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Automatic Feeder recommendations?

post #1 of 7
12/26/11 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 

Hi there

After many years of struggle I think I have finally found a solution to a huge kitty problem!!!  Chester has had behavioural problems related to cat food for as long as I've had him. He screams, bites, trips you, gets in your face, etc for at least 2 hours before every feeding (usually closer to 4 hours).

He is also obese and has heart problems that require him to be on medication, which means he needs to loose weight.

 

Last weekend I pulled out an automatic feeder I bought a couple years ago for when we were out of the house.  It's one of those ones that look like a UFO and rotate.  It can provide up to 5 meals.  It doesn't negate the problem, but makes it MUCH better.

 

So I'm thinking of investing in an automatic feeder, the kind with a timer and a drop down feeder.  The problem is that the one they sell at Petsmart (Le Bistro) has some seriously bad reviews.  I thought that I'd ask here to see if there are any other brands that people would recommend, or if you would recommend the Bistro regardless of the reviews.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

 

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post #2 of 7
12/27/11 at 3:46am

This is the best reviewed one I've found.   Its actually a fish-feeder adapted for use with cats:

http://www.amazon.com/CSF-3-Super-Feeder-Analog-Timer/dp/B000NOLD18/ref=sr_1_16?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1324985794&sr=1-16

 

+++ The advantage is that its customizable to make it extremely accurate with the amount of kibble it feeds, regardless of the size or shape of the kibble.

- - - The downside is that its very expensive and from the looks of it is also a pain to program and setup... quite finicky.  

 

I personally actually do like the Petmate Le Bistro, at least the 10lb version if that is the one Petsmart has.   

http://www.amazon.com/Petmate-LeBistro-Portion-Automatic-Bleached/dp/B0016BVY2U/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1324985794&sr=1-2

 

+++The advantage is that its inexpensive and brain-dead easy to use after reading the instructions.

- - -The downside is that many have issues with the amount of kibble dispersed, as there is no fine tuning for different size/shape kibbles.   The one trick people have is the "pillow method" which blocks off some of the scoops on the scooper, so that it requires extra rotations to pick up the kibble, which allows you to feed in much smaller increments than normal.    So if you block off half the scoops, then instead of being able to adjust the feeding in 1/4cup increments you can do it in 1/8th cup increments.  

 

I actually bought two to go off simultaneously, so that each of my cats would have their own bowl and for redundancy so that I know even if one were to break while I was on vacation or even just at work, they would be on "half rations":

6046141677_6272f15fcd.jpg

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post #3 of 7
12/27/11 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 

The negative reviews on the bistro really have swayed me away from it.  I've been looking at the Feedster:

http://automatedpetfeeder.com/

But I can't find many reviews on it.

 

I find the super feeder (the one that is from a fish feeder) to be unattractive, but if it's the best thing out there, I might be swayed.

 

Decisions Decsions...

 

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post #4 of 7
12/27/11 at 8:15pm

Features look good:

 

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post #5 of 7
12/28/11 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 

I agree, and the unit appears to be sturdy.

I guess I just need to figure out if that one is worth the $250 or if I would be happy with the super feeder at $150.

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post #6 of 7
12/28/11 at 11:02am

Oh, wow, yeah I didn't realize it was $250. 

 

But why stop there when you can spend $500: http://www.perfectpetfeeder.com/   laughing02.gif

 

BTW, I know its ruled out, but just thought I'd share real quick for others reading along.  If the concern was defeating the user mechanism or the aesthetics of the Petmate, this was an interesting mod for the $50-60 feeder, which could be hidden in attractive Ikea furniture (rather than the ugly shelf/funnel) and is definitely theft proof.   The power chord is optional since it goes at least six months on batteries, and you only need to fill the big one at least every 3-4 months.   Can even replace the bottom bowl with a pretty glass one.

 

419r9jQmbkL.jpg

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post #7 of 7
12/28/11 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 

Right, but the feeder is $60-$80 here...dang Canadian pricing!

And it isn't the looks that throws me off, not even really the fact that cat burglers like it, it's that there are a lot of reviews that simply state that it doesn't work, or worked and then broke 6 months later.  I actually kind of like the looks of the bistro :)

 

Still debating...truth be told:  I want the $250 model but the practical side of me is shaking it's finger violently and pointing towards the $150 model....on the other hand, $250 is worth every penny if it reliably works and solves an 8 year problem.

I feel so close to relief I can almost taste it!

 

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