Automatic Cat Feeders

[237SJ]

Has anyone ever used one of those automatic feeding machines that dispense dry food in the absence of the cat owner? Are they reliable?

[jakep]

I used one many years ago. It was very successful. Set the dial, flap pops up and cat gets access to food. Very useful if you know you are going to miss one meal.

[Sqad]

As you know, I am a bit of an expert on the subject of cats....;;-)

Now if you are talking about a machine OUTSIDE....no, they are not reliable as if it is wet, there will certainly be some agglutination (the biscuits get stuck)

In the home, they work much better............but not as good as a cattery.

[wolf63]

If the cat is a big, greedy bruiser with brains it might be able for it to break into the food. I know of only two cats who have done this. Is your cat going to be the third?

[Old_Geezer]

Outside there may be a fight for who gets the food !

[Richard1966]

We have one, inside. It goes off 4x per day. It been running for 5 months. Just had to change the batteries once.

it would enable us to go away for a weekend without having to worry.

[237SJ]

Thanks for all of the replies. This wouldn`t be for one missed meal or even one day. It would be a permanent feeding method for an owner (me) who is away a lot. It would be supplemented by the local vet`s nurse who does a cat feeding service.

[237SJ]

Forgot to ask - Richard1966 would you mind telling me the model that you have?

[furrypusscat]

I apologise if this may offend, but should you have a cat if you are away from home for so long. It seems very unfair if it is left on its own. Could somebody not look after it for you whilst you are away? All animals need company.

[chaptazbru2]

And what if it breaks down and no food comes out ??

[237SJ]

It`s not my cat. It`s my Mums who will not be around very long so I`m trying to find ways to cope with the cat. Cat`s Protection League won`t be interested (I tried that once before) and I`m certainly not going to have her put down.

[furrypusscat]

Have a word with the vet and see if they know of anyone that would take one in. Can you put a notice up there and also in a local shop. I would never suggest having it put to sleep. I am too fond of cats myself for that.

[237SJ]

I have spoken to the vet. We don`t really know how old the cat is as she just appeared about 10 years ago but he thinks she is about 14. She has gone deaf recently. I don`t think there`d be many takers. One friend of mine offered to have her if that is ever needed but she has two large dogs and the cat can be a bit timid so that is out of the question.

[Sqad]

237........about 14 years of age.......gone deaf.....future questionable.

I know it is difficult, but wouldn't it be better if she was "put to sleep?"

[furrypusscat]

Sorry to hear of your mum's problems. You may be surprised, people don't always mind if an animal has health problems as long as its problems won't cost a massive amount and requires visits to the vet too often, some kind person might like the company and give it a loving home.

[237SJ]

God no, Sqad. Here`s the story of "Pusscat". She used to sit at the end of the front path every night. She was always there early evening. I asked around if anyone knew who she belonged to. Nobody knew but I don`t think she was a stray. One neighbour said she slept under a bush in his garden. Anyway, there was another cat that belonged to a neighbour who didn`t look after it so I had a little dish of biscuits for it. One day, Pusscat timidly followed me in, spotted the biscuits and that was it. She saw off the other cat. She used to howl (and she can really yowl) outside my front door. In the morning, she would get on the fence below my bedroom window and howl there. So she virtually moved in but I think went back to her own house when I was away on trips, then came back again. One day I went on a 9 day trip and the pesky cat defected to next door. She then slept next door with my neighbour and came to me when the neighbour was working during the day. Anyway, the neighbour got lung cancer and was told to get rid of the cat due to infection risk. That is when I phone the Cat Protection and they just weren`t interested. Their shelters were all full as well. My Dad had died the year before and so I asked my Mum who was all alone in Devon to temporarily take care of the cat. So I took her there and she lived it up in the country, wandering up the field and bringing home mice. She was a Godsend for my Mum. I sold Mum`s house and got her one round the corner from me so the cat came with her and has been there since 2009. So the cat has been with us through thick and thin. She saw us through my Dad dying, my sister`s husband dying, my neighbour dying, my Mum getting breast cancer, me having a couple of operations. She has been with us through thick and thin and I can`t bear to part with her because I love her dearly.

[ummmm]

That's sad and sweet.

[Sqad]

237SJ..........understood.

[237SJ]

ummmm - it`s making me tearful typing about it (and I don`t cry easily). It`s bad enough losing my Mum without worrying about what I`m going to do with the cat.

[jakep]

Your explanation of what Pusscat means to you is simple and very understandable. I am so sorry about what you are going through with your Mum. If it ever came to Puss being kept in a rescue cage or passed from pillar to post that may not be a fitting end to her lovely life. My best wishes to you all for the coming months.

[furrypusscat]

I am sorry, I do hope I didn't cause any offence with my post. Pusscat obviously means so much to you. Hope everything works out for you both.