automatic feeders?

[Brad T]

Before we got our boys, we tried to go camping every once in a while and while that isn’t a hard feat now, we don’t have anyone around that’s willing to take care of them for a night/morning. So I was thinking that we could look into some automatic feeders to take care of them for a dinner and breakfast while we’re gone. Of course we’d have to make it up to them in run time, but they’ve been troopers with all the moving around during the holidays.

So far this is what we’ve found.

For the first two, we’d have to use two compartments per meal since the veggies and pellets don’t really mix and they really aren’t that big. Also, some of them can use an ice pack meant for wet food, but would help to keep lettuce from wilting.

This guy is pretty big and seems fairly simple.

This one keeps the food in the same spot but is also quite large.  It also may be heavy enough that they may not try to throw it around to get their food early.

Then there’s this one. It would work perfectly with the pellets and I could rig it up outside of the cage and dump into their bowl, but then what about their salad? It could be paired with these, but they’re supposedly easy-ish to force open and we all know how strong bunny’s noses and teeth can be.

Though none of these ideas are perfect and I would love any constructive input and suggestions.

Thanks!

 EDIT: Alternatively, we could just get a j-feeder and the last one listed above for salad.

[Bumblebunny]

I have the cat mate and use it everyday we have to go to work. It feeds bunny some greens around 10 and some carrot tops and a few carrot slices later in the day. If we work late we will put his evening pellets in a tray. He has chewed on it and he does throw a tray around after it has been open, but he never has been able to force it open and I am happy with it. I did tape the battery in place in case he ever flipped it over, which he has not done. Our rabbit is small, 3 lbs. I am not sure what a larger rabbit could do to it.

[Brad T]

That’s great to hear Bumblebunny. The reviews vary depending on the animal it seems. Some can do it very easily and others can’t. I’m really not sure what two 9lbs rabbits could do though. The concept is awesome, but I wish either the latches were stronger or other companies added the freezer pack feature.

[Beka27]

I would not recommend the bunnies be left alone for longer than 24 hours. I could not tell how long your camping trips are based on your initial post, if it’s just overnight, that should be fine. Any longer than that, you really should have someone peek in on them.

Just a note for others who might be reading this thread and are interested in automatic feeders:

Since rabbits hide illness so well, feeding time is one of the best indications that something might be wrong, in addition to the contents of the litterbox. A rabbit that is normally excited for a meal but suddenly doesn’t seem interested in eating is a big red flag that something might be going on. This is also why it’s a good idea to divide feedings into morning and night… a rabbit could eat fine in the morning and then be in stasis by evening.

[Deleted User]

In an emergency situation where you would leave your rabbits it is far better to leave just a chunk of a hay bale and ample amounts of water than to chance them overeating on pellets or ingesting less than fresh vegetables. Automatic work well on some pets who are used to them on a regular basis.

[Author]

Messages