• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Cat Food Dispensers Reviews

  • Automatic Feeders Reviews
    • Best 15 Automatic Cat Feeders
    • Best 7 Wet Food Feeders
    • Top Wi-Fi Feeder For Cats
    • Top WiFi Multi-Cat Feeder
  • Auto Cat Feeder Guide
    • Tips To Buy An Auto Feeder
    • 5 Signs Cats Need An Auto Feeder
    • Cat-Proof Auto Feeders
    • Common Mistakes Before Buying A Feeder
  • Automatic Litter Boxes Reviews
    • Best 8 Automatic Litter Boxes Comparison
    • Best 3 Automatic Litter Boxes
    • Best Auto Litter Box For Large Cats
  • Auto Litter Box Guide
    • Choosing A Multi-Cat Auto Litter Box
    • Tips To Consider Before Buying An Auto Litter Box
    • How to Introduce Your Cat A Top Auto Litter Box
  • Other Reviews
    • Cat Foods Reviews
    • Cat Water Fountains
    • Feeding Mats Reviews
    • Treat Dispenser Toys
    • Elevated Cat Feeders
    • Best 5 Cat Feeding Bowls
    • Best 3 Litter Mats
    • Best 3 Clumping Litters
    • Auto Cat Door Reviews
    • Litter Box Enclosures
    • Best Automatic Cat Laser Toys
  • Blog

SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder – Full Review

Updated: 12:04 am By Lorena Ávila 22 Comments

80shares
  • 79
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder

Editor’s rating: (4.3/5)
Avg. rating online: (4.5/5)

SureFeed microchip pet feeder is a selective microchip feeder that works with RFID technology. The feeder has a lid that stays closed at all times blocking the food that can only be accessed by the assigned cat through its microchip, either collar tag or implanted. If your cat is not micro-chipped you can use a SureFlap RFID collar tag that works the same.

When an authorized microchipped cat approaches the feeder and puts its head underneath the hood to eat, the lid will automatically open, allowing the cat to eat. The lid will only open if an authorized cat stick is head under the hood.

SureFeed comes with 2 detachable colored polypropylene bowls and one silicone mat for a nice looking unit. Each bowl has a capacity of approximately 2 2/5 cup dry food.

If you set up 2 or more feeders, you can identify each unit with its respective cat by purchasing extra colored bowls and mats or simply to have a backup set. Mats are designed to catch spilled food and they match the bowls.

The unit works with 4-C alkaline batteries and it features a low-battery indicator. Batteries last from approximately 6 months to a year, depending on the usage. SureFeed is not designed to work with rechargeable batteries.

FEATURES

  • It works with your cat’s existing microchip implant or RFID collar tags
  • Compatible with all microchips worldwide
  • Capacity of 13.5 fl oz wet or dry food
  • It accepts up to 32 microchip IDs in its memory
  • Selective feeder system that stops other pets from eating your cat’s food

    SureFeed front view
    SureFeed front view
  • It keeps children from manipulating or eating the cat’s food
  • Ideal for cats on prescription diets or special diet food
  • It comes with a single portioned bowl for dry food and a split portioned bowl to feed wet and dry food.
  • Lid protects food and keeps smell and flies away from the food.
  • Rubber seal around the bowl’s top edge forms a sealed lid, keeping the food sealed and fresher
  • Removable bowl, mat, and lid for easy cleaning
  • It works with 4-C alkaline batteries (not included)
  • Battery-life indicator
  • For indoor use only
  • Weight: 3.3 lbs
  • 1-month money-back guarantee
  • 3-year warranty

Dimensions:

  • Feeder dimensions: 12.5” D x 9.1 W x 7.87” H (Overall dimension of the feeder)
  • Front opening dimension: 8.26” W x 6.10” H (Feeding area dimension)
  • Bowl dimensions: 4.13” W x 6.29” H x 1.18” D
  • Mat dimensions: 8” W x 4.37” H

WHAT COMES WITH THE UNIT

  • 1 x SureFeed main unit
  • 1 x Single-portion gray bowl (to feed dry food)
  • 1 x Split-portion gray bowl (to feed wet and dry food)
  • 1 x Grey silicone mat
  • 1 x Sureflap RFID collar tag

HOW THE SUREFEED WORKS

Cat eating from SureFreed Microchip pet feeder
Cat eating from SureFeed Microchip pet feeder

The unit has a hood with sensors on both sides so when the cat approaches the front of the feeder and sticks its head under the hood to eat, the sensors recognize the microchip ID and open by swinging the transparent lid up that is blocking the food, allowing the cat to eat. The feeder will stay closed at all times, preventing other unauthorized pets to eat.

By setting the unit in “intruder mode” if the feeder senses an unregistered cat while the authorized cat is eating, the lid will shut.

Once your cat is done eating and walks away from the feeder, the lid will close, keeping the food sealed, fresh and protected from the non-registered pets or kid’s hands.

SUREFEED SETUP FOR TWO CATS

WATCH THE SELECTIVE SYSTEM OF SUREFEED IN ACTION

SAFE FOR TODDLERS AND CATS

The unit is safe for kids and animals because the lid is strong enough to push the cat’s nose out of the food, but if it feels something blocking the closing, like a finger or a paw, it will stop the lid from closing and will try again. The pressure applied by the lid is not enough to hurt animals or people.

THE HOOD GUARANTEES RELIABILITY

SureFeed side view
SureFeed side view

Unlike other RFID or IR feeders, SureFeed ensures that your cat’s head is always in contact with the RFID sensor since its head is under the hood at all times while eating. This prevents the lid from shutting if your cat turns its head while eating, which happens with sensors that are located right in front of the unit. As long as your cat has its head under the hood, the lid will stay open.

TIME DELAY ADJUSTMENT

The time delay for the lid to close after the authorized cat walks away can be adjusted to 3 delays: I, II and III. With delay “I” the lid shuts one second after losing contact with the microchip, delay “II”; two seconds and delay “III”; 3 seconds, approximately. The unit comes set on standard delay II.

PROS AND CONS OF SUREFEED MICROCHIP PET FEEDER

Check the pros and cons to have a better idea of the advantages and disadvantages of this automatic feeder:

PROS

  • Easy to setup and use.
  • Very clear instructions.
  • The unit is solidly constructed.
  • The feeder is compatible with any existing microchip worldwide.
  • An option of your cat using an RFID collar tag if is not micro-chipped.
  • You can register several cats to eat from the same feeder, up to 32 different IDs.
  • It allows you to control each cat food intake (by setting up 2 or more units).
  • Excellent to protect your pet’s prescription diet.
  • Rubber seal around bowls provides a good sealing, covering smells and protecting against flies or other insects.
    The feeder’s arch gives a wide range of RFID sensitivity so if the cat turns its head from the feeder the lid won’t close.
  • 4-C batteries on the bottom of the feeder give the feeder a good weight and stability.
  • Low-battery indicator allows you to know when to change batteries.
  • It stops dogs and small children from accessing your cat’s food.
  • You can buy extra bowls, mats and collar tags.

CONS

  • The unit is basically a free feeding bowl for the authorized cat, thus it doesn’t stop glutton cats from gorging all the food at once.
  • It does not have a timer, so you can’t split your cat’s daily intake into several portions throughout the day (if you are not home to refill the bowls).
  • It does not have an ice pack to keep wet food cool.
  • Bowls are not dishwasher safe.
  • It does not have AC adapter, designed to work only with 4 x C alkaline batteries (not rechargeable).
  • Some stubborn cats might be able to get their head behind the feeder and steal food that way (place the unit against a wall to block the back gap of the feeder to stop that, or get the SureFeed rear cover that is sold separately).
  • Price

TIPS

  • Try not to place the feeder close to metallic/electrical appliances.
  • To ensure the best operation of the RFID sensor, they need to be kept clean at all times.
  • When registering your cat’s microchip, make sure there is not another non-authorized cat in the proximity or this may cause an unintentional registration of another cat. If this happens, you have to do a factory reset of the machine.
  • The User’s Manual comes with training tips for different types of cats, including timid cats.
  • You can’t put the feeder in the refrigerator or place ice packs inside the feeder.
  • If you have a cat that is aggressive when time to eat and you think this idea won’t work for your cats, you can check the article I wrote about how to manage two cats competing for food.

CONCLUSION

SureFeed Microchip pet feeder is a very good microchip selective cat feeder that works as advertised. This unit is especially recommended for multi-cat households where one cat is being food-bullied and does not get to eat and the other cat is getting overweight. In this sense, this unit is a real solution for cat owners that work all day and can’t control this eating activity.

√  In Conclusion, this feeder may be suitable for:

  • Keeping dogs or other animals away from the cat’s food
  • Multi-cat households to feed the right amount to each cat (by setting one unit for each)
  • Keeping the chubby cat out of the skinny one’s food
  • Cats with special RX prescription
  • Isolate a sick cat’s bowl in a multi-pet household, so the feeder avoids saliva transmission between pets.

x Not suitable:

  • If you don’t want to microchip your cat and he/she does not accept collars
  • For glutton cats that gorge all their food at once
  • For big cat breeds, such as tall Main Coons
  • If your dog is a chewer

Filed Under: Cat Food Dispensers Reviews

Avatar for Lorena Ávila

About Lorena Ávila

Lorena Avila is a Marketing Engineer, Writer, cat figures collector, cat lover and cat owner, but above all a very passionate investigator of felines. She started investigating cat products 7 years ago when she couldn't find reliable reviews on the internet to buy an automatic feeder for her own cat and since then she has been helping others providing honest information online.
Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for Pamela McLay-HendersonPamela McLay-Henderson says

    March 25, 2016 at 10:11 am

    To anyone considering buying one of these:

    On the suggestion of our vet, we purchased one of these for our dear, very elderly cat with dementia and thyroid problems who requires a special rich diet food, but she only eats little bits at a time throughout the day. We’d been driven nearly mad because we have another cat who needs light food, and a dog, both of whom prefer the old cat’s food to their own and were sneaking in and helping themselves to it at will, which was no good for any of them. We found the feeder VERY easy to set up, and the old cat was very easy to train to the feeder – not in the way suggested, but just by holding her carefully and gently behind the frond legs and gently introducing her head under the bar till it opened and she could smell her food. We did this just a few times when it was time to feed her and she quickly had the idea down pat! Now she feeds at will day and night, (but we replace any little bits not eaten, daily)and the feeder keeps it fresh and even ant free! (a nice bonus!) We can now be sure she is getting what she needs and the other two pets are eating their own food, while still trying to figure out how it works!
    (Ha! Ha!) Just one thing I’d suggest – I would not buy the divided dish again, – our cat finds the bar down the middle confusing, as it is right where the animals mouth goes when the flap lifts, – weird! So we either feed her kibble OR wet food, or mix them together in one and we don’t use the divided dish at all. I know it was expensive- but to us- worth every penny in the long run for the peace of mind it has brought and the ease of use!! NO MORE FOOD STEALING PROBLEMS!! YEAY!!!!!!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    May 22, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    how do I set this up to recognize my cat’s microchip? He had the transmitter on a collar but has lost the collar & I cannot find it. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      May 24, 2016 at 5:51 pm

      Hi Julie, I am not sure if I understand your question but if your cat lost its collar, there are replaceament you can buy. Since the unit registers up to 32 different microchip IDs, you just scan the new collar on the feeder and it’ll start working.

      Reply
  3. Avatar for GenniGenni says

    December 7, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    I have mistakenly bought 4 small skinny AA batteries (which fit inside but on the left of the battery compartment)instead of 4 x ‘C’ batteries, advised in the instruction booklet, which in the shop look too wide and chunky to fit into the battery channels inside the battery compartment of the Surefeed microchip feeder. Please advise whether the chunky C batteries really fit, as I can’t return them if I buy them and they’re the wrong fit. I find the battery pack labels confusing!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      December 7, 2016 at 7:39 pm

      Hello Genni, the feeder works with 4 C size batteries. You can contact SureFlap Company by phone, they answer right away (no recording) and they can help you with this. Their phone number is 1-855-461-4740 Thanks for your question.

      Reply
  4. Avatar for ClaudiaClaudia says

    December 28, 2016 at 5:43 am

    My problem is that my kitten eats all his food and then moves onto the puppies food! Is this product suitable for a small dog (Moodle) because she’s always missing out!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      December 28, 2016 at 7:14 am

      Hello Claudia, the SureFeed is suitable for your dog to use it, unless she is a chewer in which case is not recommended.

      Reply
  5. Avatar for Ngaira MeyerNgaira Meyer says

    January 7, 2017 at 6:24 am

    Is there away to delete the number from my overweight cat as she has learnt how to get into the feeder. Does the feeder register every cat that puts its head into the feeder, because we did NOT train number 2 to use the feeder but husband n i have both witnessed fat cat eating…we have not bn able to catch her opening it yet!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      January 8, 2017 at 3:04 am

      Hello Ngaira, the only way a cat can be registered is by pushing the small button located in front of the feeder (the button with a little cat`s face) and then making your cat to eat so the feeder registers the ID. Your cat alone couldn`t have done it. Most likely your chubby cat finds his way to eat when the allowed cat finishes, before the lid closes. You can adjust the speed of the lid to close faster by switching the speed to I. The delay slider can be found at the bottom of the feeder. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  6. Avatar for LaurieLaurie says

    July 22, 2018 at 3:52 pm

    Can rechargeable batteries be used in these?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      July 22, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Hello Laurie, this feeder works with good quality 1.5 V alkaline C Cell batteries. This will ensure the best performance of the feeder. The SureFeed is not designed for use with rechargeable batteries. The light at the back of the feeder will flash a red light every few seconds if the batteries are low.

      Reply
  7. Avatar for Catherine McGerrayCatherine McGerray says

    November 13, 2018 at 12:17 am

    Love this. Wish Had gotten it sooner, would have saved a lot of anxiety. I have two cats on two different foods. Feeding them is so easy now and no longer waiting for them to eat their fill and then hide their bowls is wonderful. I highly recommend getting this feeder. The batteries last quite a while. My only complaint is that to get extra dish inserts, the postage/handling is as much as if not more than the cost of dish itself.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      November 13, 2018 at 2:50 am

      Hi Catherine, thanks for sharing your experience with this feeder!

      Reply
  8. Avatar for StaciStaci says

    December 29, 2018 at 12:50 am

    Will an owner’s implanted medical device interfere with the feeder’s function (or vice versa)?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      December 29, 2018 at 9:56 pm

      Hello Staci, I don’t believe it will.

      Reply
  9. Avatar for PatriciaPatricia says

    January 4, 2019 at 11:55 am

    Been using my SureFeed for 2 months and it’s wonderful. You say the red light will flash every few seconds when the batteries are low, but mine flashes red every once in a while. Like once or twice one day, then it won’t flash red again for another week. It only flashed red maybe 5 or 6 times in total. What does this mean?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      January 4, 2019 at 11:48 pm

      Hello Patricia. the red light is exclusively low battery indicator. If your feeder shows that light often and then the feeder keeps working I must say the indicator is not working properly. It’s showing a fake low battery indication. You can call the customer service and they may guide you how to fix that issue. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  10. Avatar for LoriLori says

    June 6, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    I have 4 cats, 3 are seniors that were chipped 13 years ago, and one who adopted us and was chipped 4 years ago. After numerous attempts at learning the chip, all cats were learned. The three senior cats took some manipulation under the arch to get it to learn. However, the feeders only open without hesitation for one cat. I have three feeders that I can’t use. I have the portable collar tag, but my cats have been out of collars for 8 years now. I think it should be known that not ALL chips work for these feeders, as they are not inexpensive. I’m also hesitant about buying the chip operated pet doors. How do I know what chip will work? Has anyone else discovered this type of problem?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      June 6, 2019 at 4:57 pm

      Hello Lori, please call customer service, they will guide you to fix this issue. I think it could be related to the types of chips you put 13 years ago. Is the new adopted cat the one that has access with no issues?

      Reply
    • Avatar for AlexAlex says

      October 9, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      Your older cats microchips could also have migrated to a different position on their body-such as a front leg or chest, which may make it difficult for the sensors to get a good reading right away. I would suggest taking them into your vet and scan their microchips, just in case. Microchips have also been known to fail on occasion, so a double check on them would be best.

      Reply
  11. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    August 2, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    I absolutely love these! I have 3 and just ordered my 4th because I am taking in a friend’s cat bringing me to 4. They work very well and even my maine coon can use it. My cats eat their own food (each is on a different diet) at their own will. I recommend it to anyone who has multiple pets! Just have to watch the “add a cat” button. My brother added one of my females to my male’s dish and we had to figure out how to reset it hahaha. The training mode is wonderful however, my cats did learn that if they push the flap they could get in so I had to go through the training mode fast. I found it to go a lot quicker when you used something they loved to get them in it. This product is a genius idea and I certainly hope they come out with more like it!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lorena ÁvilaLorena Ávila says

      August 2, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your experience!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How Much It Costs Having A Cat | A Full Budget
  • My Cat Wheezing After Drinking Water, What I Discovered
  • I Got The Feeder Robot! Here’s My Review
Litter-Robot

Categories

About • Contact • Privacy • Affiliate Disclaimer • Sitemap
Copyright © 2021 · catfooddispensersreviews.com · All Rights Reserved

DMCA.com Protection Status

Cat Food Dispensers Reviews uses cookies to make its website easier to use. Learn more about cookies. X