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The short answer: For most multi-cat homes, the PetSafe Simply Feed is the better choice because it offers scheduled, portion-controlled meals for all cats, while the SureFeed Microchip is designed to restrict access to one cat only. If your cats graze and need individual diet control, the SureFeed wins; but for scheduled feeding, the Simply Feed is more versatile.
In a multi-cat household, feeding time can become a free-for-all. Cats may steal each other’s food, overeat, or miss meals if they’re shy. The right feeder must address two main challenges: portion control and food access. The PetSafe Simply Feed and SureFeed Microchip take different approaches, and one may suit your cats’ behavior better.
The PetSafe Simply Feed is a programmable portion-control feeder that dispenses up to 24 portions per day. It uses a rotating drum that drops food at set times and amounts. You can schedule up to 12 meals per day, each with a customizable portion size (from 1/8 cup to 4 cups). It’s designed to feed any cat that approaches, which means all your cats can eat from it, but they may eat each other’s food if you don’t supervise.
The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is a smart feeder that uses a microchip or RFID collar tag to open the lid only for the designated cat. It has a built-in scale that weighs the food and records each eating session. This is perfect for controlling which cat eats what, but it only holds one cat’s profile per feeder. For multiple cats, you would need multiple feeders, which can be costly.
Portion control is critical for cats prone to obesity or diabetes. The PetSafe Simply Feed allows you to set exact portions in 1/8 cup increments, and you can adjust the number of meals per day. For example, if your cat needs 1/2 cup of dry food daily, you can split it into four 1/8 cup meals. The feeder also has a slow-feed option that dispenses food over several minutes, which slows down fast eaters.
The SureFeed Microchip Feeder, on the other hand, does not have a scheduled dispensing function. It simply opens when the matched cat approaches, allowing free access to the food bowl. It does have a portion control feature: you can set a daily allowance in grams, and it will only open that many times per day, but it does not dispense a specific amount per opening. Instead, it weighs the food before and after each visit to track consumption. This is less precise for controlling meal sizes.
For multi-cat homes where you need to control how much each cat eats at specific times, the Simply Feed’s scheduling is superior. If your cats free-feed and you just need to separate one cat for dietary reasons, the SureFeed’s restriction is more useful.
The SureFeed Microchip Feeder is a smart device in the truest sense. It reads your cat’s microchip (or a compatible RFID collar tag) and only opens for that cat. It also connects to the Sure Petcare app via Bluetooth, allowing you to monitor your cat’s eating habits, weight, and feeding times. You can set a daily feeding allowance and get alerts if your cat hasn’t eaten. This is excellent for tracking individual health, but it lacks Wi-Fi remote control; you must be in range to sync data.
The PetSafe Simply Feed is also app-connected, but it uses Wi-Fi, so you can control it from anywhere via the PetSafe Smart Feed app. You can check bowl status, adjust schedules, and manually dispense a meal remotely. However, it does not identify individual cats. It simply feeds any cat that is present. For multi-cat homes, this means you cannot use it to restrict a specific cat’s access.
So, if you need to track one cat’s eating patterns, the SureFeed’s microchip recognition is a game-changer. But if you want a feeder that you can control remotely for all cats, the Simply Feed is more convenient.
Both feeders are battery-powered, but the PetSafe Simply Feed has a backup battery option (requires 3 D-cell batteries, not included) and can be plugged in via an AC adapter (sold separately). The SureFeed Microchip Feeder runs on 4 C batteries and does not have a power cord option, so you’ll need to replace batteries regularly.
Cleaning is crucial for hygiene. The PetSafe Simply Feed has a removable food bowl and a lid that is easy to clean, but the drum and auger need occasional wiping. The SureFeed has a removable bowl and a lid that can be washed, but the microchip sensor area should be kept dry.
In terms of durability, both are well-built, but the SureFeed’s lid mechanism is more complex and may be more prone to issues if your cat is persistent. The Simply Feed is a simpler design, which generally means fewer moving parts to fail.
Price is a major factor. The PetSafe Simply Feed typically costs around $130 to $150, while the SureFeed Microchip Feeder is usually priced at $200 to $250. For a multi-cat home, you would need one SureFeed per cat that needs individual control, which could quickly add up. For example, if you have three cats with different diets, you’d need three SureFeed feeders, costing up to $750. In contrast, you could use one or two Simply Feed feeders (depending on your feeding schedule) to feed all cats, costing around $300.
However, if your cats have specific medical needs, the investment in SureFeed might be justified. But for most multi-cat homes, the Simply Feed offers better value because it can feed all cats simultaneously with scheduled portions.
Can the PetSafe Simply Feed be used with wet food? No, it is designed for dry food only. The rotating drum can’t handle wet food, which could spoil. If you need to feed wet food, consider a feeder with an ice pack, like the SureFeed, which has a compartment for an ice pack to keep wet food fresh.
Will the SureFeed Microchip feeder work if my cat has a microchip but no collar tag? Yes, it reads the ISO microchip directly. If your cat’s chip is not ISO or you prefer a collar tag, you can purchase a compatible RFID tag and attach it to the collar.
How many cats can use one PetSafe Simply Feed? Technically, any number of cats can eat from it, but if you need to control individual portions, you might need to supervise or use multiple feeders. For free-feeding cats, it can handle multiple, but the bowl capacity is about 5 cups of food, so you may need to refill often.
In conclusion, for multi-cat homes, the PetSafe Simply Feed is the more practical and cost-effective choice for scheduled, portion-controlled feeding. It allows you to feed all cats at set times without the need for individual identification. The SureFeed is excellent for single cats with special dietary needs, but its cost and single-cat limitation make it less ideal for multi-cat households. If you’re still deciding, check out our Which Automatic Cat Feeder Is Best? PetSafe Simply Feed Wins guide for more detailed comparisons.
Remember, the best feeder is one that matches your cats’ behavior and your budget. Consider your cats’ eating habits, any medical conditions, and how much time you have to supervise. With the right feeder, you can ensure every cat gets the right amount of food at the right time.
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