Is your cat a voracious eater? Instead of letting the feline feast on an entire bowl of kibble at once, you can now schedule their portions throughout the day. The good thing is you don’t have to serve it manually. A time release cat food dispenser will be your bosom friend. It can be programmed to release food on specific times of the day with a certain amount. This way, your cat won’t go hungry even if you can’t make it home right away.
| FEEDER | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! PetSafe Smart Automatic Cat Feeder |  | Check Price |
 | WOPET Automatic Smart Feeder | | Check Price |
 | BELOPEZZ 6-Liter Automatic Pet Feeder | | Check Price |
 | PETKIT Automatic Smart Cat Feeder |  | Check Price |
 | WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder | | Check Price |
What is a time release cat food dispenser?
Over the years, cat feeders have become more and more modern. Nowadays, you can buy a time release cat food dispenser that you can control on your smartphone. You simply load the machine with kibble then program it to your liking. So while you’re away, you’ll have peace of mind that your cat will have food supply.
The beauty of automatic cat feeders is it prevents over-feeding. While some cats will stop once they’re full, others will keep munching to their hearts’ content.
Aside from that, free-feeding makes the kibble susceptible to contamination. A rodent may get into the food and leave infectious substances that your cat will later ingest.
Most importantly, an automatic feeder ensures that each serving of kibble is crunchy and fresh. It’s perfect for picky eaters who won’t touch stale kibble.
Time Release Cat Food Dispenser – Top 5 Picks
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: PetSafe Smart Automatic Cat Feeder
Product Name: PetSafe Smart Automatic Cat Feeder
Product Description: If you're looking for a reliable time release cat food dispenser, you'll never go wrong with the PetSafe Smart Automatic Cat Feeder. This smart device has the Amazon Dash Replenishment technology that automatically reorders cat food when the supply is running low. Moreover, this food dispenser has smartphone compatibility. You can use the PetSafe app to monitor and schedule your cat's feeding time. The best part is you can set flexible portions of up to 12 small meals a day to control your cat's feeding speed. Each serving can hold 1/8 to 4 cups at a time, making it a perfect choice for all cat sizes. You can also turn off the app's feeding schedule if your cat needs to stop eating for a specific period. The app will also alert you if the food dispenser is running out of kibble.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
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Summary
Overall, the kibble hopper can hold 24 cups of dry food. It has a stainless steel bowl that can hold up to 5 cups at once.
The good thing about this PetSafe automatic feeder is you can control your cat’s food even if you’re not home. You can also set it up for multiple pets by using the PetSafe meal splitter and another food bowl. It’s a very versatile option for growing pet households.
If you’ve used the previous PetSafe feeder, I’m glad to say that this one has improved a lot. It’s much easier to program, and the setup is very easy to understand.
Pros
Amazon Dash Replenishment
Ability to schedule up to 12 meals
Can be split into two bowls
Cons
Not 100% cat-proof
RUNNERS-UP
WOPET Automatic Smart Feeder
Another automatic feeder that I swear by is the WOPET Food Dispenser. It’s like a pet-sitter that you can control anywhere and anytime you want.
This has a 720p HD camera and microphone that doubles as a pet camera. You can call your cat to feed and monitor its behavior. You can also use it to play with your pet and reward with a small amount of kibble afterwards. For its price, this is a total steal for its functions and features.
Moreover, this comes with two food dispense trays to suit your cat’s feeding needs. This dispenser can serve 1 to 39 portions a day, with each portion containing 10 to 12 grams of food. You can easily set the meal size and time so you’ll have peace of mind that your kitty won’t go hungry.
This food dispenser is a great way to control your cat’s meals to help it lose weight. It’s suitable for most kibble, which is 0.2 to 0.6 inches in diameter. Overall, it can hold six full meals a day, which is more than what your cat needs when you’re away. You can easily customize the serving size as you wish.
I also like the dual power supply so the feeder will keep working during a power outage. It has a battery slot as well as a power adapter. I suggest that you use both so your cat won’t go hungry if an outage occurs and you’re not home.
Overall, this food dispenser is 9.8″ x 13.7″ x 15.3″ that works 110 to 240v.
BELOPEZZ 6-Liter Automatic Pet Feeder
The BELOPEZZ Automatic Pet Feeder has a 6-liter capacity to provide food for your cat all day long. It also prevents overeating and starvation. This can hold 6.5 lbs. of cat food with four mealtime schedules. You can also utilize the 10-second voice recording option to call your cat during mealtimes.
Aside from setting up the meal schedules, you can also tweak each serving. It also has a dual power design to keep the unit running whatever happens.
The highlight of this automatic food dispenser is its intuitive user interface. It’s well-marked, so even non-techie users can set it up with ease.
I also like that this is made of ABS plastic, which isn’t toxic for cats. You will also receive a shaking pet toy as a bonus, where you can stash some kibble to keep your cat busy all day long.
Moreover, the main food hopper is separate from the dispenser, making it easy to clean and fill. It also utilizes a food rotator that can accommodate most kibble sizes. There’s also an infrared sensor that will stop dispensing kibble if the bowl is already full.
Lastly, I like how secured the lid is, which prevents my cat from opening it. I don’t see ants getting inside either, so it’s a great choice if ants are a big problem in your home.
PETKIT Automatic Smart Cat Feeder
If you’re looking for a minimalist option, you’ll never go wrong with the PETKIT Automatic Smart Cat Feeder. It’s Alexa-compatible and can be controlled through your smartphone. You can also schedule feeding times to ensure that your cat is well-fed even if you’re sleeping or at work.
Moreover, this automatic food dispenser can schedule up to 10 feedings. Each serving can be anywhere from 5 to 50 grams, depending on what your cat needs. It can also fit kibbles that are 0.47 inches in diameter.
The PETKIT cat feeder works with the Duo Fresh Lock System. It keeps the kibble fresh and dry on its 3.3.-lbs. hopper. The dispenser is also equipped with a weight sensor that notifies you through the app if the kibble is starting to run out.
One thing that really sets this apart from other food dispensers is its backup. During power or internet outage, the dispenser will still execute the programmed schedule. Just make sure that there are four AA batteries in place to keep the feeder working.
Lastly, this feeder is easy to disassemble, and the kibble hopper is separate from the unit. This makes it very easy to clean and refill. Overall, this dispenser is 6.69″ wide, 6.69″ long, and 12.56″ tall. It’s the perfect choice for small cats and even dogs!
WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder
My last recommendation for this roundup is the WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder. This allows you to set four feeding schedules per day. It has the same WOPET LCD panel where you can set meal schedules.
Aside from that, this cat feeder can hold kibbles that are 0.2 to 0.6 inches in diameter. It also comes with a removable and dishwasher-safe tray.
The main storage of this feeder can hold up to 20 cups or 7 liters of cat food. It also comes with a custom recording feature that you can use to call your cat for feeding. The kibble chute is also angled to prevent blockage.
In case of a power outage, this cat feeder has a backup battery to keep it running. With this, you will have peace of mind that your kitty will be fed properly even if the power and internet are out.
Moreover, this feeder has an infrared detection technology that stops the dispenser from releasing food once the tray is full. This prevents spilling in case you programmed the wrong serving.
Overall, this is a well-designed food dispenser for pets. It’s heaven-sent if you’re planning to leave your cat for two to three days. It will also make your life easier if you’re busy at work and can’t make it home in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it okay to leave cat food out all day?
A: If your cat has leftovers from the automatically dispensed food, you must throw it away after a day. This kibble is stale and likely to be contaminated. Also, your cat will not touch it because it’s no longer appealing to their taste. If your cat keeps on having leftovers, you should consider reducing the serving on each release to prevent wastage.
Q: Why is my cat hungry all the time?
A: Cats tend to be hungry all the time because of their big appetite. However, some cats will be hungrier than most if it doesn’t receive ample nutrition. You should also check with the vet if your cat suddenly had a change in appetite. While a boost in appetite is a good thing, it can also point to a health problem like diabetes.
Q: How many times a day should I feed my kitten?
A: For kittens under a year old, three to four times a day in small servings are ideal. This will give the young feline food supply throughout the day so it won’t suffer from hypoglycemia. It also prevents your kitten from starving and experiencing overeating.
Q: How often should I clean an automatic cat feeder?
A: I suggest cleaning the cat feeder once its load has run out. Although the feeder is enclosed, you have to clean it regularly to remove old kibble dust that may harbor mold and contaminants in the long run. This will ensure that your cat’s food remains fresh and clean and ready for consumption.
Q: Who invented automatic feeders?
A: Even before it entered the domestic setting, automatic feeders have been utilized by farmers to feed their cattle and livestock. Over time, Kum-Pet was invented, which became the first-ever patented automatic feeder for pets. It was released in 1947 and has been the predecessor of the modern automatic feeders we have today.
Q: Are automatic feeders bad for cats?
A: Automatic feeders are safe for cats as long as you set it up properly. You should set the right serving size and mealtime to prevent overeating and starvation. The automatic feeder should also be made of non-toxic plastic and a mechanism that will not injure your cats.
Final words
A time release cat food dispenser is a convenient investment that will keep your pet well-nourished. With this device, you can schedule meal times to feed your cat even when you’re away. Just make sure that you get the right size and features to suit your needs.
What do you think of these automatic cat feeders? Share your thoughts below!
