Your cat is family. Inside or outside, that doesn’t change. When you put food out, you want your cat to eat it. What often happens is something else finds it first.
Raccoons. Possums. Stray animals.
They smell the food and beat your cat to the bowl.
That’s why I went looking for raccoon proof feeding stations that actually work. Not gimmicks. Not plastic feeders that tip over. Real setups that stop wildlife from stealing food.
During that search, I found a video that stood out. It showed how to use a timed smart feeder inside a solid wooden dog house. The idea was simple. Control when food appears. Block access the rest of the time.
This solution comes from Youtube user Lucky Ferals. Not me. So give them a visit if you would like.
It’s a smart solution. It’s affordable. And it solves problems most setups ignore.
What Makes Raccoons Such a Problem at Feeding Stations?
Raccoons are not casual visitors. Once they find food, they lock it in.
They have strong memories and good dexterity. Lids. Doors. Loose roofs. None of those slow them down for long.
Outdoor cat food makes it worse.
It smells strong. It’s high in fat and protein. It’s often left out overnight.
That combo turns feeding stations into repeat targets.
This feeding station setup targets the biggest issues outdoor cat owners face such as:
- Other animals reaching the food before your cat
- Smart feeders freezing or failing in winter weather
- Feeders getting tipped, pried open, or dragged away
- Nighttime raids by raccoons and possums
- Food spills that attract more wildlife
- Increased risk of disease from shared feeding areas
The video shows a clean, enclosed solution that tackles these problems head-on. It’s simple. It’s practical. And it’s worth watching.
What Many Raccoon Proof Feeding Stations Get Wrong
Most designs focus on blocking raccoons with tricks.
That usually fails.
Common problems include:
- Lightweight feeders that tip over
- Lids that pry open
- Flaps raccoons force with their paws
- Deterrents that stop working after a few nights
Raccoons adapt. If food keeps showing up, they keep trying.
That’s where this video takes a better approach than a lot of others.
Note : You do need to know someone handy with tools for making the roof removable.
What This Raccoon Proof Feeding Stations Video Does Differently
This setup doesn’t fight raccoons head-on. It cuts off access instead.
The feeding station is not elevated. It’s not fancy. It’s practical.
The base is a wooden dog house that stays on the ground.
I know it’s usually suggested for a cat feeding station to be elevated, but this works despite that since the food is dispensed on a timer and isn’t set to the raccoons feeding schedule. Super!
The Dog House Feeding Station Setup Explained
Why a Wooden Dog House Works
A dog house gives you a strong shell.
The wood is thick. The structure is heavy. It doesn’t slide or tip easily.
There’s also room inside. That space matters for calm feeding.
Raccoons can’t reach food from the outside. They can’t pry open thin plastic.
They just hit a wall.
The Liftable Roof Design
The roof lifts up from the top.
That makes refills simple. Cleaning is easy too.
There are no side doors or front panels to mess with. Fewer seams means fewer weak spots. Remember this isn’t a cat house. It’s only a feeding station so there isn’t a need for a side exit.
The roof closes flush. That’s key.
Raccoons test gaps first.
DIY Help Makes a Difference
In the video, the owner had help from a relative who knew tools.
That shows.
The joints are tight. The roof fits clean. Nothing rattles.
You don’t need pro skills. You just need solid construction.
The Role of the PetSafe Automatic Cat Feeder
Inside the dog house sits a PetSafe Automatic Cat Feeder.
This feeder controls when food is available.
It does not control who eats. That’s important to say clearly.
The feeder runs on a schedule. Food drops at set times.
Once the meal window closes, the food is gone.
You can learn more about how timed feeders work from
PetSafe’s automatic feeding guide which explains scheduling and portion control basics.
How Timed Feeding Helps Stop Raccoons
Raccoons rely on timing.
If food is always there, they win.
This setup breaks that pattern.
Food appears during short windows. Cats learn the schedule fast.
Raccoons show up later to nothing.
After enough failed visits, most move on.
This is the part many raccoon proof feeding stations ignore.
How This Setup Becomes Raccoon Resistant
Structure Handles the Physical Problem
- No exposed bowls
- No loose lids
- No reachable food
Raccoons can’t get inside. They can’t grab anything.
Timing Handles the Behavior Problem
- No overnight feeding
- No constant food smell
- No reward for returning
That combo matters.
Structure without timing still fails. Timing without structure still leaks food.
Together, they work.
Placement Still Matters at Ground Level
Where This Setup Works Best
Ground level does not mean careless placement.
The video shows smart choices.
Best placement includes:
- Flat, level ground
- Open space with clear sight lines
- Distance from fences and trees
Cats need space to approach safely.
Placement Mistakes That Cause Failure
Avoid these mistakes:
- Placing near walls raccoons climb
- Uneven ground that shifts the house
- Leaving food spills outside
Smell trails bring raccoons back.
How This Feeding Station Protects Cats
Cats eat better when they feel safe.
This setup helps with that.
There’s no jumping. No climbing. No balancing.
The interior feels calm and enclosed.
That works well for:
- Senior cats
- Nervous cats
- Cats used to ground feeding
Less stress means better eating habits.
Limits of This Feeding Station
No setup is perfect. This one has limits.
-It works best for owned outdoor cats.
-It does not work well for feral colonies.
-It also requires a consistent feeding schedule.
-If food is left out all night, raccoons will return.
Ways This Setup Could Be Improved
A few upgrades could make it even stronger.
- Anchor the dog house to the ground
- Add weather sealing for rain
- Improve airflow for summer heat
Some owners may also choose a feeder with pet ID control later.
That’s an optional upgrade, not a requirement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Copying This Idea
I see these errors often:
- Feeding overnight
- Using thin wood
- Leaving gaps around the roof
- Skipping regular cleaning
Small mistakes undo good design fast.
Final Thoughts on This Video
I liked this video because it stayed realistic.
It didn’t promise magic. It showed a system.
Raccoon proof feeding stations work best when they remove access, not fight wildlife.
This setup does that.
It’s calm. It’s repeatable. It respects both cats and the environment.
That’s why it’s worth your time.
