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SureFlap Sure Petcare SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, MPF001?
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Link please! Last time I looked for a product like this they all looked terrible. Edit: nvm looks like I just didn't want to spend $300 for two feeders. This looks pretty great though: SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dDz8BbBFAGS50
Get a microchip feeder. We have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GJ2eFbNXHHF60 Our skinny kitty is now 10lbs (spot on for his build), and our chonker is officially dechonked (down to 8lbs, right for her build). This one is great because it also has an intruder mode where it will shut if the chonker tries to get the food while the other cat is eating or pushes the other cat out of the way. I know it's expensive up front, but it you take the time to get the skinny kitty comfortable with the noise and movement it makes (ours was skittish for a bit), it is the best investment.
I had no idea they were this expensive but I'm fairly sure that's what they have, and work well (their larger cat that was eating the skinny cat's food as shrunk, and the skinny cat has put on weight). Looks like there's a lot of similar products, just look up "cat rfid feeder" to find more
You might want to look into cat bowls that scan your cats microchip before it releases the food, like this it only releases for that specific cat? I don’t have one so i can’t tell you if it works or not, but the reviews here seem okay (although h with more research, you can probably find a better one)
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
We’ve got 3 cats, one of which is a senior so has senior food, and one who is on a special diet. We purchased SureFeed microchip feeders which means we can give the right food to the right cat without one of them eating the other’s. Bit expensive but one of the best things we’ve ever bought - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sure-Petcare-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip/dp/B00O0UIPTY
This is the model we have - https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Sure-Petcare-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=cat+microchip+feeder&qid=1595275846&sprefix=cat+microc&sr=8-3
We have three cats, all of whom need different amounts/types of food, and getting these feeders has made life so much easier!
Unfortunately sounds like either need to supervise them eating and remove the extra food when the other dog is done or get one of those collar activated pet feeders
It's a bit pricey but a few of them will fix all your problems. If the dog always finishes his food you can skip getting one for him. Every cat gets their own dish and only that cat can get at the food. Depending on how insistent the dog is at getting the food inside you might need to move the dishes onto a counter or table, but otherwise this will fix everything.
Well, there are pet feeders that open when a cat gets near it with their collar or microchip. You could try that maybe?
https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Petcare-SureFlap-Selective-Automatic-Stress-Free/dp/B00O0UIPTY
This is one I’ve seen others use pretty successfully. Other than that, I’m not really sure. It’s really hard to have a free feeding cat and a glutton.
I know it's expensive but it does work. I had to buy 2 of them because my one male cat tries to eat the other two female cats food.
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_FWGKMZBZTYTBJQZ2QQAA
I got it on Amazon but the link the other person posted is direct from the manufacturer. It looks like the price went up because I did not pay over $200 for it. It works really well and dramatically helped one cat lose weight while the other got the food she needed. I would buy one over and over it is so worth it.
One cat now doesn’t have to worry about her food being eaten and it’s made a big difference
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X0PVR1YDTJN3J2Q35PE5
They're super expensive but two of them are on special diets. And all of them want the other's food so... Yeah lol
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_4J4TYR3VMT4RH91X5R67
There's a cat feeder out there that has an automatic lid over it. The lid covers the food until the correct pet, identified by a chip that comes with the feeder (you can place the chip on their collar), comes near at which point the lid opens up. It could be the solution you need
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_CW4SF2TZMQ1G1Q0NE17P
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_NXMYRPG715RBGSFCGM5G
I saw these on Amazon. There’s a chip in the frame and a chip for collars I believe. Each cat could have their own (I know, expensive..) and the bowl opens up for the cat whose collar it’s synced with.
Maybe consider buying special bowls that only open for the cat? for example…
This should mean, baby can’t play with the contents but cat can still eat and drink when it wants to — without placing food by litter since this is unhygienic, inappropriate and in the worst case scenario, dangerous.
You might look at this product for inspiration.
Specifically, they put the reader in the overhead area because the microchip is placed at the back of the neck anyway.
It has other cool things, like a training mode so the cats can get used to the movement, and it has a scale so you can fill it up and it will stop opening when the cat has had enough for the day.
Buy a couple of these. Seems pricey. But they only open for the cat/tag YOU program for each individual machine. Use mine in a single cat house & we love it. Worth the investment, imo.
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_3M8E1KRV882CY4VR8BRY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
You could get one of those microchip/tag controlled feeders that only open for the cat wearing it and shut when they walk away. Though not the cheapest solution, it seems like it might be a good one, just based on the fact that your cat has medicine in her food that wouldn't be good for the other cat to eat. This way, they could still play together and you don't have to separate them.
Link here, but there may be cheaper options available.
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8GY84ZX71WRGSB724QMW i switched my three cats to these about a year ago. they work on their microchip or a sensor on the collar. love them. my only complaint is they are hard to clean.
There are cat feeders that actually open only when your cat goes up to it. I think they make them microchip or collar activated. This would help so that any food your cat doesn't eat wont be left out for the bugs. Here is what I mean. Hope this helps!
I don’t have any cats with issues currently, but we use this surefeed feeder to keep our cats from eating each other’s food. They can work with the tag that is included with the feeder, or you can program their microchip to them.
We're going through the same issue with our over weight rescue, and hyper Siamese. We just Surefeed off Amazon, it's pretty expensive but it's been wonderful so far. We continue scheduled feeding for the over weight cat to monitor her eating and let the other cat use the feeder.
https://www.amazon.ca/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
The cat food feeder that reads chips - 3 cats all on separate diets!
My overweight cat is very aggressive especially about food and he is very territorial in areas where we keep the food. The automatic bowls have really helped with this since he knows he can't get into the other cats bowl and my others cats can eat in peace without getting attacked or bothered. Here is a Amazon link for the bowls I use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_btf_t1_m-4JFb4RS13ZX
These bowls are very expensive and its a pretty big investment just for feeding cats lol so you'll have to decide if its worth it for you or not. You can program multiple to cats to one bowl so you could always just buy one or two bowls or just buy one bowl for your older cat so she can graze and feed the others separately at a certain time. You might be able to find a different brand of bowl that is cheaper but I'm not sure. Its certainly hard to justify buying them with the cost but it has been worth it for me and my cats are much happier now that they can eat without getting attacked.
The SureFeed microchip-activated flap-covered feeder bowls I use for my two cats were $150 each on Amazon. Pricey for sure, but worth knowing that my two cats -- who are very different, physically: one is male, 6 years old, active, 16 lbs; the other is female, 11 years old, sedate, 12 lbs -- can't get each other's food (I've seen her steal food from his timed food dispenser before we caved and got a second SureFeed bowl)
I got a surepet feeder and it works pretty good. It can work of a imbedded microchip or a tag you put on the collar. So you don't need a collar if she is chipped (I chipped for that).
You may need to put a box around it to prevent the fat one from pushing in. Mine tried desperately to get in at first but learned he could not quickly. If your cat is a aggressive feeder it may be more difficult. My cat is on the larger end so its kind of awkward for him to use it but he knows how to use it.
Mine picked up on how to use it quite quickly but he did have to learn. Probably because he is larger so his shoulders where further back then intended.
https://www.amazon.ca/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jg1EFbGZPJV0F
I had a similar issue and this fixed it. Spendy but works well.
If it’s a option, look into feeders like this - https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Sure-Petcare-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=pet+microchip+feeder&qid=1599925042&sr=8-2
We have three cats who all have different diets, and these feeders have been a game-changer. And definitely separate their feeding areas so they don’t feel like they’re competing for food.
If you have the money and they're microchipped you may consider this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_O03vFbEQG4V9S
We have a gluttonous kitten who would eat our older cats food any chance he got. This lets us feed her once a day as normal, and she can eat whenever because he can get at her food.
He gets fed his own food spread out over the day, which she couldn't care less about, so his food can be out in a different spot.
If you do opt for this I recommend the optional back piece if you think the overeater will be pushy or sneaky.
Works great for us but obviously there are other strategies that don't involve $150+ gadgets, too.
Ugh, sounds almost like you need those feeders that only open up to the microchip associated to it. It allows owners who have pets on multiple diets to portion them out better. It sucks they are so expensive, especially when you have multiple animals
Maybe he doesn't like what you're feeding him. Make sure it's kitten food not adult food. Kittens under 1year should have access to food 24/7 and 3oz wet food feedings 3-5 times a day. He could also have worms. You can get one or two of these
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Tr3oEb5R8JRKX
First of all, I'm not a vet or expert, but it seems like she's just eating to fast, especially of it doesn't happen with dry food and with the dog in mind? I would still take her to the vet, just to do a check up that everything is alright.
If she is just scared that the dog eats her food, you could use an bowl that is only accessible if the animal is wearing a microchip on their collar Like this one (Amazon link) or you could feed her smaller portions spread over the day (so she can't eat that much at once)
You could probably also ask your vet what they recommend.
$150 each but you'd only need 1 for that skinny cat. It comes with a tag to put on her breakaway collar if she isn't chipped.
Also, the skinny one may have worms. They can make cats very ill and skinny.
SureFlap -Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x6NODbXGKBGAB
Oh no! Have you considered getting the dog a bowl that uses an RFID chip reader? The one I’ve heard of is called “SureFeed” but I’m sure there are others! It would keep the kitties out of his food :)
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-5060180391324-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
They have cat bowls that respond to collars on the cats and only open for those cats. Let me see if I can find a link.
I think this is the one I saw online. Hella expensive but if you don't mind dropping the cash I bet this would be a helpful solution. I've always wanted to get these because our dog eats the cats food, so we have to feed them on the kitchen table, but this is too much money for my taste.
Just thought I'd share, cat parent to cat parent: There are these awesome food bowls that only open to the cat with the correct, programmed microchip. Expensive but totally worth it. I had three cats: one was a piggy and would eat the others food, one had some health issues that required her to eat only special food, and one that would get bullied. This prevented the pig from eating the others food and finally losing weight, prevented the sick one from eating food other than her own and the bullied one actually got to eat. And I didn't have to supervise anymore. Also!! I recently got an automatic self cleaning cat box and holy shit, what a game changer.
These are it: microchip feeder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_3kdbCbY35BECD litterbox: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C4LKZZ/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_fqdbCbMPKT6M5
Do you have the budget for a microchip feeder like this: https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
I follow a lot of cat accounts on Instagram and many use that type of feeder when they have to feed multiple cats or have cats that require special food.
Amazon has them. I'm sure you can find the same one on other sites too.
If there are issues with one kitty, uhh, "helping" their sibling eat their meal, there are also options to help with that. I don't have one, but people seem to like the Sure Microchip Pet Feeder.
It's not an automated feeder, but it reads your kitty's microchip (or a special chip tag you put on their collar), and it only opens when it sees that microchip. So only kitty A can eat from feeder A, and if kitty B comes over, the feeder keeps the lid closed over the food, so kitty B can't steal it.
https://www.surepetcare.com/en-us/pet-feeder/microchip-pet-feeder Or, to see Amazon reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Petcare-SureFlap-Selective-Automatic-Stress-Free/dp/B00O0UIPTY
They're not cheap, $170, but they exist, anyways. And if you're worried primarily about 1 cat stealing food (vs, say, it not being safe for them to eat each other's food, like special diets), then you could probably get away with just one of them, to protect the "victim" kitty's food, ensuring her skinny little brother actually gets his dinner.
And I just yesterday saw a clever suggestion for a cheaper, "DIY" approach. Get a microchip-controlled cat door (one example: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Exclusive-Microchip-Convenient-Efficient/dp/B07DWTLGPG , currently $65), and mount it to some other enclosure. Like make a hole in a big Rubbermaid tub. And then put the food in there.
In theory, anyways, now only the designated cat should be able to get in, to eat that. Now in practice, maybe one could try to immediately follow the other into the enclosure. But it's an interesting idea, regardless. And what I really found intriguing is that it could provide a means to combine the two things, automated feeders, with microchip access control. Our kittens are one-skinny, one-not-so-skinny. And if I eventually tried to implement 2 automated feeders, to control how much they each get, I would need to control access. Integrating some sort of microchip control onto the feeder would be difficult. But just putting it inside a box, with a microchip-scanning door, would be much easier.
Thank you for the award! No one has ever given me Platinum before, that's pretty cool.
SureFeed Microchip Feeder: https://www.amazon.ca/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY?ref_=ast_sto_dp
This is the one I use and it's fantastic. Also currently available for purchase! :D
I use the surefeed one! It's pretty nice. We just fill their bowls, close the lids, and then it only opens for the right cat. It's expensive though. I paid about $200 CAD for each :/ . And I suggest getting alternate bowls because the plastic ones gave one of my cats acne. I found a metal bowl that works and is less than the branded one so we use those.
SureFeed Mikrochip Futterautomat https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T80X8NXD786D5Z2CAMKH
Came here to suggest this. They're pretty expensive but they'd only need 1 to protect the slow eater's food.
You could get a Microchip pet feeder for your cat that's picky. They also have a hood that covers the back if you need that additional protection while the cat is eating.
There are some collar tags for food dispensers, you try to DIY. https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Petcare-SureFlap-Selective-Automatic-Stress-Free/dp/B00O0UIPTY
I present to you an RFID cat feeder. It can use a collar tag or your pets vet tag.
https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Petcare-SureFlap-Selective-Automatic-Stress-Free/dp/B00O0UIPTY
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
| Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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They're costly, but really do work great. You just have to make sure you don't have a kitten who drags the bowl out of the feeder to play with it, and then leaves it for the other cats to gobble up his kitten food (true story!).
Not sure why it has to be a smart device, but it also depends on what you need. I had one cat that needed more food than the others, so this device allowed him into his food due to a tag on his collar (or being microchiped). The other cats could not get to his food. Their training process worked fairly well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O0UIPTY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I currently use this for a cat who would eat too much if left to his decision making, but also needs to be fed small quantities 4 times a day. Programming is not intuitive, but the directions are not horrible.
SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TEN280K8B38VCXCR5F2K)
I have two of them, they are great.
do they have microchips?
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
Your friend might like to get some of these - they only open for the cat it's assigned to.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SDAJ8SMWNASWYRP7F71A
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_N80XST174XGSRJ0E7XM8
Something with a chip reader
Not OP, but we have these ones for our cats - https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
They really are worth the investment. We have three cats, all on different foods, and these things have totally removed any food-related stress.
I disagree, obese cats are still cats, and therefore cute. I know people say that as some kind of suggestion to not overfeed your pets, but I doubt people are doing it on purpose. Let's not fat-shame the kitty and imply it's less cute because it's fat, because that's just plain not true. My chunky girl isn't any less cute and I love her no less because she has a weight problem. I love her so much that along with her carefully measured daily serving of prescription diet food, I bought all 3 cats microchip feeders and an exercise wheel. Also I have definitely seen this cat around the internet and doubt op is its owner.
They make a food bowl for this exact reason. This basically only lets one pet into the designated bowl. SureFlap Bowl Amazon Link
Here’s an Amazon link though surely somewhere else might have them cheaper. I only have one cat so it’s never been an issue.
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Tr3oEb5R8JRKX
We use this Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Tr3oEb5R8JRKX
this is super expensive but if you can afford it, it could help solve the bowl-swapping without you having to take away their food from them at night
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dHAgFbNWXPP6P
If you have the finances they have bowls which can lock other animals out. The one I know that gets really good reviews from fosters/vets is the SureFeed. I will provide a link at the bottom of this comment on amazon. This one goes specifically off of microchip and only opens for the animal(s) with the correct one. It's perfect for this exact situation or if a cat needed to eat a special diet. They also make similar ones that don't need a microchip but come with something to put on a cat's collar. Again it'd only open for the cat with the key on them and would lock any other animals out. These usually run between $100-$200.
Otherwise I'm not sure what is best. I have a slow eater as well and without the SureFeed I'd worry about her getting enough to eat. I use regular food bowls for my kitten and dog since they eat everything in one sitting anyways.
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
You might want to modify this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_xCk3DbS7MK15Q
If price is no issue you can look to get microchip feeders that will only open for specific cats. You can also consider feeding them in meals in separate rooms.
There is a SureFlap SureFeed feeder:
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
Image: Pixie is confused about why she can't get into her sister Trixie's bowl any more!
For years, I've used the PetSafe automatic feeder to dispense kibble, because my last cat was a food-obsessed only cat and this was the only way to keep him from begging incessantly. When he passed away and I adopted new kitties last year, I continued using the same automatic feeder as they had no complaints about sharing a bowl. Unfortunately, it turns out that one of them will often not eat her share of kibble, and her sister will happily eat the extra, so a weight problem was developing. Enter the SureFeed Microchip feeder. I had been looking for options and ran across a mention of this here on Reddit, and as it will actually read an implanted microchip instead of requiring a collar, it seemed perfect for my needs, although pricey.
I ordered two feeders in early February, expecting to be able to start training the kitties right away. Unfortunately, I missed the teeny, tiny "batteries not included" note on the order page, and so due to weather issues and multiple Amazon delivery failures, it took nearly two weeks to get enough batteries for both feeders (I had enough for one but not both.) In the meantime, however, I decided to set the feeders up with the lid open, and at least start getting the kitties used to the new contraption. Fortunately, since they have a self-cleaning litter box and were eating from an automatic feeder, they're already used to small mechanical noises and just needed to get used to the new bowls.
The first thing I did was take the automatic feeder and large shared bowl out, then put the feeder contraptions in the same place inside the cabinet where the kitties eat. I opened the lids on both feeders, and set the bowls in front of them so the kitties could have a new bowl without having to stick their head into the smaller confined space at first. Once they got used to the bowls, I put the bowls in the feeders and left them with the lid open for another week. During this week, I would occasionally call the kitties over, and push the open/close button on the feeder with batteries to show the mechanism without having it be in the way of eating. Lots of "check this out, isn't it cool!" positive encouragement while doing so. Luckily my kitties are young, curious, and fascinated by movement so they got used to it pretty quickly.
After three weeks of eating in open feeders, yesterday I finally programmed each feeder to read the microchip from one cat. Luring the cats through the hoop was no problem, a couple of favorite crunchy treats dropped in their bowl did the trick for that. Then once the feeder was programmed and the lid closed, another round with crunchy treats to lure them through and show them that it would open for them when they moved their head through.
The first couple of hours with programmed feeders was a little bit dicey, mostly because extra-eating kitty was quite confused about why she could no longer eat from her sister's bowl, and also slightly worried about the bright green light reflecting behind the open lid of her feeder. A couple of times sitting with her an re-assuring her while she approached the feeder and ate took care of that, along with setting the lid to the maximum slow-close duration so she had enough time to approach, open, contemplate, and get comfortable to eat.
The biggest problem mentioned in the reviews is the ability for a second kitty to come over the open back of a feeder and steal food while the "authorized" kitty eats. Luckily mine aren't at the food-stealing stage yet, but now that I don't need a cabinet large enough to handle the automatic feeder, I'll be moving the microchip feeders into a small Kallax cube shelf so each kitty is in a walled-off section that her sister can't invade. Bonus for being able to store the kibble and supplies in the upper sections of the shelf. There is also a back cover available for sale for the feeder, although apparently they can't manage to keep that in stock as it keeps going "unavailable" on Amazon. The only other change I need is to order a second set of the stainless steel bowls for the feeder, the included bowls are plastic and based on past experience, plastic bowls often cause chin acne in cats. I'd prefer ceramic over stainless, but so far I can't find the right size/shape of ceramic bowl to use with it.
Overall, a pricey option for multiple kitties, but worth it to be able to control feeding portions without having to separate kitties or add more daily feedings or other sort of crazy additions to daily life. Open feeders twice per day, add appropriate amount of kibble, and done. (Supplemented with wet food, which is a whoooooooole other thing. Note, though, that the lid on this feeder closes well enough it could support feeding wet food instead of kibble if needed. )
If stealing food is a major issue and you have budget, you can look at the SureFlap SureFeed cat feeder.
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
You can also use an interactive slow cat feeder to make the kitty work for its food. Use it for the fat one and see if it remains engaged with getting its own food and leave the skinny one alone.
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IWogCb3GTQMDF
More expensive than I thought but just took a quick Google. Works with implanted microchips.
This is my plan for our old cat... but that wouldn't solve the carting it around issue.
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