Cat Mate C50 – Full Review

Editor’s rating: 3.6 stars | Avg. rating online: 2.9 stars.

The Cat Mate C50 automatic pet feeder is a popular dish food dispenser so if you are thinking about buying this device, this review will give you all the information you need to decide if this solution is suitable for your needs.

DESCRIPTION

Cat Mate C50 Automatic Pet Feeder serves up to 5 meals, one meal is covered by a removable lid and is meant to be served at the present time. The 4 rest will be served at the scheduled mealtime. The dispensing system works through a rotating lid that exposes one by one all of the 4 compartments that will serve the food at the programmed time. With the Cat Mate C50 you can feed your cat dry, moist or wet food.

It works with an analog timer (dial) and rotates by set times with a minimum of 4 hours between the current time and the first meal and 6 hours between the first meal and the second one. The feeder features a 90-hours length mealtime program.

If you feed your cat moist food, you can keep it fresh with two ice packs underneath the trays. The Cat Mate C50 works with 1 AA battery that is not included.

FEATURES

• It serves up to 5 meals per day.
• It works with an analog timer.
• 4 programmable meals, easy to set with the analog timer.
• 4-6 hours minimum intervals between each mealtime and 90 hours ahead program.
• It works with a rotating lid system.
• Dimensions are: 16.2 x 3.8 x 13.8 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds.
• It requires 1 AA battery.
• Battery life indicator.
• Twin ice packs to keep food fresh.

CAT MATE C50 SET UP

HOW TO OPERATE THE CAT MATE C50:

√ Fill the trays with food and wind up the lid in a counter-clockwise direction.
√ As the timer moves, a catch will release at your set times so that the lid will move clockwise to reveal one tray at a time.
√ You have to make sure the start button is turned “ON” and the dial is rotated.

NOTE: The Cat Mate C50 uses a European time system on the timer (1-24, rather than 1-12 A.M. and P.M. as in the USA).

What are the Pros and Cons of the Cat Mate C50 pet feeder?

PROS

• Capability to dispense up to 5 meals (one at present time).
• The analog timer can be set up to 4 meals (with a minimum of 4 hrs. intervals between each time).
• 90 hours length program.
• Good for feed your cat moist and dry food.
• Food compartments have good size and each one holds up to 2/3 lb. (300 g.) of moist food.
• The tray food and lid are dishwasher-proof.
• Twin ice packs keep moist food fresh.
• It has a battery condition indicator.

CONS

• Very smart cats can break into this feeder knocking the timer cover off and moving the dial with the paw or mouth.
• The difference between each meal cannot be less than 4 hours.
• Ice packs seem to melt completely from 4 up to 10 hours, depending on the weather.
• Instructions are a little tricky to be figured out.
• The battery (on the bottom) lacks strong protection from dropping out.
• Trays cannot support heavy amounts of moist food otherwise, the lid won’t rotate.

TIPS TO USE THE CAT MATE C50:

• It is recommended to do several tries with this feeder and checking the system before leaving your pet alone.
• Make sure to use a fresh battery. Item has an indicator reflecting battery movement by sight.
• If using moist food it’s a good idea to get an extra set of ice packs to back up the next day.
• Tape the battery underneath the dish to prevent it from dropping out.

CONCLUSION

This is a good automatic feeder but as with all dish feeders, it is recommended to be used mainly for docile cats. Why? for two reasons:

1. A cat obsessed with food or a very smart cat can break into this feeder, move the dial with its paws, pull out the tray using its claws, and so on (this is not usual, but it could happen with a mischievous cat).

2. A cat that does not behave with this type of dish feeder could try to get food from it, moving it and tip it over. This means that your cat could end up being alone at home with no food to eat.

BOTTOM LINE

√ If your cat is docile, this is a good option to feed your cat with moist and dry food. I recommend it especially for:

• To be used for a couple of days or weekends if using dry food.
• For one day (no more than 12 hours long) if using moist food.
• For occasional use.

X This automatic pet dish might not be suitable:

• If you want a feeding schedule for your cat with less than 4 hours intervals between each meal.
• For more than 2 days away from home.
• For wet food, if you want to use it to feed your cat for several days.