Everyone wants a technologically-advanced pet feeder but without the hassles of having to learn it.
No such feeder exists.
It either offers so much tech that it’s glitchy to use or execution of the brilliant idea concept stinks.
Keep it simple and look for actual performance results.
If your cat is on a diet or you’re looking for scheduled feeding simplicity, the Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Automatic Pet Feeder may be for you.
It’s a collar-sensor pet feeder that allows for portion control timings.
It’s simple to use and yet it has enough tech to provide worry-free, timed, scheduled feedings while you’re at work, sleeping, or away from home.
At a Glance…
Best Feature: Collar sensor
Worst Feature: Not microchip compatible
Ideal For: Kittens, Cats, Small Dogs, Multi-Cat Homes, Multi-Pet Homes, RFID Collars, Portion Control, Dry Food
- Collar sensor
- Portion control food regulator
- Power supply options
- Multiple pets
- One-pet feeding space
Our Verdict: The Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder is an excellent portion control feeder for not just one but multiple pets. There is a learning curve required, but once you’ve nailed it, you and your hungry, little furballs will love the hassle-free feeding schedules.
Who is the Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder Best Suited to?
The Wireless Whiskers pet feeder may be described as suitable for multiple pets including cats and dogs, but it’s really a cat feeder. The detection range of the RFID reader is rather low and small – perfect for small cats and overweight cats up to 18” tall.
Because kibble can be set to be available at preset timings, it’s a great tool to help your cat become accustomed to scheduled feedings – they can’t overeat or free-feed just because it’s there unless you override the settings to allow for it. It’s versatile!
How Does the Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder Perform?
The Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder has great features that works on the basic principle of preset timings. It’s not a smart or technologically-advanced feeder because it does not have integrated scales, does not reliably work with microchips, and it does not track consumption, duration, or times of feeds. If you need this type of information, this isn’t for you.
However, the automatic pet feeder is exactly what it claims to be – a collar-sensored, automatic pet feeder. You can set up to 24 small portions in one 24-hour period. Doors will close to cut off feeding after a set amount of time that you set it for. This helps with dietary control, medicated diets, and keeping other pets out of the cat’s food.
However, there have been issues with defective and malfunctioning units. It’s worth it to purchase a protection plan from the retailer you’re buying it from as it only comes with a mediocre 30-day manufacturer warranty.
Features & Benefits
Collar Sensor
The Wireless Whiskers pet feeder has a collar-sensor reader to provide automatic feedings to the registered cat. When the tag is read, the kitty is greeted by name and the doors open. You can register up to 8 tags with the cat feeder, and you can program timings for how much food can be consumed per cat before the doors closed.
The Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder comes with two wireless tags in the buy, so if you don’t already have an RFID collar, you won’t need to purchase one separately. One downside is that the feeder has trouble consistently recognizing microchips, so if your furball companion is chipped, you still need to use the collar anyway.
Portion Control Food Regulator
This isn’t a normal dispenser where a preset serving is dispensed at a certain period of time. Instead, dry food is always set in the bowl and the doors will open and close according to the timings that you set for that kitty’s feeding schedule.
When it’s time to eat, the registered kitty will approach the feeder, the tag will be read and that cat’s feeding schedule will determine if it’s time to eat. The doors will open and allow feeding and then the doors will close after a certain period of time that you set.
Instead of consumption being measured, you will need to set the time. For example, the doors will close after one minute of feeding and the feeder will display the message, “Sorry! No more until later!” It’s too bad cats can’t read English, but it’s a nice touch.
You will need to be the master of what is the appropriate timing to set for how much that cat can consume. You can do this for up to 8 registered pets each with their own preset feeding times.
Power Supply Options
What’s great about this feeder is that it comes with an AC adapter in the buy, so you can plug right in and never have to worry about batteries.
But, for those that would like a backup power supply for the just-in-case moments when the power goes out, there is a battery compartment to slot in 4x C batteries. It’s in an inconvenient location as it’s underneath the feeder and not on the back. But it’s better than not having a battery compartment or being limited to only one type of power supply.
Multiple Pets
The automatic cat feeder can be programmed to work for up to 8 pets. However, if you have a cat that needs medicated food or a special diet, it’s a great way to keep the other pets out of their chow.
If your cat is especially skittish, is unwilling to be trained to the feeder, or is an established grazer, there is a way around getting to be accustomed to the feeder. You can override the feeder to stay open indefinitely for the cat to approach it when they feel comfortable. Collar the pets you don’t want to eat from it and when they approach the open bowl, the doors will close.
It sounds like a reverse method to why you have the feeder in the first place, but it may prove helpful to get your cat trained to the feeder.
Limitations
Not Microchip Compatible
Unfortunately, the Wireless Whiskers cat feeder needs continuous detection of the RFID tag to function optimally. Microchips are detected intermittently by the feeder which causes functional problems that can be frustrating to deal with.
There is no word yet when there will be a microchip-activated version, but at least there are two RFID collar tags included in the buy.
Popular Questions
The pet feeder holds approximately 5 lbs of dry food. Wet food should not be used with the feeder.
No. The feeding trough is only large enough for one pet. The RFID detection zone is small and low, so it will only accommodate to a single pet for feeding at a time. The tag that is detected will be provided access to food based on that specific cat’s feeding settings.
If another pet pushes the cat out of the way, the RFID reader detects the new tag and will accommodate for that pet’s feeding schedule. If they don’t have an available allowance at the time, the doors will immediately close.
The bowl is not removeable from the feeder, so you cannot put it in the dishwasher or handwash in the sink. You must handwash it at the feeder and small tools can be used to clean crevices and crannies.
The automatic pet feeder is designed to work for pets up to 18” tall. Raising the feeder onto a platform will not be an effective workaround as the RFID detection sensor works with a dimension range of 6” from the nose tip to the collar. The pets using the feeder will know that lowering their heads to feed allows the collar to come into range to access their available allowance.
There are two collars that are included in the initial purchase with the feeder. You can buy additional tags directly from the manufacturer that are compatible with the Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Feeder.
Conclusion
The Wireless Whiskers AutoDiet Pet Feeder is extremely versatile because it can be used for multiple cats each with their own dedicated feeding schedule.
With the ability to plug in and set the feeding schedules, you really do have a set-it and forget-it type of feeder. After the learning curve, it’s easy to use and your cats will lose weight if that’s the goal of purchasing the feeder. With preset timings taking control, auto lock-out if an unauthorized pet approaches the bowl, and one-pet feeding space, the Wireless Whiskers offers a great solution to multi-pet homes and busy schedules.
- Diet Access Control Feeder Includes 2 Wireless Tags and AC Adapter
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A lover of animals, peace and quiet, and reading. When Fern is not working she will be engrossed in a Fiction book or drooling over the idea of going out for dinner.
Fern is strangely fond of Vampire movies.
