We bought this feeder due to the cat begging for food in the middle of the night. Programming is not the easiest, but manageable. We've had the feeder for 5 months, and now the cat has figured out that if the feeder is bumped, it will drop a few pieces of kibble. He now attacks the feeder to get it to release food in the middle of the night (15 minutes prior to the set feed time) as well as after receiving his evening meal. It is quite loud when dispensing the food, as well as when the cat rattles the feeder due to the metal dish. Would look for a model that is more tamper-proof.