How Smart Feeders Can Help You Keep Your Cat’s Diet on Track

If you’ve ever struggled with feeding your cat on time, dealing with picky eating habits, or trying to manage a special diet, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

Cats are creatures of habit, and even the smallest change to their feeding routine can throw them off. That’s why investing in a smart feeder has been a total game-changer in my house. And, if your cat eats wet food like mine, I’d even go so far as saying that having an automatic feeder is a must-have. 

Let’s talk about common cat feeding challenges, and how something like the Ovvi Automatic Wet Food Cat Feeder can make life a whole lot easier.

Everyday Feeding Problems Cat Owners Deal With

Overeating

Leaving dry food out all day might seem like an easy way to feed your cat, but it can actually cause some big issues over time. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, free-feeding is linked to problems like obesity, arthritis, and even diabetes. This is especially common in indoor cats that don't get a lot of exercise. What really helps is giving your cat meals at set times with controlled portions. 

Dr. Carolyn McDaniel puts it perfectly: “We should be feeding meals to our cats—not allowing them to eat whenever they want to,” she advises. “There should be a distinct meal time, and the owner should be in control of it.” Feeding canned food on a schedule supports a healthier diet and helps create a consistent routine that works for both you and your cat.”

Undereating or picky habits

Some cats like to snack all day, and others are just plain picky. If wet food sits out too long, they’ll often ignore it completely, which means tossing out meals and money. 

Studies have shown how cats can be really particular about how, when, and what they eat (which probably doesn’t surprise anyone who’s lived with one). They even emphasize how maintaining a consistent diet and healthy feeding routine isn’t just good for a cat’s body—it can actually support their mental well-being too.

Special diets or prescription food

Cats with kidney issues, diabetes, or food allergies often need specific diets. Timing and portion control really matter in these cases.

Why Manual Feeding Doesn’t Always Work

Even with the best intentions, life happens:

• You sleep in and breakfast is late
  
  

• You get stuck at work and miss dinner time
  
  

• You forget to portion out meals ahead of time
  
  

• Wet food spoils before your cat touches it
  
  

It’s tough to keep portions consistent and food fresh when you’re not home (or just distracted). That’s where a smart feeder helps.

How Smart Feeders Help

Smart feeders are basically meal planners for your cat. Once you set the schedule and portions, they take care of the rest. This helps you:

• Keep feeding times consistent
  
  

• Avoid overfeeding or underfeeding
  
  

• Serve meals even when you’re away
  
  

• Monitor eating habits over time
  
  

Most smart feeders, though, are designed for dry kibble. That’s fine for some, but if your cat eats wet food, your options shrink fast.

Why I Chose the Ovvi Automatic Wet Food Cat Feeder

After trying a few feeders that didn’t work well with wet food, I found Ovvi. It’s made specifically for cat parents like us who want to serve fresh, portioned meals without stress.

Here’s what makes it great:

• It holds up to 8 (5.5oz) wet food cans.

• Through the Ovvi app, I’m able to set up to 10 different feedings a day

• If your cat doesn't finish their meal right away, you can use the Ovvi app to set a freshness window. When the freshness time runs out, Ovvi moves the leftover food to the disposal chute and, if it's feeding time again, opens a new can automatically.

• With Ovvi, you can set specific portions (like ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔, ¾, 1, 2, 3, 4 cans, etc.) and choose feeding times. For example, if you want your cat to eat half a can starting at 8 am, Ovvi opens at 8 am and lets your cat eat freely until they've eaten half a can. Then, it automatically closes until the next scheduled feeding.

• It disposes of used cans at the touch of a button (which is great if you’re like me and can’t stand to get your hands dirty)

It’s reliable, and my cat actually eats on schedule now.

When Ovvi Comes in Clutch

I’ve found it especially useful in these situations:

• Early mornings (no more 5am meowing)
  
  

• Long workdays
  
  

• Short weekend trips
  
  

• Timing my cat's prescription food feedings (as long as it's in a 5.5oz can)
  
  

• Feeding small portions multiple times a day
  
  

No matter the day, Ovvi gives me peace of mind and stress-free meal prep. My cat always gets fresh meals right on schedule, tailored to her needs.

If you’re dealing with feeding frustrations or just want a better way to manage your cat’s diet, a smart feeder is totally worth it.

And if your cat eats wet food, the Ovvi Automatic Wet Food Cat Feeder is one of the few options out there that actually gets it right.

Take a look at the Ovvi feeder here and see how much simpler feeding time can be.