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Question: Automatic cat feeder? questions...?

(Posted by: Lala on 2008-10-19 14:33:08)

My cat is not overweight. We have a dog that somtimes likes to eat her food, so she tends to eat it fast. She has been throwing up what looks like unchewed cat food. I was thinking about closing off a room with a baby gate and giving her an automatic feeder? Would this be a good solution?

Posted by: Ilme H on 2008-10-19, 14:40:43

Try locking her up in a room with everything she needs and then give her the automatic feeder. check on her every hour or so.maybe she eats it so fast she doesnt get to chew it.

Posted by: horselvr90210 on 2008-10-19, 14:42:32

I think an automated feeder would be a good idea. Just make sure to get one that the dog can't figure out. Or, try installing a cat door into an unused room and keep her food in there. Then, the dog won't be able to get in and she will feel more comfortable eating. Another thing would be maybe she has an allergic reaction to this food, or maybe it upsets her stomach, maybe try getting a new food. I hope that helps!

Posted by: sandynickytoots on 2008-10-19, 14:43:38

My friend swears by hers. But why don't you just isolate her while she's eating ? Also check her vomit. Does it look like it may have hair balls in it ? Mine has been throwing up recently and I thought it was because he was eating fast. Only cat but a piggy ! then I noticed that he was shedding a lot . then the vet said he is getting his winter coat. So I bought some stuff at Walmart that you put on his fur and he licks it off. But the cat food thing is good but expensive.

Posted by: Armymom on 2008-10-19, 14:46:39

The reason she is eating her food so fast is because she does not want the dog to get it. It is a survival instinct. If you put her food where she knows the dog is not going to get it and put it in a feeder then she will feel more comfortable and not eat as quickly. Once she knows her food is safe, the problem will stop.

Posted by: bigbeautifull29 on 2008-10-19, 14:47:45

My cat does this too what i do is measure the amount of food i give her at a time small amounts at a time it works if it don't try something for hairball or change the food but change it properly if that don't help contact your vet there might be something wrong i changed my cats cat food and i measure how much she eats at a time it worked for me

Posted by: mdqwn on 2008-10-19, 15:49:17

I have a cat that over-eats all the time and one that never is able to get any food because it is all gone by the time she gets to the food. Our boy cat (our over-eater) was throwing up food all the time since we were constantly filling up the tray for our female cat (the one who doesn't get much food). We found our boy likes to eat on the floor so gave him an auto-feeder (one that gives only a daily amount, it works awesome with limiting him) and we put our female cats food up higher on our dryer (so she has her food available to her without worrying about the boy). Considering you have a cat and a dog you might want to use a mix of the auto feeder and putting it up higher where only the cat can get to the food. If you leave the auto-feeder exposed to the dog the dog will still continue to eat her food as well as the cat will still feel pressured to eat her food fast. You will have the same problem and be constantly filling her auto-feeder. Here is a link to an example auto feeder: drsfostersmith.com/ product/ prod_display.cfm?pcatid= 10284 &cmpid= 02csent &ref= 3665 &subref= AA &srccode= cii_9324560 &cpncode= 23-1590220-2 Good luck with your cat problem... :)

Posted by: nmyankee on 2008-10-19, 16:21:11

I don't think it's necessary to go to the expense of getting an automatic feeder. I got one because I'm in my 70's and live alone (except for cats, that is). My neighbors check on me every few days so, if I'm dead for two of the days, the cats won't starve and, mainly, have a water supply. The auto-feeder I have is an 8-day one which I've set to open once a day but it can be set to open more often (twice for 4 days) -- I've had it since 2003 and am very pleased with it ($85, usually, get free shipping). The model I have doesn't have the clear lid - it's second one on the first link. I, also, have a Pet-mate water fountain - the price for the one on second link is a Real Bargain as this is what I paid 2 years ago for the large size (51 oz.). As long as it's thoroughly cleaned, once a month (20 mins.of your time), the pump will last about 3 to 4 years - replacement pumps are $15.00. But - you, absolutely, must separate your animals at feeding time. Your cat is, obviously, throwing up because she doesn't take the time to chew her food. This will give her serious problems in the near future due to acid burn in her esophagus, throat, mouth, gums, etc. (same as bulemia victims get). Throwing up undigested food also means she isn't getting nutrition from what she swallows so she, most likely, is suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiency. Cats can be put on a schedule instead of grazing all day. I feed mine breakfast and dinner 9 hours apart and leave them in my bedroom-bath area for an hour at each feeding time - you can also do what I do (don't tell anyone, please) - > 20 - 30 mins. before I go to sleep, I spread a large towel on my bed and put 2 bowls of dry food out so the cats can "top up " while I read. Your dog needs to be trained to not eat the cat's food - humans are the ones meant to be "in charge ", not the animals. I suggest you spend 10 mins with your cat when she is fed in a room closed off from the dog - sit on the floor, talk to her and pet her occasionally to slow down her gobbling and, if she charges into the food, take the bowl away, talk to her and pet her and give her 2 mins. at the food before taking it away, again. If you do this for a week, I think she'll learn how to relax during feeding time. Also, important - brush your cat's coat every other day so she won't have enough dead fur to lick and swallow to give her hairballs.