We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
Smart Pet Feeders: A Buyer’s Guide
Just like us humans, pets also thrive when on a routine. And along with exercise, one of the most integral parts of their regimen is feeding time. However, sometimes we get so busy with our overwhelming schedules we forget to feed our four-legged friend. While your paw pal will ignore the occasional carelessness, it won’t settle for consistent negligence. So, consider getting ahead of things and investing in a smart pet feeder.An automatic pet feeder offers you remote control of your pet’s feeding routine. You simply need to fill it up with pet food and connect your phone to it via the companion app. Then, you can set meal time schedules and accurate portion sizes for your furry friend to chow down on.While that sounds convenient, buying a new smart feeder for your pet isn’t exactly easy. There are a wide variety of options on the online marketplace. Today, we’ll help you sort through them and help you discover the finest smart pet feeders of 2023.
PetSafe Smart Pet Feeder
Best Overall
WOPET Smart Pet Feeder
Dual Power Supply
WellToBe Smart Pet Feeder
Durable Build
Lexvss Smart Pet Feeder
Budget Pick
Faroro Smart Pet Feeder
Very User Friendly
Are Automatic Pet Feeders a Good Idea?
No missed meals
By scheduling your pet’s meals with the help of a smart pet feeder, you can rest assured there’ll be no more missed meals. Furthermore, some devices also offer the option to automatically reorder the pet food when the device is running out of it. This further adds to the overall automation.Scientific feeding
A pet feeder allows you to set exact portions of food for your pet to ensure a scientific diet. Furthermore, since these feeders are powered by AI they won’t fall for those adorable puppy eyes and throw in an extra snack. So, you can be sure there’ll be no chance of over-feeding.Smart Pet Feeders: Key Considerations
Food capacity
First thing’s first, you must think about the food capacity your smart pet feeder offers. This will be mentioned in liters. A liter equates to roughly four cups of pet food. Depending on your pet’s size, age, and dietary requirements, opt for something big enough to accommodate a week’s worth of food. Furthermore, you must also make sure the feeder can keep a week’s supply of pet food fresh. In this regard, keep an eye out for devices that offer preservation solutions, like silica gel bags on the inner cap.Connectivity
Next, you should think about the kind of connectivity the device offers. Most smart pet feeders will offer a companion app where you can set schedules and portion sizes. However, some pet feeders will go the extra mile and offer smart home integrations too! You can then control these devices with your voice and bring them under the automation schedules of your home.Smart Pet Feeders Price Range
Now, it’s time to talk about the dollar signs! So, on that note, you can expect a price tag of $50-$120. While the size and the type of smart features offered will primarily dictate this price, you can also expect to pay a premium for things like the superior build quality and ergonomic designs.What Else Should I Look for When Buying Smart Pet Feeders?
User-friendliness
Both the pet feeder and its companion app should be easy to use and shouldn’t take a lot of time to set up. You can get a good idea of this user-friendliness by checking out what previous customers have got to say about it.Additional features
From automatic reordering when the food’s running out to slow feed options for speed-eating pets, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the additional features offered by an automatic pet feeder. Some options, like the WOPET Smart Pet Feeder, also allow you to playback a recorded audio clip during feed time. Listening to your voice while the machine feeds your four-legged friend will ensure you’re not missing out on bonding time.PetSafe Smart Pet Feeder
Best Overall
The first spot on our list is taken by this smart pet feeder by PetSafe, which comes in one pet and two pet variations to choose from. This pick can be paired with Alexa or Amazon Echo so you can feed your pup or cat with just a voice command. It also boasts a slow feed mode which is perfect for pets who gulp down their food very quickly. As far as the companion app goes, you can use it to set feeding schedules and portion sizes. It will also give you a notification on your phone when it is running out of food. The smart scheduling features and slow feed mode have earned this product the first spot on our list.
Pros
- It is dishwasher safe
- Can automatically reorder pet food when running low
- Allows for meal scheduling
- Comes with a battery backup
Cons
- It is a bit pricey but well worth it
WOPET Smart Pet Feeder
Dual Power Supply
The runner-up on our list is this smart pet feeder by WOPET, which you can get in black and white color variations. This option allows you to schedule as many as 15 meals for your pet. It also lets you record a voice message for your furry friend so you can comfort them while you’re away.This automatic pet feeder boasts a dual supply for power, so if the electricity goes out, the feeder can keep on working using its battery. Additionally, multiple people can access the pet feeder from their phone using the same account, which is really handy.
Pros
- Comes with a dual supply for power
- Allows you to schedule up to 15 meals
- Lets your record custom voice messages
- Has a large 6L food capacity
Cons
- Only works with dry foods
WellToBe Smart Pet Feeder
Durable Build
WellToBe has brought us this smart pet feeder with a two-way splitter allowing you to feed two pets at once. It also comes with two bowls made using food-grade stainless steel, ensuring durability while also being safe to use. This pick has non-slip foot pads at the bottom, so your pets cannot move it around easily. Additionally, it features an anti-blocking design so you can rest easy knowing your pup or cat will get their food at the scheduled time. Other great features of this option include a low-food warning system, a silicone seal on the lid, and a battery power backup.
Pros
- Comes with a battery power backup
- Features non-slip foot pads
- Includes two stainless steel bowls
- Boasts a two-way splitter design to feed multiple pets
Cons
- No design option for one pet
Lexvss Smart Pet Feeder
Budget Pick
Next, we have this smart pet feeder by Lexvss, which can record a ten-second voice message from you for your pet. This pick can be scheduled to provide one to ten meals in a day to your pet. It can also dispense one to twelve portions in one meal. This option features a translucent hopper so you can easily view how much food is left. It also boasts a secure lock to keep the food safe. Additionally, this smart pet feeder has a backup battery and app control features.
Pros
- Comes with a sturdy food tray
- Allows you to record a ten-second voice message
- Allows for manual feeding
- Comes with a secure lock on the lid
- Features backup battery for power
Cons
- Could do with a low food notification feature
Faroro Smart Pet Feeder
Very User Friendly
Faroro has brought us this smart pet feeder, which has a food capacity of 6L. It lets you schedule up to 15 meals per day and up to 50 portions per meal. This way, you can create a healthy feeding schedule for your pet. This pick also has voice recording capability, so you can create a recording for calling your pets for a meal or comfort them. You can also put three batteries in this product as a backup power source, so the dispenser keeps on working. Additionally, the hopper and tray of this pet feeder are washable and removable, making it much easier to clean.
Pros
- Has a 6L food capacity
- Boasts voice recording capabilities
- Uses three batteries as a power backup
- Features removable and washable hopper and tray
Cons
- Only comes in one color
People Also Asked
What time should I set my automatic cat feeder?
Feeding your catto at 12-hour intervals is a good idea. However, not all cats are built the same. So, be sure to check with your vet to ensure the feeding times are tailored to your cat’s dietary requirements.
What is the purpose of a smart pet feeder?
A smart pet feeder will ensure your pet’s feeding portions are kept in check. The automated feeding will also ensure no meal times are missed.
How long do automatic pet feeders last?
The battery life of a smart pet feeder will vary from product to product. Generally, you can expect the batteries to last at least 4 months of consistent use. However, you shouldn’t worry, as the pet feeder will display a low battery symbol ahead of schedule. This way, you’ll be able to plan and get replacement batteries.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.
