Cat Microchip Feeders: A High-Tech Game Changer for Multi-Cat Households

If you have a multi-cat household, you know the struggle that is mealtime. If you don’t, I’m here to tell you… it can be slightly chaotic. Add special diet restrictions, health issues, or an overeater to the mix, and you may find yourself in a situation where you need a solution. Enter… cat microchip feeders. Yes, you heard that right. It’s a feeder that opens just for one cat either by detecting their already-existing microchip or a collar tag that comes with the feeder. Talk about high-tech! Keep reading to find out more about cat microchip feeders and how they could be the purrfect addition to your multi-cat household.

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How do Cat Microchip Feeders Work?

There aren’t too many options on the market yet for this fairly-new technology, so I’ll start by letting you know exactly what to look for and where to get it. I purchased the SureFeed Microchip Small Dog & Cat Feeder from Chewy.com and I’ve been nothing but impressed by these feeders. Seriously, mealtime has never been so easy.

This cat microchip feeder works by opening only when a specific cat puts its head near the feeder, as they are programmed by sensing the cat’s microchip or a collar tag. You start by pressing the ‘Add Pet’ button at the back of the feeder and putting some food in the bowl to entice your cat to put its head near the feeder. The feeder will store the information from the microchip or collar tag and will then only ever open for that cat (although you can program up to 32 cats to one feeder).

You can also put the microchip feeder in ‘Training’ mode to help your cat get used to using the feeder. This mode starts by not closing the lid the first time your cat eats from the bowl, so as not to scare your kitty. As you probably know, cats aren’t very fond of change and can be a little skittish. You can then continue with Training mode by closing the lid slightly more each time by pressing the Training button so your cat can get used to the lid closing after they eat.

Another neat setting is being able to choose how long the lid will stay open after your cat walks away from the feeder. This is particularly useful if you have another cat in the house who likes to lurk in the background while your cat eats and tries to get to the food before the lid can close. I’m lookin’ at you, Hazel.

Why Cat Microchip Feeders Are Useful in Multi-Cat Households

Now, back to those mealtime challenges I mentioned in the beginning of this article.

When I first brought home my little Bobtail cat Hazel, I quickly realized I’d need a fix for the food situation. For one, she was a kitten, and my other 6-year-old cat Luna was, well, not. Adult cats and kittens have specific food requirements, and it can be troublesome if a kitten eats adult cat food (and sometimes vice versa). How in the world was I supposed to keep my cats from eating each other’s food?

It was okay in the very beginning because I kept Hazel in her own room for a bit as part of the slow cat-introduction process, but once she was starting to become integrated into the household, I knew I couldn’t just leave both her and Luna’s food out and expect them to only eat their own. After all, the grass is always greener, am I right? So I hopped online and stumbled upon the SureFeed Microchip Feeder and ordered two after researching and reading the great reviews. I knew it was going to solve all my mealtime problems. It became even more pertinent that I separated their food after finding out a few weeks into having Hazel that she has an incredibly sensitive stomach and needs to be on a prescription diet longterm. Ah, my little problematic cutie.

These are just a few examples of why a cat microchip feeder could potentially make mealtime so much easier in your multi-cat household. I, for one, am incredibly grateful for this technology.

Are Cat Microchip Feeders Safe For Your Cat?

Safety is always our top priority with our fluffy feline friends. This is why I always research a product extensively before buying it for my cats. My experience with the SureFeed Microchip Feeder has been nothing but positive, and I have no safety concerns for my kitties. The feeder does come with a collar tag for cats that may not be microchipped, but I personally don’t use collars on my cats as I had a close call with my cat Luna when she was a kitten. She had gotten stuck on a piece of furniture because of her collar. Fortunately, I was home and able to help her; otherwise, it could have been a disastrous situation. The brand does recommend using the product in conjunction with your cat’s microchip so they don’t have to wear a collar, but you can use the collar tag that comes with the feeder so long as you ensure your cat’s safety when they have a collar on.

As with any food bowl, you want to ensure you keep it clean so as to avoid any overgrowth of bacteria. The bowls inside the feeder should be cleaned at least once per day with soap and hot water, and the outside of the feeder should be wiped down with a damp cloth everyday, as dust, dander, and food pieces can collect on it. I also recommend buying stainless steel bowls for the feeder, as stainless steel is considered the healthiest and best material for cat bowls. The bowls that come with the feeder are plastic, but you can buy stainless steel replacement bowls specifically for the SureFeed feeder, or you can find oval-shaped stainless steel bowls that also fit the feeder at many different pet stores.

In Conclusion

If you’re looking to level-up your mealtime and save yourself the headache of trying to keep your cat’s food separate, I highly recommend investing in cat microchip feeders. While they are a bit expensive, especially when you’re buying multiple, they are worth every single penny. The SureFeed Microchip Feeder does also come with a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase, so you can sleep peacefully at night knowing you’re protected in case of any malfunctions.

I often wonder how I survived without my microchip feeders. Those were some hectic times.