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Picture this: Your kitty will no longer wake you up before dawn screaming for food *and* they'll be fed when you leave home for more than a few hours.

Shopping for the light of your life (aka your cat) can be challenging, especially when you want a product you can trust to function properly and feed them on time. Cats have vastly different needs, so automatic cat feeders are not a one-size-fits-all item. There are Wi-Fi devices that work with a smartphone app, feeders with built-in cameras, ones that are specifically designed for wet food, and more. Rest assured, you'll get your money's worth with an automatic cat feeder that takes care of meal time for you.

What's better than an investment both you *and* your kitto will benefit from? The 5-liter model can store up to a whopping 5 pounds of food, which means you won't have to refill it as often. You can even program their mealtimes directly from the smartphone app. Dispensing manual feedings is also an option. Best of all, you won't be woken up at the crack of dawn with a four-legged tyrant screaming in your ear. Bless!

Psst — It also has a built-in desiccant bag and sealing strip to keep food fresh!

Promising reviews: "We are vacationing for a month in Arizona and wanted an automatic feeder for our cat in case our cat sitter couldn’t get to our house. We can add an extra feeding remotely. We are very pleased with our purchase. We can easily adjust the amounts and times of feeding, even from a thousand miles away. When the cat hears the voice say 'mealtime,' she comes running. We are able to control her diet because we aren’t arbitrarily feeding her." —Jan D

"I was worried this wouldn't work, but it's extremely simple to use. I have cameras that watch my cats when I'm away, so to test it, I fed my cats through the app and went to view the camera. I can see it feeding them live with no delay. I have it set to a schedule, so even when I'm at home, my cats don't wake me up at 5 a.m. demanding to be fed. And I know it's working because I can hear it go off every day at the scheduled time." —s a

Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in two sizes, in black or white, and in a dual-bowl style).

This wallet-friendly option has all the bells and whistles you need to keep your feline happy without spending a fortune. It allows you to program up to six feedings per day and can hold nearly 17 cups of dry food in the airtight storage. It allows you to record a 10-second meal call with your voice that plays when a feeding is dispensed. You can also add three backup D batteries to ensure the feeder keeps functioning during power outages. Bonus: The dishwasher-safe hopper *and* bowl can be easily disassembled and cleaned.

Promising review: "This is great for me since I get home at different times and can't always be home at feeding time. It's reliable and easy enough to program if you read the instructions. The portions make it so your cats don't overeat — just do some basic measuring and testing with the one-time feed button. If you already feed them from a gravity feeder, then just experiment over a week or two and look up recommended feed amounts for the weight of your animal. Extremely long battery life — I don't even bother plugging mine in, and I don't need to use the voice feature because the sound of the food hitting the bowl sends them running." —high-o silver

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in white or green and in three styles).

Using an automatic cat feeder may require more diligence in multi-pet households, especially if any of 'em are on a prescription diet. This is also helpful when you have a food thief on your hands who will try to steal their sibling's leftovers! This feeder pairs with your cat's microchip, so only they can access it. When they walk away, it closes to protect any food they may have left in the dish. Each dish can hold 13.5 ounces of wet or dry food. The lid closes and forms a tight seal, helping retain moisture and keeping food fresher longer. 

Note: This feeder is compatible with 9-digit (Avid Secure), 10-digit (FDXA), and 15-digit (FDXB) microchip numbers. Check with your vet if you're unsure about your pet's microchip number!

BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes says: "I've had my microchip pet feeders from Sure Petcare for a couple of months now, and while it was a pricey investment, it's been worth every single penny and has alleviated a ton of stress around my cat's meals. One of my cats, Sneaky, always wants to eat his brother's food and has a tendency to be overweight. Separating them for meals just wasn't working — they would whine at the door and simply not eat enough unless they could eat side by side and have free access to food throughout the day — but I also couldn't be sure that my younger (and much smaller) cat, Chicho, was eating enough with Sneaky gobbling up part of his meals, too. When my vet started throwing around the word "diabetes" as a very real concern if Sneaky didn't start sticking to controlled diet every day, I knew I needed to finally cough up the money for microchip feeders — I mean, it'd be a drop in the bucket compared to the long-term cost of cat insulin. 

The setup was ridiculously fast, the open-close function works beautifully, and my cats learned how to use these almost immediately. Finally, Sneaky can *only* eat what's in his feeder, which allows me to control his calorie intake and see exactly how much food he's eating daily — and I can be sure that Chicho is getting *enough* food, too. This is also a fantastic solution if you have cats on different diets due to health reasons, and if one of them starts eating way less for some reason, you'll know immediately and be able to report that to your vet. I also love that the feeder comes with both split and regular bowls — I use the split bowls to serve my cats both dry food and wet food at once!

BTW, I have the basic microchip feeder (because it was the only option in stock at the time), but there's also a Wi-Fi-enabled option that connects to the Sure Petcare app for monitoring eating habits, weighing food portions, and more."

Promising review: "We have three of them, and I can’t say enough positive about this brand. We have two cats who are on different types of food and they can’t cross over so having different feeders, but allowing them to graze when they want to, was super important. It used the microchip that they had implanted as kittens, but also came with something to attach to a collar if needed. You can buy the accessory hood if you have a cat that likes to reach into the side, but these have worked perfectly for us." —Lori

Get it from Amazon (feeder bowls available in four colors) or Chewy for $165.99 (originally $208.95), or from Petco for $199.

Another option to consider if you want to limit outside access to your cat's food is an RFID automatic feeder. Like many other devices, you can schedule meals on the smartphone app, but it will only be accessible to the cat wearing the paired RFID collar-tag (included!). 

Whether you have many cats in the household on different diets OR you have a curious pup who is notorious for stealing the kitty's food, this feeder will restore order! It allows you to schedule up to 10 meals per day and you can use the app to review when they ate and how much. The container can hold up to 3 liters of dry food and has a sealed lid that's made with silicone gaskets and a desiccant bag to maintain freshness.

Promising review: "EXACTLY the solution we needed. We are recently a family of two kitties. Our older cat is a carbo-fiend and if kibble is out anywhere in the house, she will consume it before any other creature gets a fighting chance. Our new kitty is super lax about eating her food and doesn’t eat all at once. We got the new kitty this feeder and she figured out after one time of us showing her to go near it how to walk up and get her food when she wants it. The lid closes within one second of her walking away and our older cat has never been successful in getting in there! Cannot recommend this highly enough!!" —Heather F.

Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in three colors and in multipacks) or from Chewy or Petlibro for $149.99 (available in three colors).

Having the ability to keep an eye on your pet can help give you peace of mind when you're away from home. An automatic cat feeder *with* a built-in camera might be just what you need. This device can dispense up to 10 meals per day, and it has a two-way audio feature so you can call your pet over to the feeder in real time. There's also the personalized meal call feature, which allows you to record your voice so it plays when feedings are dispensed. 

The feeder provides motion detection alerts via the app and notifies you when the food or battery level is low, if a blockage occurs, and if the Wi-Fi is disconnected. Plus, there's even a convenient twist-lock lid to prevent sneaky pets from getting inside! The built-in desiccant bag and sealing strip help keep food fresh.

Promising reviews: "Fantastic camera, great connectivity, and my cats love it! Great seal on canister to keep food fresh and flexible options for feeding. The 2-way talk is wonderful for out of town trips. Even when in town, feeding has become easy with no worries of kitties overeating. Feeding area stays clean and the cats actually really like the device. Really fantastic product!" —Kimberly R.

"This feeder works very well.  We went camping for several days and I utilized this camera feeder so I could check on my cats.  I also had someone coming to the house to check on my cats.  My cat sitter did not have to worry about feeding the cats - just had to make sure the canister was filled, which was easy to see." —Sharon S.

Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in two sizes, in black or white, and in a dual-bowl style) or from Petlibro for $139.99 (available in black or white and in a dual-bowl style).

Pet owners who are going to be away for longer periods may worry about maintaining their pet's eating schedule. This automatic cat feeder can hold up to an impressive 32 cups of kibble! It's also made with anti-jam technology to prevent clogs and other dispensing issues. 

You have the ability to program your preferred feeding times and portions directly on the control panel OR in the Whisker app. The auto-locking hopper and tamper-resistant lid will keep food secure and fresh while you're away. Access additional info in the app, such as your pet's eating habits and the current food levels.

Promising review: "My cat has never been happier than with his automatic feeder. This has totally changed his mornings and days for the better. After being diagnosed with bladder stones and needing to go on a prescription diet with smaller meals, the Feeder Robot is the perfect solution. He’s now enjoying five small meals throughout the day, not overeating, which means the prescription food lasts longer. I totally recommend! So go on get the Robot; you’ll have a happier healthier cat! Thanks Whisker team! Having a Litter Robot and Feeder Robot has changed my cat's life for the better!!"—Rink

Get it from Litter Robot or Chewy for $299 (available in two colors), or from PetSmart for $299.99 (available in two colors).

Many feeders are only designed to dispense dry food, but what if your cat also eats wet food throughout the day? This rotating feeder has five separate compartments that can hold up to 11.5 ounces of wet OR dry food. You can program up to four individual mealtimes, with one compartment already accessible. The easy-to-use digital timer allows you to schedule the feedings right on the device. It also comes with twin ice packs to keep wet or raw food fresh while it's stored in the feeder. Did I mention both the cover *and* feeding compartments are dishwasher safe?

Psst — this feeder uses three AA batteries, which are not included so be sure to grab some! 

Promising reviews: "We bought this for when we go on vacation and wouldn't be able to be back in time for each of the daily feeding times. My cat loves it so much, we are using it during the night so that he gets used to it. He now knows when the feeding times are, even before it goes off. I would highly recommend it." —Karen

"I recently had to switch from using a wet-food feeder that connected to an app. I was having so much trouble with that feeder, so I decided to find a feeder that doesn’t require an Internet connection and came across this one. It works perfectly. Setting the time is easy and I switch out the ice packs one to two times a day. Super straightforward! Best part is that it doesn’t require an app." —Victoria

Get it from Amazon or from Chewy for $45.99 (originally $50.99).

This Wi-Fi option from Wopet holds up to 6 liters of food and can dispense up to 15 meals per day, which is more than most feeders out there. Cats who require several small meals throughout the day will need a feeder that can accommodate their eating schedule. You can program feeding times directly from the smartphone app and record a 10-second voice message that will play whenever food is dispensed. 

The food storage container and lid are made with safety locks to prevent pets from gaining access to the food or knocking the feeder over. The airtight seal also prevents pests, moisture, and air from getting inside and spoiling the food. It can be powered by the included power adapter OR three D batteries, which will keep it running during power outages.

Promising review: "I love that this feeder is Wi-Fi enabled and has an app to go with it. I can control portion sizes, what time of day I want the food to come out, and can even record a voice message to summon my cat that can be heard 50 feet away. I can set a schedule or go by each individual day — if say, they eat less one day and have leftovers in their bowl, I can change the time or portion size the next day to accommodate that. So far, the Wi-Fi has worked just fine, and the app does too. I have it plugged in, but also added batteries for the backup. So far, so good, so I would recommend this!" —Kristy

Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in two colors).

Cats who are on a wet-food only diet will require a special kind of automatic feeder, like this one from Petlibro. It's a bit more expensive than most, but the included features make it a worthwhile investment. The semiconductor cooling technology keeps three meals gently chilled and fresh for up to three days — no ice packs necessary. 

Each feeding tray has an extra-wide design to prevent whisker fatigue and can hold up to 7.4 ounces of wet food. There's an anti-pinch lid sensor to ensure the lid stays open as long as your pet is eating their meal. If they get too close while it’s closing, it’ll instantly stop and pull back. You can use the Petlibro smartphone app to customize feeding schedules.

Promising review: "Makes feeding so much easier. When we brought our scrappy little orphan kitten home, I was determined to give him the best care possible, and appropriate nutrition is a huge part of that. As a veterinary nurse and behaviorist, I know that many small meals are much more appropriate than a couple of larger ones. As we feed Noodle wet food, we immediately started hunting for a feeder that could refrigerate the food and soon came across the Polar feeder from Petlibro. Not only does this feeder keep the food cold in between mealtimes, but warms each portion up to room temperature before feeding. I love the user-friendly app that allows me to see his feeding habits even when I’m out of the house. Highly recommend this feeder!" —Frankie J.

Get it from Petlibro for $149.99 or from Chewy for $129.99.

Anyone hoping to spend *less* than $100 on a wet food feeder will appreciate this option, which can deliver up to six meals per day. This cordless, rechargeable option has a powerful battery that can last up to 30 days. You get two ice packs that help keep food fresh for 6–8 hours in the feeder. The dishwasher-safe food tray has six compartments that can each hold up to 0.5 pounds of wet food. One tray is readily accessible, then it will rotate at the scheduled times for the next feedings. Meal times can be programmed right from the control panel on the feeder.

Promising review: "I have a diabetic cat who needs small, frequent meals throughout the day, but my other cats were always sneaking his food. I started looking for an automatic feeder, and this one has been an absolute game changer! My cat caught on right away–now, as soon as he hears the beep, he comes running to eat. I love that I can program up to five scheduled feeding times and also use the “feed now” option if I notice he’s hungry between meals. It gives me so much peace of mind knowing he’s getting exactly what he needs, even when I’m not home. Honestly, I 100% recommend this feeder to anyone—whether your cat is on a special diet, you have many pets, or you just want the convenience of scheduled feedings. It’s made such a difference for us!" —Antonella Meucci

Get it from Wayfair for $92.99 or from iPettie for $89.99 (available in white or black and in a Wi-Fi version).

Want a Wi-Fi feeder that makes it easy to schedule meals via app but *without* any cords to mess with? This rechargeable automatic cat feeder can last up to 30 days on a single charge. It's super lightweight (less than 3 pounds!), and the cordless design makes it easy to move around, which is great when it's time to clean it. On that note, the detachable stainless steel bowl can be quickly removed and cleaned as needed. The feeder holds up to 2 liters of food, and the spill-proof lid has a tight seal that keeps kibble IN *and* pests OUT!

Promising review: "Amazing and life-changing. My kitty used to wake me up at 5:30 a.m. on the dot every morning, if not earlier, by pawing at my face and meowing. Now she waits patiently at the bowl. Not to mention being able to portion her out in tiny amounts through the app makes her diet much more manageable throughout the day. Definitely worth it." —Lauren B.

Get it from Amazon, Petlibro, or Target for $69.99 (available in black or white).

Food and water are essential for cats, so why not take care of both with a 2-in-1 feeder? This device has a large 123-ounce water reservoir and a 176-ounce food storage container. If you're away from home for longer periods, this automatic cat feeder will take care of both of your cats' needs. It connects to Wi-Fi, allowing you to conveniently schedule feedings from the smartphone app. It'll notify you about clogs, low food levels, and desiccant bag replacements. 

You can record a custom meal call with your voice that'll play when food is dispensed. This feeder also takes three backup D batteries to keep it functioning when the power goes out. The sealed silicone ring preserves the freshness of your pet's food and helps keep out moisture and pests. Bonus: 

Promising reviews: "Durable material, works as advertised, perfect size and has changed life lol, I use it for my cats. You set the schedule through your phone, set portion sizes, and it’s that easy. Have had it for about three months, went on two trips, and it has never clogged or stopped working. Looks modern and you kind of just forget about it. You do need to place it within 3 feet of an outlet to plug it in – also takes batteries as backup feature in case of power outages. Overall great buy!" —GW

"I love this feeder…and so does my cat! It was easy to assemble and easy to program. It updates me when food is dispensed and how much my cat eats at each feeding. It also lets me know when the food in the dispenser is getting low and reminds me to clean the feeder. Love it!" —Teresa Collins

If there are two cats in your household, you might like having one feeder that can feed both of 'em! It also has a built-in camera (with night vision!) and a 4GB SD card so you can keep an eye on things from anywhere. Don't worry — there's a privacy mode that allows you to turn off the camera if necessary. The two-way audio feature allows you to listen *and* talk to your pets in real time. 

The smartphone app allows you to schedule up to 10 meals per day and record your voice so it can play during meal times. You also have the option of adding three D batteries to ensure it always has backup power. There's a low food sensor that'll let you know when it's time to refill the feeder.

Promising review: "I love this thing! I bought it for a short trip out of town so I could keep my kitties fed and see how they’re doing. I thought it was going to be a lot more complicated to set up than it really was – it was actually pretty easy! The camera function works great and it records when they’ve last eaten so I can make sure it’s working properly. I can also talk to them through the microphone function. I haven’t tested the night vision yet but I’m sure that’s great too, given that everything else has been. 10/10 recommend! I have so much peace of mind now!" —Halley Cleary

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in three colors and two other styles).

Maybe a dual feeder sounds like a good idea, but you're worried about your cats getting territorial when eating right next to each other. This affordable option has a HUGE food tank (5 liters or about 20 cups) and can dispense up to six meals per day. Each dish is located on opposite sides of the feeder, so cats won't be on top of each other while eating. 

This straightforward device has an easy-to-use dial for programming meal times. You can also record a 10-second calling message that plays your voice when food is dispensed. It's made with multi-layer seals and uses a desiccant bag for freshness and the base has an anti-tip design to prevent spills. Consider adding four AA batteries for backup power!

Promising review: "This has been a fantastic game changer for my two-cat household. Easy to assemble, easy to clean, and easy to set up. The scheduled feeding times have been great for early mornings and for while I am at work. I was worried that my cats would be wary of this machine (they can be suspicious and cautious) but they love it! We have had this for about two months and I feel like the price is well worth it." —Claire

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in black or white and in a Wi-Fi version) or from Chewy for $49.99 (originally $69.99; only available in black).

Keeping your cat's weight in check isn't easy but having the right automatic feeder can be a huge help. Not only will you get them on a regular eating schedule, but this device has an integrated smart feeder scale so you know *exactly* how much food your cat is getting. The smartphone app lets you set a schedule, receive real-time updates, record meal calls, and track eating habits. 

It can hold up to 3.6 liters of dry food and can dispense up to 10 meals per day. Many feeders give you an approximate estimate of how much food is dispensed with each portion, but this can vary quite a bit depending on the size and weight of kibble. You'll feel much better having a precise scale that helps you stay on top of your cat's diet.

Promising reviews: "I love the interaction of the feeder. It lets me know when my kitty ate, how much she ate, and if I should provide more food to ensure she is reaching her daily quota. It also allowed me to record a message to my kitty. I love watching her expression when she hears the food dispense and my calling to her." —Amy

"I love this feeder! I bought two – one for each of my cats – and I found them really easy to put together. The app is equally easy to navigate and you can even record yourself calling your cat’s name (or whatever you want) to be used as a meal call. The feeding portions are in ounces so I had go use the food scale in my kitchen to figure out how much food they usually get. For reference, based on the size of my cats’ kibble, 1/8 of a cup is approx 0.4 ounces, their smallest portion size." —Vanessa

Get it from Amazon or Chewy for $69.94 (originally $99.99).

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Courtney Lynch has spent the last three years as a Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed covering a wide range of topics, including but not limited to must-have Amazon products, personal care, home and organization, and more.