Microchip feeders for portioning an overweight Exotic Shorthair

A vet-advised portion control plan for an Exotic Shorthair prone to weight gain is exactly the kind of situation where getting the feeding setup right really matters — Exotics are notorious for their love of food and their tendency to pile on weight, which puts real strain on their joints and heart as they age. Microchip feeders are one of the most genuinely useful innovations for this — they make sure only the right cat gets to the bowl, and some models let you control portion size directly. Before I point you to the best option: how many cats do you have, are they all microchipped, and is the main concern stopping your Exotic from overeating, or also keeping other cats out of his food?

Good — one microchipped cat makes this straightforward. The eating-too-fast concern is actually really common with Exotics and worth addressing alongside portion control, because gulping food quickly can cause vomiting and doesn't help with satiety. Can I ask: is he currently on wet food, dry, or a mix? And does the vet have him on a specific measured amount per meal, or is it more general guidance to reduce intake?

That's really helpful. For your situation — precise portioning, a single microchipped cat, and a fast eater — I'd recommend the SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect. Here's why it's the right fit: it opens only for your cat's microchip, so there's no sneaking extra food if you ever have visitors' pets around, and the portion-control mat inside holds a set amount so you're not eyeballing 20g twice a day. The 'Connect' version links to an app where you can track exactly how much he's eaten and when, which is genuinely useful when you're reporting back to a vet on a weight management plan. For the fast eating, pair it with a slow-feeder bowl insert or a puzzle mat inside the feeder — it won't solve everything but it does slow him down enough to reduce the vomiting. It's available on Amazon UK and is the most vet-aligned option for what you need.

Primarily monitoring — the app logs feeding times and amounts eaten, but the portion control itself is physical, done via the measuring cup and mat that comes with the feeder. You set 20g in the bowl before each meal, and that's what he gets. The app then tells you when he ate it and how long it took, which is useful for spotting patterns and sharing data with your vet. So it's not automated dispensing — you're still setting up each meal manually — but for a two-meals-a-day dry food plan, that's actually fine and keeps you in control. If you wanted fully automated timed dispensing with portion locking, the SureFeed works best alongside the SureFeed Hub timer, which you can add on separately.

It's a solid choice for where you are in the plan — precise, vet-reportable, and you can always add the Hub later if you want to automate the timing. The main thing is getting those 20g meals consistent, and the SureFeed makes that easy to stick to without guesswork. Good luck with his weight loss journey — Exotics can absolutely get back to a healthy weight with the right routine.