Balanced cat nutrition consists of a combination of dry food, wet food, and some additional treats. Whether your cat has a certain condition like asthma and you are providing the best food for cats with asthma, or you are feeding your senior feline with cat food for cats that vomit, the furry ball of love needs a certain amount of well-balanced nutrition that includes wet cat food throughout the day.
One item that can help you with providing the right amount of wet cat food for your kitty is a wet cat food feeder. This article has the information you need to help you choose the best-wet cat food feeder that can provide fresh food for your feline friend even if you need to be out of home for the whole day.
The best automatic cat feeder ensures your little ball of love is fed without you asking your neighbor for a favor. And, if you are not a fan of automatic feeders, we got you covered. In the content below you will find our recommendations for the best-wet cat food feeder, non-automatic and automatic.
Also, if you want to find out more about storing wet cat food and keeping it fresh, continue reading.
How long can wet cat food sit out?
Our feline friends normally won’t eat the entire food as soon as you leave it for them. Consequently, sometimes the food that you put for your kitty can sit out throughout the whole day. This can be hazardous to your cat’s health because the food can get spoiled and bacteria can grow to cause serious contamination.
Let’s take a look at what happens when you leave wet cat food out for too long, and how long is too long.
Exposing wet cat food to air
As soon as you open the container with wet cat food you expose it to air which means it becomes exposed to bacteria. Keeping the container closed and airtight will keep the food fresh and prevent the appearance of mold.
How long is too long
How long you can safely leave wet cat food out in the open will depend on the temperature. One to two hours is a generally accepted timeline, but after those two hours the food will become dry and it won’t be appealing to your feline. Also, it will become a welcoming home for bacteria. Try giving your cat a small amount of wet food several times throughout the day.
Can I leave dry cat food out overnight?
Dry food is highly processed, so it is less likely to become a new playground for bacteria. If there were any bacteria on the raw ingredients, they would have been killed off during the production due to the high-temperature processing.
In relation, dry food can be left out for several days without spoiling. However, after a day it may not be so appealing to your cat because it will become stale. So, a good practice would be to dispose of any stale food and wash your kitty’s cat feeder.
Does wet cat food need to be refrigerated?
Since immediately after opening the wet cat food becomes exposed to air (read bacteria), refrigerate the wet cat food as soon as you serve your cat. You’ll probably think “but cats don’t like cold food”. It is true, so warm up the next serving to room temperature.
If the pouch with wet food can’t be zipped put the cat food with the container in a zip lock bag to keep it fresh.
Other things to look at
The expiration date of cat food is something you may want to consider when serving it to your kitty. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t give your cat food that is expired. But, if the food is expiring soon, don’t live it out longer than one hour because it takes less time for cat food to go bad if the expiry date is near.
Direct sunlight affects wet cat food and it will get spoiled much quicker. During the summer days don’t leave wet cat food out for more than half an hour.
Look at the ingredients list. The wet cat food that is based on fish will get spoiled sooner than the food based on chicken. Moreover, if the food for cats doesn’t contain any chemical preservatives, it will go bad quicker than other commercial cat food brands.
How do I feed my kitty wet food while on vacation?
You are planning to go on vacation without your feline friend, but you don’t know how to organize its feeding schedule. There are a few options to consider when it comes to feeding your cat wet food while you are away.
One alternative worth looking at, if you have the budget and you are planning a longer vacation is hiring a professional cat sitter. Getting a professional to take care of your furry ball of love will ensure that your kitty doesn’t run out of food. Also, your feline friend won’t feel neglected, which can cause psychological issues that can be avoided. Your home will be in one piece when you get back, and you won’t find that the corners of your living room have been used as litter boxes.
If you are on good terms with your neighbor and your cat has a trusting relationship with them, you could ask them to feed your cat wet food while you are away. As long as your neighbor isn’t going on vacation as well, this could save you money and worries.
Mixing dry with wet food may be a good option if you aren’t away on a long trip. This is an option only if you are away not longer than a day.
And, one more alternative is using the best automatic cat feeder. If you are planning to be gone for the weekend, you can set up the automatic cat feeder to provide the required daily amount of food your kitty needs.
What to look for in the best automatic wet cat food feeder?
An automatic wet cat food feeder can dispense three to five meals a day, ensuring your kitty gets its necessary quantity of food while you are away. Also, many cat parents choose automatic wet cat food feeders to control their kitty’s weight.
One challenge with the automatic wet cat food feeders is with keeping the freshness of the food. But, if you are worried about this then try to find a cat feeder that comes with inbuilt ice packs. Depending on the weather conditions, these ice packs would last up to six hours.
Quality over everything
Felines are playful and curious creatures. Getting good quality, a sturdy feeder will last you longer and endure any attempt of your cat to break it.
The best automatic wet cat food feeder should have a good quality locking mechanism if you want your wet food to stay fresh longer.
Feeding time
If your cat eats at certain times look for an automatic wet cat food feeder that allows you to set up the exact hour at which to dispense food for your kitty.
There are other feeders that come with preset times, and you can’t set them up according to your cat’s schedule.
How many meals per day?
How many meals does your cat like having in a day? You need to consider this when choosing the best automatic wet cat food feeder. Some dispense one meal a day, while others can dispense up to five meals in twenty-four hours.
Consider your feline’s likes and habits when making your decision.
How long the battery can serve you?
The backup battery option is a great feature to look at because if the electricity switches off there is an alternate source the feeder can run on. You won’t risk your cat skipping a meal or even more if there is no power for a longer period.
Yes, a warranty is recommended
A warranty will protect you in case the automatic cat feeder is delivered with broken parts or mechanical issues.
The size of the feeding bowl
If you want your feline friend to lose some weight, getting a feeder with a bigger bowl won’t help you in achieving that goal. Consider the needs of your cat and your goal, and choose accordingly.
Noisy feeder
Your kitty won’t be happy with an automatic cat feeder making a noise every time it dispenses food or it has a timer that is ticking loudly. Choose a feeder that operates smoothly without disturbing your or your cat’s ears.
Our top recommendations for the best automatic cat feeder
C 500 Digital Automatic Feeder With Five Meals For Dogs And Cats By Cat Mate
Established in 1986, Ani Mate is a prominent company that produces innovative items for pets. Cat Mate is a brand part of Ani Mate that focuses on providing felines with products of high quality.
The C500 Digital Automatic Feeder by Cat Mate gives you an option for not three, not four, but five meals dispensed a day. It is ideal for wet cat food because it comes with two ice packs which keep the food fresh for up to fifteen hours.
Furthermore, the five individual feeding compartments give you peace of mind. When you go on a weekend you don’t need to worry about your cat’s food supply. But, you may need a professional sitter since the setting is for a period of twenty-four hours.
Also, if your kitty has a set eating schedule, you can set up the time on the digital timer and you can check the times on the LCD screen, which is very simple and easy to do. The feeder will dispense the food only at the times you get to set up.
Another great feature of this automatic feeder is that it is battery-operated. You don’t need to worry about electricity shut off. The batteries can last up to twelve months because the feeder has a flexible standby mode. This means that if it isn’t operating for twenty-five seconds, it will automatically be set up to standby mode.
You can record a ten-second message for your kitty to invite it and remind it to have a meal.
The disassembly of the feeder is simple, and the bowls and the lid can be washed separately in a dishwasher.
Pros
- You can set up the meal times
- It doesn’t create unnecessary noise
- It is battery operated with batteries that last up to twelve months
- It can be used for wet and dry food for kitties
- The bowl and the lid are safe to be washed in a dishwasher
- It comes with ice packs
Cons
- The batteries for the feeder are not included in the package
- The ice packs last only up to fifteen hours
- The bowls may be too deep
- The LCD screen may be a bit dim
- The compartments may not be tight enough
Smart Automatic Pet Feeder With Wi-Fi And App Controlled Feed Timer By Arf Pets
The motto of Arf Pets is “We keep ‘em happy”, which says it all. The Smart Automatic Pet Feeder keeps both, your kitty and you, happy by providing food at the time your cat needs it without waking you up.
You can set up a schedule for the meal times from the app on your smartphone and view the previously scheduled feedings. You can give your feline friend extra food while you are sitting at your favorite restaurant.
If you want to make the meal times even more enjoyable and personal for your furry ball of love, you can record voice messages to play when it is time to eat.
Moreover, the backup battery power will come in handy if the electricity gets shut off for some reason.
The feeder comes with one year warranty which you can use in case of any mechanical malfunction.
The feeder has a large capacity for food storage, so you don’t have to refill it that often. Also, the bowl and the bucket are dishwasher friendly.
Pros
- You can set up mealtimes from the app on your smartphone
- You can give extra food to your kitty while you are sitting in your office
- You can record personalized voice messages to notify your cat that it is time to eat
- It comes with backup battery power
- The feeder comes with one year warranty
- It has a large capacity to store food, up to twenty cups
- The parts are dishwasher friendly
- It is great for dry food
Cons
- It doesn’t have ice packs, so it may not be very suitable for wet cat food
- It comes with one food container
- It may lead to overeating due to the large capacity for food storage
- It gets a bit noisy when dispensing food
Automatic Pet Feeder With Six Meals For Cats And Dogs By Foho
Foho is a brand that produces feeders for pets, as well as appliances for gardening and other housing devices.
The Automatic Pet Feeder by Foho supplies your cat with six meals a day. You can set up your meal times and ensure that your kitty is fed and happy when you are away without interrupting its habitual schedule.
Furthermore, the food trays are easily removable and dishwasher friendly. They are made of BPA-free plastic that doesn’t have an odor.
If there is an electrical issue, the automatic cat feeder comes with battery power to ensure a continuous food supply.
It is suitable for dry and wet food, and it is very easy to operate because it has only three buttons to set up everything you need.
The feeder has a special design to keep your pet safe and prevent it from moving and overturning the feeder. The screen locks so that it doesn’t allow your kitty to change the settings by stepping on it.
Pros
- You can set up your own feeding schedule for six meals a day
- The food trays are safe to be washed in a dishwasher
- It has a safety protection design
- The feeder is simple and easy to operate
- It comes with battery power with batteries installed
Cons
- It doesn’t have ice packs to keep the wet food fresh
Connected Automatic Feeder For Pets By Lentek
The Automatic Feeder by Lentek gives you an opportunity to feed your kitty while you are away for the weekend, sitting with your friends at your favorite café, or working on your computer at work.
The food dispenser has a container with a capacity for twenty portions which ensures your little ball of love is fed and safe if you need to leave for a trip unexpectedly.
You can set the portion sizes and meal times to fit in your cat’s feeding schedule when you aren’t able to feed it personally.
This feeder has a great feature that gives you a chance to communicate with your feline friend even if you are not at home. It has a built-in speaker and microphone through which you can call your kitty when it’s time to eat or maybe just to hear your voice and feel your presence from a distance.
The wide-angle camera allows you to monitor your furry ball of love, record videos, and take photos.
All this can be done from your smartphone’s app.
Moreover, the 3 D-type batteries are going to be helpful if the power supply gets cut off for some reason.
Pros
- You can remotely control, set up, and monitor your cat’s mealtimes
- You can communicate with your kitty through an in-built speaker and microphone
- You can set up the portions and program up to six meal times
- It can operate on battery power as well
Cons
- It doesn’t have ice packs, so wet food may not be so fresh when served
- The batteries for the feeder are not included in the package
- It isn’t dishwasher friendly
LCD Smart Automatic Feeder For Dog And Cat Foot By PawsMark
PawsMark takes care of your pets by providing a variety of accessories and pet furniture to make their life happier and more comfortable.
The LCD Smart Automatic Feeder has six compartments to ensure a steady supply of food for your feline friend.
You can set up the digital timer to suit your cat’s eating schedule when you aren’t at home. And, if your electricity is shut down, the feeder will continue operating on battery power. It uses 3 AA batteries which aren’t included in the package. You can monitor the battery power on the LCD which will show you when it is time to replace the batteries.
Furthermore, the feeder is made of BPA-free plastic without a smell that can be absorbed in the food.
The lid and the container can be easily removed and washed with soap and water.
Pros
- It allows for six prescheduled meal times
- It can operate on batteries as well, so you don’t have to worry about your cat being fed if the electricity is shut off
- The material is BPA-free
- It is easy to set up and operate
Cons
- It doesn’t come with ice packs, so the wet cat food won’t be as fresh
- The batteries don’t come with the purchase
- It isn’t dishwasher friendly
The Best Wet Cat Food Feeder – Top Non-Automatic Recommendations
Some cat parents may prefer feeders that aren’t automatic. Feeding your kitty and giving it food directly will improve your relationship and deepen the bond. However, non-automatic feeders for wet cat food are not very convenient if you are going on a vacation or even a short trip. If you aren’t taking your feline friend with you, ensure there is someone to feed it properly during its preferred times.
Tower Elevated Feeder For Pet Food By Yamazaki Home
Yamazaki Home is a brand that offers genuinely one-of-a-kind and state-of-the-art products for your home that are carefully made to improve your living space and elevate your life experience.
This sophistication is present in the Tower Elevated Feeder for wet cat food. The bowls are made of ceramic elegantly placed in the metal frame with padded feet.
The feeder has two bowls giving you the option of providing wet and dry food for your feline friend, or you could use the second bowl for water.
The feeder is elevated making it more convenient for you to clean and easier for your cat to eat. Furthermore, the construction of the bowls and the frame makes it harder for your cat to push it around the room.
The modern look of the feeder will complement your home without cramping the space.
Pros
- The heaviness of the bowls and the frame doesn’t allow for the feeder to be pushed around
- It comes with two bowls giving an option for two types of food
- The elegant look complements any living space
- The material is durable and easy to clean
Cons
- The bowls are not very big, so you may need to refill them throughout the day
Pet Food Station Feeder By PetSafe
PetSafe is committed to providing innovative product solutions for healthy, happy, and safe pets.
Allow your feline friend to eat its meals on its own schedule with the Pet Food Station Automatic Feeder by PetSafe. Whenever your kitty feels hungry and starts eating gravity will ensure it has enough food.
The container is very simple to assemble and refill. And, if you are worried about food spilling all over the floor, don’t be because the food locks into place to prevent exactly that.
The design of the feeder is slim and will fit in any space in your home.
Furthermore, the container is made of BPA-free plastic and it is safe to put it in the dishwasher.
Pros
- The container works with gravity, providing your cat with food whenever it is hungry
- The feeder is made of BPA-free plastic
- The feeder is dishwasher-friendly
- It is simple to assemble and operate
- It has a locking system to prevent food from spilling
Cons
- It doesn’t keep wet food fresh for a long time, you will need to place a smaller quantity
- The quality of the material of the feeder isn’t of very good quality
- It doesn’t offer portion control
Nano Bowl Double Elevated Feeder By Petkit
Petkit aims at making pet care simple and effortless. They offer a wide range of feeders, water bottles and bowls, paw cleaners, and other pet care products.
This elevated feeder by Petkit is unique due to its distinct design to adjust the angle of inclination of the bowls. Its designers came up with this detail after carefully studying the shapes of the faces and features of different cats.
Furthermore, the elevation characteristic improves your cat’s feeding gesture. The item has two bowls allowing for you to feed your cat with wet and dry food if preferred.
The material of the feeder is durable, stable, and easy to clean. The bowls are easy to detach to allow for deep washing of the entire feeder.
Pros
- It comes with two stainless steel bowls
- It is easy to detach and clean
- It has a fifteen-degree adjustable angle of the feeding bowl
Cons
- It is not dishwasher-friendly
- The holder is made of plastic, so it may not be very sturdy
Elevated Feeder For Cats By Y YHY
Y YHY is a brand that offers a good quality of various feeders and bowls for cats, as well as dinnerware solutions for all customers.
The stand for the bowls of the Elevated Feeder for Cats by Y YHY is at the ideal elevation to prevent ants from going in your kitty’s food. Your feline friend can eat comfortably at a more suitable position for its stomach. This will ease your cat’s swallowing and it will prevent your cat’s nose from hitting on the top of the rim of the bowl.
The frame has rubber feet that won’t allow your kitty to push the feeder and make a mess.
Moreover, the ceramic bowls have the cutest design with cat ears which will make your living area even livelier.
Also, it is very easy to take out the bowls and put them in the dishwasher to be cleaner.
Pros
- It has elevated food bowls which reduced the burden on your cat’s neck
- Its frame has non-slippery rubber feet
- It comes with two bowls offering an option to serve both, wet and dry cat food
- The bowls have a cute cat ear design
- The bowls are made of ceramic and they are dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- The bowls are not very big, so you may need to refill them to fit your cat’s nutritious needs
Elevated Bowl for Cat Food by Y YHY
This Elevated Bowl for Cat Food is another cute and good-quality product offered by Y YHY. The elevation of the bowl could prevent your feline friend from taking in too much air. Also, eating with the position of the mouth at this angle, your cat’s vomiting episodes may be alleviated.
Moreover, the rise of the level of the bowl for the cat food keeps the neck of your kitty in alignment and protects its spine.
The feeder is tilted in that way that it keeps the food piled up or in the center preventing your furry ball of love from pushing it off the bowl.
In addition, the bowl of the feeder is made from ceramic and it is safe to be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Pros
- The elevation alleviates vomiting, helps with keeping the neck and the spine in alignment
- The tilted bowl prevents food from being spilled
- The ceramic bowl is dishwasher-friendly
Cons
- It comes with only one bowl, so you can serve wet or dry food
- While the bowl is elevated, the bottom of the feeder is connected to the bowl and the floor giving the ants a chance to snack from your cat’s food
To summarize
Cat owners acknowledge the value of the automatic wet cat food feeders. The options you can choose from are endless, and your choice depends on your feline friend’s eating preference and your way of life.
Both, the automatic and non-automatic wet cat food feeders come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, fitting all home designs.
If you are someone who travels frequently, a wet cat food feeder with ice packs will definitely be a more suitable option for your kitty. It will provide your cat with fresh wet cat food throughout the day.