On the topic of cats vs automation, I'd recommend reading this post [1] describing the arms race created by the writer's cat attempting to break into an automated feeding machine. HN discussion here [2]
We had an automated feeder with two chambers, each held down by a rotating, ticking timer switch. You rotate the switch to, say, 12 hours in the future, and 12 hours later the slot lines up and the lid pops over.
After many months, my cat learned to stand on top of the lid and use both paws to rotate the switch forward until the lid popped open.
This blew my mind. The switch was separated from the lid. I could imagine the cat attacking the lid itself, but this separate mechanism, requiring a motion completely distinct from the motion of an opening lid, and requiring patience without instantaneous reward or even evidence that it was going to work.... I just couldn't believe it.
There are few tech stories I enjoy more than the back-and-forth of breaking and improving a thing. A story where one side of the conflict is a cat means this might be my new favorite!
I've had good luck using low tech puzzle feeders with my cats. Each one is a bowl with a maze inside or a tower with various windows and trap doors they need to work the food out of to be able to eat. As the food levels get lower the pieces get harder to reach, which allows their laziness to take over and stop them from eating too much.
After many months, my cat learned to stand on top of the lid and use both paws to rotate the switch forward until the lid popped open.
This blew my mind. The switch was separated from the lid. I could imagine the cat attacking the lid itself, but this separate mechanism, requiring a motion completely distinct from the motion of an opening lid, and requiring patience without instantaneous reward or even evidence that it was going to work.... I just couldn't believe it.