Best Automatic Pet Feeders in the UK: Top Picks for 2024
Furry friends bring joy, loyalty, and endless entertainment, but their feeding schedules can be demanding, especially for busy pet owners. Thankfully, automatic pet feeders offer a helping paw, ensuring your feline or canine companion gets their meals on time, even when you're away.
These handy devices are available in various styles, from pre-filled compartments to those that dispense kibble automatically. Most allow you to schedule multiple feedings throughout the day, catering to your pet's needs. Some even boast smart features, including cameras, two-way audio, and app connectivity.
This guide explores the best automatic pet feeders currently available in the UK, outlining key considerations for your purchasing decision. Let's delve into our top five picks.
Two-Meal Pick: Cat Mate C200 2-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
The Cat Mate C200 2-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder boasts several advantages. Its wide bowls prevent food bowl fatigue, ensuring your cat can eat comfortably every day. The bowls also feature ice packs to keep wet food fresh and safe.
Setting up this feeder is a breeze, with a simple timer dial allowing you to schedule feedings up to 48 hours in advance. Its compact design and battery operation mean it can be placed anywhere without needing an electrical outlet.
However, the Cat Mate C200 is limited to two meals per day, making it unsuitable for pets needing more frequent feedings. It's also too small for dogs exceeding 20 lbs. Additionally, the timer isn't digitally precise, relying on a traditional egg timer mechanism.
Overall, the Cat Mate C200 shines as a simple, reliable solution for occasional or twice-daily feeding of cats or smaller dogs.
Ratings:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Five-Meal Pick: PetSafe Five-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder
The PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder offers ample storage with its five one-cup compartments, allowing you to pre-load up to five cups of food. Its user-friendly digital timer enables precise scheduling, potentially catering to your pet's needs for 2.5 days with a single fill.
Hygiene is a breeze, with a fully dishwasher-safe tray (top rack only). Battery operation eliminates the need for a power source, offering greater placement flexibility.
However, this feeder requires manual portioning for each compartment, adding to the workload compared to some dispensing options. Additionally, the portion size may be insufficient for larger breeds unless multiple daily feedings are scheduled.
The PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder stands out as a convenient option for pets requiring five daily meals, allowing for less frequent refills and simple cleaning.
Ratings:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Dispensing Pick: PetLibro PLAF001 4L Automatic Pet Feeder
The PetLibro PLAF001 4L Automatic Pet Feeder offers excellent usability. Its digital display allows for straightforward schedule setting, with options for one to four meals per day and nine portion sizes.
Security is a priority, with a secure lid preventing mischievous pets from accessing the food supply prematurely. A standout feature is the voice recording function, allowing you to record a 10-second message for your pet to hear at feeding time.
However, this feeder has a kibble size limitation of 10mm, excluding larger kibbles. Its portion size is also designed for small dogs and cats, proving insufficient for medium to large breeds.
The PetLibro PLAF001 excels as a convenient dispensing feeder for small pets, offering versatile scheduling, easy cleaning, and a delightful voice recording feature.
Ratings:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Smart Pick: PapiFeed Smart Automatic Pet Feeder
The PapiFeed Smart Automatic Pet Feeder is a feature-packed marvel. Its impressive versatility allows you to choose from 12 portion sizes and schedule up to 30 meals per day. The 25-cup capacity ensures ample food storage, even for larger dogs requiring multiple days' worth of meals.
Connectivity is seamlessly integrated through Alexa or the companion app, enabling manual feeding triggers and smart scenarios such as increased feeding frequency on cold days. The dual power system, with a main power cord and battery backup, guarantees uninterrupted feeding even during power outages.
The PapiFeed Smart Automatic Pet Feeder comes at a slightly higher price than average and can be a bit more complex to set up due to its advanced features.
Overall, the PapiFeed Smart Automatic Pet Feeder impresses with its intelligent features, reliable power supply, and generous capacity, making it a top choice for discerning pet owners.
Ratings:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Interactive Pick: Furbo 360° Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle
The Furbo 360° Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle is a fantastic way to stay connected with your furry friend when you're away. Its 360-degree tracking ensures you can always keep an eye on your dog, regardless of their location. Two-way audio allows for conversations, and the treat dispenser enables remote treat dispensing.
The Nanny subscription provides valuable alerts for pet activity and potential home emergencies. You'll also receive daily video summaries of your dog's activities. For enhanced privacy, a privacy mode disables audio and camera systems when desired.
However, the Furbo 360° is not designed for meal feeding, offering only single treat dispensing. It also requires a monthly subscription for access to advanced features such as doggy diaries and alerts.
Overall, the Furbo 360° Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle excels as a companion device, offering interactive features and peace of mind for pet owners. It's best suited for those not requiring automated meal feeding.
Ratings:
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Key Considerations for Choosing an Automatic Pet Feeder:
Price: Prices range from under £50 to over £200. Expect higher prices for smart features, dispensing systems, and greater capacity.
Compatible Food Types: Most feeders accommodate dry kibble, but some also support freeze-dried food, wet food, and more. Check compatibility before purchase.
Food Delivery System: Feeders deliver food via pre-filled trays or dispensing systems. Dispensing systems are generally more convenient and efficient, but incompatible with wet food.
Number of Meals: Available options range from single-meal to up to 30-meal feeders. Choose a feeder matching your pet's feeding schedule.
Smart Features: Features like RFID readers, voice recordings, and voice assistant compatibility add value and convenience but can increase the price.
Choosing the right automatic pet feeder ensures your furry friend receives their meals on time, even in your absence, promoting their wellbeing and your peace of mind.
