If you’re a pet owner, you’ll know how much of a big deal your pet’s diet is!
Feeding pets isn’t a piece of cake. I hate to break it up to you, but the image of you putting kibbles into a bowl and calling your cat to eat it and go isn’t real.
More often than not, pets need to go on prescribed diets. It’s either given to them by veterinarians for some purpose, aimed to control their appetite, or discipline greedy cats.
Just like everything, technology has a way of intervening with our lives to make them easier. When it comes to pets’ eating habits, this manifests into microchip pet feeders.
Quick Facts – Automatic and smart feeders are only getting better. According to Technavio, the market is expected to increase by $2.28 billion over the next five years (source).
Today, we’ll get to know what these are, how they work, and the best microchip pet feeders on the market.
Read On.
Note: If you click some of the links in this article we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Microchip Pet Feeders on the Market
- Before Buying – What to Consider?
- What Is a Microchip Pet Feeder?
- Finally
Top 3 Microchip Pet Feeders on the Market
Without further ado, here are our choices for the best pet feeders on the market to save you the hassle of shopping among limitless options.
Table could not be displayed.Top Pick – SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
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Kicking off the list with this quality product, SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder gets our top spot for plenty of reasons, the most important of them is versatility.
This microchip food bowl works with pretty much any microchip type, which is a handy feature if your pet has one installed already. It works with RFID tags as well. (1) The working mechanism is plain and simple; infrared sensors detect the authorized chip when it approaches and opens the lid.
Surefeed Intruder Mode
What stands out here is the ‘Intruder Mode,’ which closes the lid when an unauthorized pet approaches. Besides, SureFeed ensures the food is fresh and clean. Thanks to its airtight rubber seal and lid.
It comes with 2 bowls; one of them is portioned for wet and dry food, and the other is single-portioned. The bowls are removable, but not dishwasher safe, though.
Our main concern is that is doesn’t have a timer, which makes it under the authorized pet’s control. If you intent to buy it to control your pet’s appetite, this is not the one for you.
What We Like
- Easy to set up
- 3-year warranty
- Stores wet & dry food
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t have a timer
- Needs batteries (4xC)
- Relatively Expensive
Runner Up If The Top Pick Is Out of Stock – Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder
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Here’s another nice option that’s targeted towards cats and small dogs. Wireless Whiskers uses the technology of wireless plastic tags attached to your pet’s collar. As your pet approaches and the chip is detected, the lid opens.
You might expect that the cat needs to be at a great proximity to the feeder for the lid not to close. (2) Yes, you’re right.
This feeder allows you to put your pet on a diet. It gives you control over your kibbles, as you can divide the allowance to up to 24 portions. Surely, you can keep it undivided, or divided into 4 or 24 portions.
Wireless Whiskers acts as your private detective, where it alerts you if your pet is underfeeding and also keeps a history of your pet’s feeding record. This way, you can keep a close eye on your pet while being afar!
Another worthy feature is that this can work with up to 8 pets. The unit comes with 2 readers, but you can purchase them separately if you’re planning to use it for more than 2 pets.
What We Like
- Features an AC adapter
- Works manually and automatically
- Welcomes your pet by name
- 6-months warranty
What We Don’t Like
- No airtight sealing
- Small detection range
Best for Small Dogs and Cats – OurPets Wonder Bowl Selective Pet Feeder
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Wonder Bowl Selective Feeder from OurPets is yet another interesting option to look at.
As the name implies, this feeder is ‘selective’, it works with multiple pets; cats and small dogs through the RFID technology. Similar to its counterparts, it relies on the infrared sensors that detect the pet wearing the RFID in range as it approaches. The lid opens then.
Each bowl supports up to 8 different tags, where it differentiates between them according to wavelength. You’ll get only 1 tag with the device, so you’d have to spend some extra bucks on separate tags.
Made with durability in mind, the tag is water-resistant and sturdy. No need to worry about your feline friend tearing it apart. Moreover, this is the only option on our list whose bowl is dishwasher safe.
What We Like
- 1-year warranty
- Holds up to 1.5 cups of dry food
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Comes with 1 tag only
- AC adapter is sold separately
Before Buying – What to Consider?
Check Size Compatibility
The most remarkable feature to consider before buying the feeder is to make sure its size works for your pet. Unfortunately, most RFID feeders are directed towards cats. Hence, their small size. They can work with small dogs as well.
There are other options more suitable for dogs like electronic feeders and automatic ones.
Ensure Your Pet’s Comfort
The RFID hanging from your pet’s collar might be bothersome to them. In this case, opt for microchips or electronic ones. Your pet should be more comfortable with these.
Keep a Close Eye
While these feeders are programmable, they’re not humane. You have to keep an eye on your pet’s eating habits and its weight. If you recognize a sudden increase or decrease of weight, then there’s something wrong and it needs your intervention.
What Is a Microchip Pet Feeder?
These are units in which a bowl that stores your pet’s food is placed and sealed with a lid.
The idea is to open the lid when a specific pet approaches. This is done through detecting sensors on the device, like infrared, for example, and some sort of microchips attached to the pet, like RFID chips chained to their collars.
When the pet approaches, the sensors on the feeder detect the chip, and the lid opens.
Finally
There you have it, all about best microchip pet feeders.
Remember, these are smart devices that are intended to make your and your pet’s life easier. Yet, they need some human supervision to get the desired results.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.