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Best Smart Pet Feeders

Best Smart Pet Feeder

Life with a Smart Pet Feeder

No more hassle. No more wondering if the pet was fed. Just simple convenience.

It’s another stressful day at work, and you’ve just realized that you’ll be home late, but who’s going to feed your pets?

Owning a pet is a big responsibility. They require maximum care as well as the constant availability of food and water at their disposal. Regardless of the type of pet you own, it is vital to keep them satisfied and happy whether you’re home or not.

Automating daily house chores such as feeding your pets can save you so much time and hustle. Luckily, there are several good smart pet feeder choices that will make the task easier for you.

However, choosing the best smart pet feeder can be confusing. There are a variety of options available. This guide will show you what to look for and which smart pet feeders are the best for you are your pet.

Best Smart Pet Feeders

The 5 best smart pet feeders for your smart home.

​1. PetSafe Smart Pet Feeder

Control and schedule your pet’s meal from your Android or Apple smartphone.

PetSafe has made it easy for you to control your pet’s meal from your Android or Apple smartphone. The lid, bowl, hopper, and bowl holder are dishwasher-safe, which is a plus. It dispenses between 1/8 and 4 cups of food in every meal.

The PetSafe automatic feeder also has a slow dispense option. This prevents your pet from eating too quickly which can cause vomiting or bloating. Another cool feature of this feeder is that it sends an alert to your phone every time your pet’s meal is served. It only takes you a couple of minutes to set up. ​

This PetSafe Smart Feed can also feed your pet a snack with a voice command. Just link the PetSafe skill with your Amazon Alexa and say, “Alexa, ask Smart Feed to give the dog a snack”.This feeder is very reliable and works well. Just remember to clean it often if you don’t want a terrible smell to cloud your house.

PetSafe Smart Feeder – Amazon Price

Pros

  • Holds up to 24 cups of food
  • Feature for small portions every 15 minutes
  • Battery backup to avoid missed meals
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Alexa voice commands to give a snack

Cons

  • May jam once in a while
  • Dry food only

2. WOpet SmartFeeder

A smart pet feeder with integrated HD camera. Feed your dog or cat anywhere or anytime.

The WOpet Automatic Smart Feeder allows you to feed your pet at any time of the day with just the press of a button on your smartphone. You can even set up a feeding schedule on this feeder.

This feeder has an HD camera that lets you talk, play, and see your pet while you’re away. It dispenses food in two quantities on the large and small trays and each meal gives between 1 to 39 portions.

You can download the app on two smart devices, but your Wi-Fi needs to be at 2.4 GHz for the device to function. The app works well, but it would have been better to have a few settings on the device itself.

The WOpet Automatic Smart Feeder is seal-proof, so ants and other unwanted guests don’t get into the hopper.

You can set the exact amount of food in grams and label each meal as breakfast, lunch, or snack, via your smartphone. Just give your phone a swipe when you open the app and let the dispenser work its magic.

WOPET SmartFeeder – Amazon Price

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Includes a camera
  • Several phones can be connected to one feeder
  • Hopper holds 6.5 lbs of food

Cons

  • Needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth to work
  • Cannot dispense wet food
  • Doesn’t work with Alexa or other voice speakers

3. PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder

One of the smartest pet feeders. App control, voice control and 4 different sensors to ensure your pet is fed safely and on time.

The PETKIT’s Automatic Pet Feeder allows you to feed your pet in multiple ways. You can control the timing of your pet’s next meal with a mobile app, by voice with Alexa or with a manual feed button.

PETKIT’s Pet Feeder is one of the most advanced feeders on the market. It contains four special sensors to ensure your pet is fed properly and safely.

  1. Infrared Sensor – Monitors motor and wheel to ensure proper food release.
  2. Weight Sensor – Measures food weight when feeding and notifies you if there isn’t enough food.
  3. Lid Sensor – Checks the lid to make sure it is properly closed.
  4. Precision Door Sensor – Monitors the food door to make sure it doesn’t shut on your pet.

Another awesome feature is that you can input the details of your furry friend and a recommended meal will pop up.

The PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder accepts food sizes ranging from 5 to 25 mm. It is very reliable with three part food dispenser that includes an oscillating bar, silicone impeller and a spring check board. 

PETKIT Pet Feeder – Amazon Price

Pros

  • Notifies you when there is a power outage and after every meal
  • Rarely jams when dispensing food
  • Battery backup
  • Voice control with Alexa
  • Double “fresh lock” food storage
  • 4 advanced sensors

Cons

  • Needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
  • Dry food only

4. Petnet SmartFeeder

I do not recommend this product at this time.

Many consumers have had serious issues with the 2nd gen product that have not been addressed. I will leave the product on the list to see if improvements are made before removing entirely.

Improved 2nd generation product. 

This is the second generation of the Petnet feeder, and it’s definitely an improvement over the first version. It is easy to use and simple to clean (it’s parts are dishwasher-safe). 

The Pet SmartFeeder is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This allows you to start a feed by voice or get information such as the time of the last feeding. 

It has a rechargeable battery that gives you power for up to two days. This ensures your pet will be fed even if the power goes out. The PET SmartFeeder app is user-friendly and lets you personalize the way you feed your pet.

One downside to this feeder is that you can’t use it with a pet that weighs more than 60 pounds (per the manufacturer). Another issue is that documentation is lacking to you can’t easily determine the reason for various issues.

Petnet SmartFeeder – Amazon Price

Pros

  • Pet-proof locking lid keeps your pet’s food fresh all day long
  • Food sensor informs you when the food gets low
  • Rechargeable backup battery provides uninterrupted dispensing of food
  • Alexa and Google voice control

Cons

  • Jams too often
  • Poor instructions and documentation
  • Requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection
  • Only works with 1 pet
  • Dry food only

5. Orita 12 Meals SmartFeeder

Smart pet feeder with a build in high definition camera. 

Looking at the Orita Smart Feeder, the first thing that caught my eye was the camera. It’s not the typical one you get in a feeder; it has night vision and is of high quality. The feeder also has two-way audio so you and your pets can have a conversation while they eat.The Orita has sensors that tell you when the food in the hopper is getting low and a micro-SD card to record voice notes.

It has an AC power adapter that isn’t chewable, so there is no worry of your pet eating it up.

The Orita also works with Alexa so you can feed your pet by voice.

Orita 12 Meals – Amazon Price

Pros

  • High-quality camera with a night vision feature
  • Safe and secure lid and dispensing bowl
  • Works with Alexa for voice control
  • Battery backup

Cons

  • Challenging to set up
  • Disconnects from the WI-FI too often
  • Small food container
  • Dry food only

Everything You Need to Know About Smart Pet Feeders

There are several types of pet feeders available in the market today. Unfortunately, not all of them can be trusted. Before you spend your hard-earned money, it’s better to understand the options to look for in your smart pet feeder.

What are Smart Pet Feeders and How Do They Work?

There are many smart pet feeders available in the market, but they all have different ways of operating. The basic thing a pet feeder does is feed your pet automatically at different times during the day.

Smart pet feeders make use of Wi-Fi and internet connections and can connect to any smart device through a website or an app. They also provide the right portion of food without any supervision from your side.

All you need to do is set a feeding schedule for your pets on the device. Your pet’s food is kept in a hopper and is released automatically when it’s time to eat or when you remotely communicate with the device.

Features of the Best Smart Pet Feeder

The top features to look out for when getting a smart pet feeder are as follows:

Portion Control

One of the most important functions that a smart pet feeder performs is that it gives out the right food portions for every meal; no more, no less. If you’ve got a pet on a strict diet, you should certainly look for this feature. Every feeder has adjustable meal frequencies and portion sizes, but not all of them can be set to a particular dietary constraint.

The best models can help you out by suggesting food portions based on the weight, age, and activity level of your pet.

Ease of Use

Consider the ease of use of the device before you make your purchase. If you don’t understand how to use your pet’s feeder, you may set it wrong and your pet could go hungry or even overeat! Always look for a smart pet feeder that is easy to operate.

Capacity and Safety 

I cannot emphasize enough on the need for a pet feeder that can hold the right capacity of food. If the capacity of the feeder is too low, you’ll have to refill it often. Convenience is one of the primary reasons you want a smart pet feeder. Buy one that has a big enough capacity that you can set it and forget it for several days.

You don’t want your pet to get injured while accessing the food from the feeder’s dispenser. Make sure the feeder is stable and has safety features to protect your pet.

Video and Sound

A smart pet feeder that allows you to communicate with your pet is an added advantage. Some models have cameras and screens so that you can look at your adorable four-legged friend through your phone. Some also have microphones that allow you to speak to your pet. Look for a feeder that has good video and sound quality.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Smart Pet Feeder

A couple of things to keep in mind when selecting an automatic smart pet feeder are:

Not All Types of Food are Compatible with Every Pet Feeder

Most pet feeders can only dispense dry food, but there are very few that are capable of dispensing wet food. Ensure that your pet feeder can dispense the type of your food your pet eats.

Check that the Device has a Customer Support Service

Your feeder could be difficult to use at first or may develop a fault that can leave your dog hungry. You should get a model with a customer support service that’s easy-to-reach and helpful.

Ensure that It’s Easy to Clean

When dealing with wet food, there’s a high probability that bacteria could build up in the area if you don’t clean it frequently. As a result, if you use wet food, then get a smart pet feeder that comes with cleaning tools and is easy to clean.

Low-Quality Pet Feeders are a Strict No-No

Most cheap pet feeders are often made from low-quality materials, which break easily. It’s important to check the material of a pet feeder before making a purchase. While plastic feeders are the most budget-friendly, it’s advisable to use them temporarily since they are easily contaminated. Stainless steel is the safest choice since it can be sterilized, it’s impermeable and doesn’t react with other foods.

Why get a Smart Pet Feeder?

What’s so amazing about smart pet feeders? Here are some reasons why I love these useful devices.

Routine

A smart feeder sets up a feeding routine, so you don’t need to worry if you aren’t around to feed your pets. There’s no need for you to drop your pet off with friends or family if you’re going away for a while.

Always On-time

Smart pet feeders make it easy to feed your pets even if you’re working late or at a social event. Your pets don’t deserve to be hungry because of your schedule, and with smart pet feeders, that’s no longer a problem.

Communication

The latest smart pet feeders now allow you to communicate with your pet, even if you aren’t there to feed them. I love this feature because some pets only eat when they hear their owner’s voice.

Ease of Use

Smart pet feeders make is easy to give your pet a meal. Schedule a meal through an app, push a button to dish out the perfect serving, or serve a meal by voice using Amazon Alexa.

Conclusion and Best Choice

The best smart pet feeder for me is the PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder. This feeder is well designed and contains multiple sensors to ensure accurate, timely and safe feedings for your pet. The PETKIT feeder can also dispense the largest kibble size of any feeder in the group. It also integrates with Alexa so you can feed your pet by voice.

The PETKIT feeder is very stylish and would look good in any room. Combine that with all the features mentioned above and you have a great pet feeder that you can trust.

P.S. Please leave a comment below to ask a question, help someone else or share your experiences. Thanks!

5 thoughts on “Best Smart Pet Feeder”

  1. Hi Jason,

    Great post! We are a multi-pet home looking for a feeder that is a SMART feeder (works with Alexa/Smartthings) and can keep the other pets out of the food bowl. Do you have any suggestions?

    Thanks

    Greg

    1. Hi Greg,

      I’m afraid I don’t have a good answer for this question. I have a dog and a cat and I have to elevate the automated cat feeder to make sure the dog doesn’t eat it.

  2. Deepesh Simpson-Shah

    Hi. Really appreciate your blog post. However I’m surprised to see PetNet on this list. It has an appalling reputation both for product design as well as customer service. The @petnetio twitter feed speaks for itself.

    1. I appreciate the comment and feedback. I included PetNet on the list based on the improvements made from the 1st generation to the 2nd generations of their product. Unfortunately, it looks like similar issues have developed with the 2nd gen product that are not being addressed by the company. I put a do not recommend warning on the product and I will completely remove it from the list if the issues aren’t addressed in the near future.

      Thank you for pointing this out.

      Jason

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