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The Cats.com Normal—Score Surefeed Microchip Pet Feeder on What Issues
We’ve rated the model on 5 key standards for high quality. Right here’s the way it charges in every of those 5 essential areas.
Rankings
- Ease of Setup: 10/10
- Building: 8/10
- Ease of Cleansing: 7/10
- Look: 10/10
- Worth: 4/10
Total Rating: 7.8/10
Why Belief Cats.com
As a cat product reviewer and lifelong cat mother or father, I perceive the utility of microchip feeders—in addition to the options that will probably be most essential to cats and their individuals. For this assessment, I relied on in depth analysis and suggestions from my very own discerning cat to get an thought of how the SureFeed Microchip Feeder would possibly work for different pet mother and father. In the end, I wished to be taught: does this feeder actually work? And is the steep worth justified?
To search out out, I examined the SureFeed intently on a number of fronts. First, I noticed how concerned the setup course of was. Then, over the course of a number of weeks, I spent a good period of time acquainting my cat, Floyd, with the gadget. I took observe of particulars like the scale, noise stage, supplies, and design concerns. I additionally broke the unit down for cleansing to see how sensible this might be.
As well as, I combed via dozens of buyer critiques to get a way of what different cat mother and father needed to say—issues they favored, areas that might use enhancing, and the way the feeder labored for them total.
SureFeed Microchip Feeder and Positive Petcare Overview
Positive Petcare obtained its begin in 2008 when the model launched its first product: the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap. Developed by Cambridge physicist Nick Hill, this digital cat door was designed to maintain unauthorized pets out of your house.
In 2014, the corporate utilized this expertise to cat meals bowls, and the SureFeed Microchip Feeder was launched. This novel gadget stands alone as one of many solely microchip feeders in the marketplace (the one different one I may discover was the Nearer Pets MiBowl.) It’s preferrred for curbing meals stealing in multi-pet properties, and it helps guarantee the best cat is getting the best meals.
To showcase its rising vary of merchandise, the corporate modified its identify from SureFlap to Positive Petcare in 2017. This similar yr, the Feeder Join was launched: an up to date microchip feeder that provides insights into consuming patterns by connecting to the Positive Petcare app with an web Hub (bought individually). Positive Petcare additionally carries a microchip-enabled water fountain that displays your pet’s water consumption and an exercise tracker for canines.
SureFeed Microchip Feeder Options

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Not like different computerized feeders, the objective of the Surefeed is to manage meals entry in multi-pet properties. Utilizing microchip sensors, it thwarts would-be meals thieves by solely opening for designated pets—maintaining out different cats, canines, and even curious toddlers.
The arch over the meals bowl incorporates a chip-reading sensor. When you program your cat (a simple & quick course of), the feeder will open after they stick their head below the arch. As soon as the approved cat strikes away, the feeder’s door slides shut. Alternatively, cats with out a microchip can use the included RFID collar tag. You probably have a number of cats who share meals, you possibly can program as much as 32 pets.
The Surefeed operates on 4 C batteries, which the corporate says will final a minimum of six months. Whereas batteries present flexibility by way of feeder placement, additionally they symbolize an added expense. Some customers have been understandably miffed that you could’t plug this gadget into the wall.
This gadget comes with a hefty price ticket, however will probably be value it for the best particular person and the best circumstances. Meals-stealing could be a severe headache in multi-pet properties, and this feeder frees up pet mother and father who would in any other case must supervise dinner time. What’s extra, it retains pets wholesome by guaranteeing they get the best meals—an particularly essential consideration when costly prescription diets are on the menu.
What We Preferred
- Comes with two bowls: one divided bowl and one single bowl
- Surprisingly light-weight
- Simple to program
- Neoprene lip round bowl varieties a seal to retain moisture and freshness
- Modern, fashionable design
What We Didn’t Like
- Costly, particularly if it’s worthwhile to buy multiple for a number of feline thieves
- Bowls are plastic as a substitute of stainless-steel
- Coloured bowls and mats should be bought individually
- Kibble can get caught below the lid, inflicting it to not shut correctly
- Battery-operated, no plug-in possibility
- Might be troublesome to scrub
What Did Our Take a look at Cats Assume?

Liz Coleman/Cats.com
Reception of the SureFeed was a combined bag in our family. Personally, I used to be tremendous impressed with the expertise behind this feeder: I’ve by no means seen something fairly prefer it! That stated, I do suppose it comes with a number of design flaws I’d like to see the corporate tackle (together with a whole lot of different like-minded pet mother and father).
Initially, I assumed setting issues up can be trickier, however I discovered it was fast and straightforward to program my cat. And though we didn’t use it, I programmed the included RFID tag, which was equally easy. The tag was small and light-weight, which tinier felines will recognize.
As for my cat, it took some getting used to. However I feel if I wanted to make use of this long-term, he may get on board. Completely, there’s a studying curve to this feeder. Some cats will acclimate inside a day—others may have so long as two weeks. Both means, you’ll need to put some effort and time into coaching cats to make use of it.
For hesitant cats, there’s a coaching mode that closes the lid incrementally. This was extremely useful for Floyd. When the lid was absolutely closed, he didn’t perceive that placing his head below the sensor would open it. However leaving the lid partially open was sufficient to coax him below the arch, and voilà—on the spot entry.
Like every piece of motorized expertise, the SureFeed could possibly be scary for nervous cats with an aversion to new issues. Nevertheless, I assumed it was quiet sufficient, and my cat was undisturbed by the sounds or motion. Whereas he’s on the bigger aspect, Floyd match simply superb below the chip reader—although others complained that the arch was a decent squeeze for his or her large cat.
There are three completely different timer settings for closing the lid. Scaredy cats could want the slowest setting, so the motion is much less more likely to frighten them away. Nevertheless, grasping kitties could swoop in and seize a mouthful or two from their sibling in that point. In that case, you possibly can change to the quickest setting, so the lid closes proper after the designated kitty steps away.
Additionally, the curved sides depart a spot, permitting decided cats with dexterous paws to swipe on the kibble. Some people obtained fairly inventive when it got here to this difficulty. Some positioned the feeder in a tall field to cowl the again. Others put it in a provider to stop pilfering. For those who’re not against shelling out one other $40, you should purchase a rear cowl individually. Although, I’d want to see this built-in into the precise gadget, particularly contemplating how costly it’s.
When utilizing kibble, clean-up may be very easy. Nevertheless, you probably have a messy cat who flings moist meals round, you may run into bother. The bowl, mat, and lid are hand wash solely. The feeder itself needs to be wiped down regularly with a moist material. Dried moist meals could be difficult to clean out of all crevises with out letting water into the feeder.
What Do Clients Consider the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder?

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Optimistic Assessment:
“I’ve two of those feeders and they’re superior. They permit me to feed a number of completely different diets to my cats with out worry my cats will eat the flawed meals. SureFeed customer support is nice. I work as a vet tech at a cat hospital and we suggest these feeders on a regular basis.”
—CatVetTech, Chewy
For probably the most half, shoppers are happy with the Surefeed’s performance and worth. A whole lot of customers noticed that whereas expensive, a microchip feeder makes mealtime a lot simpler. For those who’re at your wits finish feeding a number of cats completely different diets, it could possibly be an actual game-changer.
Detrimental Assessment:
“Purchased 3 of those a couple of yr in the past and only one of them presently nonetheless works. WAY too costly for them to show into e-waste in a yr.”
—PatB, Chewy
Sadly, quite a lot of cat mother and father reported that the SureFeed malfunctioned after a number of months. (i.e. opening for the flawed cat, loud grinding noises, and so forth.) There have been additionally frequent complaints about how costly all the additional equipment have been. Clients didn’t recognize that after shelling out $200 for the feeder, they would wish to spend extra for chrome steel bowls, a rear cowl, or coloured mats.
Continuously Requested Questions
Are microchip feeders value it?
They are often! The SureFeed isn’t an affordable merchandise and it received’t make sense for each cat mother or father. However for multi-pet households the place food-stealing is a continuing battle, they could be a actual lifesaver. In addition they guarantee cats on prescription diets are getting the best meals.
How do you practice a cat to make use of a microchip feeder?
You may have probably the most success by giving your cat time to regulate. The SureFeed features a built-in coaching mode with 4 phases that leaves the door open barely in numerous quantities. As your cat turns into accustomed to the motion at every stage, you possibly can transfer on to the subsequent one. Some cats with catch on shortly, whereas others could take so long as two weeks to grow to be comfy with their new feeder.
Do I want a microchip feeder for every of my cats?
It relies upon. You probably have a number of feline thieves they usually all steal from one another, you will want a feeder for every cat. If there’s just one offender, you could simply want one feeder for the cat who is not stealing meals.