Kind of a two-fold situation. I have two cats and one of them is apparently going deaf (she’s 5). I used to use a carousel type auto feeder and she used to be able to hear it and go trotting off to eat. The feeders were outside my bedroom but I listen to white noise/fans at night as I am an extremely light sleeper so I couldn’t hear them.
Anyway, about a year ago she started sitting in bed with me, pawing at me, meowing, etc to get me to feed her breakfast instead of going to her feeder. We’re in a new place that’s a split level as opposed to single story but the feeders were still pretty close to the bedroom upstairs. She’d get anxious and watch for my other cat to take off to eat and strain to hear but she wouldn’t leave until I got up. And when she’s downstairs with me she has NO idea the feeders have gone off (I can’t hear them either but the other cat seems to know). I know part of her problem is she doesn’t like to eat “alone” without me there but without an auditory cue it doesn’t even dawn on her there might be food in her bowl. The issue being the other cat eats everything.
I’m thinking if I can find a really loud brand that might help. Both cats are usually upstairs when I’m not home and definitely upstairs for breakfast regardless.
Anyway, any ideas about a good (noisy as sin) auto feeder? I love the idea of the microchip one but I need something that can feed multiple times per day. Or ideas on how to wean her off of my presence which I suspect is a contributing factor? - she was just as bad as a kitten but I thought she’d grown out of it until the past year. I’m considering trying to put the feeders in my bedroom but they’re so loud…and wouldn’t help if she’s downstairs. Argh.
Anyway, about a year ago she started sitting in bed with me, pawing at me, meowing, etc to get me to feed her breakfast instead of going to her feeder. We’re in a new place that’s a split level as opposed to single story but the feeders were still pretty close to the bedroom upstairs. She’d get anxious and watch for my other cat to take off to eat and strain to hear but she wouldn’t leave until I got up. And when she’s downstairs with me she has NO idea the feeders have gone off (I can’t hear them either but the other cat seems to know). I know part of her problem is she doesn’t like to eat “alone” without me there but without an auditory cue it doesn’t even dawn on her there might be food in her bowl. The issue being the other cat eats everything.
I’m thinking if I can find a really loud brand that might help. Both cats are usually upstairs when I’m not home and definitely upstairs for breakfast regardless.
Anyway, any ideas about a good (noisy as sin) auto feeder? I love the idea of the microchip one but I need something that can feed multiple times per day. Or ideas on how to wean her off of my presence which I suspect is a contributing factor? - she was just as bad as a kitten but I thought she’d grown out of it until the past year. I’m considering trying to put the feeders in my bedroom but they’re so loud…and wouldn’t help if she’s downstairs. Argh.