Automatic cat feeders let you control your cat’s food intake whether you’re home or away.
With its versatility and consistent performance, the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is our top pick for the best automatic cat feeder on the market. Though less advanced than some of our other recommendations, it functions well and is compatible with any type of cat food. Its rotating design keeps the food secure while the built-in ice packs keep it fresh.
In this guide, we’ll explore the common types of automatic cat feeders and share our top picks for the best models on the market.
At a Glance: 8 Best Automatic Cat Feeders in 2026
- Pairs with your cat’s microchip or RFID tag
- Good for cats with special diets
- Easy to program with a single button
If your cat requires a special diet, a microchip feeder is a great way to ensure that they’re the only one who can access the food. It also keeps larger pets like dogs from stealing your cat’s food. The SureFeed microchip feeder is one of the most reliable models on the market.
This microchip feeder features a single 1.6-cup plastic dish set in an enclosure and covered by a clear plastic lid. The action of the lid is triggered by either an implanted microchip or a special RFID tag worn on your cat’s collar. Though the feeder only comes with one of these special tags, you can buy more. The device holds up to 32 pets in its memory, even after a battery change.
The SureFeed feeder works with any kind of cat food. Keep in mind, however, that it doesn’t include an ice pack or any other way to keep wet food fresh for more than a few hours. The feeder comes with a single bowl, a two-compartment bowl, and a silicone feeding mat.
Compared to other microchip feeders, the SureFeed is easy to pair with your pet’s microchip—it only takes the touch of a button. Once paired, simply start the multi-stage training program to help your cat get used to the motion of the lid. Customers report that the feeder is easy to set up and that it works consistently.
- Compatible with any type of food
- Safe and secure—cats can’t access the food under the cover
- Affordable and simple to operate
Ideal for short absences or cats who eat wet, fresh, or raw food, the Cat Mate C500 is low-tech and easy to operate. This automatic feeder consists of a rotating dish divided into five compartments, each with a ¾ pound (1.45 cup) capacity. Most importantly, it comes with two reusable ice packs that can be used to keep wet food fresh for 1–2 days.
Due to its limited capacity, the Cat Mate feeder may not be practical for multiple cats. You’ll need to measure the meals yourself and refill them regularly, so it may not be ideal for extended trips either.
With just three buttons and a small LCD display, however, this feeder has the advantage of being simple to program. It offers up to four scheduled mealtimes and one immediate feeding for a total of five meals. The display remains on after programming, so you can check it at a glance to make sure it’s still on schedule.
The Cat Mate doesn’t have as many features as some other programmable feeders and requires frequent refills. But this automatic feeder is an outstanding option for people who want to feed their cat wet food or a variety of different types of food. It is powered by 3 AA batteries, which aren’t included in your purchase.
- Compatible with 2.4G and 5G WiFi and smartphone app
- Large hopper holds up to 21 cups (about 20 days of food)
- Tamper-proof but easy to take apart for cleaning
Compatible with both 2.4G and 5G technology, this WiFi feeder pairs with the Petlibro Lite smartphone app (available for iOS and Android devices) to enable remote monitoring and control. It’s a dry food-only model with a generously sized 5L hopper that holds about 21 cups—roughly equal to 20 days of meals for the average cat.
The feeder comes with a large, wide bowl and the food is dispensed with a gentle whirring sound—no clunking or snapping like the noises some feeders make. Between the twist-lock lid and the chute that seals after dispensing food, it’s one of the most secure upright feeders we’ve tested.
Not only is it designed to keep determined food thiefs out, but it’s also engineered to keep your cat’s food fresh for weeks at a time. The hopper is tightly sealed and the desiccant pouch in the lid adds extra protection against moisture. Plus, it has a dual power supply with a backup battery in case of power outages.
This feeder dispenses food consistently and reliably into an easy-to-clean stainless steel bowl. You can adjust the meal size between 1 and 50 portions—each portion is 10g (about one tablespoon of dry cat food)—for up to 10 meals per day. For a personalized touch, this feeder enables you to record a 10-second message to call your pet at mealtime.
- Keeps meals fresh for up to three days
- Allows you to schedule up to three meals or feed on demand
- Customizable feeding window, up to four hours
The Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder features a built-in refrigeration unit that uses advanced semiconductor technology to keep wet food cool and fresh for up to 72 hours. It lets you schedule up to three meals through an app on your phone. Since most cats prefer to eat wet food at room temperature, upcoming meals are kept in a non-refrigerated section 30 minutes before serving.
When meals are ready, a chime alerts your cat to “come and get it.” Along with choosing the date and time of your cat’s meals, you can also select which compartment you want to be served—a helpful feature for pets who need specific foods at a specific time. Users can set the finish time for meals within a window of up to four hours. The Polar Feeder is powered by a 60W power adapter and needs to be plugged into the wall.
It’s also equipped with a backup battery compartment (takes 3 AA batteries) to maintain your cat’s feeding schedule for 12 hours if there’s a power outage. Currently, the Polar Feeder costs $129.99 on Amazon, which puts it on the higher end of automatic feeders. However, given the technology behind this device, I think it’s a good value that will serve the needs of many cat parents.
- RFID-controlled access prevents food stealing between cats
- Dual power supply with long-lasting rechargeable battery
- Compact design fits in small spaces
Another option from Petlibro, the One RFID Cat Feeder is a modestly sized, budget-friendly choice designed for multi-cat households. With a compact footprint and specialized access control, it’s a great fit for homes with limited room and cats on different diets. Plus, it has a dual power supply with a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to several weeks. You don’t need to place it near an outlet if it isn’t convenient.
The Petlibro One uses RFID technology to recognize specific cats and only opens the lid when an authorized pet approaches. This means you can control access to food—helpful if one of your cats tends to overeat or needs a prescription diet. The feeder includes a collar tag and supports up to four profiles. While it doesn’t dispense multiple meals a day like some other Petlibro models, the secure lid ensures that only the right cat can eat when they approach.
Unlike app-connected feeders, the Petlibro One doesn’t require WiFi or a smartphone. You can configure it using the LCD screen and clearly marked buttons on the front of the unit. When you’re done, flip up the cover to lock in the settings and keep your cat from accidentally changing anything. To refill the feeder, just press the top to pop out the handle and lift to remove the lid.
While the Petlibro One isn’t as large or technologically advanced as some other Petlibro models, there’s charm in its simplicity and purpose-driven design. You can place it wherever you want and don’t have to deal with a smartphone app or network setup. Unlike many budget-friendly options, it still includes a hygienic stainless steel bowl for easy cleaning.
- Works with with any type of food, treat, or medication
- Enables custom portion sizes
- Affordable compared to other feeders
Similar to the Cat Mate C500, this dish-style feeder consistently and effectively doles out custom-portioned meals of your choice. It also works with any type of food, treats, or medication. The downside is that this model from Petsafe doesn’t accommodate cooling packs, so it’s not a great choice if you’re spending more than a couple of days away from home. The feeder relies on four D batteries, which aren’t included.
This feeder consists of a covered serving disk segmented into five 8-ounce compartments. One compartment is for immediate feeding and the other four are for scheduled meals. Compared to the Cat Mate C500, the feeding compartments are a little smaller, but that makes them easier for some cats to eat from.
Programming using the digital display takes some time because the buttons are only labeled with symbols. You’ll need to read the manual to know which buttons to push and in what combination, but it’s fairly easy once you get the hang of it. While you can’t view the feeding schedule after it’s set up like you can with the Cat Mate C500, this feeder is incredibly secure once you’ve closed it up.
Because it’s so low-slung, excited cats are unlikely to tip it over. And unlike some upright dispensers, your cat can’t reach into the machine to release food on their own. It’s a good choice for food-motivated cats with a tendency to beg and fight for their food.
- Large capacity good for long absences
- Dispenses up to 5 daily meals (up to 40 portions each)
- Controls are easy to access under the hopper lid
If you’ve got a long absence planned, a large-capacity automatic feeder can help you maintain consistency with your cat’s feeding schedule as a complement to in-person care. With its 7-liter (29-cup) capacity, the WOPET feeder is one of the largest reasonably priced options on the market. A camera-enabled version is available for $40 extra.
The WOPET feeder doesn’t have the sleek, futuristic styling of high-end feeders like Petlibro but its design makes sense. A button on the front unlocks the clear lid covering the hopper and reveals the programming controls inside. It takes a little time to get the hang of the controls, but the instruction manual is pretty detailed with graphics to help you out.
Filling the WOPET feeder couldn’t be easier and when it’s time to clean it, you can lift the hopper insert right out. WOPET recommends handwashing the hopper insert and the plastic feeding bowl. This model dispenses up to five meals per day with up to 40 portions per meal. Portions are 10 grams each.
Customers report that the feeder works consistently, even if it’s a little tricky to figure out the portions. While it doesn’t offer as many features as a smart feeder, the WOPET 7L feeder is a great option if you want something simple you can set and forget about for weeks at a time. With its dual power supply, the battery backup will keep it going in the event of a power failure.
- Programmable for up to 6 meals a day
- Slow-feed option dispenses food at intervals
- Includes stainless steel bowl and dual power supply
The Petory feeder is a little more stylish than the previous pick, featuring a subtle hourglass shape with grooved sides. If you shop on Amazon, it comes in three colors (dark green, pink, and white). Only the regular Petory feeder is sold on Chewy, but Amazon offers both a rechargeable and a WiFi-enabled version.
Aside from its modern appearance, the Petory feeder offers a feature most models don’t. It’s programmable for up to six meals per day with 1-50 portions each (a portion is 10g) but here’s the difference: you can set custom feeding intervals for each meal. Instead of dispensing the entire meal at once, the Petory feeder has a slow-feed function which is great for cats who tend to scarf their food.
Programming the Petory feeder isn’t the most intuitive process. It comes with a manual but the instructions are pretty basic—it may take a few tries to get the hang of things. If you later forget how to do it, basic instructions are printed on the lid along with a QR code to bring up a digital copy of the manual.
The Petory feeder’s engineering isn’t as sophisticated as some models and setup can be a hassle. That said, the feeder seems to work pretty consistently and the slow-feed option may be particularly appealing to some cat owners. This feeder comes with a stainless steel bowl and a USB cable—it also takes three D-cell batteries for backup power.
