Feeding a cat is a much more complicated process, than it may seem to an inexperienced owner, who has only recently acquired a pet. Knowledgeable cat owners treat this process responsibly, because they understand, that the comfort and well-being of the animal largely depends on it. And it's not just about food, but also in the diet, adhere to which is quite difficult, unless a man spends all day in the company of his furry friend. Otherwise, a car feeder for cats with their own hands or bought in a pet store - this is the same mandatory element of cat furniture, as a toilet or a house.
Automatic feeder - a luxury or a necessity?
The main purpose of this simple device - a portion of food to the animal. After all, no matter how much food you leave in the bowl, there is no doubt, that in 99 cases with 100 it will be absorbed in one meal. This should not be allowed - the alternation of gluttony and starvation is just as harmful to the health of the pet, as for his master.
There is an opinion, that a cat food dispenser is only needed during the long absence of the owner, but this is not the case. Such a "zoo gadget" makes sense to get even in that case, if you do not plan to leave the animal alone for a long time. Here are some facts about cats, which you, perhaps, did not know.
- First of all, it is a predator, who prefers to get food on their own.
- The optimal diet for the animal - 10 times a day, that is, through each 2-2,5 years, but in small portions.
- Time of day, on which the main meal falls - night and morning.
Here it turns out, what if the owner does not plan to adjust his life rhythm to the pet and play cat and mouse with him all night, pouring food into a bowl, it is better to make an automatic feeder for cats with your own hands. Moreover, that it is absolutely not difficult to do.
It is possible, Of course, buy a ready-made device in a pet store, but be prepared to pay a tidy sum for it - to 13 thousand rubles. There are cheaper analogues: you can buy a cat feeder with a dispenser for a thousand, but your Murka is unlikely to use it. That from such adaptation really was sense, it must correspond, at least, three parameters.
- hygiene
We are talking primarily about the material, which is used to make the product. Remember, that cats' sense of smell 14 times stronger, than human. The smell of plastic, what is the difference between cheap Chinese feeders, can whet the animal's appetite once and for all.
- strength
Once decided to buy, prefer solid heavy feeders. Light dispensers made of thin plastic or plywood sheets risk being instantly defeated by hungry animals.
- accessibility
In the natural environment for food you have to fight. Therefore, the cat food dispenser should mimic the process of obtaining food. Everything should be arranged this way, that the animal had to make some effort to do so, how to eat prey.
Homemade feeders for cats
Creating conditions for the cat, close to its natural environment - the task of every responsible owner. The feeding trough will help with it, which is easy to build yourself. Its main purpose is to simulate the process of food production. To do this, you will need an old cutting board or a regular sheet of plywood. Cylindrical containers of different heights must be glued to it in a chaotic manner. Anything can go in the course - dough molds, children's Easter cakes, cups, etc.. The main thing, so that the edges were smooth and the cat could not get hurt about them. Actually, that's all. It remains to pour food.
How it works? First, the animal eats food from low containers, and when it is over, will start looking in other forms. The point is, to work a little and get treats from cups with high edges. This is the simplest feeder, which you can build yourself. But for those who like to make something with their own hands, there are other options: cat feeder with dispenser - automatic or plastic.
Car feeders with a dispenser with their own hands
To make such a device, you will need:
- clockwork (it can be obtained from old wall clocks);
- round can (from under cookies or canned food);
- clay for modeling (it is better to take the material, that does not require baking);
- sheet of thin plywood;
- glue;
- nails;
- insulating tape and / or double-sided tape.
Putting all these elements together, in the end you will get a mechanism, which will give the cat food after a certain period of time. This should be done as follows:
- The basis is a tin can. It must be carefully covered with clay and divided into 4 segments, leaving a circle in the center for the clockwork.
- When the clay dries, insert the clock face up into the pre-prepared hole. You can fix them, laying the bottom with pieces of double-sided tape. It is not necessary to glue watches - after a while they will have to get, to replace the battery.
- Now it is necessary to deal with the time arrow. It will move the top cover. So, if the arrow is thin, it needs to be further strengthened. To do this, attach it to the tape or glue a thin piece of plywood.
- The next stage is to make the cover. From plywood we cut out a circle, the size of a can, which serves as the basis. Then the circle must be divided into 4 segment and one cut.
- When all the components are ready, it is necessary to attach the plywood cover to the hand of the clockwork. To do this, we just need two short carnations. You can use bolts and nuts.
- Nail hats can be hidden under a decorative mug, also cut from the remnants of plywood. Glue it on top and paint in a bright color.
- It remains only to decorate the feeder and wait, until everything dries.
Importantly! At the bottom of the jar you can glue rubber suction cups, so that it does not slip, when the cat will try to get food from her.
Take a few more minutes and show the cat how everything is arranged. Believe me, it will not be necessary to explain for a long time. Source: Flickr (Tina_Lawson)
Cat feeder made of plastic bottles
For those, who can not boast of the talent of a craftsman, there is an easier option - a cat feeder with a dispenser of two plastic bottles.
- We make a pallet. Put the plastic bottle horizontally and cut a semicircle from one edge (the scoop should come out). On the other hand, cut a round hole (approximate diameter - the width of the second plastic bottle).
- Let's deal with the dispenser. Everything, what to do - cut off the neck and bottom of the second bottle.
- Insert the dispenser neck into the round hole of the pallet, fasten the two structural elements with glue and you're done.
Importantly! Unlike an automatic feeder, this technology is only suitable for dry food.
Pour the food into a vertical bottle. To the extent that, how a cat will eat treats, food will pour out of it into the feeder. Truth, to do this, he will have to work a little paw.
loans in electronic currencies, this way of foraging will please your home hunter. The main thing is to give the animal time to learn and get used to the new feeder. Take a few more minutes and show the cat how everything is arranged. Believe me, it will not be necessary to explain for a long time. Moved by inner instincts, he will quickly figure out what's what.