Automatic Pet Feeders (2026): Timed, App and Microchip Feeders for Cats and Dogs

For one cat or small dog on dry food, buy a timed feeder with battery backup, such as the PETLIBRO Granary; for a home where pets steal each other's food, buy a feeder that opens only for one pet, such as the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. Either way, a feeder only helps with weight if you know how much food one "portion" is.

How we chose: we did not test these feeders; we compared the portion sizes, power backup and kibble limits on each listing, and kept only feeders sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store and in stock on September 28, 2026.

Six feeders side by side

Prices are Amazon's, as of the time shown, and subject to change. Details

WOPET also sells a 6L Wi-Fi feeder with up to 15 meals a day, 2 to 15 mm kibble and three D batteries as backup; its listing notes that Wi-Fi and the app only work on the adapter, with the batteries there to keep meals coming in an outage.

Why portions matter

Weight is why portion control matters. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2022 survey found that "59% of dogs and 61% of cats evaluated by veterinary professionals in the United States were classified as overweight or having obesity," and that "free-choice feeding, frequent treats, and inconsistent portion measurement remain common." Cornell's Feline Health Center says in its feeding guide that "obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in cats, and makes cats susceptible to a number of health problems, including arthritis and diabetes."

A feeder is one of the tools vets name. AAHA's 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines say "food-dispensing toys or automated feeders are useful to control food access and amount," and, for pets that need to lose weight, that "puzzle toys and automated feeders continue to be invaluable resources." The same guidelines list free-choice feeding and "food competition/social hierarchy" among the things that make a feeding plan hard to stick to.

How much your pet should eat is a question for your vet, who can work out a target weight and daily amount. Cornell puts it plainly: "Ask your veterinarian to help you determine the ideal body weight for your cat and follow their suggestions for adjusting your cat's diet." (More on why we say that.)

What a "portion" means on each feeder

No two feeders here use the same unit. The Granary button model counts 20 ml portions; the Granary Wi-Fi model counts 1/12 cup; the WOPET counts portions of about 15 g; PetSafe sets meals from 1/8 cup to 4 cups. All but the WOPET measure by volume, and a cup of one kibble does not weigh the same as a cup of another.

So before you program one, run a single portion into a bowl and weigh it on a kitchen scale. Multiply by the number of portions per meal and compare that with the daily amount your vet gave you or the feeding guide on the bag. Do it again whenever you change food.

Kibble size matters too. WOPET lists a range of 2 to 15 mm for both its 3L and 6L feeders; the other listings here do not state one, so ask the maker if your kibble is unusually small or large. The PETLIBRO Granary models have an infrared sensor that stops dispensing and sends an alert (Wi-Fi model) when the outlet is blocked. The timed feeders here are sold for dry food or do not mention wet food; the SureFeed is the only one listed for wet or dry.

Power cuts and Wi-Fi outages

A feeder that stops when the power goes out is a problem if you are away. The PETLIBRO Granary button model runs on USB-C with three D batteries as backup, and the WOPET 3L switches to backup batteries during outages, per its listing, which suggests running both power sources together. The Granary Wi-Fi model alerts you when its battery is low, but the listing does not name the battery. The PetSafe Smart Feed listing does not mention backup power at all.

App feeders add a second failure point. WOPET is explicit that its 6L feeder's Wi-Fi and app need the adapter; batteries only keep the schedule running. Test any feeder for a few days while you are home before you rely on it for a trip, and have someone who can check on your pet if you will be gone overnight.

Microchip feeders for multi-cat homes

A timed feeder drops food; it does not decide who eats it. If one cat is on a prescription or weight-loss diet and another eats everything in reach, you need a feeder that locks.

The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder reads your pet's implanted microchip (9-digit Avid Secure, 10-digit FDXA or 15-digit FDXB, per the listing) or a supplied RFID collar tag, and opens only for the pets you register. It stores up to 32 IDs, holds 13.5 fl oz of wet or dry food under a sealed lid, and Sure Petcare says it is "great for pets on prescription diets." Sure Petcare also says "ideally one feeder per pet." It is not timed: you fill it and it controls access, not mealtimes. A Connect version adds a built-in scale and app records, but needs a hub sold separately.

The PETLIBRO RFID Automatic Cat Feeder combines both jobs: a timed, portioned feeder whose lid unlocks only for the cat wearing the included collar tag. The listing says it supports only that tag, not implanted microchips, so it depends on the collar staying on.

If a pet is on a prescription diet, ask your vet whether the other pets can safely eat any of it and how to handle leftovers. Our grain-free dog food and DCM guide covers what to check on the food itself.

Feeders for dogs

Most of these feeders are sized for cats and small dogs. The WOPET 3L caps a meal at 8 portions of about 15 g, and the Granary models dispense in small steps. The PetSafe Smart Feed is the one to look at for a bigger dog: up to 4 cups per meal and a 24-cup hopper, and PetSafe says it is "best for cats and small to medium sized dogs." Its Slow Feed setting spreads a meal over 15 minutes for a dog that bolts its food; a slow feeder bowl is the simpler way to make a meal take longer.

A determined dog can knock over or chew a plastic feeder, and none of these listings claim to be chew-proof. Put it where the dog cannot tip it, and watch the first few meals. For a new dog's first-week gear, see our new puppy checklist.

Food and water together

A feeder is half the setup. Water is the other half: our cat water fountain guide covers what Cornell says about fountains and drinking, and our Catit Flower vs PETLIBRO fountain comparison compares two popular models on filters and cleaning. For a kitten's first bowls and food, see our new kitten checklist, and for the AAFCO growth statement to look for on the label, our kitten food guide.

Recalls

None of these brands appears on our pet product recall page, which tracks FDA and CPSC pet recalls from 2024 onward, and a search of the CPSC recall database on September 28, 2026 found no recall of automatic pet feeders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are automatic feeders good for pets?

They can help with portion control. AAHA's 2021 guidelines call automated feeders useful for controlling how much a pet eats and a valuable tool for weight loss, as long as the portions are right.

What happens to an automatic feeder in a power outage?

It depends on the model. The PETLIBRO Granary button model and the WOPET 3L run on backup batteries, per their listings; the PetSafe Smart Feed listing does not mention backup power.

How do I stop one cat from eating another cat's food?

Use a feeder that opens for one pet only. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder reads an implanted microchip or a collar tag; the PETLIBRO RFID feeder reads its own collar tag.

Can automatic feeders dispense wet food?

Not the timed ones here; their listings are for dry food or do not mention wet food. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder holds wet or dry food under a sealed lid.

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PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not test these feeders; specifications are the makers' own, from their listings. This guide is for general information and is not veterinary advice.