[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2259.0. "Automatic Feeders?" by USEM::SAVAGE () Tue Feb 28 1989 16:51

    After trying for a couple of months to find a cat sitter in the
    Quincy area (I have used this NOTES conference as well as my network
    of family and friends), it has become obvious that none exist (at
    least that I can find) in the area.
    
    Given that I will be traveling extensively over the next couple
    of months for 3-4 days at a time, I am concerned about how my two
    cats will fare while I am away.  I am confident that they can keep
    themselves company (that was the reason I got the second cat) while
    I'm gone, but I'm almost positive that they cannot get the can opener,
    open the can of food, and divide it equally (one of them will probably
    cheat the other!).
    
    What then, does anyone know about automatic cat feeders?  What I
    will need are feeders to dispense both dry cat food (I'm assuming
    that these don't exist for "wet" food) and water on an as needed
    basis.
    
    Anybody have any ideas?  I start traveling next week (on business)
    and do not want to just leave out a large amount of dry food and
    water to go stale and to be tracked around the house.
    
    Thanks for any help that you can offer.
    
    - Maureen
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2259.1feeders workSTAR::BARTHTue Feb 28 1989 17:1714
    We use an automatic feeder all the time, since we free-feed a dry
    food (Science Diet) and this way we don't have to worry about them
    running out.  It works very well, and I've seen them sold in many
    pet stores.
    
    If your cat is used to canned food, make sure you gradually get them
    used to the dry food you plan on using beforehand.  The stress of
    a new food in addition to your absences could be too much.  Even
    with the automatic feeder, you might want a neighbor to check up 
    on them every now and then.  They're likely to get lonely even
    with each other for company.
    
    Good luck,
    Karen, Tenzing, Tristan and Max.
2259.2CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Feb 28 1989 18:022
    Be sure to leave out extra water dishes in case they knock one over.
    
2259.3I live nearbyCRUISE::NDCWed Mar 01 1989 07:2610
    I live in  Braintree and would be happy to drop in once a day
    in the evening to check on your babies - Hopefully you live
    near the Braintree line.  We bought a 3 qt water dispenser at
    Boston Pet - we got ours in Waltham.  You can purchase similar
    dry food dispensers.  If things work out, you could leave water
    and dry food, and I could drop in in the evening and give them
    canned food.  How does that sound?
      I've already sent you my phone numbers.  Give me a call.
      Nancy DC
    
2259.4I use them all the timeCHOVAX::ALPERTAgent of GoldsteinWed Mar 01 1989 20:4815
I use automatic feeders as kind of an emergency backup.  Since I
live by myself, if I were to have an accident where I became incapacitated
or unconsious it might be a little while before Boson would be looked 
after.  I admit this may be a bit paranoid on my part.

I have a neighbor who likes cats, she looked after Boson recently 
when I was sent away for training, but I still leave the automatic 
feeders "just in case."   

What are the best cat feeders?  Mine don't seem that great, basically
cheap plastic towers with bowls at the bottom.  While away at training
the cork leaked on the one contining water, leaving a big puddle all over 
the kitchen floor.

			Bob and Boson
2259.5SCRUZ::CORDES_JAClogging is my life!Wed Mar 01 1989 21:3415
    Does anyone know of an automatic feeder that is not made out of
    plastic?
    
    Amelia gets "zit chin" if she eats or drinks from plastic.  She's
    on a pretty strict diet already for her weight problem but it would
    be handy to have an auto-feeder for times when I'm just gone for
    a day or two.
    
    I do have some semi-automatic feeders.  They're called "family members". 
    A few family members (sister, mom) have been given my house keys for
    when I'm away for a few days or in case something happens to me.
    Of course I've also given my SO (a former feline noter) a key too
    so I think I'm pretty well covered.
    
    Jan
2259.6JULIET::APODACA_KISongs from the Razor's EdgeThu Mar 02 1989 15:164
    I am curious...what do you do about litter boxes?  (automatic litter
    dispensers/cleaners)?  
    
                                                           ---kim
2259.7SACMAN::FRANCINElabelled mentally derangedFri Mar 03 1989 08:593
    
    
    This may sound stupid, but..  doesn't the dry food get stale?
2259.8WITNES::HANNULACat Tails & Bike Wheels Don't MixFri Mar 03 1989 11:198
    RE .7
    
    My mother has one.  She puts 1 box of food at a time in it - an
    8" x 11" x 2" box.  The food doesn't get any staler sitting in the
    automatic feeder for a week than it would get sitting on the shelf
    for a week.
    
    
2259.9Use bottled waterCLUSTA::TAMIRACMS design while-u-waitFri Mar 03 1989 12:426
    A word of advice on the water bowl...I'd use bottled water cause after
    tap water sits around for a few days, it can leave this disgusting
    stuff in the bowl.  Here in Nashua, tap water that sits around a few
    days leaves this disgusting pinkish scum on the bowl.  Ugh...
    
    Mary