Microchip Feeder for Obese Cat | Vet Diet Advice

A vet flagging an obese body condition score is a real wake-up call — and the good news is that for a Manx in a multi-cat home, this is exactly the problem microchip feeders were built to solve. They ensure each cat eats only their own food, which makes portion control and calorie-restricted diets actually workable rather than a daily battle. To point you in the right direction: how many cats do you have, are they all microchipped, and is the main issue that your Manx is eating too much of their own food, stealing others', or that other cats are getting to his bowl first?

That's a really common and frustrating dynamic — one cat who self-regulates and one who absolutely won't. The solution here is to give Pickle a feeder that only opens for her microchip, so Stumpy physically cannot access her leftovers. That removes the scavenging entirely. Then you manage Stumpy's intake by feeding him measured portions in a normal bowl or a slower feeder, and supervising until he's finished. The product I'd recommend for Pickle is the SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder — it's the market leader for good reason. Has Pickle been microchipped recently, or is she on a collar? That affects which version to get.

Perfect — that makes it straightforward. Go with the standard SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder (not the Connect version unless you want app control, which is optional). It reads Pickle's existing microchip and the lid stays closed to everyone else, including Stumpy. You programme it in about 30 seconds by holding Pickle near the bowl once. The lid opens smoothly and quietly, and importantly it closes again when she walks away, so there's no window for Stumpy to dart in. It also has a portion-size setting so if your vet wants Pickle on measured amounts too, that's covered. For Stumpy himself, a puzzle feeder or slow bowl will help him feel like he's eating more while actually consuming less — but the SureFeed is the cornerstone of the plan.

Most cats adapt within a few days, and SureFlap designed the lid to open slowly and without a loud click specifically because nervous cats were an issue with earlier designs. A good tip for a cautious cat: for the first two or three days, tape the lid open so Pickle eats from it normally and starts treating it as her bowl. Then remove the tape and let the lid do its job — by then it's already familiar territory. Nervous cats usually transition much more smoothly than confident ones because they actually prefer having their own protected space.

You're in good shape — this setup genuinely works for exactly Stumpy's situation, and your vet will likely be pleased with how enforceable the diet becomes. One last thing: weigh Stumpy monthly and keep a simple log. Vets love it, and it means you'll catch any plateau early and can adjust portions rather than waiting for the next check-up. Good luck to both him and Pickle.