You may manage the time your cat eats with a timer-based feeder, which might be useful if your cat has a weight problem or needs to follow a special diet. You can easily set the timer and feed him at the same time every day, and unlike a self-feeder, a timer-based feeder can assist your cat to avoid overeating and maintain a healthy weight. On the contrary, Time-based feeders can sometimes malfunction and you may find your cat in dismay. This is why some veterinarians recommend cat owners to substitute between time-based and self-feeder to ensure nothing bad is happening. In the end, it’s all about your personal preferences and what works best for you. These are excellent automatic cat feeders in the market, you can use them occasionally but choosing a self-feeder when you have time can do some good for you and your furry friend and help you bond a bit.