5 Best Raccoon-Proof Cat Feeders in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

There is no question that raccoons are bandits. Not many animals are that good at stealing. With that said, they can be a nuisance to pet owners. At least larger dogs can keep them at bay, but it’s a different story for cats.

Cats are too small to stop a raccoon from taking their food. So, what should one do?

One of the best moves would be to invest in a raccoon-proof cat feeder. Unfortunately, no cat feeder comes designed with the exclusive purpose of preventing raccoons from reaching your precious pet’s food.

With that challenge in mind, we embarked on searching for cat feeders with designs that make it impossible for raccoons to access the feeder’s contents.

That search led us to automatic cat feeders. Unlike ordinary feeders, automatic cat feeders save you the hassle of having to feed the cat yourself during their mealtimes. Instead, you can simply preset your cat’s mealtimes in the auto feeder, and the machine will release the food only at those times.

Therefore, a marauding raccoon will find nothing in the dish, leaving it with no option but to scavenge elsewhere. Additionally, automatic cat feeders are designed to be exceptionally sturdy to prevent hungry cats from breaking into the feeder.

The following are reviews of the 5 best raccoon-proof cat feeders.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2023

The 5 Best Raccoon-Proof Cat Feeders

1. PetSafe Programmable Cat Feeder – Best Overall

This programmable cat feeder by PetSafe took the top spot in our list of best raccoon-proof cat feeders, thanks to its exceptional combination of sturdy construction and an outstanding design, all at a reasonable price.

For starters, it comes with a highly customizable program that allows you to fine-tune the cat’s mealtimes to a tee. The preset function allows you to customize up to 12 different mealtimes in one day, thus making it a great option for cats with unorthodox feeding schedules. Moreover, you can override your preset schedules using the “immediate feed” function to dispense the food immediately.

If your kitty has a tendency to gulp down its food, you will appreciate the “slow feed” function that dispenses food gradually over a 15-minute period. This feature is great for cats that are on a diet, as it helps them develop better eating habits.

The feeder also allows you to customize meal sizes for your cat. You can program it to release a wide array of sizes, ranging from between 2 tablespoons (⅛ cup) to 4 cups at one time.

Some automatic cat feeders are prone to jamming. Fortunately, that is not the case with the Petsafe programmable cat feeder, thanks to its conveyor design.

This feeder’s sturdy build makes it not only pet-proof but also raccoon-proof. It runs on batteries that can keep it running for up to a year. You can also opt for a power cable. Nevertheless, you will have to pay extra for both the batteries and the power cable.

Unfortunately, the Petsafe programmable cat feeder is not designed to dispense wet cat food. Nonetheless, it makes up for this with unbelievable user-friendliness and stellar build quality, making it one of the best raccoon-proof cat feeders in the game. This unit comes with a 12-month warranty.

2. Cat Mate Automatic Cat Feeder – Best Value

This cat feeder seems to have it all: it is programmable, easy to use, strong, and is one of the most budget-friendly cat feeders on the market. And that’s not all.

The Cat Mate cat feeder comes with an ingenious dispensing feature that comes in the form of a nozzle-like chute, which is attached to the feeder instead of being built-in. This unique design allows the feeder to release meals as small as two tablespoons, making it great for cats on a diet, as well as for providing treats.

Moreover, the detachable dispenser adds to the C3000’s anti-raccoon nature, as it will simply come off if a determined raccoon tried to force it to release food.

However, unlike other automatic models that define meal sizes in cups, the C3000 uses a system known as “feed units.” One unit holds 10 grams of food, allowing you greater flexibility when it comes to portion control.

As mentioned, the C3000 is highly customizable. For starters, it comes with the basic preset function that allows you to choose the times when the feeder releases food. There is also a “manual feed” mode, which allows you to override the preset feed times when you want to feed the cat immediately.

The “extra feed” mode comes in handy on days you feel your pet deserves an extra snack. When you choose the “frequent feed” mode, the machine dispenses small portions throughout the day at set intervals. This last mode is excellent for overweight cats, as it allows them to eat as frequently as they are accustomed to without overeating.

You also do not have to worry about any raccoon breaking into the C3000, thanks to the feeder’s hopper lid with a sturdy snap lock. Additionally, as mentioned, the detachable dispenser ensures that no animal can force it to release food. What’s more, the C3000 can be mounted to a wooden platform for even extra stability.

Cleaning this unit is easy, as most of its parts, such as the feeding bowl, dispensing nozzle, hopper, and lid, are dishwasher safe. The base unit will do fine with simple wiping.

We didn’t like that the feeder loses the preset programs once you remove the batteries. Fortunately, this is not too much of an inconvenience, thanks to the batteries’ relatively long lifespan of 9 months.

When you compare what you get from this unit versus what you pay for it, the Cat Mate C3000 is undeniably one of the best raccoon-proof cat feeders for the money.

3. SureFeed Microchip Cat Feeder – Premium Choice

If your mind is set on getting the most raccoon-proof cat feeder on the planet at any cost, the Microchip Cat Feeder by SureFeed might just be it. This unit prevents access to not only raccoons but also to any other pet, including other cats that should not be eating from this feeder.

So, how does this unit achieve this seemingly magical feat?

This cat feeder comes with an RFID collar tag with a microchip that pairs with the feeder. This ensures that only cats with this collar have access to food from the feeder, as the feeding receptacle only opens when it detects the chip in the cat’s collar. Once the cat moves away from the feeder, the receptacle seals shut, preventing access to any other animal.

Therefore, unlike other auto feeders that dispense food according to set schedules, the Microchip cat feeder’s main purpose is to ensure that only cats with special access can eat from it. As such, it is an excellent solution for homes with multiple cats, but with one of them being on a special diet. Of course, this design is also what makes the Microchip cat feeder raccoon-proof.

The Surefeed Microchip cat feeder is also one of the few auto feeders that are compatible with all types of food, including wet cat food. This is because it is essentially a food bowl inside a secure compartment.

Nonetheless, you will have to part with a pretty penny to get this raccoon-proof cat feeder. Thankfully, it comes with a 3-year warranty.

4. WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder

The WOPET smart pet feeder offers you unheralded levels of control over your feeder. This feeder is not only programmable but also allows you to control it remotely.

Like other auto feeders, the WOPET smart feeder comes with an easy-to-use LCD screen that allows you to schedule mealtimes, as well as control portion sizes. It allows you to preset a maximum of 4 mealtimes.

When it comes to portion size, you can program this feeder to release anything between 2 tablespoons and 4½ cups per meal. The good news is that you can customize specific portions for each of those 4 meals.

The WOPET smart feeder comes with a voice recorder that allows you to record a message for your kitty to notify them of their mealtimes. This is quite a nice touch, we must admit.

As its name suggests, this feeder has “smart” functionality. This means that it has internet connectivity to allow for syncing with other smart devices. The WOPET smart feeder can use your home’s Wi-Fi to connect to both Android and iOS devices.

Once you have connected the feeder to your preferred device, it essentially becomes an interactive cat monitor with remote functionality. You get to not only see what your kitty is up to via the wide-angle 720P camera but also talk to them via your phone’s microphone. This also means that you can see any bandit (raccoon) trying to figure the feeder out and scare them away using your voice.

What’s more, you can even use the app to adjust feeding schedules. For example, you can trigger the feeder to release a meal if you feel like the cat could use a treat. Moreover, the app keeps records, allowing you to keep track of how much you have been feeding your cat.

The WOPET smart feeder runs on a dual power supply system, which includes a power adapter and backup batteries. This makes it one of the most reliable cat feeders, as it does not rely on short-lived batteries while also ensuring functionality in case of a power outage.

Considering all the features the WOPET smart feeder comes with, there is no doubt it is as raccoon-proof as a cat feeder can get. As you can imagine, this feeder is anything but cheap. Another drawback is that it only works with dry food.

5. PetSafe Smart Automatic Cat Feeder

This automatic feeder by PetSafe is also a smart unit, meaning that it is packed with ultra-modern features for greater control and convenience. Thus, being raccoon-proof is only a side benefit.

Like the WOPET smart feeder, the Petsafe Smart Feed also comes with a phone app to allow you to monitor your cat remotely. While you can program the unit to release food at preset times, the app allows you to dispense food out of the preset times.

You have the choice of programming up to 12 mealtimes in a day, making it a great choice for cats that love eating small portions throughout the day. You can also customize portion sizes for each meal, with sizes ranging between ⅛ cups and 4 cups per meal. You will also appreciate the “slow feed” function that dispenses food gradually over a 15-minute period.

Overall, it is a great feeder that offers you lots of conveniences. Unfortunately, for a smart feeder, it is rather disappointing that it does not alert you when the food levels are low. Moreover, it does not come with a camera.

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Raccoon-Proof Cat Feeders

As mentioned, no cat feeder is designed with the primary objective of being raccoon-proof. However, there are raccoon proof feeders on the market whose inherent design is what makes them pest-proof. These are raccoon proof automatic cat feeders.

Automatic cat feeders only dispense food at programmed times. Therefore, you can simply preset the machine to dispense food only during the daytime, as raccoons usually come out to scavenge at night. When raccoons realize that there is no more cat food to be scavenged in your property, their nightly visits will all but stop.

Another great thing about auto cat feeders is the convenience they offer, as you do not have to worry about your cat missing meals when you are away. Moreover, some models even allow you to dispense food remotely.

Therefore, auto cat feeders are the way to go if you are tired of raccoons having their way with your cat’s food.

However, as mentioned, automatic cat feeders can vary significantly in design and quality. As such, you need to know what to look for in an auto feeder to find a model that suits your needs best. In this section, we shall share with you the most important factors to consider when looking for an automatic cat feeder.

Ease of Use

You do not want a machine that forces you to refer to the manual each time you want to program a meal schedule for your cat. You want one that is straightforward to use. The best auto cat feeders allow you to program in a minute or two.

Food Versatility

Unfortunately, not all auto cat feeders can work with both dry and wet cat food. In fact, most only handle dry food. Therefore, if you like switching between wet and dry foods, make sure that the unit you buy can hold and dispense both.

Ease of Cleaning

When evaluating an auto cat feeder, check whether its parts are dishwasher-friendly, as that will make maintenance a lot easier. Therefore, avoid feeders with complex designs since they can be difficult to clean.

Smart Features

Not all auto cat feeders have smart functionality. Smart feeders are incredibly convenient due to the level of control they offer you. They connect with your home Wi-Fi and sync with your mobile devices to allow for remote control. This allows you to instruct the unit to dispense food whenever you feel like it, regardless of the preexisting meal schedules. Some smart cat feeders even come with a camera to allow you to monitor your cat remotely.

Price

As you can imagine, automatic cat feeders are much more expensive than standard feeders, and understandably so. Therefore, be prepared to pay if you do decide to buy one of these feeders.

Conclusion

Automatic cat feeders are excellent options to consider when looking for a raccoon-proof cat feeder. They not only feature sturdy builds but also outsmart raccoons.

With there being so many auto cat feeders on the market today, choosing the ideal one can be a hassle. Fortunately, our buyer’s guide should help you narrow down your options. However, if you wish to avoid that hassle entirely, we recommend going with the PetSafe Programmable Cat Feeder. It is practical, user-friendly, holds a large amount of food, and comes at a reasonable price.

If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, consider the Cat Mate Automatic Cat Feeder. When you consider all the remarkable features the C3000 comes with, its price is a bargain.

The other models in the above reviews are excellent options too. Choose one that suits your needs and preferences best.

Featured Image Credit By: SureFeed, Chewy