5 BEST AUTOMATIC CAT FEEDERS IN 2025 (TRIED, TESTED & TOTALLY CAT-APPROVED!)
If you’re a cat parent who’s ever been greeted by a hungry feline alarm clock at 5 AM (or guilt-tripped with death stares at dinnertime), you’ve probably wished for a magical machine that could feed your cat on time—without you lifting a paw. Good news: automatic cat feeders in 2025 are smarter, sleeker, and more reliable than ever.
Whether you’ve got one picky eater, a house full of fluffballs, or just want peace of mind while you’re away, I tested a bunch of feeders and narrowed them down to the best five. These picks are based on real-world performance, ease of use, features, and—of course—whether our feline overlords approved.
Let’s dive into the best automatic cat feeders of 2025!
Table of Contents
1. Whisker Feeder-Robot – Best Overall Automatic Feeder
Best for: Busy cat parents who want something reliable, high-tech, and basically indestructible.
- Price Range: Check price on Amazon (around $339 based on current listing)
- Meals/Day: Up to 8
- Power Backup: Yes (battery sold separately)
- App Connectivity: Yes
- Bowl Type: Plastic (glass optional)
Why we love it:
If automatic feeders were superheroes, the Whisker Feeder-Robot would be Iron Man. This thing is a tank—but in a good way. It’s cat-proof (yes, even against the smartest food thieves), works flawlessly even if your Wi-Fi goes out, and it has a huge 32-cup food capacity. You can program up to eight meals a day, which is perfect for mimicking your cat’s natural grazing behavior.
It connects to a sleek app where you can schedule meals, track food levels, and even switch between scheduled and gravity-feed modes.
The not-so-purrfect part:
It’s definitely on the pricier side, and it doesn’t come with a camera or two-way audio. Also, you’ll have to buy the rechargeable battery separately if you want it to keep working during power outages.
But honestly, it’s rock-solid and worth every penny if you want the best of the best.
Pros:
- Incredibly reliable and cat-proof
- Easy to set up and use
- Works offline if Wi-Fi goes out
Cons:
- Expensive
- No camera or audio
- Battery backup not included
2. Cat Mate C500 – Best for Wet Food Lovers
Best for: Cats who prefer wet or canned food over kibble.
- Price Range: Check price on Amazon (typically around $100–115)
- Meals/Day: 5 (1 immediate, 4 timed)
- Keeps Food Cold: Yes, with ice packs
- Bowl Type: Plastic (dishwasher-safe)
Why we love it:
Wet food cats, rejoice! Most automatic feeders don’t play well with wet food, but the Cat Mate C500 is built for it. It has five separate compartments and comes with two ice packs to keep your kitty’s meals fresh for up to 14 hours.
It’s super easy to program (literally took me under five minutes), and clean-up is a breeze since the lid and tray are both dishwasher-safe. Ideal for cats on special diets, medication, or just picky eaters who turn their nose up at kibble.
The catch:
It’s not ideal for super hot climates unless you’re only gone for a short while. Also, if your cat is large or has a flat face (like Persians), the bowl shape might be a little awkward for them.
Pros:
- Keeps wet food cool
- Great value
- Cat-proof carousel design
Cons:
- Ice only lasts ~8–14 hours
- Not great for long vacations in heat
- Small bowl compartments
3. Petlibro Air Automatic Feeder – Best Budget Pick
Best for: Cat parents on a budget who still want features and reliability.
- Price Range: Check price on Amazon (about $56–70, currently around $56)
- Meals/Day: Up to 6
- Bowl Type: Stainless steel
- Power Backup: Yes
- Footprint: Small and space-saving
Why we love it:
This is the feeder that proves “budget-friendly” doesn’t mean “cheap.” The Petlibro Air packs a lot into a tiny price tag—custom meal scheduling, stainless steel bowl (yay hygiene!), and a secure lid that even the sneakiest cat couldn’t figure out.
It’s perfect for multi-cat households too. Since it’s so affordable, you can buy two or more and spread them out across your home to prevent food-related drama (because let’s be honest—cats are drama).
The catch:
It’s got a smaller hopper (8.5 cups), and customer support isn’t the easiest to reach. But honestly? For the price, it’s an awesome deal.
Pros:
- Super affordable
- Small, sleek, and simple
- Stainless steel bowl helps prevent bacteria buildup
Cons:
- Smaller food storage
- Limited support options
4. SureFeed Microchip Feeder Connect – Best for Multi-Cat Homes
Best for: Cats on special diets or homes where one cat always steals food.
- Price Range: Check price on Amazon (around $195, though older RFID-only models may be priced nearer $110–120)
- Access Type: Microchip or RFID tag
- App: Yes, with feeding history
- Bowl Type: Silicone
- Portion Control: Built-in scale!
Why we love it:
If your home is a feline battlefield where one greedy cat bullies the others at mealtime, the SureFeed Microchip Feeder Connect is a game-changer. It uses your cat’s microchip (or the included RFID tag) to only open for the right cat.
The built-in scale helps you portion food down to the gram, and the app tracks everything—when they ate, how much, and how often. It’s especially helpful if your kitty is on a strict diet or medication.
The catch:
You can’t schedule meals—it opens when your cat approaches. Also, it’s not cheap, and the app can be a little glitchy. But for multi-cat harmony, it’s totally worth it.
Pros:
- Only lets the right cat eat
- Portion control by weight
- Tracks meal history
Cons:
- No scheduled feeding
- Pricey
- App needs improvement
5. Petlibro Granary with Camera – Best Feeder with a Camera
Best for: Cat parents who want to check in via camera while they’re away.
- Price Range: Check price on Amazon (listed around $140–160, often ~$139.99)
- Camera Quality: 1080p + night vision
- Audio: Two-way
- Bowl Type: Stainless steel
- Meals/Day: Up to 10
Why we love it:
Feeding your cat while you’re away is great. But seeing and talking to your cat while you’re away? Even better. The Petlibro Granary with Camera has a clear 1080p camera and two-way audio, so you can check in, say hi, and make sure they’re actually eating (instead of just judging you from across the room).
Meal sizes can be customized down to a tablespoon, and you can schedule up to 10 meals a day. Plus, it has a backup battery for power outages and a secure twist-lock lid.
The catch:
Customer service isn’t the best, and there’s no phone support—just email. But the price, camera quality, and flexibility still make it one of the top choices.
Pros:
- Camera + night vision
- Customizable portions
- Two-way audio for talking to your cat
Cons:
- No phone support
- Setup takes a little patience
So, Which Automatic Cat Feeder Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick recap:
| Feeder | Best For | Standout Feature | Price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whisker Feeder-Robot | Overall winner | Bulletproof reliability & app control | $339 |
| Cat Mate C500 | Wet food eaters | Chilled meals with ice packs | $100–115 |
| Petlibro Air | Budget & multi-cat homes | Simple, cheap, reliable | $56 |
| SureFeed Microchip | Multi-cat & special diets | Microchip-only access | $195 (or RFID version $110–120) |
| Petlibro Granary Camera | Remote monitoring | Camera + 10 meal scheduling | $140 |
If you’re looking for something ultra-reliable and don’t mind spending extra, go with the Whisker Feeder-Robot. On a budget? Petlibro Air has your back. For wet food or diet-sensitive cats, Cat Mate C500 or SureFeed are total winners.
And if you’re just a softie who wants to see your cat while you’re away, the Petlibro Granary Camera Feeder is the one.
Final Meow
Automatic cat feeders are a lifesaver, whether you’re at work, traveling, or just want to sleep in without a morning meow-fest. The good ones make sure your furball is fed, happy, and not plotting your downfall because dinner was 10 minutes late.
I’ve tested these feeders with my own cats—and trust me, if they could type, they’d agree with everything I just said.
Let me know in the comments which one you’re eyeing—or if your cat has a favorite that didn’t make the list!
