That is amazing. I'm so glad I can just free feed my cat with out her getting obese, or even fat.
Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
51–60 of 302 posts
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#52do not feed cats from a machine. Even if you are super busy, give her food in the morning and after you get home from work, that's more than enough. Perhaps at the same time as your breakfast and your dinner. Despite the common perception of cats as 'loners' , they still want to be part of your 'gang' not a lonely creature feeding from a machine. Ideally you would want to play with the cat before feeding her so she a…
As an owner of multiple cats, and fiance to a licensed veterinary technician, this sounds like good and sensible advice for maintaining a cat's health and well-being. We've caught many health issues by noticing changes in feeding, drinking, poo and litter box use. I don't know why you've gotten so many downvotes.
Having a feeding machine that operates on a regular schedule when your schedule is anything but does not mean you're being a delinquent pet owner. It doesn't mean you're oblivious to your pet's health.
Some people have automatic coffee makers that run on a timer. Does that make them indifferent to their own health?
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#53After about the second failure I would have gotten one of those auto feeders that let out as much as they want and some weight control cat food.
Cat was eating so much volume she was vomiting. Weight control food doesn't help with this issue.
Additionally, my obese cat was on a very controlled amount of "diet" food for years, it doesn't actually work. Switched him to Blue Buffalo and didn't observe any weight change.
And before anyone asks, yes, the cat has been to the vet and has gotten all the blood work and I've tried multiple meals and everything. Don't even go there.
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#54do not feed cats from a machine. Even if you are super busy, give her food in the morning and after you get home from work, that's more than enough. Perhaps at the same time as your breakfast and your dinner. Despite the common perception of cats as 'loners' , they still want to be part of your 'gang' not a lonely creature feeding from a machine. Ideally you would want to play with the cat before feeding her so she a…
Unfortunately your common sense is in the minority of opinion here. HN is plagued by overeager engineers who endlessly discuss the how without addressing the much more important why . Why bother having a pet at all if you're not going to personally care for it?
"Why" is having control over frequency and quantity. If you have an over-weight cat you may need to dial that down gently over time to avoid too much protesting.
The writer clearly indicated this is just for one meal of the day. People are losing their shit here as if this cat is locked in a room for months on end with no human contact.
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#55That is amazing. I'm so glad I can just free feed my cat with out her getting obese, or even fat.
Lucky you!
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#56Has he tried a increase in the cat's food intake? Seems low cost, low risk, and if it does not work you can resume armor plating the robot.
This causes weight gain. My dog gains weight if I walk her any less than I usually do, but still clammors endlessly for food.
> ...still clammors endlessly for food.
This is normal for dogs. They're always "starving".
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#57Has he tried a increase in the cat's food intake? Seems low cost, low risk, and if it does not work you can resume armor plating the robot.
Quinn is a she, FTR. Also, some cats will eat themselves to obesity (and it tends to be those with this kind of appetite for food, no pun intended), so keeping a limit on their intake is important, particularly if they are house cats (not common in the UK, but I think they are more so in the US).
Especially when your cat's a "puker" that will eat, eat, and eat some more, barf a bunch, and go back to eating.
Also what is with everyone saying "he"? Seriously. That blog is pretty clear about who's writing it.
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#58Compare to cows, who after being trained by real cattle guards, won't step on painted lines that simulate them.
But on the other side, compare with pigeons who could pilot a glider bomb into WWII enemy ships:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pigeon
(As the owner of both a cat and parrot, I've learned not to underestimate their intelligence.)
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
As an owner of multiple cats, and fiance to a licensed veterinary technician, this sounds like good and sensible advice for maintaining a cat's health and well-being. We've caught many health issues by noticing changes in feeding, drinking, poo and litter box use. I don't know why you've gotten so many downvotes.
Having a feeding machine that operates on a regular schedule when your schedule is anything but does not mean you're being a delinquent pet owner. It doesn't mean you're oblivious to your pet's health. Some people have automatic coffee makers that run on a timer. Does that make them indifferent to their own health?
>Some people have automatic coffee makers that run on a timer. Does that make them indifferent to their own health?
This analogy is very far off from feeding your cat from a machine.
Feeding a cat is 1. giving it food 2. bonding and establishing a relationship 3. chance to check on cat's well being.
People can talk and tell someone if they are unwell.
Re: Cat-proofing a cat feeding machine
#60The problem, as in most difficult hacking operations, is that the attacker has physical access. I would have put the machine in a base cabinet, run a chute out a small hole cut in the toe mould, and if necessary, put a child lock on the cabinet.
That's topologically equivalent to what OP did.
And OP is topologically equivalent to a bagel (disregarding nostrils)