Is there a recommended cat food to use with this that helps with the gravity issue? I have this feeder and its great but the food doesnt dispense automatically. I have to shake it for the food to come down... Is there a recommended cat food to use with this that helps with the gravity issue? I have this feeder and its great but the food doesnt dispense automatically. I have to shake it for the food to... » Read More Is there a recommended cat food to use with this that helps with the gravity issue? I have this feeder and its great but the food doesnt dispense automatically. I have to shake it for the food to come down... « Show Less
69049
I also have that problem. I placed a piece of wood under the back side to tilt the feeder. This corrected the problem. Do not change your cat food to accommodate the feeder issue - just block (elevate) the back side.
690290
I don't know of any other cat food dispenser. However, we filled this dispenser with chockful of cat food pellets because we were going on vacation. We left this outdoor in the patio because we have an outdoor cat. This was a big mistake. All of the animals in the neighbourhood devoured it within the same day. They toppled the dispenser and was able to shake out every last bit of food. My poor cat had to fend for itself while we were away. We are now back to giving the pet daily portions.
690291
I have always found with these "automatic" feeders that you have to help the food come down and flow out fully into the feeding bowl. I've had a few of them and it's the same with them all. Obviously smaller sized food bits are better but you will still need to help it along as far as my experience goes.
690292
Aloha..I have never came across this issue since only one cat, kibbles very small. I fill weekly. I purchase from Amazon the Merrick before grain, tuna favor. That's a great question. I have a habit of checking once in awhile, never shake use my finger once in awhile. I trust this container, since my kids never check on my cat, she ran out of food. The water dish she likes small, took the filter out use different type of mineral water. Hope it helps.
2090210
I have had nothing but problems with the "Large Auto Pet Feeder..." and am very sorry I bought it (see my review for my reasons). I had previously bought the LeBistro and had no issues with it. I had decided not to buy it because there were so many complaints that it had a short life (minw lasted 3 years). I regret that decision. People complain that the cats "defeat" the LeBistro, but the fact of the matter is that the next feed portion is already measured, so the cats are only getting their next feed a little early - there is no way for them the empty the hopper. I will be buying the LeBistro myself next time. Hope this helps. I have had nothing but problems with the "Large Auto Pet Feeder..." and am very sorry I bought it (see my review for my reasons). I had previously bought the LeBistro and had no issues with it. I had decided not to buy it because there were so many complaints that it had a short life (minw lasted 3 years). I regret that decision. People complain that the cats "defeat" the LeBistro, but the fact of the matter is that the next feed portion is already measured, so the cats are only getting their next feed a little early - there is no way for them the empty the hopper. I... » Read More I have had nothing but problems with the "Large Auto Pet Feeder..." and am very sorry I bought it (see my review for my reasons). I had previously bought the LeBistro and had no issues with it. I had decided not to buy it because there were so many complaints that it had a short life (minw lasted 3 years). I regret that decision. People complain that the cats "defeat" the LeBistro, but the fact of the matter is that the next feed portion is already measured, so the cats are only getting their next feed a little early - there is no way for them the empty the hopper. I will be buying the LeBistro myself next time. Hope this helps. « Show Less
2119102
I have the same problem with my cat... After a visit to the vet, we added a pro-biotic, slippery elm bark, grass and the MOST important... I built a raised feeder so my cat didn't bend her throat or tummy when she ate... THE FIRST DAY NO Vomiting!!!! Been a week and still none!!!! I've been picking her some young fescue grass and she's eating that so am ordering this asap... She was having terrible constipation problems, the pro-biotic and slippery elm bark helped that, added a couple teaspoons water to her WET food, OMG in a week even her coat feels and looks silkier! This Cat threw up EVERY DAY.. The raised Feeder and Fiber, a miracle!!! I have the same problem with my cat... After a visit to the vet, we added a pro-biotic, slippery elm bark, grass and the MOST important... I built a raised feeder so my cat didn't bend her throat or tummy when she ate... THE FIRST DAY NO Vomiting!!!! Been a week and still none!!!! I've been picking her some young fescue grass and she's eating that so am ordering this asap... She was having terrible constipation problems, the pro-biotic and slippery elm bark helped that, added a couple teaspoons water to her WET food, OMG in a week even her coat feels and looks silkier! This Cat threw up... » Read More I have the same problem with my cat... After a visit to the vet, we added a pro-biotic, slippery elm bark, grass and the MOST important... I built a raised feeder so my cat didn't bend her throat or tummy when she ate... THE FIRST DAY NO Vomiting!!!! Been a week and still none!!!! I've been picking her some young fescue grass and she's eating that so am ordering this asap... She was having terrible constipation problems, the pro-biotic and slippery elm bark helped that, added a couple teaspoons water to her WET food, OMG in a week even her coat feels and looks silkier! This Cat threw up EVERY DAY.. The raised Feeder and Fiber, a miracle!!! « Show Less
762818
AudreyB, did you purchase this item and find a way to use it with your cat? I also have a very large cat, a Maine Coon that weighs about 22 pounds. I curious to see if you could use this product. Thanks!
1507819
My cat only uses the top bed, I took out the tube, and he likes to use the platform. Both my average size cats do not play or fit in the hamack, the house, or the bowl. FYI they are made out of fuzzy material not carpet. The base is really thin. I have mine up against the wall for stability. When he jumps up on the top it wobbles and scares me. I also bought a carpet one from petsmart, with two round beds, and two curved beds, scratch posts. They seem to like that one better. I use the one in the picture to put there food on so the dogs won't eat it. Would I purchase the again? Only if I had a kitten, not a grown cat. My cat only uses the top bed, I took out the tube, and he likes to use the platform. Both my average size cats do not play or fit in the hamack, the house, or the bowl. FYI they are made out of fuzzy material not carpet. The base is really thin. I have mine up against the wall for stability. When he jumps up on the top it wobbles and scares me. I also bought a carpet one from petsmart, with two round beds, and two curved beds, scratch posts. They seem to like that one better. I use the one in the picture to put there food on so the dogs won't eat it. Would I purchase the again? Only if I... » Read More My cat only uses the top bed, I took out the tube, and he likes to use the platform. Both my average size cats do not play or fit in the hamack, the house, or the bowl. FYI they are made out of fuzzy material not carpet. The base is really thin. I have mine up against the wall for stability. When he jumps up on the top it wobbles and scares me. I also bought a carpet one from petsmart, with two round beds, and two curved beds, scratch posts. They seem to like that one better. I use the one in the picture to put there food on so the dogs won't eat it. Would I purchase the again? Only if I had a kitten, not a grown cat. « Show Less
1878866
Oh yes, it happens in my home. One of my cats acts like I never feed him, we'll call him fatcat. I use the Wonderbowl for skinnycat and put it on top of the refrigerator so its a little deterrent for fatcat. However, I have caught fatcat up there many times waiting for skinnycat to decide to eat. I don't really have a solution but canned air seems to bother fatcat, so I use that as a deterrent. Mealtime is a circus in my home :)
949623
I just tested mine, and it made a huge mess. I would find something else for your cat food.
624754
I use the superfeeder with both clear plastic food holders (shown in the picture) plus I have the 1 Gallon hopper attached to the top of those 2. I have 1 cat who gets 1/3 of a cup three times a day and I only fill it once every 1.5-2 months. I have been using mine for about 3-4 years now and its the greatest thing ever! I have never had an issue with it and it has been running for 1200 + days straight. Nicest thing is I don't get woken up at 4 AM everyday by my cat wanting food! Such wonderful sleep I get now! Worth every penny!
1050662
My cat prefers cat food. I've been using this system for years and I've never seen her even attempt to eat a pellet. Maybe it's because I don't portion control my cat's food. If you do, and your cat attempts to eat one, I would stop using it. Though, I can't see a cat preferring to eat something that they poop and pee on.
1822646
I had to put my cat in the top basket, to try to get her used to it. But eventually she kept jumping down, which is a foot drop down to the floor. Plus since my cat's full grown, the middle flat tier kept tipping over; so its not that reliable if propped up properly. Eventually I took my top tier basket down since she never slept in it; & my cat tore the heck out of the top scratching post. But my cat still likes to jump up on the rest of the cat pole.
728731
Is it possible either some of the contents are too large and may be jamming the spinner mechanism or the feeder itself is so large that when nearly full the downward pressure is causing the spinner to stop? I have encountered similar problems due to both these instances.
1268541
All my plugins are down low. I have one in the dining room / living room. I do have another plugin but that one seems to serve the purpose. I feel it really helps keep the cats calm, wouldn't be without it.
2164365
I got mine for my cat. He was still able to tip it, so I got one of those black boot trays and velcroed the bowl to the tray, problem solved!!!! At least, when he did tip it, it wasn't as big of a mess as with a regular bowl!!!
147609
I have three cats using this feeder, I have not had any problems with food getting stuck. I use Purina Indoor cat chow. The food flows freely, but it does not fill the bowl completely, but there is always food in the feed bowl. I also don't fill it up completely, I usually only fill about 1/3 of the way.
1043160
I haven't tried that, but I have noticed that a moderate slap to the container part of the feeder will cause a few pieces of food to leak out. Also, when filled to capacity, the feeder is a bit top heavy and your cats may be able to topple it. My cats have done this in the past. Overall I am pleased with the functionality of the feeder-- it works very well in terms of dispensing food at the scheduled times. But it does have some vulnerabilities that can be exploited by persistent cats.
1351396
As suggested by another purchaser, you could remove the inner plastic "bowl" and set your non-plastic bowl inside it. However,there really isn't a "bottom" to the feeder, so if your pet tips it over (which my cat has done several times), the dish would fall out and so would the food. So, removing the dish might work against you if you want the feeder to open at a set time, which seems to be the point of an automatic feeder.
1644233
I use two feeders, even though each cat only gets 1/3 c of food each meal, because Dragon puts his big dumb head in front of the opening and will park there until all the food is eaten, no matter how many servings. (Or he just breaks the top off, and then eats all the food from all the compartments if he is feeling feisty)