Automatic cat feeders
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Feeder review
Published 19 June 2026
The default choice for wet food. Five sealed trays and twin ice packs keep meals fresh, the timer is reliable and the parts are dishwasher safe. No app or remote control, and the ice packs fade after a day or so.
Best for: Cats on wet, fresh or raw food, and short absences
From £59.99 checked 19 Jun 2026
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What works
- Handles wet, fresh and raw food
- Twin ice packs keep meals cool
- Reliable, accurate digital timer
- Dishwasher-safe trays
- Strong tamper-resistant lid
What falls short
- No app or remote monitoring
- Ice packs only last a day or so
- Food can catch in tray corners
How it scores
We rate every product in this category on the same criteria, weighted by how much they matter in daily use. Each score is out of 10.
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliability and jam resistance | 25% | 8.0 | Long track record and accurate timer; food can stick in tray corners but clears easily |
| Power and connectivity backup | 15% | 7.0 | Battery powered so unaffected by mains outages; no connectivity to drop Confirm on your exact model before relying on it. |
| Portion accuracy | 15% | 7.0 | Per-tray portions set by hand, up to 5 meals; less granular than dosing feeders |
| App and scheduling | 15% | 5.5 | Digital timer only, up to 5 meals; no app or remote control |
| Capacity and food suitability | 10% | 9.0 | Five trays handle wet, dry, fresh or raw; ice packs included |
| Ease of cleaning | 10% | 8.5 | Trays and lid are dishwasher safe; base wiped only |
| Build quality and noise | 5% | 8.0 | Strong quiet motor cats cannot force; tamper-resistant lid |
| Value | 5% | 8.0 | Fair price for the only reliable wet-food option in its class |
| Weighted total | 7.48 |
How we score: each rating combines the manufacturer specification with the weight of feedback from owners and independent reviewers. We do not copy other reviews. The score is our own synthesis, and we show the reasoning so you can judge it yourself.
See how the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Feeder ranks against other automatic cat feeders
Key specifications
| Capacity | 5 trays, around 1.45 cups each |
|---|---|
| Food type | Wet, dry, fresh or raw |
| Meals per day | Up to 5 |
| Power | Battery (no mains adapter) |
| Freshness | Twin reusable ice packs included |
| Cleaning | Trays and lid dishwasher safe |
| Connectivity | None, digital timer only |
Common questions
Can the Cat Mate C500 keep wet food fresh?
Yes, within limits. The twin ice packs keep wet food cool for roughly a day. For longer absences you would refresh or add backup ice packs, which some owners buy separately.
Does it have an app?
No. It uses a built-in digital timer for up to five meals. There is no app, wifi or remote control, which keeps it simple and reliable but rules out remote monitoring.
Is it suitable for multiple cats?
It dispenses on a timer rather than per cat, so it does not stop one cat eating another's meal. For access control by pet you would want a microchip feeder instead.
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