Best microchip feeder for two cats

Planning ahead before the second cat arrives is exactly the right approach — microchip feeders are one of the most genuinely useful multi-cat innovations, and having one in place before the new cat comes home means one less variable to manage during what can already be a stressful introduction period. They work by reading each cat's microchip and only opening for that specific animal, so each cat eats their own food at their own pace. Tell me a bit more: how old is your current cat, is she microchipped, and do you have a sense yet of the new cat's age or any dietary needs? Also — is your resident cat a laid-back eater or does she tend to guard food?

You're absolutely right — kitten food and adult cat food have very different nutritional profiles, and a kitten eating adult food (or vice versa long-term) can cause real problems. Kittens need much higher protein and fat, while an adult cat eating kitten food regularly can gain excess weight. Setting up separate feeders now is genuinely the smart move. One quick thing: the rescue kitten will need to be microchipped before the feeder can be programmed for them — most rescue kittens are chipped before rehoming, but worth confirming. Can I ask: are you planning to feed wet food, dry, or a mix of both?

That's a very common and practical routine. For wet food, a microchip feeder is perfect — it keeps the portion sealed and only opens for the right cat, so there's no stealing. For dry food left out during the day, you'd ideally have a separate microchip feeder for that too, otherwise the dry becomes a free-for-all. My recommendation is the SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder — it's the most reliable option on the market, works with standard microchips, and has a simple programming process where you just let each cat approach and it registers their chip. You'd want two units: one for each cat's wet food at minimum. It also has a sealed lid which keeps wet food fresh and stops flies, which is a nice bonus. It's around £50-60 per unit on Amazon UK. Given you're setting this up proactively, buying two now before the kitten arrives means you can get your current cat comfortable with it first — that's actually a real advantage.

Not at all, especially with a relaxed cat like yours. The SureFeed lid opens slowly and quietly — some cats are cautious for a day or two, but most adapt within a week. The trick is to start with the lid propped open or set to stay open so she can eat normally from it first, then gradually introduce the motion of the lid closing and opening as she approaches. SureFlap's own instructions walk you through this. A kitten adopted at 12 weeks will likely take to it even faster — they haven't had time to learn bad habits yet. You're in a genuinely good position here.

For your setup, the standard SureFeed is all you need. The connected version links to an app and tracks feeding data, which is genuinely useful if you have a cat on a prescription diet or you're monitoring a health condition — but for two healthy cats eating age-appropriate food, it's more than necessary. Save the money and put it toward the second unit. The standard version does the core job perfectly and has been doing it reliably for years.