Do newer models block paws better? I have one of these, purchased about 4-5 years ago. My cats have learned how to reach up and get a piece or two of food at a time. However, I saw one in a pet store, and I put my hand up there, and it felt like there was a door blocking access to the food.It seemed like they added a plastic door that only opens when it's dumping food? I would buy a new one if my cat couldn't feed her (fat) self... Do newer models block paws better? I have one of these, purchased about 4-5 years ago. My cats have learned how to reach up and get a piece or two of food at a time. However, I saw one in a pet... » Read More Do newer models block paws better? I have one of these, purchased about 4-5 years ago. My cats have learned how to reach up and get a piece or two of food at a time. However, I saw one in a pet store, and I put my hand up there, and it felt like there was a door blocking access to the food.It seemed like they added a plastic door that only opens when it's dumping food? I would buy a new one if my cat couldn't feed her (fat) self... « Show Less
1401050
My feeder is fairly new, only about a month old, and my cat is able to break into it and sometimes get out nearly a full portion of food. I'm pretty unhappy about this.
1238631
Yes, the newer units have a flap/door which prevents access from the downsteam side.
1401051
Ok, I'm really bewildered here. Y'all are saying the newer models have a flap to prevent this. But mine is only about a month old, and it doesn't have this flap. It would be great if it did - one of my cats can get food all day/night, and it's not helping with the portion control idea. She's just eating all the time. I'm trying to think of a makeshift way of adding my own, but why is it that some of you have one actually included on yours?
980462
Thanks so much! I have 3 cats, one of which is a classic binge/purge eater so I'm looking for a single solution for all of them. Sounds like this is it! Thank you again!
796502
Unfortunately, you'd have to buy a much pricier food dispenser to have those features! I pour my cat's food in one cup at a time, and once the food canister gets about 1/2 way full, the food quickly comes pouring into the bowl (and usually over the sides of the bowl, too). It's a very useful product for anyone who has pets that don't eat everything in their food bowls in a single sitting. This product is great for my cat since he stops eating when he's full. My dog, on the other hand, will eat every last bit of food he can get his paws on!
269258
My cats don't have problem with it. Our youngest cat found out to stick his paw up the shoot and now the other is doing it. I have ours placed on a shelf, In a corner location. They haven't knocked it off yet. If you have a dog who is mischievous or curious this might be a problem. Our cats hear the food being dispensed they stop whatever they're doing and run to eat. I have it set up for two times a day morning and afternoon. I would buy it again. The batteries last 6-9 months.
2176008
I do not use the top of the litter box as part of the litter box because my cats are not used to using a covered litter box. I have three indoor cats and I have three litter boxes. This past winter, I used the covers from all three litter boxes as shelters for some outside cats. Yes, there is an opening in the top of the litter box for a filter, but you can seal the opening (with duct tape) to prevent air flow. The outdoor cats have seemed to like the covers as shelters, especially during this past winter which was pretty rough. The outside shelters are on a porch, so there is not much chance of them getting rained on. The shelters were meant mainly to give the cats a place to go to get out of the cold. I do not use the top of the litter box as part of the litter box because my cats are not used to using a covered litter box. I have three indoor cats and I have three litter boxes. This past winter, I used the covers from all three litter boxes as shelters for some outside cats. Yes, there is an opening in the top of the litter box for a filter, but you can seal the opening (with duct tape) to prevent air flow. The outdoor cats have seemed to like the covers as shelters, especially during this past winter which was pretty rough. The outside shelters are on a porch, so there is not much... » Read More I do not use the top of the litter box as part of the litter box because my cats are not used to using a covered litter box. I have three indoor cats and I have three litter boxes. This past winter, I used the covers from all three litter boxes as shelters for some outside cats. Yes, there is an opening in the top of the litter box for a filter, but you can seal the opening (with duct tape) to prevent air flow. The outdoor cats have seemed to like the covers as shelters, especially during this past winter which was pretty rough. The outside shelters are on a porch, so there is not much chance of them getting rained on. The shelters were meant mainly to give the cats a place to go to get out of the cold. « Show Less
755922
I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could help :) I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could... » Read More I'm not sure if this is the problem - but if the feeder is dispensing more than 1/4 cup at each meal (meaning your meal size setting is greater than "1"), the "feathers" that control the food coming out open more than once, so it might sound like the cats are being fed twice, but it is actually just two or three turns of the feeder to get the food out. If the meal size setting is on "2" then you'll hear it twice, if its on "3" then you'll hear the feeder three times in one sitting. I'm not sure if that's what you mean but I thought maybe that could help :) « Show Less
2238122
this carrier is great and while my cat is overweight, I had no problem. You simply open it up from top which is so much easier. My cat unfortunately outgrew this carrier and had to get a larger one. Good luck
2231586
We have three cats. Two have always been big, one of them actually fat, the other just a large cat. The third is the most food obsessed, but also the smallest. Since we've had the feeder, our relationship with them has improved - like we can go into the kitchen without getting yell-meowed at. As for the cats, their weight has stayed the same with the feeder. If anything, it may have helped, they used to lie to us - trying to convince a human that the other humans had not fed them. Unfortunately, the only way to really put your big one on a diet is probably to feed them all separately.
233350
I have used these products for years and never seen one tipped over. I suppose a very determined cat COULD scratch the door and open it, but probably not because the door is on there very solidly - and, again, this has never happened with my cat. This is a good product!
1794628
It depends on whether your cat will use it. My cat took a couple days to get used to it, but now will use his paws to get the food out of it. The directions say put half of his food in it, but it would work to put all of his food in it once he gets good at using it. Plus, you can make it easier/harder depending on the cat's comfort level. Even the bowl at the bottom requires the cat to use a paw to get the food out of the bottom.
1878869
I have one cats that has outsmarted my other feeders and she has yet to break into this one. When my smaller cat eats it opens up and then when she walks away there is a slight delay when it closes, and sometimes my other cat will get maybe one piece of kibble but then the lid will close and she can't get into anymore. I got them both a feeder so the bigger cat wouldn't feel left out. I also try to separate their feeding spaces by at least a couple of feet. This has worked great and I have noticed that the bigger cat has lost some much needed weight.
921361
I chose this one because the descriptions I read said the Petmate was a little bit smaller inside than this one and I have a pretty good size cat. I have not actually used it yet (they will be going for their yearly check up this month) but it appears sturdy and I knew after bringing one of my cats home from the vet that she was not going to willingly go in to another carrier. So my hope is that the door on top will be a surprise for her. If I had smaller cats, I would have probably purchased the Petmate but I didn't want to chance them being uncomfortable. The Marchioro has lots of room and the size will work great for me. I chose this one because the descriptions I read said the Petmate was a little bit smaller inside than this one and I have a pretty good size cat. I have not actually used it yet (they will be going for their yearly check up this month) but it appears sturdy and I knew after bringing one of my cats home from the vet that she was not going to willingly go in to another carrier. So my hope is that the door on top will be a surprise for her. If I had smaller cats, I would have probably purchased the Petmate but I didn't want to chance them being uncomfortable. The Marchioro has lots of room... » Read More I chose this one because the descriptions I read said the Petmate was a little bit smaller inside than this one and I have a pretty good size cat. I have not actually used it yet (they will be going for their yearly check up this month) but it appears sturdy and I knew after bringing one of my cats home from the vet that she was not going to willingly go in to another carrier. So my hope is that the door on top will be a surprise for her. If I had smaller cats, I would have probably purchased the Petmate but I didn't want to chance them being uncomfortable. The Marchioro has lots of room and the size will work great for me. « Show Less
465414
Cats are smarter than we give them credit for. Once they learn to push the flap in they know they have to push it again to get out. One thing about this cat box you have to watch out for is that the flap is tightly in place. It has a tendency to get stuck and then the cat cannot get in. After you have flipped up the flap all the way back to clean out the litter give it a little extra push when closing it. You can also keep the flap open all the time by simply folding it back. Enjoy!
796499
Unfortunately, you'd have to buy a much pricier food dispenser to have those features!I pour my cat's food in one cup at a time, and once the food canister gets about 1/2 way full, the food quickly comes pouring into the bowl (and usually over the sides of the bowl, too). It's a very useful product for anyone who has pets that don't eat everything in their food bowls in a single sitting. This product is great for my cat since he stops eating when he's full. My dog, on the other hand, will eat every last bit of food he can get his paws on!
1463056
The top just fits on the pan, but it's secured by sliding a "latch" on each side. I find the latch (or sliding tab, not sure what to call it) is difficult to close completely on one side, but it the top still stays on. I would not lift it up with the top handle if it's full of litter, however. I do not trust the latches as far as carrying it when it's that heavy. I had difficulty searching for liners that fit, so I use a large trash bag. I guess it's up to each user whether you want to use a liner in a litter box. And I keep the door open (it easily lifts up on top of the lid) both for the cat and it makes it easier to clean. Hope this helps. The top just fits on the pan, but it's secured by sliding a "latch" on each side. I find the latch (or sliding tab, not sure what to call it) is difficult to close completely on one side, but it the top still stays on. I would not lift it up with the top handle if it's full of litter, however. I do not trust the latches as far as carrying it when it's that heavy. I had difficulty searching for liners that fit, so I use a large trash bag. I guess it's up to each user whether you want to use a liner in a litter box. And I keep the door open (it easily lifts up on top of the lid)... » Read More The top just fits on the pan, but it's secured by sliding a "latch" on each side. I find the latch (or sliding tab, not sure what to call it) is difficult to close completely on one side, but it the top still stays on. I would not lift it up with the top handle if it's full of litter, however. I do not trust the latches as far as carrying it when it's that heavy. I had difficulty searching for liners that fit, so I use a large trash bag. I guess it's up to each user whether you want to use a liner in a litter box. And I keep the door open (it easily lifts up on top of the lid) both for the cat and it makes it easier to clean. Hope this helps. « Show Less
136750
I hear ya about having a determined cat!!! The feeder I had before was very easy for my cat to get into. But this feeder, even though he might get his paw up there, he will NOT be able to get to the food. My cat has tried to no avail!!!
441492
Kay, I don't think the door will lock in training mode. But I, like you, just wanted a timed cat-door. For me it was to let the cats go out once the sun was up and lock them in once it got dark. I do not have any issues with animals (raccoons, opossum, chupacabra) trying to get in and because I have three cats and the chips were kinda big I simply taped a chip to the inside of the kitty door. This way when it is set to open there is always a chip close enough to activate it and the cat just has to push on it. Any cat can get in or out during the day and when it is set to close no one can leave (actually I only "close" it so the cats can't get out after dark, but after dark they can get in). I hope this is helpful for you. Red