Cat not “getting” microchip feeder

[Seziah]

I got a microchip feeder about a month ago and I’ve only seen my kitty eat from on it on her own once. She is so sweet but not very clever 🙈. She’ll happily eat from it if I put her close enough to open it, but she won’t try on her own.

First I tried putting treats on top of the lid, then inside the feeder, then giving her a treat after I’d put her close enough and she was eating the food - I think I might’ve confused her by not being consistent? I got the feeder because my other cat is on special food but very greedy and my older cat was losing weight. (Vet said she’s all good, and she was putting on weight when I was feeding her separately, but I can’t be at her beck and call all the time). I thought she’d work it out on her own when she gets hungry enough but it’s not happening

My cat took at least 2 or 3 months to trust the feeder. We had to put his food in it with the lid completely open for a good few weeks before he would go anywhere near it. Then feeding him with the lid partially open for even longer. He was scared when the lid moved so regular consistent dinner times in the same place with the feeder part open and he finally let hunger get the better of him.Take each step very slowly and remember you can't teach a cat to do anything it doesn't want to do.

Have you gone through the whole training process with her? Should be in the manual.
Initially food in the feeder with the door open, then slow door closing, then speeding up the door until you are using it fully.

Took about 2 to 3 months for an elderly cat with dementia.

I started with the door fully open, there is no option for partially open with this feeder like with others, but she is still on the training setting which closes the door after 15 secs. I didn’t do the fully open step for very long because my other cat has a food allergy. She doesn’t seem wary of the feeder, just doesn’t realise she can open it herself

Good to hear that even an elderly cat can get it. Maybe I am expecting too much in too little time!

I gave up as I couldn’t work it out, let alone a pair of not very bright Persians!