(checked 2026-10-10)11,372 ratings on the white 'Cat Mate 5-Meal' listing; a separate C500 listing with stainless bowls (B0BBMDHL27) also exists.
The Spruce Pets' best overall: a simple, battery-run five-tray carousel for wet or dry food with dishwasher-safe parts and a low 11% Amazon low-star share. But its ice packs kept wet food cold only overnight or about four hours on warm days, WIRED and CNN found wet food reaching unsafe temperatures, and some owners say the timer resets itself.
Subscription: None. No app; programmed on the feeder
Top complaints
- Ice packs don't keep wet food cold long
The Spruce Pets found the ice packs lasted overnight but not 24 hours. CNN says they barely lasted four hours on warmer days. WIRED found the packs weren't very cold by morning and called the wet-food temperature unsafe. Amazon owners also say the ice packs don't stay cold long.
- Timer resets or meals get missed
Amazon's summary says some owners report the timer randomly clearing settings and changing times. A Spruce Pets tester warns to watch a.m./p.m. carefully to avoid a missed meal.
- Deep bowls; battery-only
WIRED found the bowls deep and narrow, so its cats couldn't reach all the food, and it lists the C500 under Do Not Recommend. The Spruce Pets' only con is that it runs on batteries only, with no plug.
Source: WIRED, The Spruce Pets
What owners love
- Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
The Spruce Pets says the top cover and food tray are dishwasher-safe. Amazon's summary calls it durable and easy to clean.
- Simple to program
The Spruce Pets calls programming straightforward for up to five meals of 1.25 cups each. Amazon owners find the timer easy to understand and program.
- Works for wet and dry food
The Spruce Pets likes that you load each compartment yourself, which suits semi-wet or wet food, and that it helps cats learn to wait for the feeder instead of waking you.
Source: The Spruce Pets
- You'll leave wet food in it for a full day
- You want remote control or alerts
- Your cat struggles with deep, narrow bowls
- Timed meals of dry food or a short wet-food delay
- Homes without a handy outlet
- People who don't want an app
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- The Spruce Pets: Best overall (updated 2026-09-24): ice packs, wet or dry food, dishwasher-safe; con is battery-only power. Not great for wet food beyond overnight.
- WIRED: Do Not Recommend: deep, narrow bowls cats couldn't fully reach, and wet food kept at unsafe temperatures.
- CNN Underscored: Tested but not picked: a budget wet-food option only for cooler months, since its ice packs barely lasted four hours on warm days.