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A microchip cat feeder can be worth it if one cat steals another cat’s food, you have a multi-cat household, or you need to keep wet food covered between meals. They are usually more expensive than standard bowls, so it is worth checking the features carefully before buying.
Best microchip cat feeders UK: quick answer
For most multi-cat homes, the best microchip cat feeder is one that reads your cat’s existing microchip, has a sealed lid, is easy to clean and can also work with collar tags if needed. If you only need timed meals, an automatic cat feeder may be cheaper.
Quick picks: microchip cat feeders UK
| Best for | Feeder type | Why it helps | Compare options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-cat homes | Microchip feeder | Helps stop one cat eating another cat’s food. | Compare microchip feeders |
| Wet food | Sealed microchip feeder | Keeps food covered between visits. | Compare sealed feeders |
| Routine feeding | Automatic cat feeder | May be cheaper if selective access is not needed. | Compare automatic feeders |
| Manual budget option | Raised cat bowl | Cheaper, but no selective access. | Compare raised bowls |
How to choose safely
This guide compares microchip cat feeders by practical factors such as chip compatibility, collar tag options, lid speed, cleaning, bowl size, wet food use, batteries, noise and whether it solves the problem you actually have.
Unless stated otherwise, products have not been hands-on tested by Cat Costs UK. Always check current product details, compatibility, dimensions, warranty, return policies and customer feedback before buying.
Best overall: microchip cat feeders for multi-cat homes
A microchip feeder is most useful when one cat eats another cat’s food. It can help if cats are on different diets, one cat grazes slowly, or you want to reduce food stealing without separating bowls into different rooms.
Compare microchip cat feeders on Amazon.
Best for wet food: sealed feeders
If your cat eats wet food slowly, a sealed feeder can help keep food covered between visits. Check how easy the bowl and lid are to clean, and whether replacement bowls or mats are available.
Compare sealed wet food feeders on Amazon.
Microchip feeder vs automatic feeder
Choose a microchip feeder if the main problem is selective access: one cat should be able to eat while another should not. Choose an automatic feeder if the main problem is timing meals while you are out.
If you need both selective access and timed feeding, check product details carefully, as many feeders only solve one of those problems.
What to check before buying
- Microchip compatibility: check the feeder works with your cat’s chip type.
- Collar tag option: useful if chip reading is unreliable.
- Lid speed: nervous cats may dislike fast or noisy lids.
- Cleaning: wet food feeders need easy-to-remove bowls.
- Power: check battery type and expected battery life.
- Space: some feeders take up more room than a normal bowl.
- Training: your cat may need gradual introduction.
My recommendation
Buy a microchip feeder only if you need selective access. If your main issue is feeding times, compare automatic cat feeders first because they may be cheaper and simpler.
Related guides
- Best Cat Bowls UK
- Best Automatic Cat Feeders UK
- Automatic Feeder vs Normal Bowl for Cats
- Best Cat Food Storage Containers UK
FAQs
Are microchip cat feeders worth it?
They can be worth it in multi-cat homes where one cat steals food or cats need separate diets. They are less necessary if you only need timed feeding.
Do microchip feeders work with all cats?
Not always. Check chip compatibility and whether the feeder can also use collar tags. Some cats also need time to get used to the lid movement.
Can microchip feeders be used for wet food?
Many can be used for wet food, but check the bowl design, cleaning instructions and how well the lid covers the food between visits.
Last updated: 2 July 2026
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