Many of us are on the lookout for time-efficient, money-saving hacks for anything — even when it comes to our pets. However, convenience doesn’t trump everything.

Take automatic cat kibble dispensers, for example. At first glance, they seem like a great fix for cat care if you’re leaving home for a few days. Your cat will be fed and you won’t have to bother a friend to stop in or pay a pet sitter or kennel. What’s wrong with that?

Well, automatic dispensers can malfunction and leave your cat without food. In addition, dry food is chock full of calories, so cats may overeat and gain weight. On the flip side, a cat that’s not feeling well might not eat anything at all, and no one would know.

Automatic feeders don’t take the place of human contact when it comes to your cat’s well-being. A keen eye and soft touch fill that bill.