Cat feeder
October 16, 2015 8:30 PM Subscribe
So I usually feed the cats dry and wet food. Well I use a cat feeder and I think it works but does not fill up the bowl. It delivers food on the back of the bowl but does not fill up the bowl. Well now my husband and I are gone for the night and I can't help it but sit here and worry that they are starving and not getting enough food. I will be back tommorow but I left today this morning and I didn't expect I will be gone for the night. They just have this feeder that is supposed to throw down food by gravity. Like I say I think it works but they need to get it out from the back with the paw. Will they do that?
They will survive. They're cats. My indoor cat with no hunting skills was lost in the desert caves for weeks and only lost a little weight.
If you don't trust your feeder maybe get new bowls and if there is even a remote chance you'll be gone over night, overfill it or do two bowls.
posted by k8t at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
If you don't trust your feeder maybe get new bowls and if there is even a remote chance you'll be gone over night, overfill it or do two bowls.
posted by k8t at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2015 [10 favorites]
They'll be fine. If there's food to be had from the feeder, they'll work out how to extract it. If not, they'll still be fine.
posted by holgate at 9:09 PM on October 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by holgate at 9:09 PM on October 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cats are very good at batting things with their forearms - I should think a hungry cat would be motivated to do so.
As others point out, even if they do without food for one night, they will live.
(I would like to hear more about Desert Cave Cat.)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:10 PM on October 16, 2015
As others point out, even if they do without food for one night, they will live.
(I would like to hear more about Desert Cave Cat.)
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:10 PM on October 16, 2015
@joseph Conrad, I'm on my phone but do a Metafilter search for Tina cat Devils tower. And this summary http://www.katypearce.net/tinas-tail/
posted by k8t at 9:13 PM on October 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by k8t at 9:13 PM on October 16, 2015 [7 favorites]
1) Motivated cats will be sure to help themselves! Don't worry. And if they cry at you when you get back, trust me: they were fine, they're just milking the situation for all they can get. That is the Kittycat Way(tm).
2) Aw man, I will always remember k8t's AskMe! I was on the edge of my seat.
posted by wintersweet at 9:13 PM on October 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
2) Aw man, I will always remember k8t's AskMe! I was on the edge of my seat.
posted by wintersweet at 9:13 PM on October 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
One of my cats is a bit precious and will vomit up his dinner if it arrives too late (stress? Stomach acid? Revenge? Who's to say...) so when you get back feed your cats breakfast in increments if barfing is a concern to you. But yeah one night won't kill them.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:15 PM on October 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:15 PM on October 16, 2015 [2 favorites]
Echoing all the other answers that the kitties will be fine.
For the future though, if your feeder is anything like the one my household sometimes uses (which looks remarkably similar to this, if not this exact model) I've found that sticking a book or two under the back end of the hopper can help keep the bowl refilled.
posted by radwolf76 at 9:34 PM on October 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
For the future though, if your feeder is anything like the one my household sometimes uses (which looks remarkably similar to this, if not this exact model) I've found that sticking a book or two under the back end of the hopper can help keep the bowl refilled.
posted by radwolf76 at 9:34 PM on October 16, 2015 [4 favorites]
The kitties will be absolutely fine.
And you might want to take any 'MOMMY I'M SO HUUUUNGRY' yowling they do upon your return with a fair sack of salt. Cats are manipulative little shits. This one time, I was at a buddy's house, and she was making chicken curry. She gave her cat Felix a few pieces... only to have him, when the rest of my buddy's guests arrived, yowl piteously about how he had a MEAN MEAN mama who was STAAAAARVING him and not giving him any chicken!
So yeah. The cats will be fine.
posted by Tamanna at 9:46 PM on October 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
And you might want to take any 'MOMMY I'M SO HUUUUNGRY' yowling they do upon your return with a fair sack of salt. Cats are manipulative little shits. This one time, I was at a buddy's house, and she was making chicken curry. She gave her cat Felix a few pieces... only to have him, when the rest of my buddy's guests arrived, yowl piteously about how he had a MEAN MEAN mama who was STAAAAARVING him and not giving him any chicken!
So yeah. The cats will be fine.
posted by Tamanna at 9:46 PM on October 16, 2015 [5 favorites]
Your cats will be fine. Chill out!
posted by trip and a half at 12:25 AM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by trip and a half at 12:25 AM on October 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
If your cats are anything like mine, they will not let a minor obstacle like "food is at the back of the bowl but not the front" get in the way of eating as much as they possibly can. And then they'll most likely just sleep the rest of the time.
posted by teponaztli at 1:09 AM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by teponaztli at 1:09 AM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
Cats are very patient when they are motivated to do something. Mine will spend ages trying to prise open wardrobe doors even though they know there is nothing exciting behind them.
Your kitties will know the kibble is hiding from them and will be EXTREMELY motivated to get it. Look at it this way - you've provided them with an interesting puzzle to work on to keep them entertained while you are out.
posted by kitten magic at 3:26 AM on October 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Your kitties will know the kibble is hiding from them and will be EXTREMELY motivated to get it. Look at it this way - you've provided them with an interesting puzzle to work on to keep them entertained while you are out.
posted by kitten magic at 3:26 AM on October 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
My cat's feeder is that way and he will stick his face way into the little feed hole to get the kibble out.
They'll be fine. :)
posted by oblique red at 3:41 PM on October 20, 2015
They'll be fine. :)
posted by oblique red at 3:41 PM on October 20, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Relax....
posted by HuronBob at 8:49 PM on October 16, 2015 [7 favorites]