Pet Mate - automatic feeder 48 hours

I have an elderly cat who has lost a lot of weight and will only eat the gravy from wet food, no lumps (having spent a fortune finding what he will eat we have settled on Sheba in gravy and Felix soup). But given that he only eats the gravy, he needs feeding every few hours throughout the day and night to try and get the calories into him. I have to work so can't be home to feed him all the time and leaving bowls of food out doesn't work, as they stink the place out and he wont eat them after a certain time. So I tried one of these, as the lids stay open, unlike the more expensive circular ones that seem to move around and cover the last one used. And I really like it. It means that I can get a decent night's sleep and my cat is also fed throughout the day. I've bought spare generic ice packs by searching for the size of the ice blocks. I've found it good enough that I've bought a second one for days that I'm out longer.Pros:Simple and easy to useThe bowls hold a reasonable amount of foodThe food is kept fresher due to the ice pack and the house doesn't stink when I get home (not sure if this will be the case in the summer)The ticking isn't too loud - it doesn't bother me or the catMy cat took to it without any trainingGood value for moneyCheap ice blocks are available to buy on Amazon (non branded)Cons:It does feel a bit cheap and probably wouldn't cope with a boisterous dog or cat trying to get it open / jumping all over itThe catit spare ice packs are far too expensiveThere isn't an off button for when not in useThere isn't a battery cover (no big deal for me)The timer isn't very specific which for me isn't a problem but if you have to give medication in a food at specific intervals you are probably better off getting one with a digital timerIt's not particularly attractive to look at but for me I bought it for the function which is greatThe base has moulded plastic bits so the specified size ice pack could fit in but if the spacers weren't there a larger ice pack could be put in which might be better in the summer

These are excellent, we have two which we've had for a number of years now and are still going strong. This means we can go away for long weekends and not worry about the cat too much - what helps is we have a friend pop in to top them up and reset them.I dont think you can get these anymore, atleast not at the price we paid - which makes me even happier with the purchase.They also came with freezer blocks so if you pet is eating wet food, it keeps it cool.

We previously had two sets of the Cat Mate C20 Automatic Pet Feeders which were gifted to us from a family member. When we decided that we would need to feed our pet cat for longer, we decided to invest in another set of feeders. We originally tried out the C500 but unfortunately the controls were complicated and did not cover our needs.We therefore opted to get 2 more sets of the C20 feeders, to make a total of 4, and to provide a total of 8 meals. On opening the package which as always was well-packaged, we found a simple set of instructions along with the feeder container and 2 feeder trays. The simple mechanism from years ago had been kept which makes it very easy to use (both from a pet and human perspective!). The system allows you to set feeders individually for up to 48 hours each through the use of the dial on top (which incorporates a locking mechanism to keep the tray enclosed), and after putting in a single AA battery in the back of the unit, adding the relevant food/timings, the user can flick the switch and set the timings going.Both the container and inner trays are easy to keep clean and can be wiped easily with a damp cloth. Alternatively you can remove the inner trays entirely to wash them up separately.We have found the timing unit to be very reliable and found that a single AA battery will easily last the full 48 hour period. A couple of minus points are that the battery compartment is not enclosed so can (if your cat is playful enough!) fall out if the unit were to be moved, and both trays can be accessed if your cat is very determined - either if one tray has already opened or they manage to get a paw underneath the lid.Overall though we're very happy with the C20s and would happily recommend them to friends and family.Positives- Easy operation- Simple, single AA-battery required- Easy to keep clean- Can be disassembled for storage/cleaningDrawbacks- Battery compartment is not enclosed so the battery can be knocked out fairly easily- Trays can be accessed when the other is open (or if both are closed if your cat is particularly determined!)