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10 Best Automatic Cat Feeders for Multiple Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Best Automatice Dog Feeder

If you have independent cats, they may do well with an automatic cat feeder. Automatic cat feeders have evolved and improved over the years, so they’ve become a lot more reliable. They’re a great investment, especially if you’re starting to transition from working from home to going back into the office, or if you tend to travel a lot. There are many different kinds of cat feeders, so we developed a collection of reviews of the best automatic cat feeders for multiple cats. Having more than one feline can prove to be most difficult at mealtime. Keep reading to find an automatic cat feeder that’s a great fit for you and your cats.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
WellToBe Dispenser for Cats WellToBe Dispenser for Cats
  • Two-way splitter
  • Automatic de-clogging system
  • Has backup power source
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Cat Mate Auto Feeder Cat Mate Auto Feeder
  • Can hold wet food
  • Ice pack keeps food fresh
  • Easy to clean
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    SureFeed Microchip Cat Feeder SureFeed Microchip Cat Feeder
  • Prevents food-stealing
  • Can store dry and wet food
  • Keeps food fresh
  • DOGNESS Smart Feeder & Camera DOGNESS Smart Feeder & Camera
  • Connects to smartphone app
  • Has HD camera
  • Patented jam-free dispenser
  • HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder
  • Voice recording enabled
  • Backup batteries
  • Two-way splitter
  • The 10 Best Automatic Cat Feeders for Multiple Cats

    1. WellToBe Dispenser for Cat & Small Dog

    WellToBe Dispenser for Cat & Small Dog (1)

    Capacity: 13 cups
    Mealtime count: Six meals per day
    The best overall automatic cat feeder for multiple cats is the WellToBe Dispenser for Cat & Small Dog. It has a very modern, clean look, and it has a very thoughtful design that truly makes feeding your cats automatic and worry-free. First, you can program up to six meals a day. The feeder has an infrared sensor that prevents the food bowl from overfilling. It operates with a power adapter, but you can also install batteries in case there’s a power shortage. You can also record your voice and have the recording play automatically to encourage your pets to eat at mealtimes.

    This feeder also has a splitter so that the kibble can fall into two separate bowls. This encourages your cats to eat their own portions. Just keep in mind that the size of the kibble can’t be more than 0.47 inches or else it can risk jamming the feeder. However, if the dispenser gets clogged, it does have an automatic reversal system that works to sift the kibble.

    Pros
    • Two-way splitter
    • Automatic de-clogging system
    • Has back-up power source

    Cons
    • Kibble can’t exceed 0.47 inches


    2. Cat Mate C200 20Bowl Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder – Best Value

    Cat Mate C200 20Bowl Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 14 ounces of wet food
    Mealtime count: Two meals per day
    This automatic cat feeder is an affordable option and can feed one or two cats. It has two bowls with lids that come up when the timer sets off. This feeder is unique because it can hold both dry and wet cat food. It also has an ice pack that keeps wet cat food cold and fresh. It may be limited in the number of times it can dispense food, but it usually has a significantly lower price than other automatic cat feeders. Therefore, it’s the best automatic cat feeder for multiple cats for the money you pay. It can also be a great supplemental dispenser if your cat likes to eat both dry and wet cat food.
    Pros
    • Can hold wet food
    • Ice pack keeps food fresh
    • Easy to clean

    Cons
    • Dispenses two separate meals


    3. SureFeed Microchip Small Dog & Cat Feeder – Premium Choice

    SureFeed Microchip Small Dog & Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 6 cups
    Mealtime count: Unlimited

    SureFeed’s feeder is one of the most technologically advanced automatic cat feeders in the market. It senses the microchip in your cats administered by veterinarians and only opens when the designated cat approaches it. It also comes with a special collar so that only the pet wearing this color can eat from the feeder. This technology is great for homes with multiple pets because it prevents other pets from eating your cat’s food. The feeder also comes with instructions to help train your cat to get used to it. So, even timid cats can transition to eating from it.

    It can also hold both dry and wet food, so your cats can enjoy their favorite meals while you’re gone. It’s important to note that this feeder doesn’t hold as much food as other automatic cat feeders. Therefore, it’s a good solution for when you’re absent for shorter periods of time. It’s also best if each pet has its own feeder, which can get expensive. However, if you have a pet that tends to steal food and gain weight, this is a great solution to prevent that pet from eating another pet’s food.

    Pros
    • Prevents food-stealing
    • Can store dry and wet food
    • Keeps food fresh

    Cons
    • Holds small capacity
    • Relatively expensive


    4. DOGNESS Automatic WiFi Dog & Cat Smart Feeder with HD Camera – Best for Kittens

    DOGNESS Automatic WiFi Dog & Cat Smart Feeder with HD Camera (1)

    Capacity: 25 cups
    Mealtime count: Unlimited
    This feeder has a very convenient setup. Once you plug it in and connect it with the accompanying phone app, you can set up a meal dispensing schedule and also record your voice so that you can call your cats whenever the dispenser releases more kibble. We recommend this feeder for kittens because of the HD camera attached to it. This feature allows you to keep an eye out for your kittens while you’re not home and make sure that they’re eating and staying safe.

    One thing to keep in mind is that this feeder uses only a power adapter and doesn’t have a set of back-up batteries. Therefore, if there was a power outage, this feeder will stay shut off.

    Pros
    • Connects to smartphone app
    • Has HD camera
    • Patented jam-free dispenser

    Cons
    • No back-up batteries


    5. HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder

    HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 13 cups
    Mealtime count: Six meals per day
    The HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder is a very considerable and safe option for cat owners who travel often or spend long hours outside of the house. It has a large capacity to hold kibble, and it also has a flashing indicator whenever the food runs low. So, there’s a lower chance that this feeder will run out of kibble. It also has a convenient two-way splitter so that your cats can eat from separate bowls. You don’t have to worry about kibble getting stuck because the feeder has a sensor that identifies if food gets jammed. This sensor then activates an internal system that works to loosen up the kibble.

    Lastly, this cat feeder can also run on batteries, so if there’s an issue with its power adapter, it’ll automatically use energy from the batteries. Some cat owners that purchased this feeder did face initial challenges with setting up the automatic dispensing schedule because the buttons on the setup screen can be a little confusing at first. However, once you get used to the system, you should be able to program the feeder to automatically dispense food up to six different times a day.

    Pros
    • Voice recording enabled
    • Back-up batteries
    • Two-way splitter

    Cons
    • Setup isn’t very intuitive


    6. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog & Cat Feeder

    PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog & Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 24 cups
    Mealtime count: 12 meals per day
    A notable feature of PetSafe’s automatic cat feeder is its large quantity of food and scheduled meal distributions. It can hold an impressive amount of 24 cups of food, and it can dispense food up to 12 times per day. The lid is translucent so you can easily see when it’s time to refill the feeder. These larger numbers are perfect for cat owners with multiple cats because they provide more feeding opportunities, and cat owners can stay out of the house for a longer period of time.

    There’s also a slow feed option, which dispenses a meal over 15 minutes to prevent cats from eating too quickly. You can also temporarily pause feeding without reconfiguring the regular feeding schedule.

    This feeder can use both a power adapter and batteries. However, both are not included, so make sure to purchase either option or both before attempting to use this feeder.

    Pros
    • Dispenses high number of meals
    • Slow feed option
    • Option to temporarily pause food dispensing

    Cons
    • Power adapter sold separately


    7. Cat Mate C500n Digital 5 Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder

    Cat Mate C500n Digital 5 Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder

    Capacity: 7¼ cups
    Mealtime count: Five meals a day
    The Cat Mate C500n has five separate compartments that can hold up to 1.45 cups of food. It has a timer that you can use to input mealtimes, and the lid will only open at these times. The lid is also tamper-proof, so you don’t have to worry about the feeder breaking easily. There’s also an icepack underneath the food compartments so that you can store wet cat food and keep it fresh.

    This feeder also only requires three AA batteries, which last for about 12 months of use. This feeder may not be the best option if you’re planning an extended vacation. The scheduling options are to either have the lid open once a day for 4 days or twice a day for 2 days.

    Pros
    • Energy efficient
    • Can hold wet food
    • Tamper-proof lid

    Cons
    • Not good for extended absences
    • Has only one power source


    8. WOPET 6L Automatic Cat Feeder

    WOPET 6L Automatic Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 6 liters
    Mealtime count: 15 meals per day
    The WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder can hold up to 6 liters of cat food and dispense food up to 15 times a day. This capacity makes this feeder very ideal for homes with multiple cats. You can also record your voice to encourage your cats to eat as soon as the meal gets dispensed. This cat feeder pairs with a convenient phone app, so it’s very easy to set up a meal schedule. The app also makes the process of adding additional meals or pausing meals very simple and straightforward. Just note that you must have a WiFi connection to make changes to the meal schedule.

    The feeder also has an infrared sensor that detects if the bowl is full so that it won’t release more food and overfill the food bowl if your pet decides not to eat a meal. The cat feeder operates on two power sources: a power adapter and batteries. The batteries act as a back-up power source in case of a power outage. It will also continue to work off the current meal schedule if there’s a break in your home’s WiFi connection.

    Pros
    • Easy meal schedule setup
    • Voice recording option
    • Two power sources

    Cons
    • Can’t make changes without WiFi


    9. Petlibro Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder

    Petlibro Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 17 cups
    Mealtime count: Four meals per day
    Petlibro Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder is another great option because of the large quantity of food that it can hold. It also has a translucent model so that it’s easier for you to tell when the kibble runs low. Some customers have reported that it’s a bit of a challenge to learn how to use the LCD screen to set up a meal schedule. However, once you get the hang of it, you can program up to four separate meals, so it’s a substantial arrangement for homes with two cats. The container also requires two hands to open, so you don’t have to worry about your cats easily accessing the main food storage compartment.

    Another unique feature is the desiccant bags that you insert into the food storage compartment so that kibble stays fresh for longer. This automatic cat feeder is also ideal for owners who are out of the house for longer periods of time or on vacation for a few days. You can record a mealtime message to encourage your cats to eat, the feeder also has a back-up battery option in case there are issues with the power adapter.

    Pros
    • Difficult for pets to break into
    • Record mealtime message
    • Back-up batteries

    Cons
    • Scheduling meals isn’t user-friendly


    10. PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 WiFi-enabled Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder

    PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 WiFi-enabled Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder (1)

    Capacity: 24 cups
    Mealtime count: 12 meals per day
    This feeder is one of the smartest feeders available in the market. You can conveniently schedule meals through a phone app, so it’s easy to set up and make changes to feeding schedules. On top of that, the feeder is compatible with Amazon Echo, so you can use voice commands to feed your cats. The feeder can hold a large capacity of food and can dispense food up to 12 times a day, so it can handle homes with more than two cats. The lid also has a magnetic lock, and it’s easy for you to open but difficult for your cats.

    There’s also a “Feed Now” option on the phone app so that the feeder can dispense food right away without stopping the normal meal schedule. You can also use the “Slow Feed” option for pets who eat too fast, which dispenses food over the span of 15 minutes.

    This feeder has a fairly large bowl, so it might be too big for smaller cat breeds to use. The price also tends to run on the more expensive end. However, the feeder’s still a great option to consider because it helps make healthy eating schedules an easier and more convenient experience.

    Pros
    • “Feed Now” and “Slow Feed” options
    • Easy to set up a meal schedule
    • Compatible with Amazon Echo
    • Can feed more than two cats

    Cons
    • Relatively expensive
    • Too large for smaller cat breeds

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Automatic Cat Feeders for Multiple Cats

    Even in the subcategory of automatic cat feeders, there are several different kinds of options. It’s important to consider the following key factors to find a feeder that’s best for your situation.

    cat eating Nom Nom Now
    Photo Credit: Nom Nom Now

    Cat Food Capacity

    Make sure to purchase a feeder that can hold the right amount of food for the number of cats in your house. Most feeders contain between 10-20 cups of dry cat food. The capacity of food that the feeder can hold will affect how long you can stay away from home. Therefore, if you travel frequently or have more than two cats, make sure to find a cat feeder that can hold at least 18 cups of cat food.

    Also, make sure to find a cat feeder that can dispense the correct type of food. Most automatic feeders can contain dry cat food only. However, there are some models, such as the Cat Mate C200 20Bowl Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder and SureFeed Microchip Small Dog & Cat Feeder that can hold wet cat food. Just remember that these specific feeders can only hold wet cat food for a limited amount of time because they use ice packs. Therefore, it’s best to use these types of feeders if you’re out of the house for less than 24 hours.

    Number of Daily Meal Distributions

    Different cat feeders have different amounts of times they can dispense food. Cat feeders that can dispense food more frequently tend to be more expensive. However, you may not necessarily have to buy these feeders. Most cat feeders have options to change the portion size of the meals that get dispensed. Therefore, if you’re fine with releasing a larger volume of food, you can save more money and purchase a cat feeder that dispenses fewer daily meals.

    cat eating on floor at home
    Photo Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

    Smart Technology Options

    There are several different types of technological advancements that have appeared on cat feeders over the years.

    The most common advancements are the following:
    • Phone app meal scheduling
    • Voice recording
    • Pet cameras
    • Voice command
    • Automatic de-jamming system

    These features aren’t exactly necessary, but they do make feeding your cats a lot more convenient. The most convenient smart technology is using a phone app to schedule meals. A lot of automatic cat feeders that use a localized LCD display screen to schedule meals aren’t very user-friendly, and meal schedule setups can take up more time. Phone apps make scheduling a much easier process, and it’s simple to remotely dispense food immediately. The only caveat is that phone apps use WiFi, so if you lose connection or are in an area with a weak signal, you wouldn’t be able to make changes to a meal schedule.

    Power Sources

    Most automatic cat feeders use a power adapter as the main source of energy. These days, it’s rare to see cat feeders that are exclusively battery-operated. If you’re away from home often, make sure to look for cat feeders that have a back-up power source so that you don’t have to worry if there’s a power outage while you’re gone. The HoneyGuardian Automatic Cat Feeder and WOPET 6L Automatic Cat Feeder are great examples of feeders with a substantial back-up power source.

    Conclusion

    Considering all the criteria for a good cat feeder, our recommendation for the best overall automatic cat feeder for multiple cats is the WellToBe Dispenser for Cat & Small Dog. It usually has a comparable price and has all the features you need to make sure your cats are well-fed while you’re away from home. The DOGNESS Automatic WiFi Dog & Cat Smart Feeder with HD Camera is also a great option. It has a camera that helps give you peace of mind as you’re able to check on your beloved cats while you’re out of the house.


    Featured Image Credit: PxFuel

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