For cats
The Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Cats (2027)
The best automatic feeders for cats in 2027: small portions, quiet motors, and jam-resistant dispensers sized for feline appetites.
The short answer
For cats, the VOLUAS Automatic Cat Feeder with Timer is the best pick thanks to simple timer scheduling and a voice call at mealtimes. Wet-food cats need the Cat Mate C500, and the WOPET is the best budget option.
Our top picks at a glance
- VOLUAS Automatic Cat Feeder with TimerA straightforward 4 L timer feeder that skips the app entirely.Best overall for cats
- Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet FeederThe pick for wet food, with ice packs to keep meals fresh.Best for wet-food cats
- WOPET Automatic Cat FeederA dependable budget feeder with voice recording and battery backup.Best budget for cats
- PETLIBRO Granary WiFi Automatic Pet FeederApp-controlled 5-liter feeding with a low-food sensor.Best WiFi value
- Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet FeederOpens only for the right pet, keeping food fresh and bullies out.Best selective feeder
- PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet FeederFive pre-portioned meals on a timer, wet or dry.Best portioned-meal timer
- Arf Pets Automatic Pet FeederA straightforward timer feeder with voice recording.Best compact timer
- iPettie Donut Frost WiFi Pet FeederScheduled feeding plus a 1080p camera to watch mealtimes.Best with camera
- PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic FeederThe most capable app-controlled feeder for multi-pet homes.Best overall
- PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply FeedTwelve meals a day and a 24-cup hopper, no WiFi needed.Best large-capacity offline
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Cat owners in this selection value quiet, frequent small meals paired with a familiar voice cue at feeding time
- Wet-food compartments with ice packs in this group keep a daytime meal fresh without a kibble hopper
Common complaints
- For cats in this lineup, sharing one bowl still triggers guarding in some homes so a second unit is often the real answer
- Several cat picks here use coarser portion steps, making tiny grazing amounts less exact than owners expect
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Hopper capacity | Meals per day | Portion size | Power | Bowl type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VOLUAS Automatic Cat Feeder with Timer | Best overall for cats | About 4 L | 1 to 4 | Portions set per meal in fixed steps | AC adapter with battery backup | Single bowl |
| 2 | Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder | Best for wet-food cats | - | - | - | 1 AA battery (included in some bundles) | - |
| 3 | WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder | Best budget for cats | 4 L (about 16 cups) | Up to 4 | - | AC adapter plus 3 D-cell battery backup | - |
| 4 | PETLIBRO Granary WiFi Automatic Pet Feeder | Best WiFi value | 5 L (about 20 cups) | Up to 10 | - | AC adapter plus battery backup | - |
| 5 | Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder | Best selective feeder | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder | Best portioned-meal timer | - | - | - | Battery powered | - |
| 7 | Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder | Best compact timer | 4 L | Up to 4 | - | AC adapter plus 3 D-cell battery backup | - |
| 8 | iPettie Donut Frost WiFi Pet Feeder | Best with camera | 6 L | - | - | AC adapter plus battery backup | - |
| 9 | PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Feeder | Best overall | 24 cups (about 5.7 L) | Up to 12 | - | AC adapter with battery backup option | - |
| 10 | PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed | Best large-capacity offline | 24 cups | Up to 12 | - | AC adapter plus battery backup | - |
Best overall for cats
VOLUAS Automatic Cat Feeder with Timer
A straightforward 4 L timer feeder that skips the app entirely.
Up to 4 timed meals a day with programmable portions suits how cats prefer to eat, and the voice recording adds a familiar cue at mealtimes. With no app or WiFi involved, the schedule simply runs, day after day.
Strengths
- Timer programming on the unit, with no app, account, or network needed
- Voice recorder plays a short mealtime call cats learn quickly
- Dual power keeps scheduled meals coming during an outage
- 4 L hopper reduces refill frequency for one or two cats
Limitations
- No remote control or feeding alerts
- Portion steps are coarser than on premium smart feeders
- Large or irregular kibble shapes can jam the dispenser
| Hopper capacity | About 4 L |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | 1 to 4 |
| Portion size | Portions set per meal in fixed steps |
| Power | AC adapter with battery backup |
| Bowl type | Single bowl |
Best for: Cat owners who want set-and-forget timed meals, a voice message at feeding time, and no WiFi setup at all.
Skip if: You want to change schedules or trigger a meal from your phone while away from home.
Best for wet-food cats
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
The pick for wet food, with ice packs to keep meals fresh.
Cats on wet food need sealed, chilled portions rather than a kibble hopper. The C500's five timed compartments and twin ice packs keep meals fresh until the lid rotates open.
Strengths
- Five compartments serve up to five meals on a programmable timer
- Includes two ice packs that keep wet food fresh for hours
- Battery operation means no cords and placement anywhere
- Dishwasher-safe removable bowls and lid
Limitations
- Not suitable for dry kibble in bulk; compartments hold single meals
- No app or WiFi; all programming is on the unit
- Determined cats can sometimes nudge the lid early
| Compartments | 5, each about 11.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Meals | Up to 5 timed meals |
| Cooling | 2 reusable ice packs included |
| Power | 1 AA battery (included in some bundles) |
| Food type | Wet or dry food in single portions |
Best for: Cats on wet food or medication schedules that need timed access to fresh meals.
Skip if: You need large dry-kibble capacity or smartphone control.
Best budget for cats
WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder
A dependable budget feeder with voice recording and battery backup.
Four timed meals a day, adjustable portions, and battery backup cover the essentials for one or two cats at the lowest price here.
Strengths
- Schedules up to 4 meals a day with adjustable portion sizes
- Built-in voice recorder and speaker for a 10-second mealtime message
- Dual power supply with battery backup preserves the schedule
- Designed to reduce food blockages in the dispensing mechanism
Limitations
- No WiFi or app on the standard model
- 4 L capacity means frequent refills for large appetites
- Kibble larger than about 0.6 inch can jam the rotor
| Hopper capacity | 4 L (about 16 cups) |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | Up to 4 |
| Voice recorder | 10 seconds |
| Power | AC adapter plus 3 D-cell battery backup |
| Food type | Dry kibble up to about 0.6 inch |
Best for: Budget shoppers who want scheduled feeding, portion control, and a voice message feature.
Skip if: You need app control or have more than two cats sharing one feeder.
Best WiFi value
PETLIBRO Granary WiFi Automatic Pet Feeder
App-controlled 5-liter feeding with a low-food sensor.
The Granary's 5 L hopper and app scheduling suit cats whose owners travel: up to 10 small meals a day, low-food alerts, and a twist-lock lid that resists the household's most determined paw.
Strengths
- 5 L hopper holds about 20 cups of dry food
- Schedules up to 10 meals a day through the smartphone app
- Infrared sensor alerts you when food runs low
- Twist-lock lid resists clever paws
Limitations
- Connects on 2.4 GHz WiFi only
- Dry kibble only, sized for standard small kibble
- App account required for scheduling
| Hopper capacity | 5 L (about 20 cups) |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | Up to 10 |
| Connectivity | WiFi 2.4 GHz with smartphone app |
| Low-food detection | Infrared sensor with app alerts |
| Power | AC adapter plus battery backup |
Best for: Owners who want WiFi scheduling and low-food alerts at a mid-range price.
Skip if: You have no reliable 2.4 GHz WiFi or prefer fully offline feeders.
Best selective feeder
Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
Opens only for the right pet, keeping food fresh and bullies out.
For the multi-cat home where one cat steals or one eats a prescription diet, the SureFeed opens only for the right microchip or collar tag. No other feeder here solves the wrong-cat problem.
Strengths
- Reads your pet's implanted microchip or an RFID collar tag
- Sealed lid keeps wet and dry food fresher longer
- Split bowl design serves two food types at once
- Runs about 6 months on 4 C batteries
Limitations
- Not a timed dispenser; it controls access, not schedules
- Large dogs cannot fit their muzzles in the opening
- Premium price for a single-pet device
| Access control | Microchip or RFID collar tag |
|---|---|
| Bowl | Split design, two halves |
| Battery | 4 C cells, about 6 months |
| Food type | Wet or dry food |
| Lid | Sealed, motion-activated |
Best for: Multi-pet homes where one pet steals food or needs a prescription diet.
Skip if: You need bulk timed dispensing rather than selective access.
Best portioned-meal timer
PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
Five pre-portioned meals on a timer, wet or dry.
Five 1-cup compartments of pre-measured food, wet or dry, on a battery timer. Cats on exact portions, or medication mixed into food, get meals no hopper meters as precisely.
Strengths
- Five 1-cup compartments serve exact pre-measured meals
- Handles wet or dry food, unlike hopper dispensers
- Battery powered with no cords to chew
- Dishwasher-safe tray for easy cleaning
Limitations
- Only 5 meals total before refilling
- No app, WiFi, or portion adjustment per meal
- Compartments suit cats and small dogs best
| Meals | 5 compartments, 1 cup each |
|---|---|
| Food type | Wet or dry food |
| Power | Battery powered |
| Tray | Removable, dishwasher safe |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
Best for: Owners who want exact pre-measured meals, including wet food, on a simple timer.
Skip if: You need large capacity or more than 5 meals a day.
Best compact timer
Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder
A straightforward timer feeder with voice recording.
A compact 4 L timer feeder with portions from 1 to 10 servings and a voice call at mealtimes. Simple scheduled feeding for one cat, with battery backup and no app setup.
Strengths
- Schedules up to 4 meals per day
- Portions adjustable from 1 to 10 servings per meal
- 10-second voice recorder plays at feeding time
- Dual power keeps the schedule during outages
Limitations
- No WiFi or smartphone app
- 4 L hopper needs frequent refills for big appetites
- Coarser portion steps than premium rivals
| Hopper capacity | 4 L |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | Up to 4 |
| Portions per meal | 1 to 10 servings |
| Voice recorder | 10 seconds |
| Power | AC adapter plus 3 D-cell battery backup |
Best for: Owners who want simple scheduled feeding with a mealtime voice message.
Skip if: You need app control or a hopper larger than 4 liters.
Best with camera
iPettie Donut Frost WiFi Pet Feeder
Scheduled feeding plus a 1080p camera to watch mealtimes.
The camera feeder: 6 L of storage, 1080p video with night vision, and two-way audio, for owners who want to watch a shy cat actually eat while they are away.
Strengths
- 6 L hopper holds days of food for cats and small dogs
- 1080p camera with night vision and two-way audio
- App scheduling with portion control
- Fresh-seal lid design slows food staleness
Limitations
- Camera features need 2.4 GHz WiFi
- Larger footprint than basic timer feeders
- Premium price for the camera hardware
| Hopper capacity | 6 L |
|---|---|
| Camera | 1080p with night vision |
| Audio | Two-way talk |
| Connectivity | WiFi 2.4 GHz with smartphone app |
| Power | AC adapter plus battery backup |
Best for: Owners who want to see and hear their pet at mealtimes from anywhere.
Skip if: You do not want a camera in the feeding area or need offline scheduling.
Best overall
PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Feeder
The most capable app-controlled feeder for multi-pet homes.
The 24-cup hopper and portions from 1/8 cup serve a house of cats for days, and up to 12 scheduled meals a day matches feline grazing better than most feeders allow.
Strengths
- Schedules up to 12 meals per day with portion sizes from 1/8 cup to 4 cups
- 24-cup hopper suits large dogs or multi-cat households for days at a time
- Slow-feed mode dispenses meals over 15 minutes to prevent gulping
- Works with Amazon Alexa for voice-activated feeding
Limitations
- Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi; setup can frustrate users on mesh networks
- Dry kibble only, with a maximum kibble diameter of about 3/4 inch
- App notifications depend on a stable home internet connection
| Hopper capacity | 24 cups (about 5.7 L) |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | Up to 12 |
| Portion range | 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal |
| Connectivity | WiFi 2.4 GHz with smartphone app |
| Power | AC adapter with battery backup option |
Best for: Owners who want full app control, up to 12 meals a day, and Alexa voice commands.
Skip if: You feed only wet food, or you want the simplest possible setup with no WiFi.
Best large-capacity offline
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed
Twelve meals a day and a 24-cup hopper, no WiFi needed.
The offline maximum: 12 meals a day and portions from 1/8 cup with no app or network involved, a strong fit for multi-cat homes that distrust WiFi gadgets.
Strengths
- Schedules up to 12 meals per day
- 24-cup hopper suits large dogs and multi-pet homes
- Portions from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal
- Slow-feed mode stretches meals over 15 minutes
Limitations
- No WiFi, app, or remote feeding
- Programming through the on-unit display takes patience
- Dry kibble only
| Hopper capacity | 24 cups |
|---|---|
| Meals per day | Up to 12 |
| Portion range | 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal |
| Slow-feed mode | Dispenses over about 15 minutes |
| Power | AC adapter plus battery backup |
Best for: Owners who want maximum scheduling without any app or network.
Skip if: You want remote control or feeding notifications on your phone.
Questions, answered
How many meals a day should a cat get from a feeder?
Most adult cats do well on 2 to 4 small meals a day. Feeders that split food into many small portions suit feline grazing habits better than one or two large dumps.
Will the motor noise scare my cat?
Some cats startle at first. The voice-recording feature helps, since the familiar sound plays before dispensing. Most cats acclimate within a few days.
Can two cats share one automatic feeder?
They can, but food guarding is common. In multi-cat homes, two feeders placed apart give each cat reliable access and let you track who eats what.
What kibble size works in cat feeders?
Most cat feeders handle kibble up to about 0.4 to 0.6 inch in diameter. Larger kibble can jam the rotor, so check your food against the feeder's stated limit.