My cats need five feeds a day, will I have to re program the machine every day. I am hoping that all I have to do is re fill it!
233758
No, you don't have to re-program the machine every day. I hope we're talking about the PetSafe 5-tray machine. Because this 2-tray device isn't going to work for you. I have the 5-tray PetSafe product and it's worked very well. (1) Program the current time of day. (2) Program up to 9 different programs (no idea why you'd need that many) In your case, you'd program 4 different set times. Remember, that 1 of the trays is already open, hence no need for a timer. Your 4 programmed times will rotate the remaining 4 hidden trays at the chosen time. So, yes all you have to do is plop some food into the trays each day and you're set. My cat has not managed to open it either, so as far as I'm concerned it's cat proof enough. Good luck.
233759
With the 2 meal feeder you just need to turn the timer. With the 5 meal feeder it will remember your times you just need to refill. That is at least until the batteries run out then you will have to resetup your times.
233760
No, you don't have to re-program the machine every day. I hope we're talking about the PetSafe 5-tray machine. Because this 2-tray device isn't going to work for you. I have the 5-tray PetSafe product and it's worked very well. (1) Program the current time of day.(2) Program up to 9 different programs (no idea why you'd need that many)In your case, you'd program 4 different set times. Remember, that 1 of the trays is already open, hence no need for a timer.Your 4 programmed times will rotate the remaining 4 hidden trays at the chosen time. So, yes all you have to do is plop some food into the trays each day and you're set. My cat has not managed to open it either, so as far as I'm concerned it's cat proof enough. Good luck. No, you don't have to re-program the machine every day. I hope we're talking about the PetSafe 5-tray machine. Because this 2-tray device isn't going to work for you. I have the 5-tray PetSafe product and it's worked very well. (1) Program the current time of day.(2) Program up to 9 different programs (no idea why you'd need that many)In your case, you'd program 4 different set times. Remember, that 1 of the trays is already open, hence no need for a timer.Your 4 programmed times will rotate the remaining 4 hidden trays at the chosen time. So,... » Read More No, you don't have to re-program the machine every day. I hope we're talking about the PetSafe 5-tray machine. Because this 2-tray device isn't going to work for you. I have the 5-tray PetSafe product and it's worked very well. (1) Program the current time of day.(2) Program up to 9 different programs (no idea why you'd need that many)In your case, you'd program 4 different set times. Remember, that 1 of the trays is already open, hence no need for a timer.Your 4 programmed times will rotate the remaining 4 hidden trays at the chosen time. So, yes all you have to do is plop some food into the trays each day and you're set. My cat has not managed to open it either, so as far as I'm concerned it's cat proof enough. Good luck. « Show Less
233761
U have to reprogram it every day. U would be better off getting the automatic feeder that has 5 separate bowls. It runs on 4 D batteries n u set the timers digitally. Then all u need to do is fill them. It's more expensive but worth it. I have 3 feeders at my house. Love it!
233762
The timer is a rotary timer. It ticks down to 0 and then opens. You will have to re-set the timer (ie spin the dial to the appropriate time delay) each time.
233763
This is a 2-meal feeder only. I set if for morning and evening for my dog. And yes, you have to reset it after you refill it. It works great. But there are also 5 day feeders, which would probably work better for you.
233764
The five-meal feeder does not need to be re-programmed every day. But if you want to stop it, then you need to re-program it to start it again. But if you do nothing, it will keep feeding at the same times every day.
1692298
My cat feeders topped worked after the first couple of months. It also has to be on battery or electric so when the electricity goes out it stops working. I am so disappointed, so we are back to leaving a humongous bowl of food out. We do leave her for up to a wake at a time. Thank heavens my automatics littler box seems to be a Trojan house! Good luck
1044157
You do not have to re-program the feeder itself if there is a power outage. You would however have to reprogram the external timer if there were to be a power outage unless you purchase a timer that has a backup battery.
482955
That's the biggest problem with this item. You have to be at the time you want and you set the hours you want till the next feeding & turn on. I have 2 units, one set for 1:30 am & pm and the other at 7:30 am & pm. They each lose 1-2 minutes every day & need to be reset at 1:30 & 7.30. Using 2 units at 12 hrs means I only have to fill them every other day. I hope this helps and is not too confusing.
1691694
Depends on how much your cats drink. I have 6 cats and 2 fountains. I fill the reservoirs every week, but sometimes more frequently if it's hot. If you have 4 cats, you're going to have to refill the reservoirs regularly. Buy another fountain if you're worried. Worked for me. :-)
550620
Wendy:The feeder can be programmed at best to feed for 6 days straight and seventh no, or else to feed them at random, it actually has no defined pattern. Greetings To You.
1691693
No I don't think so I have 3 cats and I need to refill it about every 3 days
2272956
I change it once a month. I have 3 cats and 1 dog. Fill up the tank every other day.
33857
You can program for a total of 3 feedings a day only. I believe you could program the feedings close together but then there would be no more food for the rest of the day.
980462
Thanks so much! I have 3 cats, one of which is a classic binge/purge eater so I'm looking for a single solution for all of them. Sounds like this is it! Thank you again!
796501
What is dispensed is determined by how much the animal eats. There is no timer on this inexpensive model. In our case, we have two cats.I do not see that you can control the amount of food eaten each day unless only put out a certain amount. Don't need this to do that.
1726104
You only have to program it once, unless you change the batteries. Then you program it again. Just keep the bucket full of food and you can forget about it. It will feed your animals.
755922
I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could help :) I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could... » Read More I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could help :) « Show Less
1063179
I have had mine about a month, so far has worked when we have been out of the house. I use it routinely every day, whether I am gone or not. That way I can see it works consistently and my cat is use to the routine of eating from it.
2031939
You do not need to program it each day. But you DO need to check it each day to make sure it's not stuck. I bought 2 feeders and neither feeder works very well. I've used different kinds of food and the feeder works for a day or so, and then gets "stuck" and quits allowing the food to come out. So I have to start all over. If I had to do it over again, I would not buy this feeder.
1695497
It does resume. However your cats might miss a feeding time once if it happens around the scheduled cycle.
1380978
It depends on your cat's behavior. In our case, one of our two cats mercilessly harassed the machine and chewed through its cord in an attempt to get it to give them more food, so for us it is not the kind of machine we could leave out and be sure our kitties are getting fed properly. But if you cats are less impish than ours, then I think it could be relied upon for a few days. When the cord was intact, it worked great and was very reliable, but we now are stuck trying to devise a way to keep them from chewing through the cord... which is a shame, because this machine was a godsend before my cat destroyed it! It depends on your cat's behavior. In our case, one of our two cats mercilessly harassed the machine and chewed through its cord in an attempt to get it to give them more food, so for us it is not the kind of machine we could leave out and be sure our kitties are getting fed properly. But if you cats are less impish than ours, then I think it could be relied upon for a few days. When the cord was intact, it worked great and was very reliable, but we now are stuck trying to devise a way to keep them from chewing through the cord... which is a shame, because this machine was a godsend before... » Read More It depends on your cat's behavior. In our case, one of our two cats mercilessly harassed the machine and chewed through its cord in an attempt to get it to give them more food, so for us it is not the kind of machine we could leave out and be sure our kitties are getting fed properly. But if you cats are less impish than ours, then I think it could be relied upon for a few days. When the cord was intact, it worked great and was very reliable, but we now are stuck trying to devise a way to keep them from chewing through the cord... which is a shame, because this machine was a godsend before my cat destroyed it! « Show Less