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Medically Reviewed and Approved By: Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
A friend of mine was struggling with her two cats needing different diets and asked me for advice. After careful research and testing, our top choice for the situation is the Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder.
- Works with microchip and RFID collar tag
- Neoprene lip creates a solid seal, keeping food extra fresh
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
- For dry and wet food
- Airtight storage keeps food fresher for longer
There is actually quite the market for microchip cat feeders that can limit access to cat food. But our top choice may not be the best one for you. Maybe your cat only need to dispense dry food or have a different budget.
That’s why I have collected other great options in different categories, along with a complete buyer’s guide to these machines and ones similar to it, like automatic cat feeders.
These are the products we review in this article (not all shown):
Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
- Neoprene lip creates a solid seal, keeping food extra fresh
- One-button set up makes programming simple
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
Sure Petcare SureFeed Sealed Pet Bowl
- Wet or dry food capable
- Sealed bowl design protects food
- Training mode help cats adapt
- Easy to remove parts that are dishwasher safe
- Five compartments available to portion throughout the day
- Helpful for cats who eat in the middle of the night
- Easy-to-clean, dishwasher safe
- Five compartments with five a day dispensing
- “Feed now” or “Suspend” options don’t affect the larger schedule
Sure Petcare SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap
- Allows you to completely restrict pets from a certain area
- Easy to install
- Able to be installed in windows, doors or walls
Overall Best Microchip Cat Feeder
- Works with microchip and RFID collar tag
- Neoprene lip creates a solid seal, keeping food extra fresh
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
- For dry and wet food
- Airtight storage keeps food fresher for longer
The Surefeed microchip pet feeder is my choice for the overall best microchip cat feeder. Owners of this feeder rave that it was the solution to their cat’s feeding needs, whether those be overeating, separating from other pets, or needing to keep food fresh.
The simple setup and one button programming helps owners of all technological skill levels enter their cat’s distinctive identification and be ready for meals. This feeder has a capacity of 13.5 fl. oz. of wet or dry food, non-portioned, and the Sureflap microchip pet feeder has a unique design that seals the food when not in use.
Competitor models lack the same airtight seal and ease of use that this Surefeed Pet Feeder has. There can be up to 32 identifiers programmed into this feeder, so it would work well in a multiple cat household.
Keep in mind that several reviewers have had to request a rear cover or create one themselves. This is because an aggressive other pet can access the feeder from the back, so it is not completely secure. So those looking to keep ants or bugs out of the food bowl should consider other options.
The price point of this microchip feeders for cats is higher than some other options, but many happy users say it is worth the money.
One reviewer explained how she has cats with very special diets, who could not tolerate the special food of the other. She was able to use these cat bowl feeders to keep their food separate, with the peace of mind that the security measures would protect her pets from accidentally getting into the wrong bowl.
What We Liked:
- Neoprene lip creates a solid seal, keeping food extra fresh
- One-button set up makes programming simple
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
What We Didn’t Like:
- If you have a particularly aggressive pet who shouldn’t access this feeder, request a rear cover – it is possible for another cat to eat the food from the back when open.
- Cost
Best Microchip Feeder for Multiple Cats (Collar Activated)
- Large capacity of 15 cups, perfect for multiple cat families
- Delivers portion-controlled feedings up to six times per day
- Only work with RFID tags
The collar activated cat feeder I found with the most promise was the PortionPro Rx Automated RFID Dog & Cat Feeder.
This model has an impressive capacity of 15 cups, while allowing portion-controlled feedings up to six times per day. The portions can be as small as ¼ cup or as large as 2 cups.
While on the higher end of the price scale, this microchip feeder for multiple cats is described as paying for itself with how effectively it protects waste of expensive prescription food for your pet.
The PortionPro does only work with RFID tags, so it will not read the microchip of your pet. This automatic cat feeder with collar sensor comes with one RFID tag already and you would need to purchase additional tags for additional pets.
It does only dispense dry food but is very effective at making sure that dry food is well regulated. Current owners praise the ease of “set it and forget it” for their pets who require a portion control that used to require constant monitoring.
What We Liked:
- Large capacity
- Highly customizable portion sizes
- Can program in up to six feedings a day
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dry food only
- RFID tags only, will not work with existing microchips
Also Great!
- Appropriate for both wet and dry cat food
- "Training mode” helps your cat adapt to the novelty and noise
- Motion activation feeders less expensive than microchip activated models.
A wonderful choice for a motion activated pet feeder is the SureFeed Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl. This option has silicone, non-skid pads on the bottom to keep it in place.
It is appropriate for both wet and dry cat food and can hold up to 13.5 ounces of either. Other motion activated feeders can be pushed around the kitchen by hungry pets, creating a mess.
This feeder is described as best for single pet homes, as it may not protect enough from greedier pets who can easily open the lid. The sealed pet bowl design helps contain odors from your pet’s food, which also helps to keep flies at bay.
There are additional colors available, so you could customize your pet’s food area to match their personality and your décor. A low battery indicator warns you when the batteries are in need of being replaced so you can make sure your pet never misses a meal due to malfunction.
A specialized “training mode” helps your pet adapt to the novelty and noise of a higher tech pet feeder so they will quickly become comfortable with their new setup.
The motion activation feeders are going to be less expensive than microchip activated cat feeder models.
What We Liked:
- Wet or dry food capable
- Sealed bowl design protects food
- Training mode will help skittish cats adapt
What We Didn’t Like:
- Requires (4) C batteries, not rechargeable
Consider This Automatic Microchip Cat Feeder
- For cats who need portioned controlled food on a strict schedule
- Includes ice packs to preserve wet food freshness
- On the lower end of the price scale for automatic feeders
This excellent automatic microchip cat feeder is perfect for the cat owner who needs food released on a strict schedule. It has five compartments available for planned portions, with a capacity of 11.5 ounces in each section.
It is suitable for wet and dry cat food, with two included ice packs available to preserve the freshness of your wet cat food. Other timed feeders are either lacking the portion options or the ice packs.
The close-fitting cover also seals in the food you stock this feeder with, and a low battery indicator gives you plenty of warning when new batteries are needed.
The removable cover and bowl are both dishwasher safe and easy to clean, making this feeder ideal for busy cat owners who need an easy way to keep their cat healthy and fed.
Some reviewers stated that the Cat Mate C500 wasn’t completely tamper resistant but fastening it to a solid board solved the issue.
Several happy customers reported that this feeder was ideal for their cats who are determined to eat in the middle of the night. Instead of having their sleep interrupted by insistent meows, they are now able to set the timer for overnight and be confident their cat will only receive the food they allot.
For an item on the lower end of the price scale, this feeder is quite the impressive problem solver.
What We Liked:
- Easy to remove parts that are dishwasher safe
- Five compartments available to portion throughout the day
- Very helpful for cats who like to eat in the middle of the night
What We Didn’t Like:
- AA batteries don’t last as long as other power methods
Perfect for Portion Control
- Five compartments for five a day dispensing
- Can release a meal outside of the standard schedule or suspend a feeding without affecting the greater schedule.
- For dry food only
A great automatic cat feeder for portion control I’ve found is the PetSafe 5 Meal Programmable Pet Food Dispenser.
Perfect for fast eaters or pets who need strict portioning, this PetSafe feeder comes with five compartments that each hold up to one cup of food. It can handle either dry or semi-moist cat food and can be dispensed up to five times a day.
This feeder has a handy “feed now” button in case you need to provide a meal outside of the standard schedule, or an option to suspend a feeding without affecting the greater schedule. Other, similar designs do not have the option to adapt to a special need without reprogramming the entire schedule.
This feeder is another easy-to-clean option, with removable parts that are all dishwasher safe. It also comes with an easy-to-read clock and LCD screen to make sure that you can program in precise times for feeding your beloved pet.
Please note that other house pets may be able to tamper with this feeder, so keep it somewhere safe from dogs and larger cats. This is one of the least expensive options, while still providing a quality product.
What We Liked:
- Easy-to-clean, dishwasher safe
- Five compartments with five a day dispensing
- “Feed now” or “suspend” options that don’t affect the larger schedule
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dry or semi-damp food only
- Large footprint
DIY Idea – Turn Any Bowl Into A RFID Cat Feeder
- For cats with food insecurity or food competition issues
- Turn any area into an microchip feeder, with the help of a cat door
- Keep other animals out of the same room as your cat’s food
One way to utilize the developments in identification technology outside of a microchip feeder for cats would be this SureFlap Microchip Cat Door.
Sometimes, our pets need to be separated at a greater distance than an automatic feeder can provide. Cats with food insecurity issues may only feel comfortable eating their food in an area inaccessible to other pets. It basically turns any food bowl into an RFID cat feeder (with the help of a cat door)
This SureFlap reads your cat’s microchip and will only allow approved animals to pass through. This could also help protect your feline friend’s area from overly curious local wildlife or neighborhood pets.
It is described as being very easy to install and comes with energy efficient weather proofing along the sides. If you need to be able to restrict access to an area completely, this microchip cat door would be an effective solution.
This is the most secure option of all, since you can keep other animals out of the same room as your cat’s food. This could be a more expensive endeavor, as the door costs the same as a microchip reader, but you will still need a separate feeder after it is installed.
What We Liked:
- Allows you to completely restrict pets from a certain area
- Easy to install
- Able to be installed in windows, doors or walls
What We Didn’t Like:
- Requires some amount of installation
All About Microchip Feeders for Cats
General Breakdown and Features
A microchip cat feeder is a device that protects a bowl of food until the pet with a stored ID comes near. When the approved pet goes to eat from the RFID cat feeder, it automatically opens. Other pets may try to access the food but will be unable to trigger the lid opening.
These devices also come with a manual open method, so that the bowl may still be accessed if needed without your pet nearby.
Many feeders allow you to set a timer between feedings or divide the food into equal portions. This useful feature comes in handy for cats who require portion control, or for the busy cat owner who won’t be home by dinnertime.
For the more tech savvy owners, there are feeders available that come with a mobile app, so you can check how your cat has been eating when you are away from home. Some feeders also come with an LED weight indicator, so that the food portions are accurately measured.
Microchip Feeder Style
Microchips are implanted by your veterinarian as an easy way to identify and locate your cat, in the instance that they became lost or missing.
These pet feeders can utilize that already implanted computerized chip to identify your cat and trigger the feeder opening. If you have not elected to microchip your pet, another convenient option would be an RFID style.
RFID Cat Feeder or Collar Activated Style
RFID cat feeder devices are activated by a RFID tag that can be placed on your cat’s collar.
Many feeders have the ability to read both RFID tags and microchips, and therefore could still be useful if you chose to microchip later.
This would also be an excellent option for a cat owner who fosters cats and could change the collar for whichever cat needs the special feeder.
Motion Sensor Style
For a less regimented feeder, there are motion sensor style cat feeders available. These machines keep the food protected unless it detects motion, which could help keep your cat’s food fresh.
It also will protect food from insects, debris, and keep the food odor better contained. Keep in mind that the motion sensor will not pick up motion from your car alone, so this choice would be best in low traffic areas of your home.
Things to Consider About Microchip Feeders
Type of Food
Many cats that would benefit from an automatic feeder may also need specialized food. Some microchip feeders for cats are only suitable for dry food and kibble and should not be used for wet food.
Other models can handle wet food, and the sealing lid keeps that food from prematurely drying out.
However, some models can not only handle wet food, but come equipped for ice packs! That way, you can stock the feeder with wet food and the feeder will keep it from spoiling until it is time for your cat to eat.
I have included in my buyers’ guide what type of food each model is appropriate for, so you can find the model that will best fit your cat’s needs.
Capacity
One factor to consider is how much food you need your feeder to be capable of storing. Capacity limits range from one solo cup to enough storage capacity for 25 days of meals.
Consider how much room is necessary for your situation and your cat’s needs. These feeders come with a tight seal, to keep your food fresh for longer.
Some have space for several containers of wet food, but keep in mind that wet food can spoil quickly if not kept cool.
Portions and portion control
Portion sizes are so important for our feline friends. While we need to ensure that they are receiving enough nutrition, it is also important that they do not overeat or stuff themselves.
There are many microchip cat feeders that have a built-in portioning feature. You could load the feeder with the amount of food your cat needs in a day, then program to make sure your pet only receives a fraction of that at each feeding.
I have known cats who will frantically eat to the point of regurgitating, and a portion-controlled microchip feeder for cats would help to curb that issue.
Security
Often, our pet is not the only one that has potential access to their food. Other cats, dogs, kids, neighbor pets, wild animals – all these entities and more could empty out the food bowl before your cat has a chance to eat.
An automatic feeder would help protect your cat’s food and only allow the pets you have programmed to access it. In practical terms, it means to dog proof that cat food bowl!
I also used to have a neighbor cat who would sneak in through any opening to steal my cats’ food! An automatic feeder would have sent him home empty pawed.
Price
Consider how much you are willing to spend on an automatic microchip cat feeder. Devices with a higher price tag come with advanced benefits like mobile app tracking, built-in scales and large capacities.
Investing in one of these fancier options could be well worth it, depending on your cat’s needs. More reasonably priced models may fit your budget better but be missing key features that your cat could benefit from.
Be prepared to spend at least $60.00, with the fanciest models priced at three times as much.
Microchip Activated Cat Feeders vs. Automatic Cat Feeders
The concept of a microchip feeder for cats may seem like something out of Star Trek to some owners. After all, scanning identification for access isn’t encountered often for many humans, let alone our pets.
If you are looking for the highest level of security for your cat’s food, a microchip cat bowl is going to be the option that provides highly personalized access. Those are going to be more expensive models than a more basic automatic feeder, so be certain that you need to invest in so many features.
RFID tags do not require your cat to be microchipped and still provide very specific access. Questions to consider though are, what if your cat loses their collar? What if you have a cat who doesn’t like to wear collars at all? You would need to purchase another RFID tag for the feeder.
Several collar activated models only include one RFID tag, so if your house has multiple cats you may need to purchase additional tags.
More basic models like motion activated or timer programmed may be just the right amount of restriction that is needed for your cat’s health and diet. However, you don’t want to buy a simpler version, only to realize that you need more out of a feeder.
Sit down and determine what features are necessary for your situation prior to starting shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do microchip cat feeders work?
This type of feeders work very well for providing security around your pets’ food. The cat’s identification that is programmed in will be able to access their food, while any other animals will not be able to open the lid.
How do microchip cat bowls work?
Microchip food bowls automatically open the lid when in close proximity to the identifier they are programmed with. This protects the food from other pets, who may be overly greedy or allergic to specific food.
Are timed feeders good for cats?
Timed feeders are good for cats, especially those who need portion control or who want to eat while their owners are sleeping. You can set the timer and be assured that your cat will receive their meal on schedule.
How do you stop one cat from eating the other food?
One easy method of stopping one cat from eating another cat’s food is with a microchip enabled feeder. The correct cat will be the only one the lid will open for, rejecting the other cat’s attempts to steal the food.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
