power and keep your cat’s bowl constantly filled with food. As he eats, gravity drops more food from the food storage unit into the bowl so he always has good supply.
Programmable feeders allow you to set the times throughout the day that food is dispensed to your cat and how much food is dispensed each time. You can set it for days at a time. This system requires a power source. It usually plugs into the wall and has a battery backup to ensure your cat still eats in the event of a power outage.
Wi-Fi-enabled feeders allow you to program the times that your cat eats, but also allow you to change those feeding times or amounts using an app on your phone. You’ll need to plug this type of feeder into the wall, have a battery back up, and a strong internet connection.
Do automatic cat feeders work for wet cat food?
Yes, some automatic feeders do work for wet food. However, not all of them do. Before committing to a feeder, you’ll want to make sure that it is designed to accommodate wet food if that’s important for your cat’s diet. Often the ones that work for wet food lie flat on the ground rather than standing up, so you can look for that design style.
Should you leave food out for cats all the time?
This really depends on your specific cat. Some cats can handle having food out all the time and won’t ever overeat. Some cats can’t bear to leave a morsel in their bowl and would eat all day if you let them. Here’s a good article on different ways that cats eat that might help you determine which kind of cat you have.
Certainly if your cat is obese or can’t turn away from food, you’ll want to avoid gravity feeders. They are designed to make sure that your cat always has food, so they would not be good for cats with no self-control.
However, the great thing about a programmable automatic feeder is that they allow you to set your cat’s feedings in advance to give her as much or as little food as she should have as many or as few times a day as she should have it. Does your vet recommend your cat eat several small meals? What about only two meals with larger amounts at each feeding? A programmable feeder can handle both of those schedules easily. If your vet has given your cat specific feeding requirements, make sure you read the profile carefully of any programmable feeder that you’re considering so that you are positive it can feed your cat in the way your cat needs.
How many times a day should I feed my cat?
Generally, vets recommend feeding your cat two meals a day, about 12 hours apart. Kittens may need to be fed smaller amounts more times throughout the day to ensure that they are both getting enough to eat and also not overeating at a meal. Before you make any decision about feeding your cat, you should consult your veterinarian. He or she knows your cat personally and can therefore make a recommendation based on your cat’s specific habits and needs.
Other Automatic Cat Feeders We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other automatic cat feeders. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best automatic cat feeders, they’re the best of the rest and are still a great option for your cat. The information you’ll need to compare each one is with the listing.
- Wi-Fi-Enabled Automatic Cat Feeders
- Gravity Automatic Cat Feeders
- Programmable Automatic Cat Feeders
- Wet Food Automatic Cat Feeders
Wi-Fi-Enabled Automatic Cat Feeders
PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Feeder
If you’ find yourself always staying out later than you thought and worrying about your cat sitting hungry at home, this is the automatic feeder for you and your lifestyle. It allows you to schedule feedings via an app on your phone, and you can use it to schedule up to 12 meals. There’s a battery backup to make sure nothing interrupts the scheduled feedings, and several components are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Key Features:
- Works with an app
- Easy to clean
- Schedule up to 12 meals at a time
Cost: $180
The most unique feature of this automatic feeder is the two-way audio and the video camera. You can actually call your pet, talk to him, and listen to him if he meows to you. You can hear and see if he is eating his food and when he is eating it. The Dogness feeder comes in three different colors and has a locking mechanism at the top to make sure your pet can’t get into the food storage in the unit.
Key Features:
- Video camera
- Two-way audio
- Available in three colors
Cost: $175
Dr. Feeder Automatic Pet Feeder
This feeder can be controlled entirely through an app on your phone or through the panel at the top of the feeder. With this feeder, you get live-stream video and two-way audio that allows you to talk to your cat so that you can call her to dinner, then watch her and talk to her while she eats. This unit only takes dry food and is easily disassembled for cleaning.
Key Features:
- Use an app to set up to four feedings per day at various sizes
- Live-stream video and two-way audio through app
- Battery backup
Cost: $110
CrazyFire Automatic Pet Feeder
As with other Wi-Fi-enabled feeders, you can use an app to control when this machine feeds your cat, but this one also has a built-in camera to allow you to watch your cat as he eats. And it’s not just any camera, but one with night vision so you can see your cat at any hour of the day or night. If the video feature wasn’t enough, you can also record your voice to talk to him and call him to come and eat his food. The app can even record a video of the cat as he eats. If you were ever curious as to what your cat was doing while you’re gone, this feeder may be able to help provide the answer.
Key Features:
- Set feedings with app
- Take video and pics of your cat with feeder’s built-in camera
- Feed up to eight times a day
Cost: $150
Petkit Smart Feed Automatic Feeder
This feeder stores up to six pounds of dry cat food and dispenses it up to ten times a day. You can control the feedings through an app or even through Alexa. You’ll have to make sure you look at the minimum Wi-Fi requirements to make sure that it will work with what you have, but even if the internet goes out, the feeder will continue to dispense the food for your cat.
Key Features:
- Enabled to work with both Wi-Fi and Alexa
- Feeds up to ten times a day
- Will continue to work even if the internet fails
Gravity Automatic Cat Feeders
Fairy Tale Automatic Pet Feeder
This BPA-free feeder holds up to 12 pounds of food and 3.8L of water, which will last small pets up to seven days and larger pets up to three days. It has side handles cut into the containers to make it easy to lift and clean. The water feeder has a mechanism that prevents the water from overflowing the dish. The Fairy Tale feeder comes in five colors to fit the colors of your home’s design decor.
Key Features:
- Mechanism to prevent water overflow
- BPA-free plastic
- Holds large amount of food and water
Cost: $35
This feeder can hold enough food and water to keep three to four cats happy and hydrated for up to five days. Xiapia’s system is BPA-free, easy to clean, and won’t slip because of the anti-slip bottoms of the feeder. This system also comes with a free gift – a brush to pet your cat once he’s done enjoying his food and water.
Key Features:
- Amounts of food and water can keep multiple pets fed and hydrated for days
- Practical because it’s sturdy and easy to clean
- Free comb gift
Cost: $35
This is a clean, white, streamlined look for a gravity feeder. The water feeder holds up to a gallon of water and the food feeder holds up to six pounds of food. The trays at the bottom are square rather than the traditional round, which allows for a larger feeding or drinking space so that multiple cats can eat and drink at the same time. Rubber feet come with this set so that you can attach them to the feeders and make sure that they stay where you want them to stay.
Key Features:
- Square trays for eating and drinking
- Rubber feet to prevent feeders from moving
- 100% refund guarantee if you’re unhappy with the product
Programmable Automatic Cat Feeders
Belopezz Smart Pet Automatic Feeder
The gold color on the feeder will catch your eye first, but what will really sell you on this product is all the things it can do for your cat. It can accommodate different sizes of food so you feel free to give your cat what he needs. It’s made of environmentally-friendly materials so you can know that your cat is safe. And finally it’s made with a special blade that ensures that the food will be properly dispensed and won’t clog while it’s dispensing up to four programmed feedings per day. All that and a fun pop of color? It combines to make a great feeder.
Key Features:
- Made of eco-friendly materials
- Special food-dispensing blade
- Allows for different sized food
HoneyGuaridan Automatic Pet Feeder
Both the food storage area and the stainless steel bowl where the food is dispensed in this automatic feeder are removable for easy cleaning. It holds 3.5L of food, can dispense up to 80 portions. The most you can program it to dispense per day is six meals. The voice recorder will allow you to record your voice calling your pet to come and eat. A motor inversion feature prevents the food from clogging, and the dual-powered system means that between the batteries and the electricity, your cat’s food will always be dispensed.
Key Features:
- Programs up to six meals per day and 80 portions overall
- Easy to clean
- Feature to keep food from clogging
Cost: $70
Nothing says automatic cat feeder like a feeder that actually looks like a cat. The WOPET design is unique and fun, so if you want to use your cat’s feeding system as a way to bring a touch of whimsy to your decor, this is the right choice. In addition to the cool exterior, this feeder has infrared technology to keep food from pouring out of the tray, a voice recorder to allow you to call your pet to come and eat, and battery backup makes sure your cat will be fed up to four times every day.
Key Features:
- Unique look
- Infrared technology to keep food from spilling out
- Programmed up to four times a day
Cost: $60
This feeder looks like a robot is reaching out his arms to greet and feed your cat. If you use the voice program feature to record your voice sounding like a robot calling your cat to come and eat, you can make it even more fun. Other great features of this feeder include programming it for four separate meal times each day, infrared technology to prevent food spillage or food getting stuck, and a leakproof top that prevents your cat from getting into the food supply.
Key Features:
- Leakproof top to keep your cat out of the main food supply
- Fun design and look
- No food gets spilled out of the feeder or stuck in the feeder
Cost: $55
TDynasty Design Automatic Cat Feeder
We love that this feeder comes with a pet food mat as an extra bonus. Sure, it has the infrared technology to keep the food from spilling, but many cats love to remove their food from the tray and eat it on the floor. The mat will keep your floors safe for the four meals per day that it dispenses for your pet. The storage container holds up to 6.5L of food, which can keep your cat fed for a couple of weeks.
Key Features:
- Comes in black and white, and with food mat or without
- Easy to disassemble and clean
- Large storage container for food
Cost: $70
SereneLife Automatic Pet Feeder
This feeder has features that will make cat owners very happy. The storage area holds a large amount of food (6L) and is easy to disassemble and reassemble, which means it’s easy to clean. The BPA-free materials will keep your pet safe. Food is dispensed up to four times per day, and you choose the amount. The larger feed tray allows more than one cat to eat at once, and the tight-fitting lid keeps your pet out of the food storage area.
Key Features:
- Easily to program up to four meals per day
- BPA-free
- Tight-fitting lid to keep your cat from getting into the food
Cost: $75
As opposed to other funkier designs, this feeder is all about the clean lines, streamlined look, and simple structure. But don’t let that fool you. This model still has all the bells and whistles you want in your programmable cat feeder. The storage unit holds up to 7L of food, which is larger than any of the other programmable ones on our list. The infrared technology is there to prevent food spillage, and you have all the control over the portion size too to make sure that your pet only has access to the exact amount of food that you want her to have.
Key Features:
- Large food storage with portion control
- Clean design for a streamlined look
- Voice recorder to call your cat
Wet Food Automatic Cat Feeder
Casfuy 5-Meal Automatic Feeder
This unit can be programmed to feed your cat up to five times a day. Each compartment inside the feeder is separate from the others, so the unit can accommodate either wet or dry food, whichever you want your cat to have. You can record up to ten seconds of your voice into the system and it will play that back for your cat each time the feeder opens to give the cat food. Food tray and cover are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and the dual power supply means your cat won’t go without food even during a power outage.
Key Features:
- Accommodates either wet or dry food
- Voice recording to call your cat
- Cat only has access to one full serving of food at a time
Cost: $55
Two separate containers in this wet food feeder keep feedings separate from one another and ensure that your pet only eats what you want him to eat. The containers hold up to one pound of wet food. Timers on the unit are battery powered and can be programmed up to 48 hours in advance. The containers are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and an ice pack is included to keep the wet food at the correct temperature. This feeder has a three-year guarantee.
Key Features:
- Ice pack to maintain food temperature
- Two feedings over 24 hours
- Battery-powered only, no electrical power
Cost: $30
Don’t let the dog in the picture fool you: this feeder is all about showing your cat the love too. And if your cat loves wet food, this feeder will make him even happier. Or as happy as cats get. It holds up to five meals and each container can hold up to two pounds of wet food, which means more than one cat can eat at once. There’s a built-in voice recorder so that you can call your cat to come and eat, and technology in the feeder keeps the food from spilling and the unit from locking up.
Key Features:
- Holds up to two pounds of wet food in each container
- Built-in voice recorder
- No food spillage
Cost: $45
The cat in the picture is just as excited about this feeder as we are. Five individual feeders hold up to 2 pounds of wet food in each container. BPA-free materials make certain that your cat is safe from harmful plastics. Program the feeder to be ready when you want your cat to eat, and then the built-in voice recorder will use your voice to call your cat and let him know that mealtime is happening. The high capacity battery will last up to one full year so you know your cat will never be without food.
Key Features:
- Five individual feeders with large space for food
- Programmable feeder
- High-capacity battery
Cost: $45
Five food compartments make up this automatic feeder. They can hold wet or dry cat food to cater to your cat’s favorites or allow you to give her a variety of food at different feedings throughout the day. Two ice packs are included with this unit so you know that your wet cat food will stay at the right temperature to keep your cat safe. This feeder requires batteries to work and has a three-year guarantee.
Key Features:
- Two ice packs to keep wet food at safe temperature
- Allows for both dry and wet food
- Three-year guarantee
Cost: $51
