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3 Best Tamper Proof Automatic Cat Feeders (Guide/Review)

What is the best tamper-proof automatic feeder? This is the best feeder (Click here for the availability on Amazon). Continue reading for more details.

Quick comparison of tamper-proof automatic feeders

DescriptionImageMy Rating
01. Cat Mate Auto Feeder (Best Option)
Click here for the price on Amazon		5 stars
02. PetSafe Automatic Cat Feeder
Click here for the price on Amazon
03. Petmate Automatic Cat Feeder
Click here for the price on Amazon		4 stars
Contents show

What you need to know about automatic feeders (Guide)

In this section, I will share some of the top features and benefits to look out for when looking for an automatic feeder.

With regards to tamper-proof, the ones featured in this article do their best to achieve this, but in reality, 100% tamper-proof is close to impossible.

Anyway, here are the benefits/features to look out for:

  • Easy to set-up & program
  • Simple to clean
  • Dishwasher safe

Easy to set-up & program

These devices can be technical, but the best offerings make the set-up and programming of feeding straight forward. The reality is, if its too complicated people, like you and me, will not want to use it, right?

Simple to clean

When you have a feeder it will get dirty. And, especially when you consider wet food, right? Therefore, it is a must, in my opinion, that it is easy to clean. In particular, dishwasher proof. It just makes life easier.

Multiple feeds per day

If you are a busy 9-5 worker, you need an automatic feeder that will provide multiple feeds. This is so that she will be satisfied until you get home, right? Therefore, you should choose one that has multiple feeds. Many of the good ones have 5 feeding sections.

My best 3 tamper-proof automatic feeders (Review)

In this section, I will share with you three of my best automatic feeders. They are selected because they will reduce the chances of your kitty tampering with the food contents. The reality is, there is always some way for a determined cat to get into any feeder, but these, in my opinion, do a great job of preventing it.

For each one, I will share what I like and do not like to help you select the best one for you.

01. Cat Mate Automatic Cat Feeder (Best Option)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

  • Simple to use (Programming is straight forward)
  • Easy to clean
  • Ideal for overnight feeding (so you don’t need to wake up)
  • Serve up to 5 meals
  • Dishwasher safe
  • To prevent tampering/movement it can be attached to a board

Cons:

  • The ice pack could stay colder for a bit longer (may struggle for a full day)
  • Extra ice packs will be an additional charge
  • If you turn it off, you may need to re-program it

What I like about this Cat Mate feeder

The first thing that got my attention was the simplicity of this feeder. If you are like me, setting things up and programming devices is not my pleasure. But, this makes life simple, are you with me?

Its really easy to clean, mainly for the fact that it is dishwasher safe (yey!). Which is important, especially when you are considering wet food portions. They easily get messy and not just that, can get dirty and moldy if it is not maintained well.

With this feeder, you can provide up to 5 meals, it has 5 compartments. This should be ample for a day and convenient to pan out multiple feeds.

An additional fact about this feeder is the fact that it can be attached to a board. This will help to keep it more secure and won’t be moved about. But, understand that this is an extra measure and the board is not provided.

In summary, if you are looking for a feeder that keeps your kitty’s meal portions safe, easy to clean and plan out multiple feeds while you are away for the day, then this is for you.

What I do not like about this Cat Mate feeder

There are a few things that I did not love so much, even though, overall, I like it. Firstly, its freezer packs. These are necessary to keep your wet food fresh.

Well, first off you may struggle to keep the wet food fresh for a full day. And, understand that extra packs will be an extra charge.

Lastly, regarding the programming. If you plan to turn it off from time to time, you may find that you will need to reprogram it. To be fair its not a massive issue, but an annoyance never the less.

02. PetSafe Automatic Cat Feeder

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

  • Can accommodate up to 5 meals in a day
  • Simple to clean (dishwasher safe)
  • Avoid early morning wake-up feeds
  • Frees up your time (no waiting for mealtime)
  • Easy set-up
  • Control her portions (avoid weight gain)

Cons:

  • Would be good if you could get an extra food tray (to rotate cleaning/using)
  • No way to have a different program for weekends/bank holidays, etc
  • Sometimes the wheel doesn’t spin enough to reveal the entire feed
  • No low battery indicator

What I love about this PetSafe feeder

This offering by PetSafe is great for serving/planning up to 5 meals in a day. I love the fact that I can avoid early morning wake-ups using this, no more 4 AM rude-awakenings, yey!

Apart from these early morning wake-ups. its allows you to avoid having to wait around for mealtime, are you with me? Meaning, just load up this bad-boy one time, then go about your business, simple, right?

From a more practical perspective it is simple to clean, you can simply throw it right into your dishwasher to avoid the hassle. I love this option.

Apart from the fact that it is easy to get set-up, you can use this to control her food portions. Some owners cram in a bulk amount of food to help her feed for the day, only to find that she has eaten it in one feeding. This allows you to avoid this. Which will help to avoid obesity.

In summary, if you are looking for a feeder that avoids her tampering, easy to clean, and can accommodate multiple feeds in a day, then this is the one for you.

What I do not like about this PetSafe feeder

Great feeder, but there are a few annoyances. Firstly, yes it is simple to clean, but  I would appreciate it if you could get another food tray so you can have one in the dishwasher, while the other is in operation, are you with me?

If you have a more relaxed schedule at the weekends or holidays, etc. For example, at the weekend you may just feed her yourself for some of the daytime feedings, right?

My point is, there is no flexibility to support these different schedules on these off-days. Also, from time to time, the wheel that spins to reveal the next meal may not fully position itself over the next meal. Meaning your kitty may need to spoon out the remaining food due to the lack of visibility.

Lastly, it would be improved with a low-battery indicator so you don’t find out when the battery is already depleted.

03. Petmate Automatic Cat Feeder

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

  • Low battery indicator
  • The lid twists & locks (to keep it more secure)
  • The bowl can be removed (simple cleaning)
  • You can control the portions it dispenses
  • Simple to see food level (see-through hopper)
  • Does not make lots of noise

Cons:

  • If you turn it off, the clock resets
  • Instructions are not that clear (e.g. 2 feeds instead of 3)
  • A bit top-heavy (can be toppled over)

What I appreciate about this Petmate cat feeder

Firstly, I love the fact that this has a low battery indicator, I know its a minor thing, but it helps. The lid that covers the food has a twist and lock feature. This helps to keep the food secure and prevent her from tampering with the contents.

When it comes to cleaning you can easily remove the bowl and clean it, no problem.

From a more practical perspective, you can control the food portions. This is a great feature, especially if you want to make sure she does not overeat, are you with me?

On the topic of food portions. You can easily see the amount of food that is left in the hopper because it is see-through. So, you do not need to get anxious about it running out without you noticing.

Lastly, regarding the noise level, I love the fact that it is so quiet, the worse thing is a noisy cat feeder.

In summary, if you are looking for a cat feeder that locks in the food, to help prevent tampering, controls the portions of food that dispenses and simple to clean, then this is the one for you.

What I do not appreciate about this Petmate cat feeder

One annoyance is the fact that if you turn this off, you may find that you will have to reprogram it again. Not a major thing, but a bit annoying.

I found that the instructions are not that clear, but maybe it’s just me, such as changing the number of feeds per day, etc.

Lastly, as you can see from its design, it is a bit top-heavy. Meaning, that it may be possible, with a big shove, to topple it over.