What is a cat food dispenser used for?

If you live with a cute kitten, you should know that there are some basic accessories worth investing in, such as the bed or the feeder. If you spend a lot of time away from home, you may also be interested in having a food dispenser to feed your kitty. Food dispensers are very useful devices for administering your feline companion’s daily food portions. Below we explain the types of cat food dispensers that exist and what features a good automatic dispenser should have.

Types of cat food dispensers

Nowadays, we can find a wide variety of water and food dispensers for cats in pet stores. If you want to get the feeder that best suits your needs, you should keep in mind that there are two different types of dispensers, each with its advantages and disadvantages:

Homemade food dispensers

Homemade dispensers are handmade, usually with plastic containers, although they can also be made with wood or metal. The advantage of this type of dispenser is that it is very inexpensive and easy to obtain. However, its drawback is that it must be refilled continuously, depending on the amount of food your cat eats.

Manual food dispensers

Manual dispensers are devices that hold a large amount of food and provide it on demand to our feline friends. Their main advantage is that they allow you to supply your pet with all the food it needs without constantly refilling the dispenser’s container. However, since they do not limit the amount of food administered, they can cause obesity in the greediest cats in the long term.

Automatic food dispensers

Automatic food dispensers are specially designed to distribute an exact amount of food at the time you set. These devices usually consist of a container, a tray, and a programming system that provides food automatically. Without a doubt, this type of cat food dispenser is the most practical and recommended, as in addition to being very convenient, it ensures that your kitty only eats the exact amount of kibble it needs. As disadvantages, we could point out that it is more expensive than other feeders and requires electricity to operate.

What features should an automatic food dispenser have?

Automatic food dispensers allow you to store, measure, and administer your cat’s food in the portions and at the times you program. These are the features a good automatic cat food dispenser should have:

• Easy to clean. All automatic dispensers can be disassembled and their parts are usually dishwasher-safe.
• Durable materials. Most of these feeders are made of stainless steel, which is highly resistant to corrosion, or ABS plastic, a non-toxic material that does not deteriorate with impact.
• Programming options. These devices can be controlled using built-in buttons or through a mobile application. They usually allow you to set a feeding schedule for up to 48 hours.
• Innovative technologies. Depending on the price and model, you can find simpler or more sophisticated options. From dispensers with lids that run on batteries and analog timers, to dispensers with built-in cameras that let you watch your cat live through your phone.

A cat food dispenser is an ideal device to control your feline companion’s diet, since it only provides the exact amount of kibble you have programmed. In addition, this practical accessory saves you a lot of time in your daily routine and keeps your cat’s food fresh and tasty.