Pet Feeders

Owning a pet is like raising a kid. If you've heard that expression bandied about and are currently watching over twin 3-year-olds, you'll realize how utterly absurd it is. With that said, owning a pet is no walk in the park. There will be walks in the park, but there will also be a host of other responsibilities that come with having Mrs. Buttercup or Rex as part of the household. One of those responsibilities is keeping your furry friend fed. The days of messy bowls, food slopped about, and water mixing in with the dry food is over. Automatic pet feeders have radically changed pet owners and their pets alike. Feedings are more orderly, kitchen areas clean, and pets well nourished regardless of whether their owner is even around. First up are microchips. The "new kid on the block" when it comes to breaking technology in the pet arena, “microchipping” is a straightforward procedure where a veterinarian injects a chip measuring 12mm (a grain of rice) beneath your loyal companion's skin, right between the shoulder blades. A scanner hovers over the area, reads the chip, and a low radio frequency is emitted that communicates the ID code in said cat or dog. Most microchip feeders register the animal's chip when they approach the bowl and place their head and upper body through a sphere. If the pet that enters is the pre-registered pet, the lid opens. If not, Sergeant Barkowitz is out of luck. While microchip feeders are far and beyond the most technologically advanced of the bunch, Wifi automatic feeders might be the most fun. If you order things from Alexa, control your home thermostat from your car, or monitor the backyard security camera with a swipe of your iPhone, you have a Smart home. Wifi automatic pet feeders, also known as "smart feeders," are part of a broader smart pet industry that registered an eye-popping $91 billion in revenue in 2019. Easily integrated into any Smart home, Wifi feeders give owners a range of options to manage and schedule feeding times, overall supply, and best yet, portion sizes. Most Wifi feeders require a wireless router, and if you want to control the feeder with a smart device, then an app needs to be downloaded. The current offer of Wifi feeders is compatible with Android and Apple, and with the app, programming up to 12 meals per day is possible. Twelve meals per day might sound like a lot (think multiple pets), as in all likelihood, the typical dog and cat owner will only need 3, maybe 4. Lastly, programmable feeders. Not nearly as techy as the previous two, programmable feeders are easy, have been around the proverbial block, and are extremely reliable. No fussing here, as programmable feeders provide owners a set of options to program precisely when and how much food they want their pets to have. An area to keep an eye on, however, is food jamming. Many programmable feeders struggle with this, so reading online reviews carefully is recommended. Additionally, said feeder needs to be able to withstand claws and teeth. Nothing at the level of some feline from your local zoo, but all pets can get a bit frisky with the feeder, especially if the food you've programmed to dispense is not to their liking. The range of options to feed your pet is plentiful. If your dog or cat's weight is an issue, keeping meals regimented is critical. Like children, pets require firm boundaries. Maintaining a steady routine is ideal for any pet. Automatic feeders give owners the flexibility to control portions, and synching this process automatically lessens the workload for everyone.  Purchasing an automatic pet feeder online is straightforward. There are a plethora of sites, reviews, and side-by-side comparisons. In-store purchases are, of course, possible. Big-brand pet stores generally have staff on hand that are experts in these fields. Best of luck in your search, Lucky Goodsniffer and Noodles will thank you.