Smart pet feeders: what to check before you buy

What a smart feeder does

A smart feeder is a hopper with a motor that drops a set portion at set times. A Wi-Fi model adds an app to change the schedule, trigger a meal and receive alerts. Some include a camera or a microphone. It solves regular mealtimes. It does not notice whether your pet eats, and it cannot tell a healthy appetite from a problem.

Types of feeders

Power and internet: what happens when they fail

The main failure is a power outage or router reset while you are out. Look for these features:

• Backup batteries. The feeder should switch to batteries when the plug loses power and keep dispensing. Check how many batteries it needs and how the app warns you when they run low.
• Local schedule. The schedule should be stored on the feeder, not in the cloud. Unplug the router for an hour in a test and see whether the feeder still dispenses.
• Offline alert. The app should tell you when the feeder loses connection or misses a meal.
• Manual feed button. A button on the unit helps whoever is home to dispense a meal.

Jams and portion accuracy

Jams happen when the kibble is too large or too small, oily or damp, or when dust builds up in the auger. Check the maker’s kibble size range and whether the design has an anti-jam mode that reverses the motor. Avoid putting treats or mixed-size foods in the hopper.

To test accuracy, dispense a portion into a cup and weigh it on a kitchen scale. Do it three times. If the weights vary a lot, adjust the portion setting or use a different food. Many feeders measure in steps of about an eighth of a cup; a small cat may need a finer step. Ask your vet how much to feed, and do not change amounts because of an app suggestion.

Keeping the food fresh and the feeder clean

The FDA advises storing pet food in its original container or bag, or if you transfer dry food, moving the whole bag into a container with a lid, and washing and drying the container between bags. It also advises washing and drying bowls after each use and washing water bowls daily, and keeping pet food in a cool, dry place, below 80°F. Applied to a feeder:

1. Do not top up on old food. Empty and wash the hopper between bags.
2. Take apart whatever the maker says is removable and wash and dry it fully; moisture causes clumping and jams.
3. Wash the bowl after each use.
4. Wash your hands before and after handling pet food, as the CDC advises.
5. Keep the feeder away from direct sun and humid spots such as a bathroom.

Special cases

• Multiple pets. Use a microchip or tag feeder, or feed the pets in separate rooms.
• Prescription or timed diets. Ask your vet before automating. Pets with diabetes or other conditions can need meals tied to medication; a feeder does not replace a person.
• Wet food. Chill-pack feeders and tray feeders keep food out for hours. The FDA advises refrigerating leftover canned or pouched food promptly, so avoid leaving wet food out for long in a warm room.
• Puppies and kittens. They need small, frequent meals and supervision. Ask the vet.

Before a trip

Run the new feeder for at least a week at home. Fill it with the amount you expect, check that the portions match, watch with a camera if you have one (see pet camera features), and make sure the alerts reach your phone. Ask a person to check in on the pet, because a feeder cannot notice illness, a spilled water bowl or a heat problem. For heat alerts, see pet temperature alerts, and for a whole setup, our pet owner kit.

The feeder’s app is another account to protect: use a unique password and two-factor authentication where offered, and keep the firmware updated, as the FTC advises for connected devices.