As the owner of 3 elderly cats, who all have different health issues / diets; I have found the automated Surefeed feeder to be essential in making certain each cat eats the correct diet (with or without medication). The feeder also makes sure that my big greedy cat does not eat the smaller cats’ food.
I bought a large number of plastic feed-bowls to use with the feeder, but this caused an unexpected problem. One of my cats developed an allergy to the plastic, and an itchy rash broke out on her chin! The irritation caused her to scratch at it, and she soon had a full-blown infection and open wounds on her chin!
Medication and daily bathing eventually cleared the infection, but I also had to resume feeding her (separately) from ceramic or stainless steel bowls - which did not fit the Surefeed feeder.
I was delighted to see these stainless steel dishes introduced. They are expensive, but still cheaper on eBay than elsewhere. My cats can once again be fed at the same time, from their own dishes; with no risk of pinching each other’s food.
The Surefeed products are an expensive solution to a feeding problem; but it’s a solution that does really work. I’m glad I got them.