If you are a cat mom or dad with a busy life, it can be difficult to keep on top of when it's time to feed your pet.

That is why an automatic timed feeder can be a really handy device because it can enable you to set up a consistent meal schedule for your feline when you aren’t at home.

The great thing about these devices is that some can even be managed via an app on the phone. This means that Luno or Milo need not miss out, regardless of whether you are sunning yourself on a beach on holiday or stuck in the office working late.

If using one is something you haven’t previously considered, outlined below are five of the main benefits of using a timed feeder to manage your cat’s diet.

How does an automatic pet feeder work?

Before we outline the main benefits of using a timed feeder, it's worth briefly discussing how they actually work.

A timed pet feeder is an innovative device that automatically dispenses food for cats or dogs at specific times without the need for human interaction. You can check out Zach's Pet Shop's slow feeders for cats for some specific examples.

While they may work differently depending on the particular manufacturer and model, in general, they comprise a compartment for food storage where wet or dry food can be kept. This secure section protects the food from pests and moisture.

The device also has a timer that can be programmed to open a mechanism for dispensing food at any given time. This dispensing mechanism could be either a conveyor belt, rotating drum or some kind of gravity-based system.

While the timed feeder will need to be cleaned on a regular basis, especially the food storage compartment, it does provide a way of ensuring your cats have access to regular meals when you are not there.

Benefits 

So now you know how they work, what are the main benefits of using a timed feeder to manage your cat’s diet?

Here are five of the main ones.

1. Convenience

Perhaps the biggest benefit timed feeders provide cat moms and dads with is convenience.

We’ve all been in situations when life has been so busy or thrown a curveball, which means we’ve either forgotten or not been able to feed our cats.

Thankfully, a timed pet feeder enables you to set up their meal schedule in advance. Subsequently, this should give you the peace of mind of knowing your kitty will receive consistent and nutritious feedings when you want them to.

It will also save you the hassle of not having to rush home or worry about feeding your cat should you be faced with an unexpected situation.

2. Control Portion Sizes

Another big advantage to using a timed pet feeder is that it enables you to control the portion size of what your cat eats.

Overfeeding their cats can be a real issue for some pet owners, which can result in your feline becoming overweight or developing other health conditions.

However, with a timed feeder, you can determine exactly how much food your pet will receive every meal time. Therefore, it ensures they get the right amount of nutrition without the risk of overeating.

3. Consistent Eating Schedule

It is important for your cat to enjoy a consistent feeding schedule; otherwise, intermittent eating can result in obesity and overeating.

With a timed feeding device, you can arrange for your pet to have their meals at the same specific times every day. Additionally, you can ensure they are eating the same amount of food.

This should assist with their training because they will learn to understand and anticipate when it’s time to eat every day.

4. Much Less Stressful

Feeding times can actually be quite stressful for some owners. Particularly, if they have to contend with traffic delays on the way home from work or rush back after a social appointment, because they worry about their pet being hungry.

The good thing about timed feeders is they take much of this anxiety or stress away because the feeding schedule has already been set up. Therefore, the pet owners have the peace of mind of knowing their cats will be fed and that they understand when their next meal will be ready.

There is no guilt worse than returning home to find a hungry pet begging for you to feed them.

5. Good solution for multiple pets

For those who own more than one cat, it can be very difficult to keep up with all of their feeding schedules, particularly if they have different dietary requirements.

Thankfully a timed pet feeder can really help you out because you can schedule in different portion sizes, food types and meal times for each individual pet.

Not only does this save you the time and effort of manually feeding them, but it can also ensure they eat the correct amount of food they need when they need it.

Additionally, it can significantly reduce the risk of competition, fights and other aggressive behaviors between your pets during feeding time.