Simple tray-based automatic feeder that works with wet or dry food
PetSafe Six Meal Pet Feeder: The only tray-based feeder worth recommending for wet food
Most automatic pet feeders use a hopper and dispensing wheel, which means they only work with dry kibble. The PetSafe Six Meal Feeder at $60 uses six individual meal trays that rotate into position at scheduled times — a design that works with wet food, semi-moist food, or dry food. That wet food compatibility is the key differentiator here.
What works
The six-tray rotating design is fundamentally different from hopper feeders. Each compartment can hold a pre-portioned meal — including wet food, treats, or medication mixed with food. The lid rotates to expose the correct tray at the scheduled time, keeping other meals covered and relatively fresh. For pets that eat wet food and need timed feeding, this is one of the few automatic options.
The dishwasher-safe tray is essential for hygiene with wet food, and PetSafe delivers it. Being able to run the tray through the dishwasher after loading the next cycle makes the weekly preparation routine manageable.
PetSafe has been making pet feeding products for decades, and the Six Meal Feeder has a proven track record of reliability. The design is straightforward and the mechanism rarely fails.
What doesn't
Six meals is the hard ceiling — there are no additional slots. If your pet's feeding schedule evolves to require more frequent meals, you'll need a different feeder.
The tray can tip if a larger or more active pet pushes at the feeder. For small cats or dogs this isn't an issue, but for persistent or size-appropriate larger pets, the stability can be a concern.
Who should buy this
The cat or small dog owner whose pet eats wet food and needs timed automatic feeding. This is the purpose-built solution for wet food delivery — hopper feeders simply don't work for this use case.
Who should look elsewhere
Dry food households with more than 6 required daily meals should look at the PetSafe Simply Feed ($50) with 12 slots. Large capacity needs are better served by the WOPET 6L ($55) or Arf Pets ($50).