Microchip feeder for elderly Birman cat

A 16-year-old Birman on a specific senior wet food with younger cats trying to muscle in — this is exactly the situation microchip feeders were made for. At that age, the right nutrition isn't optional; it's genuinely important for keeping him comfortable and healthy. Microchip feeders are one of the most useful things you can buy for a multi-cat household — they lock the bowl to one cat's chip and physically close the lid the moment anyone else approaches. How many cats do you have in total, are they all microchipped, and is it purely the younger ones eating his food, or is he also trying to eat theirs?

That's a very common and frustrating dynamic — younger cats are faster, greedier, and completely indifferent to the fact that Cosmo's food costs twice as much and is medically important. Because all three are microchipped, you've got the cleanest possible setup for a microchip feeder. Before I point you to the right one, just one thing: does Cosmo tend to eat in one sitting, or does he graze and come back to his bowl across the day?

That's the key detail. A standard microchip feeder will open for Cosmo and close when he walks away — but if he's a grazer, you need one that keeps the food covered and fresh between visits, not just locked. The one I'd go for here is the SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. It has a sealed bowl with a lid that opens only for Cosmo's chip and closes the moment he steps back. That means the food stays covered, stays fresher longer for a slow eater, and the younger cats simply get nothing — not a sniff. It also works with an existing microchip so there's no collar or tag needed. It's the market leader for good reason: reliable, well-built, and the seal is proper enough to keep wet food from drying out between grazes. One feeder per cat is the ideal setup, but for your situation, starting with one dedicated to Cosmo will solve the immediate problem completely.

Yes — the lid responds to weight on the mat, so the moment Cosmo steps off, it closes. Younger cats quickly learn there's no point lingering because the lid shuts before they can get their head in. Most owners report the other cats lose interest within a few days once they've been denied a few times. It's not instant-slam fast, but it's quick enough that a normal curious cat won't succeed — and it's certainly faster than Cosmo can walk away. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is widely available on Amazon UK, and it comes in a version that connects to their app if you ever want to monitor Cosmo's intake, which at 16 is actually worth having.

Good choice — Cosmo will be eating in peace within a day or two. If you find the younger cats are also getting into each other's food, one SureFeed each is the cleanest long-term solution, but start with Cosmo's and see how you get on. Hope he enjoys his meals undisturbed.