Can You Put Wet Food in an Automatic Feeder? (Solved & Explained!)

Yes, you can certainly put wet food in an automatic pet feeder, provided that the model will support it. Some pet feeders give the option to feed wet food only or dry and wet food, with refrigeration or an ice-pack system in place to keep the wet food cold and fresh.

Check carefully before purchase to ensure your model supports wet food, as putting wet food in a dry-food-only model will likely damage it and void your warranty.

For the remainder of this article, we’re going to discuss feeding options such as automatic feeders, microchip feeders, and gravity feeders. Do they work? How do you keep your cat from knocking over their feeder? Find out the answers to these questions and more by reading on!

How do you keep wet food in automatic feeder?

Automatic feeders will come with a cooling mechanism, either in the form of internal refrigeration or in the less expensive models, an ice pack that typically keeps food cold for approximately 6 hours.

You can get a few extra hours of the latter model by adding in regular food on the bottom and some frozen food on the top. Just be careful to time it with the feeding schedule, so that the food still dispenses properly and doesn’t damage or jam your feeder!

Do automatic cat feeders work?

Yes, automatic feeders definitely work and they are great if you are sometimes a little busy and occasionally end up feeding your pet a little bit late or if you have a pet that needs a strict diet. Automatic feeders let you set a schedule and dispense the exact amounts you specify with clockwork efficiency.

How long can you leave a cat with an automatic feeder?

While the automatic feeder should ensure that your cat easts on a regular schedule, it’s still not recommended that you leave them alone for more than 24 hours. The feeder can jam or get knocked over, but also leaving for long periods of time is very stressful for your cat.

You might not be able to tell, but cats are actually sticklers for their daily routine. Your cat might get up, eat, then spend an hour in the sun by the window, then greet you when you wake and leave for work.

This is an example of a cat routine and when anything changes, it stresses them out! Cats are creatures of habit, so they need interaction with you on a regular basis or they can become depressed. So, automatic feeder or no you need to be there as much as possible.

How do I stop my cat from knocking over my automatic feeder?

Strategic placement is the first and best option, so put that automatic feeder in a corner. This helps to keep the feeder upright by putting two solid walls at an angle behind it.

Further reinforce the feeder with some Velcro tape at the base or buy a fitness weight which is flat that you can tape your feeder to. That way, when your cat reaches inside hoping to grab an extra snack, the feeder is highly unlikely to move.

How do I set up automatic cat feeder?

It will vary from brand to brand, so there is not a specific set of instructions that will work with each model. That said, the basic amount of programming your feeder will amount to setting up a feeding schedule and defining the required food amounts.

With microchip feeders, it’s a simple matter of pairing the chip with the unit and then the food tray will open and close when the chip in the cat’s collar is close or removed from range.

What is a gravity feeder?

A gravity feeder is an old-school feeding option that works, at it’s most basic, by means of an overturned container of food attached to a bowl.

When the bowl is full, the food in the container can’t move, but as your cat eats then more food drops down in the bowl until the ‘fill line’ is reached and the container-food is fixed in place.

Will my cat overeat with a gravity feeder?

If you have an obese kitty or a cat which is doing their best to become so, then a gravity feeder might not be ideal for your cat. Gravity feeders just keep the bowl full at all times and kitties will low self-control may eat more than is good for them.

If your cat only eats until they are full, then gravity feeders might be a perfect fit, but don’t get one for an obese cat or it will make things worse!

Can you put water in a gravity feeder?

Yes, there are gravity feeders for water which come in two varieties. The most basic is simply an overturned container of water that you must manually refill, and as your cat drinks the water then gravity will keep the water bowl full as long as there is water in the container.

More modern models affix to a faucet with a hose and use both gravity and water pressure to keep the bowl full. These work more along the same concept as the modern toilet, ensuring a constant supply of fresh water from the tap.

How do microchip feeders work?

Microchip feeders are a great option if you have more than one pet and bullying over food is occurring. The way they work is that you have an RFID chip attached to a specific cat’s collar and when they approach their feeder, the door will open and they get access to the food.

If another animal bullies them and pushes them away from the food (or if they simply walk away), then the door will close and protect the food until it senses the chip is close again. It’s a simple, but highly effective way to make sure that no pet goes hungry!

How long do microchip feeders last?

While some high-end models may offer superior warranties and performance projections, on average you can expect an automatic feeder that is being used daily to last approximately 8 to 12 months. After this, they may require repair or replacement, but often will last a bit longer before you need to replace them.