Best Automatic Cat Feeder with Collar Sensors (RFID & Motion too!)

Our pets love to eat. However, with food comes a lot of problems, such as greediness, mess, bad odor. Also, your dogs might try to reach for cats’ food.

In that case, you need a selective feeder. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before picking your ideal cat feeder with collar sensors. Let’s dive in.

Note: If you click some of the links in this article we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

In a Hurry? Here Are the Top Picks

If you’re in a hurry or you’re looking for quick recommendations, here’s a summary list of the best automatic cat feeders with collar sensors:

Top Pick Microchip (No Collar - Microchip Sensor)
Top Pick - Collar Activated
Runner Up if Top Picks Aren't Available
Best Motioned Activated (for single cats)
Best To Prevent Dogs From Getting Food
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder
OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder
Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl - NOT Microchip Activated
Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder
OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder
Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl - NOT Microchip Activated
Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food
Top Pick Microchip (No Collar - Microchip Sensor)
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
Top Pick - Collar Activated
Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder
Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder
Runner Up if Top Picks Aren't Available
OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder
OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder
Best Motioned Activated (for single cats)
Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl - NOT Microchip Activated
Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl - NOT Microchip Activated
Best To Prevent Dogs From Getting Food
Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food
Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food

Top 6 Automatic Cat Feeder with Collar Sensor Reviews

The market is full of automatic cat feeders. However, fewer automatic feeder options have a collar sensor. Finding the ones that fit those criteria aren’t an easy thing to do, let alone finding the best one for you.

To make the searching process easier, we’ve reviewed the best automatic feeders with collar sensors that you can find out there. Let’s have a look at each one of them and see what they have to offer!

Top Pick (RFID Activated Pet Feeder) – Sure PetCare SureFeed Microchip Bowl

Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
  • Key Benefits: Prevents food stealing and stress at mealtimes in multi-pet homes, keeps your pets healthier by controlling portions and helping to keep weight under control, saves money by not overfeeding expensive prescription foods and helping to avoid vet bills related to pet health conditions.
  • Great for Pets on Prescription Diets: Holds 13.5 fl. oz, wet or dry pet food. The lid closes to form a seal with the neoprene lip, helping to retain moisture and to keep food fresher longer.
  • Microchip Compatibility: Works with 9 (Avid Secure), 10 (FDXA) and 15 (FDXB) digit microchip numbers; if unsure of your pet’s microchip number, you can check with your veterinarian, pet shelter or animal rescue. Automatic Cat Feeder opens when the assigned pet microchip ID approaches, and closes when it moves away. Simple one button programming.
  • Three Year Warranty. Veterinarian Recommended.
  • Do you have a houseful of pets? Does one cat steal the other’s cat food? Does your dog steal the cat’s food? Stressful Feeding times? The Microchip Pet Feeder makes feeding times so much easier! It uses the pet’s Microchip ID or by wearing a lightweight RFID collar tag to communicate with the feeder to open for that specific pet. All feeders come standard with one tag (unit stores 32 ID’s); additional collar tags can be purchased separately if necessary. Ideally one feeder per pet.

Kicking off the list with one of the most complete options in the market. Sure PetCare’s SureFeed is among the best-selling automatic feeders for all the good reasons.

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This automatic cat feeder has an overall capacity of about 13.5 ounces. It can accommodate both wet or dry food, so you won’t have to worry about choosing one over the other.

One of the best things about SureFeed is that it works with both collars and microchips. You can connect to almost all kinds of universal microchips, including 9 (Avid Secure), 15 (FDXB), and 10 (FDXA) microchips.

This makes it ideal for cats that don’t like wearing a collar all the time. Additionally, it has a durable lid with a clear view that allows you to monitor the amount of food left in the bowl.

The lid shuts to an airtight seal, which helps the food to stay fresh for longer and keep the cat food smell contained.

The device is easy to use and you can register up to 32 different cat IDs on the system. Moreover, the bowls are easily cleaned and are available separately in different colors for houses with multiple cats

Sure PetCare trusts in the quality of their feeder. That’s why they’re backing the device with 3 years of full warranty against defects, damage, and failures.

What We Like

  • Compatible with both collars and RFID microchips
  • Easy to program and clean
  • Backed with 3 years warranty
  • Works with dry and wet food

What We Don’t Like

  • The lids are a bit slow while closing

Overall, this pet feeder ticks all the boxes of a good automatic cat feeder with collar sensors. It’s ideal for anyone with multiple cats with various food behaviors.

Top Pick (Collar Activated Cat Feeder) – Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet

Sale
Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder
  • Diet Access Control Feeder Includes 2 Wireless Tags and AC Adapter

Next up we have Wireless Whiskers, which is one of the best feeders that also has a collar sensor.

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The bowl and lids are made of safe plastic materials that are free of BPA for the health of your little furballs. It comes with a clear feeding hopper, so you can monitor the amount of food left in the bowl.

The device comes with its own collars that some cat parents thought are too big. However, others claim that their cats had no problem with it.

Thanks to its AutoDiet feature, you can easily adjust the device according to the dietary portions of your cats.

The cat feeder is easy to work with and the lids open automatically when the cat approaches the bowl when it’s time to eat. Since the tags are waterproof, the device works with both wet and dry food.

What We Like

  • Large food capacity with transparent hopper
  • The device is made of safe materials
  • Adjust the dietary portions of up to 8 cats

What We Don’t Like

  • Some users claim that the tags are a bit large for cats

Overall, this automatic cat feeder has a large feeding capacity. The adjustment of portions makes it ideal for putting a cat (or a dog) on a diet.

OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder

OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder
  • Perfect for multi-pet homes (small cats and dogs)
  • Keeps food fresh
  • Prevents kids and unwanted pets from getting into pet's food
  • D Batteries not included, AC adaptor sold separately, Kindly refer to manual and video for reference.
  • Tag takes CR2032 battery, battery lasts 30.78 days; Bowl takes 3 D batteries that last 43.77 days.

If you’re looking for a device that fits both small cats and dogs, this one is ideal for you. OurPets WonderBowl is a selective automatic feeder that also works by collar detection.

This cat feeder uses infrared radiation to pick up the special tag that comes with the Wonder Bowl. Once the device catches this signal, the lid opens for the right cat, allowing it to enjoy its own meal.

The tags and the bowl require a battery or two to stay up, which might be a bit tedious to change.

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However, you might need up to 1 or 1.5 months before you have to replace the batteries. Having a battery-powered feeder is good if your feeding spot doesn’t have a nearby power plug.

Although the lid opens for the right cat, it doesn’t have the durability to prevent larger pets from opening the lid. This makes it ideal for preserving the food rather than keeping curious dogs out.

What We Like

  • You can place it anywhere in the house
  • Keeps the food fresh with an airtight seal
  • Dishwasher safe bowl
  • Stable construction

What We Don’t Like

  • Works with its collars only
  • Doesn’t keep large pets from opening the lids

Overall, this one is ideal for smaller cats, especially with no large pets around. It’s a cost-efficient option if you’re looking for food preservation without paying a hefty premium.

SureFlap Automatic Microchip Pet Feeder

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SureFlap automatic pet feeder is another product by Sure PetCare. This one runs on 4 batteries that last up to 5 to 6 months depends on the usage frequency.

Similar to SureFeed, SureFlap also runs on both RFID collars and vet implanted microchips. It has a large food bowl, so you can adjust the food portions as you like.

This one comes with a smart training mode that helps the cats to get used to the food dispenser. The lid is fortified to prevent greedy cats from reaching the sealed bowl. However, the lid is also clear, so you can monitor the food content inside.

It has a smart design that’s space-efficient and pet-friendly, so your cat will be familiar with this feeder in no time.

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What We Like

  • Smart design with a carefully placed sensor
  • Comes with 2 microchip tags and two bowls
  • Adjustable and easy to clean

What We Don’t Like

  • Doesn’t have a timer

With the multiple accessories that come with this one, it’s specifically ideal for houses with multiple cats.

Sure Petcare Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl

Sure Petcare - SureFeed - Motion Activated Sealed Pet Bowl - NOT Microchip Activated
  • MOTION ACTIVATED: The Motion-Activated lid opens when any pet approaches (Not Microchip Activated). Best for single pet homes, with small dogs and cats. The Bowl allows them to eat or graze their food while you are away, or for Day and Night time eating habits.
  • WET AND DRY FOOD: The Sealed Pet Bowl holds 13.5 ounces of either wet or dry kibble (Average cat food can is 5.5oz). When the Bowl is closed, it forms a seal with the Neoprene lip of the bowls to help keep your pet’s food fresher and tasty longer. Customize with pink, blue and green mat and bowl options from Sure Petcare.
  • NO-SPILL CONSTRUCTION - Even the untidiest eater won’t be able to make a mess. NON-SKIDDING - Silicon toe pads on the bottom will keep your pet's bowl from sliding around on the floor and help keep the bowl upright. No messy floors to clean. With the closing lid it also helps keep pet food smells locked away.
  • TWO YEAR WARRANTY. BATTERY POWERED: Uses 4 C non-rechargeable alkaline batteries (not included); estimated battery life up to 6 months depending on use. LOW BATTERY INDICATOR: Light flashes red when batteries are low and indicates batteries will need to be replaced soon.
  • GREAT GIFT IDEA: The SureFlap Sealed Pet Bowl is a great gift for small dog breeds and cat lover’s – helping to keep their pet’s food fresher. US Based Customer Service Support 1-855-4614740.

Another product from Sure PetCare, which shows the level of quality and experience they have with the pet feeders industry.

Unlike the other ones from the SureFeed series, this one doesn’t have a specific ID sensor. In other words, its collar sensors only detect motion and open when your cat approaches the bowl.

This means that it doesn’t provide portion control or fair food distribution. It’s ideal for houses with a single cat, especially if they eat a lot of wet food.

The transparent lid keeps the food fresh for a longer time thanks to its tight seal. This keeps wet food in ideal moisture for a much longer time, which saves you money.

What We Like

  • Airtight seal keeps wet food fresh for longer
  • Prevents cat food odor
  • Ideal for houses with single cats

What We Don’t Like

  • Requires frequent refills

If you’re looking for a tight seal rather than portion control, this motion-activated pet bowl from Sure PetCare should be your ideal fit.

The Purrfect Cat Dish Cat Feeding Bowl

Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food
  • KEEPS DOGS OUT: The Purrrfect Cat Dish was created by a veterinarian just for felines and is designed to keep dogs out of the cat food.
  • LESS ODORS AND SPILLS: This cat food dish keeps cat food odors in and cat food spills to a minimum - protecting your floors and/or carpets.
  • EASY TO MOVE AND DISHWASHER SAFE: The Felines Cat Food Bowl is built with an external handle for easy carrying and is completely dishwasher Safe.
  • QUALITY DESIGN: This unique cat product is specially designed with twin bowls, just for your cat, and is sure to make your cat love you even more!
  • ATTACHABLE AND STABLE: Includes rubber pads and double face tape or screws to make it attachable and stable, so this cat dish won't tip over!

Lastly, this item is a bit different from the previous ones. If you’re looking for a selective feeder with a collar to prevent your dogs from eating their food, this one can do the job.

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It’s a well-priced alternative that will do the trick without costing you an arm and a leg. The feeding bowl is designed with a cover that fits the head of cats while preventing dogs from reaching the food.

The cover is transparent, so your cats will be able to see the food and eat it with ease. The clarity will also help you fill the bowl up whenever it’s empty. The bowl is made of BPA-free materials and is easy to wash and dry.

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly alternative
  • Easy to clean and use
  • Ideal for households with cats and large dogs

What We Don’t Like

  • Doesn’t feature portion control

While it doesn’t have a specific RFID or microchip sensor, this selective cat feeder is an affordable alternative to keep the dogs off the cats’ food.

How an Automatic Cat Feeder with a Collar Sensor Works

When you’re shopping for an automatic cat feeder, you’ll find a lot of options that label themself as automatic. These options are automatic dispensers that provide your cats with certain portions of food according to how you program it.

The problem is, if you have multiple cats in your household, you’re bound to have a cat that’s greedier than the others. This cat hangs around the food bowl more often, so it makes sure that it gets the largest amount of food, leaving other cats with less food.

That’s where an automatic cat feeder with a collar sensor comes in for the rescue. Unlike automatic feeders who work by dispensing, these also have a cat recognition system. This system can identify the cat through its collar tags via different mechanisms.

For example, some of them work by reading the RFID collar tag in the cat’s neck. Others identify the cats using a vet implanted microchip.

The food bowls in these smart feeders are always sealed with a lid that will open for the right cat only.

Why Get Your Cat an Automatic Feeder with a Collar Sensor?

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of potential benefits that you can from having an automatic cat feeder with a collar sensor.

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In the following section, you’ll find some of the best advantages that you can enjoy with these smart cat feeders.

Fair Distribution of Food

Having a greedy cat is one of the most common reasons for cat parents to opt for an automatic feeder with a collar sensor.

If you have multiple cats in your house, there might be some acts of dominance and submission between cats. In other words, some cats might be naturally more dominant than the others, so they tend to get the lion’s share to themselves.

Once they recognize how regular automatic pet feeders work, They start hanging around the bowl more often with some acts of food guarding. Also, they might tend to push the less dominant cats out of the feeder to get their food.

By having an automatic cat feeder with collar sensors, the lid will automatically shut off when the greedy cat tries to eat other cats’ food.

Collar identifying feeders ensures that all cats get their fair share of food. Additionally, they help in preventing all aggressive fights over food in the long run.

Keeps the Food Fresh for a Longer Time

Since these automatic feeders come with lid seals, they can keep the food fresh for a longer time. Not only that, but it can also be an attraction source for flies and roaches to visit your house.

This is ideal for cats that eat wet food, especially if the cat doesn’t go through all its food in one sitting.

Wet food can become dry and harder to eat the more it’s left in the open as automatic dispensers do. Also, it covers the food, and therefore the smell, which is great for those who don’t like the smell of wet cat food.

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Cat on a Medication

If one of your cats is on medicated food that other cats shouldn’t eat, an automatic feeder with a collar recognition feature is an ideal option for you.

In that case, you’ll need to have two different automatic feeders. The one with normal food will close the lid and prevent the medicated cat from eating the wrong food. On the other hand, the one with medicated food will only open for this cat.

Cats on a Diet

Another similar case to the one above is when you have an overweight cat that needs to be on a diet.

Most automatic cat feeders with collar sensors are highly adjustable and programmable. If you have a cat that’s struggling with obesity, you can easily set specific portions for this cat.

That way, when the cat eats a specific amount of food that’s suggested by your vet, the lid with close.

Cost-Effectiveness

If you’re putting your cat on a special diet or premium cat food, this can cost you a lot. While nothing is too expensive for our little feline friends, you still need to make sure that none of that food goes to waste.

By limiting fights and keeping the food enclosed, you’ll limit the food wasted in the mess. Also, it will make sure that the cat isn’t over-eating. Putting all the previous factors into account, you’ll save a lot of cat food money in the long run due to:

  • Less wasted food in the mess
  • Less over-eating
  • Less food that goes bad

Things to Keep in Mind While Looking for an Automatic Cat Feeder with a Collar Sensor

While buying these exceptionally smart cat feeders, there are some aspects that you need to consider.

You should also know that they’re generally pricier than regular automatic feeders and packed with more features. So, you need to make sure that you make the most out of your investment.

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Endurance

Keeping a cat off food isn’t an easy thing, most cats will try to push their heads against the lid and try to reach for the food. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the device is stable enough to withstand these trials.

Also, it should have a bottom-heavy structure to prevent it from moving while the cat is moving around it. Ideally, the bottom should have rubbery pods to keep the feeder in place and prevent spills and keep your floor as clean as possible.

However, you should know that even with the most durable device, you still need to place it as far as possible from larger pets in the house.

RFID Collars or Microchips?

Most cat feeders with collar sensors require your cat to wear the included tag in the collar to be recognized.

You must make sure that your cat is fine with wearing a collar tag all the time. If your cat isn’t fond of wearing collars, you can opt for a microchip implanting in a vet’s clinic.

In that case, you need to make sure that your pet feeder supports RFIDS microchips reading. If you don’t know what to choose, SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is your best bet, as it supports both methods.

Ease of Cleaning

You must clean the food bowl from time to time. This can be beneficial for your cats’ health and also for the general hygiene of your house. That’s why it’s crucial to opt for a pet feeder that’s easy to clean.

The feeder should be easy to disassemble and put together correctly without any hassle. Also, you need to make sure that the feeder has a removable food bowl or tray.

Ideally, the food tray should be dishwasher-friendly, so you can throw it in for a worry-free cleanup.

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Also, a removable bowl allows you to replace plastic bowls with a similar bowl made of stainless steel for cats with acne. However, you should be careful that some collar tags don’t work well with metals.

Materials

For the safety of your cats, you need to make sure that all the materials used in the manufacturing of the feeder aren’t toxic. For example, make sure that the bowl is made of BPA-free plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel.

Ease of Use

No matter how advanced and feature-packed your cat feeder is, it’s pointless if you can’t use it. Always make sure that you’re opting for a pet feeder that’s easy to use and program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I place my automatic cat feeder?

The answer to this question depends on the state of your house. You need to make sure that the feeder is kept in a place where your cats can easily reach.

However, it should be slightly out of general sight, especially if you have children in the house. You either teach your kids not to play with it or put it somewhere they can’t get to.

Ideally, you should also make sure that other pets, such as dogs, can’t reach it. Moreover, avoid placing the cat feeder next to the cat’s litter box, as it might avoid using one of them. A low traffic area, such as a kitchen corner is a good example that fits many of these criteria.

How to teach your cat to use an automatic feeder?

Your cats will need to get used to the automatic feeder before they can use it properly. In the beginning, start by introducing the bowl to the area where your cats usually eat.

After some time, add some food to it, so they can get more familiar with the feeder. Once they’re fully comfortable with the bowl, start registering the collars to use the feeder automatically.

Can an automatic cat feeder work for dogs too?

This depends on the size of the feeder you have. Most cat-specific feeders are designed to fit heads as small as the cats’.

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If you have a small breed dog, you can try to use the pet feeder with them. However, if your dog is big, make sure that the pet feeder supports both of them.

Conclusion

There you have it. A complete guide to help you choose the best automatic cat feeder with a collar sensor for you.

If you’re looking for the all-around best option, then you should go for Sure PetCare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. It works with almost all kinds of collars and microchips, making it ideal for controlling food portions and preventing food greed.

Sure Petcare -SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder - Selective-Automatic Pet Feeder Makes Meal Times Stress-Free, Suitable for Both Wet and Dry Food - MPF001
  • Key Benefits: Prevents food stealing and stress at mealtimes in multi-pet homes, keeps your pets healthier by controlling portions and helping to keep weight under control, saves money by not overfeeding expensive prescription foods and helping to avoid vet bills related to pet health conditions.
  • Great for Pets on Prescription Diets: Holds 13.5 fl. oz, wet or dry pet food. The lid closes to form a seal with the neoprene lip, helping to retain moisture and to keep food fresher longer.
  • Microchip Compatibility: Works with 9 (Avid Secure), 10 (FDXA) and 15 (FDXB) digit microchip numbers; if unsure of your pet’s microchip number, you can check with your veterinarian, pet shelter or animal rescue. Automatic Cat Feeder opens when the assigned pet microchip ID approaches, and closes when it moves away. Simple one button programming.
  • Three Year Warranty. Veterinarian Recommended.
  • Do you have a houseful of pets? Does one cat steal the other’s cat food? Does your dog steal the cat’s food? Stressful Feeding times? The Microchip Pet Feeder makes feeding times so much easier! It uses the pet’s Microchip ID or by wearing a lightweight RFID collar tag to communicate with the feeder to open for that specific pet. All feeders come standard with one tag (unit stores 32 ID’s); additional collar tags can be purchased separately if necessary. Ideally one feeder per pet.

However, if you’re looking for an affordable selective feeder to keep the dogs out, the Purrfect Cat Dish. it can pull off the trick without leaving a dent in your wallet.

Felines Only - the Purrrfect Cat Dish - Veterinarian Designed Cat Feeding Bowl that Keeps Dogs Out of the Cat Food
  • KEEPS DOGS OUT: The Purrrfect Cat Dish was created by a veterinarian just for felines and is designed to keep dogs out of the cat food.
  • LESS ODORS AND SPILLS: This cat food dish keeps cat food odors in and cat food spills to a minimum - protecting your floors and/or carpets.
  • EASY TO MOVE AND DISHWASHER SAFE: The Felines Cat Food Bowl is built with an external handle for easy carrying and is completely dishwasher Safe.
  • QUALITY DESIGN: This unique cat product is specially designed with twin bowls, just for your cat, and is sure to make your cat love you even more!
  • ATTACHABLE AND STABLE: Includes rubber pads and double face tape or screws to make it attachable and stable, so this cat dish won't tip over!