These 12 Automatic Cat Feeders Were the Best We Tested in 2026
News Source
β’Sat, 17 Oct 2026 11:02:00 +0000
π° What Happened
Wired tested 12 automatic cat feeders for 2026 and picked the ones that worked best. These machines drop set amounts of food at set times, so a cat gets fed even when nobody is home.
The guide compares feeders on portion control, app control, battery backup and how easy they are to clean. It says which models are worth the money and which ones jammed, missed meals or were hard to set up. It also looks at which feeders suit one cat versus a house with several.
π The Backstory
Early automatic feeders were simple plastic drums with a timer. Many newer ones connect to Wi-Fi, let owners set meals from a phone, and send alerts when the hopper runs low.
Vets often suggest timed meals for cats that eat too fast or wake their owners before dawn. The weak point is the machine itself. If food jams or the power fails, a cat may go hungry, so backup power and simple parts matter.
π― Why It Matters
A feeder can help with early mornings, trips away and cats on strict diets. But a bad one can fail quietly, so it pays to know which models held up in testing.
Wired tested 12 automatic cat feeders for 2026 and picked the ones that worked best. These machines drop set amounts of food at set times, so a cat gets fed even when nobody is home.
The guide compares feeders on portion control, app control, battery backup and how easy they are to clean. It says which models are worth the money and which ones jammed, missed meals or were hard to set up. It also looks at which feeders suit one cat versus a house with several.
Early automatic feeders were simple plastic drums with a timer. Many newer ones connect to Wi-Fi, let owners set meals from a phone, and send alerts when the hopper runs low.
Vets often suggest timed meals for cats that eat too fast or wake their owners before dawn. The weak point is the machine itself. If food jams or the power fails, a cat may go hungry, so backup power and simple parts matter.
A feeder can help with early mornings, trips away and cats on strict diets. But a bad one can fail quietly, so it pays to know which models held up in testing.