PETLIBRO One RFID Pet Feeder vs SureFeed: Which to Buy?
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The short answer
Choose SureFeed to use your cat's implanted microchip or feed wet food, and PETLIBRO's One RFID for timed dry meals. Sure Petcare says SureFeed reads all ID microchips and its own tag, but it has no timer. The One RFID schedules up to 10 meals a day but reads only PETLIBRO's collar tag.
| Feeder and price | Recognises your cat by | Microchip standard | Food | Capacity | Meals a day | Pets it can register | Power | App | 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 | Not stated by the brand | Up to 32, all able to open it | Batteries only | App with the brand's hub | 36 months |
| PETLIBRO One RFID Pet Feeder $139.99amazon.com price as of Oct 15, 10:26 PM UTCAmazon | Collar tag | Doesn't read implanted chips | Dry | 3 L | Up to 10 | 1 pet, so one feeder per cat | Mains with battery backup | Wi-Fi app (2.4 and 5 GHz) | 24 months |
Which one reads my cat's microchip?
Only SureFeed. Sure Petcare says it works with all identification microchips worldwide, and with its RFID collar tag. PETLIBRO says the One RFID reader works only with its dedicated collar tag, not microchips or other brands' tags.
PETLIBRO's tag weighs 4.2 g and sits on a snap-release collar. Sure Petcare advises a safety collar with a breakaway buckle for its own tag.
Which one feeds on a schedule?
Only the One RFID. It schedules up to 10 meals a day from a 3 L tank, and PETLIBRO puts one portion at about 20 ml.
SureFeed is a covered bowl you fill yourself. Sure Petcare's manual says it has no timer, and not to rely on it for more than 24 hours for a cat.
Which one takes wet food?
SureFeed takes wet or dry food in a 400 ml bowl, or two pouches of wet food. Its manual says the bowl seals against the closed lid to keep food fresher. Sure Petcare also says to change the food daily and not to put ice packs in the feeder.
The One RFID is for dry food only, kibble 2-15 mm, per PETLIBRO.
See wet-food feeders that open only for registered cats (4 feeders)
How many cats can use one feeder?
SureFeed stores up to 32 pets, and every registered pet can open it. That suits several cats on the same food, but it won't keep two diets apart. Sure Petcare recommends each pet has its own feeder for correct control of individual diets.
The One RFID syncs with one collar tag, so each cat needs its own feeder. PETLIBRO says to place several feeders at least 10 inches apart.
What powers each feeder?
SureFeed runs on four C batteries for about six months, Sure Petcare says. The One RFID uses a mains adapter, with three D batteries as backup that aren't included.
PETLIBRO says batteries are an emergency backup only. On batteries alone, Wi-Fi and the reset button are disabled, but meal schedules still run.
Is there an app?
The One RFID connects to the PETLIBRO app over 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. The standard SureFeed has no app. Sure Petcare's Connect version adds app tracking but needs the Sure Petcare Hub, sold separately.
Which suits a cat on a prescription diet?
Either can, as long as the diet cat is the only pet registered on its feeder. Sure Petcare says the SureFeed gives control over prescription diets, medication and weight management. Check the diet first, though: PETLIBRO says the One RFID takes dry food only.
The other cats need a second feeder for their regular food, so the diet cat can't eat it either. One SureFeed can take all of them, since it stores up to 32 pets. With One RFID feeders, which pair with one tag each, every cat needs its own.
How many feeders do you need? One cat on a diet plus two others: two feeders. Register the diet cat alone on one, such as a One RFID, and the other two on a SureFeed. With One RFID feeders alone, you need three.
No feeder is a perfect lock: Sure Petcare says it can't fully guarantee every other pet is kept out. Ask your vet whether the diet food could harm your other pets if one gets in. If one of those pets is a dog, see how to keep a dog out of cat food.
How long does setup take?
SureFeed needs training. Its manual suggests a couple of days with the lid still, then three lid stages of a few days each. PETLIBRO's product page doesn't describe a training routine for the One RFID.
What are the limits of each?
- SureFeed: Sure Petcare says it can't fully guarantee every other pet is kept out. Training runs in stages, and the manual says each stage can take days or weeks.
- One RFID: PETLIBRO says it suits small or medium pets. Its RFID mat must be installed properly, or pet recognition fails.
Which should you buy?
Why it fits: a chipped cat on wet food or a prescription diet, with a second SureFeed for the other pets.
- 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: one cat per feeder on scheduled dry meals, with an app.
- Recognises your cat by
- Collar tag
- Microchip standard
- Doesn't read implanted chips
- Pets it can register
- 1 pet, so one feeder per cat
- Food
- Dry
- Capacity
- 3 L
See the full specs on the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder and PETLIBRO One RFID pages. For chip standards and training, read the microchip cat feeder guide.
Want no chip or collar at all? PapaPaw says its DietMatch recognises each cat by face. For other needs, see the best automatic cat feeder for each need.
Questions owners ask
SureFeed vs PETLIBRO RFID feeder: which should I buy?
Choose SureFeed to use your cat's implanted microchip or to feed wet food; choose PETLIBRO's One RFID for scheduled kibble meals. Sure Petcare says its feeder reads all ID microchips plus its own tag and suits wet and dry food, but it has no timer, so you fill the bowl yourself. PETLIBRO's feeder dispenses up to 10 scheduled dry-food meals a day, but it reads only its own collar tag, not microchips, and each feeder syncs with one tag.
Sources: Sure Petcare; Sure Petcare; PETLIBRO
What's the difference between an RFID collar feeder and a microchip feeder?
Both use radio-frequency ID; the difference is where the ID sits. A microchip feeder reads the chip implanted under your cat's skin, and SureFeed, PawsPik and ePawDen also accept a collar tag. An RFID collar feeder reads only a tag worn on the collar, often the brand's own: PETLIBRO says its One RFID works only with its dedicated tag. The AAFP notes implanted chips can't be lost, and Sure Petcare advises a breakaway safety collar for cats using a tag.
Sources: GOV.UK (Defra); Sure Petcare; PawsPik; ePawDen (PAWDEN ROBOTICS LIMITED); PETLIBRO; American Association of Feline Practitioners (FelineVMA); Sure Petcare
How do I feed two cats different food automatically?
Use two selective feeders. Register only the diet cat on one, with its diet food. Register the other cats on the second, so the diet cat can't eat their food. Sure Petcare recommends each pet has its own feeder to control individual diets. Cats on the same food can still share one SureFeed, which stores up to 32 pets. PETLIBRO's One RFID and PawsPik pair with one pet each. Sure Petcare says it can't guarantee other pets stay out, so ask your vet if one cat's food could harm another.
Sources: Sure Petcare; PETLIBRO; PawsPik
Sources
- SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, Sure Petcare
- Microchip Pet Feeder User Manual, Sure Petcare
- SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, Sure Petcare
- One RFID Pet Feeder, PETLIBRO
- One RFID Pet Feeder User Manual (AF301), PETLIBRO
- What Is the Amount in One Feeding Portion?, PETLIBRO
- PapaPaw DietMatch Smart Automatic Cat Feeder, PapaPaw
- FAQ, PapaPaw