Best Automatic Cat Feeder UK

£25 – £120|Updated 2026-06-17|5 products reviewed

An automatic cat feeder takes the stress out of mealtimes, especially if you work long hours or travel overnight. UK cat owners increasingly rely on timed feeders to maintain consistent portion sizes and feeding schedules. Whether you have a greedy moggy or a grazer, there's a feeder to suit your routine.

What to Look For

  1. 1Decide between dry-only hoppers and dual wet/dry tray feeders — wet food trays need ice packs in UK summers to stay fresh.
  2. 2Look for portion control in grams rather than vague 'small/medium/large' settings to manage your cat's weight accurately.
  3. 3Battery backup is essential — UK power cuts during winter storms can reset plug-in-only feeders and leave your cat hungry.
  4. 4If you have multiple cats, consider a microchip-activated feeder that only opens for the registered cat's collar tag or implant chip.
  5. 5Check hopper capacity against your needs — a 4L hopper suits weekend trips, but anything longer needs a larger 6L+ model.

Our Top Picks

1
SureFeedTop Pick

SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect

typeMicrochip-activated
foodTypeWet and dry
power4x C batteries
bowlCapacity400ml
appControlYes (SureFlap app)

Pros

  • Works with standard UK microchips and SureFlap collar tags
  • App connectivity for monitoring food intake remotely
  • Sealed bowl keeps wet food fresher for longer
  • Veterinary-endorsed for weight management

Cons

  • Premium price point at around £90-120
  • Requires 4x C batteries — no mains power option

The gold standard for multi-cat UK households — opens only for the registered cat via microchip.

2
PetSafeBest Value

PetSafe Simply Feed Automatic Feeder

typeTimed hopper
foodTypeDry only
power4x D batteries
hopperCapacity5L (approx 24 cups)
mealsPerDayUp to 12

Pros

  • Up to 12 programmable meals per day with portion control
  • Slow feed mode dispenses over 15 minutes to prevent gulping
  • Large 5L hopper lasts several days
  • Dishwasher-safe bowl and hopper

Cons

  • Dry food only — no wet food capability
  • Clever cats can paw kibble out of the chute

Reliable timed feeder with flexible scheduling — ideal for single-cat households on a budget.

3
Cat MateBudget Pick

Cat Mate C500 Automatic Feeder

typeTimed tray
foodTypeWet and dry
power3x AA batteries
compartments5
icePacks2 included

Pros

  • Handles both wet and dry food across 5 meal compartments
  • Twin ice packs keep wet food fresh for up to 24 hours
  • Simple digital timer setup
  • Very affordable at around £30-40

Cons

  • Only 5 meals — not suitable for trips longer than 2 days
  • Lid can be knocked off by determined cats

Best budget option for wet food — five-compartment tray with twin ice packs keeps meals fresh.

4
PETLIBROSmart Pick

PETLIBRO Granary Automatic Cat Feeder

typeWi-Fi hopper
foodTypeDry only
powerUSB-C + 3x D battery backup
hopperCapacity5L
appControlYes (PETLIBRO app)

Pros

  • Wi-Fi app control for scheduling and portion adjustments remotely
  • 10-second voice recording to call your cat at mealtimes
  • 5L capacity with twist-lock lid to prevent cat break-ins
  • Dual power — USB-C plus battery backup

Cons

  • Dry food only — no wet food support
  • Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi — won't connect to 5GHz networks

Wi-Fi enabled with app control and voice recording — a feature-rich mid-range option.

5
Catit

Catit Pixi Smart Feeder

typeWi-Fi hopper
foodTypeDry only
powerUSB-C + battery backup
hopperCapacity1.2kg
appControlYes (Catit app)

Pros

  • Compact footprint suits small flats and kitchens
  • App-controlled with meal scheduling and portion tracking
  • Stainless steel bowl insert for hygiene
  • Modern design that doesn't look like pet equipment

Cons

  • Smaller 1.2kg hopper needs refilling more often
  • App can be slow to sync on first setup

Compact and stylish feeder with app scheduling — fits neatly into smaller UK kitchens.

Editor's Note

The UK automatic feeder market is dominated by PetSafe, Cat Mate, and SureFeed, all widely stocked at Pets at Home and available on Amazon UK. Microchip feeders from SureFeed are particularly popular in multi-cat UK households. If you're buying for wet food, look for models with ice pack compartments — British summers are getting warmer and wet food spoils faster than most owners expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are automatic cat feeders worth it UK?
Yes, they're worth it if you work irregular hours or travel regularly. Automatic feeders maintain consistent portion sizes, which helps prevent obesity — a growing concern flagged by UK vets. They also reduce morning wake-up demands from hungry cats.
Can you use wet food in an automatic cat feeder?
Some models support wet food using tray-style compartments with ice packs to keep food fresh. However, most hopper-style feeders are dry food only. In the UK, Cat Mate's C500 and PetSafe's 5-meal feeder both handle wet food well.
How long can you leave a cat with an automatic feeder?
With a large-capacity dry food feeder (4-6L), you can leave a cat for up to 3-4 days, provided they also have access to fresh water from a fountain. For wet food feeders, 24-48 hours is the maximum due to spoilage.
Do automatic cat feeders work with microchips?
SureFeed's microchip feeder reads your cat's implanted microchip or a SureFlap collar tag to open. This prevents food stealing in multi-cat homes. It's the most popular microchip feeder sold in the UK.
Affiliate disclosure: UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.

You might also like