A quick glance down the pet supply aisle at any grocery store will help you realize how huge the pet supply industry has become. There are a variety of useful, puzzling and just plain silly accessories for domesticated pets, ranging from pet roller skates to pet massage devices. When it comes to cats, many people often purchase an automatic cat food dispenser, since it makes feeding much easier. Do you have an automatic cat food dispenser? Were you considering purchasing a dispenser to make feeding your cat more convenient? Here is a quick guide to the pros and cons of automatic cat food dispensers.

Benefits

There are a few benefits that come from using an automatic cat food dispenser. Since your cat’s food is available all the time, this means that you won’t be required to actively feed your cat. When you travel a lot, or have a busy schedule, this can help ensure that your cat is fed even when you’re not around. Also, an automatic pet food dispenser can be left out all of the time, more commonly known as “free feeding”. Most automatic cat food dispensers are designed only to be used with dry kibble, which doesn’t spoil if left out for extended periods of time.

Drawbacks

Though having an automatic cat food dispenser may seem like a good idea, there are a few drawbacks. The first drawback is that you won’t be required to take an active role in feeding your cat. This means that you won’t know if your cat’s eating habits change, which could be indicative of a medical condition. The most detrimental feature of an automatic cat food dispenser is that it can contribute to cat obesity. Obesity in cats is becoming a serious problem, and more cat owners are finding out the true cost of free feeding their cat. By portioning your cat’s meals, you can ensure that they don’t consume more than their daily caloric requirement. With an automatic cat food dispenser, this becomes much more difficult.

Should I Purchase an Automatic Cat Food Dispenser?

In reality, even though an automatic cat food dispenser may be more convenient, it’s highly recommended that you avoid purchasing an automatic cat food dispenser. Instead, try to budget your time each day so that you can manually feed your cat. If necessary, you can always ask a friend to help you feed your cat when you won’t be at home.