Is there a microchip timed feeder out there? I know about the SurePet microchip feeder but it's not a timed one. I have a Petsafe feeder but with two cats it's impossible to know if the diabetic is eating the food or if the civvie is. Maybe FDMB can crowdsource a microchip timed feeder Works just like a timed feeder with a rotating muti-compartment tray. At each programmed time, the tray will rotate so the meal is under the feeding slot door. The door only opens when it senses the microchip on the approved cat. The door will not open for other pets.
What I've seen some people do is get a large tote, cut a hole out of one side and put a microchip-activated cat door in. Then put the timed feeder inside. That way the only cat that can get into the box with the feeder is the one with the chip. At this time, they don't make a single unit that does both (which is why we have some DIY feeders!)
What Chris said, closest thing to that you can get is a Meowspace with a PetSafe feeder inside. https://meowspace.biz/
Oh that's cool....but pricey!! I think I'd go with the tote. One of those that would be big enough for Garfield is $500!
I saw those Meowscape totes before and while they would work, they're out of my budget. A simple tote with a microchip door would be less costly I think. I have no idea if Leroy would even figure out how to use the door. He's not very smart for an Aby and he has a 2 second attention span
Maybe get the door someplace that will allow returns for 30 days and start with him learning how to use the door. Does he have a special treat that he will do almost anything for? You start with the "door part" up so he just has to go through the frame part of the door. Back and forth, back and forth until he understands going through the frame gets him a yummy treat. Then try adding the actual door.
Don’t waste your money on the microchip feeder. I’m sure some people have luck but my younger cats figured out pretty quick how to squeeze in past Spot to get to the good stuff once he opened the lid with his microchip.
The Sure Feed chip feeders work well for us, for the most part. We do sometimes have to police things but since they all have chips, the intruder detection works fairly well. We have 7 cats.
Another less expensive option that I used with Charlie was to replace the door on a pet carrier with a magnetic pet door and place the timed feeder inside. Only he had the collar on with the magnet to open the door and it kept all of the other cats away from his food. It did not look pretty, but it worked.
You get very creative when you can't afford the expensive options. You probably could also do the same thing with a large storage tote. Just remember to drill some air holes in it.
