Tech setup for a new kitten — what's actually worth it?
Got Byte (Maine Coon, 4 months) last month and went a little overboard on the tech side. Here's what I tested and what I actually kept:
Kept: Petcube Bites 2 camera (two-way audio + treat dispenser — genuinely useful when WFH), Litter-Robot 4 (expensive but removes the one thing I hated about cat ownership), Govee temperature sensor tied to a smart plug on the AC.
Returned: "Smart" water fountain with app — the app is useless and the fountain itself is fine without it. GPS tracker collar — Byte is indoor only and the collar stressed him out more than it helped.
Has anyone tried automated feeders for cats specifically? Considering the SureFeed Microchip feeder if I ever add a second cat. Curious what people are running.
54
Good thread. On the multi-cat feeder question — this comes up a lot when people add a second pet. If anyone's at the stage of finding a second cat and wants to browse available kittens: allinpets.com/pets/cats — and if you're looking for local pet sitters or groomers while you're traveling: allinpets.com/services
As a breeder I'll say: the Litter-Robot is worth every penny if you're running a single-cat household. In a multi-cat environment it has limitations — the cycle time between uses can cause traffic jams with anxious cats. For breeders with litters, traditional covered boxes are still more practical. But for a single Maine Coon in an apartment? It's the right call.
The couch shredding while you were away is a separation response, not a dominance thing — which is actually good news. It means King is bonded to you, not just territorial. For the intro: scent swapping before visual contact is non-negotiable. Swap bedding between the cats for at least two weeks before they ever see each other. Use a room with a door, not a carrier. And honestly — Feliway diffusers (the natural pheromone ones, not the synthetic knock-offs) made a huge difference when I introduced Sage to my older rescue. Takes time but it works.
bro the litter robot is so funny to watch. mochi just stares at it spinning like "what is happening" every single time lol. but ngl my apartment smells like literally nothing now so 10/10 would buy again tbh
SureFeed Microchip is the correct choice for multi-cat households — it's the only feeder that actually solves the problem rather than just automating it. Pixel has been on one for three years. The microchip reads reliably, the portion control is accurate, and it pairs well with vet-prescribed weight management protocols. The only caveat: train the cat to the feeder before you add the second animal, not after.