Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal vs SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect
Both made our Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Wet Food shortlist, at #1 and #2. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder if you want pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible. Choose the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect if you'd rather have the only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl. Overall we rank the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Wet Food list.
Winner overall: Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder
Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder vs SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 5 in Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Wet Food | #2 of 5 in Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Wet Food |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Cat Mate | SureFeed |
| Key features | 5 individual pre-portioned compartments; Digital timer with an initial feed plus 4 scheduled meals; Included ice packs keep wet food cold for hours | Opens only for the registered pet's microchip or RFID collar tag; Sealed lid keeps food fresh between visits; Training mode opens the lid gradually for timid pets |
| Biggest strength | Pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible | The only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl |
| Main trade-off | Caps out at 5 meals total before it needs refilling and resetting | The Connect app and remote feeding history require a separately sold hub |
| Best for | cats on diets | multi pet households |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder if…
- Pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible
- Ice packs make it genuinely usable for a wet-food weight-management diet, not just dry kibble
- Lower price than an app-connected feeder for a single diet cat
Best for: cats on diets
Prefer the alternative? See the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect section.
#2 pick · Top pick
Choose the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect if…
- The only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl
- Sealed lid keeps wet or dry food noticeably fresher than open-bowl feeders
- Long 3-year warranty versus the 1 to 2 years typical of competitors
Best for: multi pet households
Prefer the alternative? See the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder section.
Pros and cons of each
Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder
Pros
- Pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible
- Ice packs make it genuinely usable for a wet-food weight-management diet, not just dry kibble
- Lower price than an app-connected feeder for a single diet cat
Cons
- Caps out at 5 meals total before it needs refilling and resetting
- No app, so there's no remote alert if a meal fails to dispense
- Manual pre-measuring is more hands-on than an auger feeder's automatic portioning
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect
Pros
- The only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl
- Sealed lid keeps wet or dry food noticeably fresher than open-bowl feeders
- Long 3-year warranty versus the 1 to 2 years typical of competitors
Cons
- The Connect app and remote feeding history require a separately sold hub
- Stores one meal at a time rather than a full day's schedule like hopper feeders
- Learning curve during the first week while pets adjust to the lid opening
Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder vs SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect: common questions
Which is better, the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder or the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect?
Choose the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder if you want pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible. Choose the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect if you'd rather have the only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl. Overall we rank the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Automatic Pet Feeders for Wet Food list.
What is the difference between the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder and the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect?
The Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder stands out because pre-portioning each of the 5 compartments by hand guarantees exact serving sizes, no auger drift possible, while the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect stands out because the only feeder in this list that physically blocks a second pet from opening the bowl. The trade-offs differ too: the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder's main caveat is that caps out at 5 meals total before it needs refilling and resetting, and the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect's is that the Connect app and remote feeding history require a separately sold hub.
Is the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder worth it over the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect instead if caps out at 5 meals total before it needs refilling and resetting is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect instead of the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder?
The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect suits multi pet households, while the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5-Meal Automatic Feeder is best for cats on diets.