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The Cat Mate C20 is designed to feed one or two cats, kittens or small dogs, when you are away during the day, evening or over a weekend. Food is kept fresh in two easy-clean compartments sealed by closely fitting lids and refrigerated by built-in ice-pack. Just set the timer on each lid to open at the required time, up to 48 hours later. For two cats, the lids can open at the same time.
Customer Review: Not for 2 Cats
The Cat Mate C20 has a simple battery powered clock motor which drives two sets of gears. Each set of gears is for one of the two separate feeding compartments. Each feeding compartment has a separate mechanical knob to set the number of hours before the lid of that compartment is released. However, this mechanism is very crude and therefore inexact. It is difficult to set the mechanism to any degree of accuracy (e.g. 12 hours +/- x minutes); I find it impossible to simultaneously set the two timers to release at anywhere near the same time. Thus, the feeder may be suitable for two meals for one cat, but not suitable to feed two cats a meal at anything near the same time.
Customer Review: Cat Mate not cat proof
If you have highly food motivated cats, this item may not be up to the task. These feeders are pretty light weight and easily tossed around. The first time I used two Cat Mates, I came home to find the baseboards dented and one feeder turned upside down. As a result it didn't release the dry food. The next time I used the supplied screw holes in the base to attach them to a 12x24 inch board. This kept them upright, but provided enough stability for Lloyd to use one paw to grip the edge of the lid and pop it open at will. Finally I put straps on the board to hang over the top of a door. Now the Cat Mates hang vertically, and when the spring loaded lids open, disperse dry food across the kitchen floor. It's crude, but tamper proof and spreads the food widely enough so no one can hog it all. I imagine the problem now, with my five cats, when the Cat Mate opens is "If you snooze you lose."


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