I’m assuming the thought “I just need a dog proof cat feeder” is what lande
d you on this page. Possibly out of frustration that the dog was caught feasting at the cats bowl for the umpteenth time this week. Or maybe a friend or significant other suggested it after watching the cat get bullied away from his dinner again. Either way you are not alone!
Thousands of pet lovers struggle with creating a harmonious environment for cats and dogs to co-exist in the same household. And the food situation is usually right there at the top of the list of problems because let’s face it, dogs want their food plus everyone else’s too!
So would you like to solve the problem of keeping the dog out of the cat food forever? Of course you would…stupid question right?
Quick Picks: Best Dog Proof Cat Feeders
For those looking for a quick answer to the dog proof cat feeding problem each of the products above represents one of the 4 ways to keep your dog out of the cat’s food once and for all. Below I will explain each of these four options in detail along with more examples, tips and ideas for dog proof cat feeders.
The Difference Between Dog and Cat Pet Food
The easiest way to put it is cats are “obligate” carnivores, must have meat to stay healthy, and dogs are omnivores, meat and plant eaters like us. Because of the differences in cats and dogs their foods are completely different and designed for each pets nutritional needs. For example cats have 12 essential amino acids and dogs only have 11. Also cats require dietary sources of vitamin A and dogs can produce their own within there bodies. So because of these facts cat food has a much higher percentage of meat protein, fat, vitamins and minerals which also makes it higher in calories than dog food. So not only can eating cat food make your dog sick it can make him fat.
Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Cat Food
Most people think that when their dog eats the cats food that it isn’t that big of a deal. Other than wasting cat food on the dog. Actually it can be a real problem.
Health Reasons Dogs Should NOT Eat Cat Food
- The high percentage of vitamins in cat food can make a dog very sick and actually cause death. We don’t say this to scare you but it just goes to show the seriousness of this problem and the need to resolve it as soon as possible.
- The high percentage of fat in cat food can cause pancreatitis (also potentially fatal) and digestive upset in dogs.
- The high calorie content of cat food can cause your dog to become over weight. This is especially true for wet cat foods. And if you don’t already know excess weight in dogs can lead to diabetes.
Establishes Bad Eating Habits
Once your dog figures out that the cat dish is another place for a quick snack you will likely always struggle to keep them out without a dog proof cat feeding station or other deterent. Sometimes dogs will even stop eating dog food because of their preference for the cat’s.
Malnourished Cat
Something else to think about is if your dog is always eating the cats food then what is the cat eating? Probably not a lot especially if it’s an indoor cat. At least outdoor cats would have a chance to catch their own food.
Conflict Between The Cats and Dogs
If your cat doesn’t take kindly to the dog stealing all the food, fighting can break out. And fighting can result in injuries for one or both animals not to mention creates a stressful environment for all involved.
Best Dog Proof Cat Feeder Options
There is basically only one way to successfully have a dog proof cat feeding environment and that is to put the food somewhere out of reach of the dog. This “somewhere out of reach” can be broken down into two places, inside and up high. Below we outline several options for putting the food inside something to protect is like a closed off room or inside a crate. And another set of options for getting the food up high and out of reach.
Inside Option #1 - Using A Microchip Pet Feeder To Protect The Food
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
About: The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder high tech cat feeding station is a great way to dog proof the cat dish or for those cats that are bullied out of their food by other cats. The automatic feeder opens when it detects your pets microchip ID or you can attach the included electronic RFID tag to their collar. When they walk away it closes. Simply put his is the great multi pet home food bowl.
If you would like more info here is a video on the Surefeed Microchip Pet Feeder.
Features:
- Simple one button programming
- Automatic Cat Feeder opens when the assigned pet microchip ID approaches, and closes when it moves away.
- Designed specifically for multi pet homes. Preventing food stealing and mealtime stress.
- Microchip Compatible with all worldwide implanted identification microchips. Works with 9 (Avid Secure), 10 (FDXA) and 15 (FDXB) digit microchip numbers. Check with your veterinarian, shelter / rescue if you are unsure of your pet’s microchip number.
- Comes with one collar tag.
- Great for pets that are on a diet by controlling portions.
- Works for wet and dry food. Will hold two pouches of wet food and 13.5 oz of dry food.
- The neoprene seal allows bowl to retain moisture which keeps food fresher longer and even prevents flies from getting to the food.
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon with over 6,000 reviews.
- Automatic Cat Feeder opens when the assigned pet microchip ID approaches, and closes when it moves away.
- Comes with a three year warranty.
- Additional collar tag can be purchased separately if necessary. Ideally one feeder per pet.
Pros: Easy to setup and works as advertised.
Cons: Simply put the cost is the biggest con. A close runner up is that a dog could potentially carry off the pet feeder or chew it up and break it.
Inside Option #2: Keeping The Cats Food In A Room That The Dog Can’t Get To Like The Laundry Room, Bathroom Or Closet
Keeping the cat food in a room that the dog can’t get to is probably the most obvious and common option on this list followed closely by putting the food up out of reach which we’ll tackle shortly.
Making a room inaccessible to one animal and not another can be difficult though. Luckily there are some really handy and inexpensive products that make it almost fool proof and definitely dog proof.
Using a gate to block the door of the room containing the cat bowl is one idea.
Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate with Small Pet Door
About: The Carlson Walk Through Gate with Pet Door is an attractive easy to install and operate gate could be the answer to all your pet feeder problems.
Features:
- Easy to operate handle (see video below).
- Easy to setup.
- Small pet door is 10 inches by 7 inches to let cats or smaller pets pass, while keeping bigger pets out.
- All-steel construction is sturdy, durable and chew-proof.
Pros: Well made and works as advertised.
Cons: There are two main problems with using a gate. 1) May not work to keep small dogs out, at least without modifications. See example here in product reviews. 2) Very determined larger dogs may figure how to use the handle or squeeze through the small gate.
Door Buddy Adjustable Door Strap
About: The Door Buddy Adjustable Door Strap is a great option to keep a door cracked just enough for your pet cat.
Features:
Pros:
Cons:
Door Buddy Adjustable Door Strap
About: The Door Buddy Adjustable Door Strap is a great option to keep a door cracked just enough for your pet cat.
Features:
- No tool installation – Attaches in seconds with extra strong 3M adhesive.
- Adjustable length for fine tuning the opening.
- Easy to lock and unlock hook design.
- Comes with foam door stoppers to keep door from closing tight.
- Protects pet food, cat bowls, litter boxes and more from dogs and toddlers.
Pros: Extremely easy to install and no tools necessary.
Cons: A really strong determined dog may force his way through.
Inside Option #3: Kitty Door
The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door Hidden Litter Box Pet Door
About: The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door Hidden Litter Box Pet Door kitty hole is effective and less obstructive to the people living in the home like gates or hooks.
Features:
- Save and cute way to let your cat in and out of closed doors.
- Wide opening allows your cat to pass through safely.
- No trim or door frame damaging attachments.
- Opening is 7 1/2″ wide and 6 1/2″ high.
- Easily fits all standard (hollow and solid) interior doors with sizes, 1 1/4″ to 1.75″ thick
- Comes in semi gloss white, or you can easily paint it yourself, to match your homes decor.
- If you are handy in any way this should take less than a half hour to install.
Pros: Great product for protecting the cats food bowl and or litter box.
Cons: You will need a saw to install this product.
Now if you don’t want to have a permanent gate set up in your house, a strap on your door or a hole in the bottom I completely understand so that leads us to….
Inside Option #4: Inside a Box, Crate or Cabinet
Hide the cats food in the furniture! Use decorative enclosed cabinets with secret holes so the cat can go inside and eat.
Now if you don’t want to have a permanent gate set up in your house or a strap on your door I completely understand so that leads us to….
Designer Catbox Litter Box Enclosure in White
About: Obviously the product is meant to be for litter boxes but think about how perfect it is as a dog proof cat feeding station. With the staggered entrance there is no way your dog is making it’s way to the cat’s food.
Features:
- Staggered entrance
- Removable interior panel
- Double hydraulic hinges for safely keeping the lid open when feeding or cleaning.
- 29.1″ long, 20.6″ wide and 20.8″ tall
Pros: Very stylish and sturdy. And keep dogs and young children out.
Cons: The main problem is the size of the enclosure and finding a place for it to sit. If space isn’t a problem then there is very little to complain about.
Build Your Own DIY Dog Proof Pet feeder Out Of A Tote!
For the do-it-yourselfers or frugal types there are other options. There are several handy designs for enclosed cat feeders that have been created from something simple such as a plastic storage tote. This project will prove both effective and also cost efficient as you will only incur the cost of the tote (click here) and a box cutter or sharp shears (click here).
Up High Option Dog Proof Cat Feeders
If you didn’t like the inside options outlined above here are some up high options to get the cat food moved up high and out of the dogs reach!
Up high Option #1: Mount a Shelf
Mounting a shelf or series of shelves for your cat to climb and sit on while eating works great. There lots of products on the market so we tried to find a couple good examples to give you some ideas.
CatastrophiCreations Cat Feeder Wall-Mounted Elevated Feeding Shelf for Pets Raised up for Children and Dogs
About: Wall mounted elevated feeding shelf. Part of a series of products that can be arranged together to get you cat food off the ground as well as provide exercise.
Features:
- 8.5″ x 11″
- Hand crafted attractive bamboo shelf.
- Easy to mount.
- Stainless steel water and food bowls.
- Can attach to any Cat Mod Hammock system.
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Replacement stainless steel bowls available.
Pros: Works as advertised and is easy to mount. The holes for the food and water bowls make this a terrific option.
Cons: The biggest con would be that the shelf is fairly small and without the hammock system that is sold separately it would be hard to use. If the addition cost of the hammock system is an issue then wall space might be the only other con.
Or use a cat perch like the one below to but bowls on.
Option #3: Get the cat food up high out of the dogs reach!
Again, how you ask? Simple there are a few ways. One is you could get a tall cat tree that has a flat top to put the food on.
Or use a cat perch like the one below to but bowls on.
Kitty Cot Original World’s Best Cat Perch
About: Light weight cat perch mounts to windows or mirrors giving your cat a safe place to get away from troubling dogs.
Features:
- Comes is 5 different sizes to customize to your specific situation.
- Replacement suction cups available.
- Humane Society approved.
- Nylon fabric is easy to clean with soap and water.
- Frame is made of light weight but strong 3/4″ PVC pipe and fittings.
- 1/8″ steel cables supports
- Can mount to windows, mirrors or most smooth non porous surfaces.
Pros: Utilizes windows and mirrors when wall space is sparse.
Cons: Not having a hole for the food bowl to sit in could be asking for a mess.
Up High Option #2: On Top Of Something Taller Than The Dog
Washing machines, dryers, and filling cabinets work for this. Some people even use the kitchen counter top but this isn’t probably the sanitary option. If none of these will work for your household you could get a tall cat tree that has a flat top to put the food on.
Trixie Pet Products Malaga Cat Playground
About: This attractive cat tree is a great place for your cat to play, sleep and eat!
Features:
- Wrapped in soft plush fabric.
- Two condos and a hammock.
- Available in colors and 4 different layouts.
- Doubles as a scratching post.
- Easy to assemble.
- 42.75″ tall
Pros: Serves multiply purposes feeding station, sleeping quarters, playground and scratching post.
Cons: No specific way to keep food bowls in place but using a secondary wall mounted shelf could fix this. If you have an extremely big dog this cat tree might not be tall enough.
Other Dog Proof Cat Feeder Ideas?
As you can see there are many solutions to dog proofing the cat s food. We have listed all the ideas that have worked for us and tried to think of as many other ideas as possible to give the best solution for your situation.
Have you discovered a better or more creative solution that hasn’t been mentioned? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments below.