Sure Pet Feeder vs ePawDen: Which Microchip Feeder Fits?
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The short answer
Both are covered bowls that open only for a registered pet, and neither dispenses timed meals. Pick SureFeed if your cat's chip isn't a 15-digit ISO chip, or to register many pets on one feeder. Pick ePawDen for a rechargeable battery and a dishwasher-safe steel bowl.
| Feeder and price | Recognises your cat by | Microchip standard | Food | Capacity | Pets it can register | Power | App | Bowl | Dishwasher-safe parts | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder $169.99amazon.com price as of Oct 15, 10:26 PM UTCAmazon | Implanted microchip or Collar tag | All ID microchips, the brand says | Dry, Wet | 0.4 L | Up to 32, all able to open it | Batteries only | App with the brand's hub | Stainless, plastic | No | 36 months |
| ePawDen Microchip Pet Feeder $135.99amazon.com price as of Oct 15, 10:26 PM UTCAmazon | Implanted microchip or Collar tag | 15-digit ISO (FDX-B) only | Dry, Wet, Raw | 0.5 L | Not stated by the brand | Rechargeable battery | No app needed | Stainless | Yes | 12 months |
Which one reads more microchips?
SureFeed. Sure Petcare says it works with all identification microchips worldwide. ePawDen says its feeder supports standard 15-digit ISO FDX-B chips at 134.2 kHz, not 9- or 10-digit chips.
This matters most in the US. Ohio State's veterinary college notes 125 kHz and 128 kHz chips in use there, beside 134.2 kHz ISO chips.
Both come with a collar tag for a cat whose chip won't read. ePawDen says pairing can fail because of chip format, implant position or nearby interference. Sure Petcare suggests the tag if a chip has moved.
See every feeder that reads an implanted chip (3 feeders)
How are they powered?
SureFeed runs on four C batteries for about six months, per Sure Petcare. ePawDen has a built-in 2600 mAh lithium battery that charges by USB-C. ePawDen says a full charge takes about 4-5 hours and lasts around 3-6 months.
Which is easier to clean?
ePawDen's 304 stainless steel bowl is removable, and its FAQ says the steel bowls are dishwasher-safe. SureFeed comes with plastic bowls, and a stainless steel bowl is sold separately. Sure Petcare says to hand-wash its bowls, with no dishwasher or microwave.
Keep the SureFeed itself dry. Sure Petcare says never to submerge it or hold it under a running tap. Planning to feed outside? Read whether an automatic feeder can go outdoors.
Which takes wet food?
Both do. SureFeed takes wet or dry food in a 400 ml bowl. ePawDen says its 0.5 L bowl takes dry, wet and raw food.
Sure Petcare says to change the food daily and not to use ice packs in or under the feeder.
How many pets can each handle?
SureFeed stores up to 32 pets per feeder. ePawDen says multiple pets can be paired but doesn't state a maximum. Every pet registered on either feeder can open it, so one feeder won't keep two diets apart.
For a cat on a special diet, use two feeders: one registered only to the diet cat, one to the others. That way the diet cat can't eat their food either. Sure Petcare recommends each pet has its own feeder for correct control of individual diets.
One cat on a diet plus two others means two feeders, because the other two can share a SureFeed. For full setups, see feeding multiple cats.
Do they keep other pets out?
Mostly, with limits both brands admit. Sure Petcare says it can't fully guarantee the exclusion of all other pets. ePawDen says its current version can't completely stop other cats trying to reach the food.
Got a dog as well? Read how to keep a dog out of cat food.
What comes in the box?
Sure Petcare's manual lists the feeder, a single bowl, a split bowl, a mat and one RFID collar tag. Extra tags come in packs of two, sold separately.
ePawDen's FAQ says the standard package includes one RFID collar tag. That tag is the fallback for a cat whose chip isn't a 15-digit ISO type.
How long does training take?
Plan on a week or more for SureFeed. Its manual suggests a couple of days with the lid still, then three lid stages of a few days each. A cautious pet can take several weeks.
ePawDen gives no fixed schedule. Its FAQ says gradual training helps even shy cats get used to it.
What does the warranty cover?
Sure Petcare's manual gives the SureFeed a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase. ePawDen offers a 12-month limited warranty, but only on feeders bought directly from epawden.com. For other sellers, ePawDen says to contact that seller or platform.
Is there an app?
Not on either standard model. ePawDen says no Wi-Fi or app is needed for the lid to open. Sure Petcare's Connect version adds app tracking but needs its Hub, sold separately.
Which should you buy?
Why it fits: a cat with a non-ISO chip, or several pets on the same food sharing one feeder.
- Recognises your cat by
- Implanted microchip or Collar tag
- Microchip standard
- All ID microchips, the brand says
- Pets it can register
- Up to 32, all able to open it
- Food
- Dry, Wet
- Capacity
- 0.4 L
Why it fits: a cat with a 15-digit ISO chip, and an owner who wants USB-C charging.
- Recognises your cat by
- Implanted microchip or Collar tag
- Microchip standard
- 15-digit ISO (FDX-B) only
- Food
- Dry, Wet, Raw
- Capacity
- 0.5 L
- Power
- Rechargeable battery
Compare full specs for the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder and the ePawDen Microchip Pet Feeder. Chip standards are explained in the microchip cat feeder guide.
Need timed meals too? PapaPaw says its DietMatch schedules meals and opens for the cat it recognises by face.
Questions owners ask
Will a microchip feeder read my cat's microchip?
It depends on your cat's chip and the feeder. England's microchipping law, which has covered pet cats since June 2024, requires ISO-standard FDX-B chips read at 134.2 kHz, but in the US chips at 125 kHz and 128 kHz are also in use. ePawDen and PawsPik read only the ISO type. Sure Petcare says its feeder reads chip codes worldwide, yet its manual notes a chip that has moved may be hard to read. Check the chip number in your vet records.
Sources: legislation.gov.uk (UK Government); GOV.UK (Defra); The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Indoor Pet Initiative; ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED); PawsPik; Sure Petcare; Sure Petcare
Is there a selective feeder that works without a collar?
Yes, if your cat has a compatible implanted microchip. Sure Petcare says its SureFeed feeders work with all ID microchips, while ePawDen's and PawsPik's feeders read only ISO FDX-B chips, the 15-digit international standard. Collar-tag feeders such as PETLIBRO's One RFID and Vancpet's RFID feeder can't read implanted chips at all. Check your cat's chip number with your vet before buying, because PawsPik doesn't accept returns for incompatible chips.
Sources: Sure Petcare; ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED); PawsPik; PETLIBRO; Vancpet
How do I stop my dog eating the cat's food?
Feed the cat somewhere the dog can't reach, or use a feeder that opens only for the cat. International Cat Care advises giving a cat that lives with a dog a safe area holding its food and water, plus high perches where it can get away from the dog. Selective feeders such as Sure Petcare's keep the lid closed for any animal whose microchip or tag isn't registered. Sure Petcare still says it can't guarantee every other pet is kept out.
Sources: International Cat Care; Sure Petcare; Sure Petcare
Sources
- SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, Sure Petcare
- Microchip Pet Feeder User Manual, Sure Petcare
- SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, Sure Petcare
- ePawDen Microchip Pet Feeder, ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED)
- FAQ, ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED)
- Warranty Policy, ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED)
- Microchip Fact Sheet (Linda K. Lord, DVM, PhD), The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Indoor Pet Initiative
- PapaPaw DietMatch Smart Automatic Cat Feeder, PapaPaw
- FAQ, PapaPaw