PetSafe Automatic Cat Feeder - Healthy Pet Simply Feed - Automatic Pet Feeder for Cats & Dogs - Timed Pet Feeder with Programmable Portion Control - Holds 24 Cups of Dry or Semi-Moist Dog or Cat Food

First, we purchased an auto feeder to allow us to maintain the 3x per day feeding (better for digestion etc) and not be tied to be home or interrupt the pup's feeding routine. We initially left the unit operating all the time, not just when we are not home, at the onset so our dog will grow accustomed to the unit. It makes a whiney geary noise when it operates. Not obnoxious by any means but, a new noise nonetheless, so best to acclimate. We have since kept the unit in service all the time. Frees us up to focus on work.This is the second auto feeder we purchased. The first was completely app controlled, requiring not only wifi but internet access. There were no controls on the unit itself. That returned we purchased this unit and this is the right feeder for the job. The best part is the conveyor feed. We have a larger dog so I was concerned with the rotary conveyance mechanisms on other devices. I selected this one based on the local controls and conveyor feeder. The controls seem a bit fiddly at first. But, following the instructions and a bit of trial and error, brought me around to how to get what I wanted. When I set up the unit, I tested the serving size compared to what we use. For this I used the on-demand feeding control. The trick is you have to jump in and out of the programming mode to keep initiating an on-demand cycle.That accomplished I was able to tune the serving by increasing the programmed serving size with trial and error until I got it right. I believe it is due to the kibble size. No surprise there, as the conveyor operates on moving volume, not weight. Smaller kibble will probably end up closer to the programmed serving size. So, be sure to test the serving size. I have periodically checked the serving size dispensed and it has been spot on each time I checked.A negative comment I noted left about this unit was someone winged about the unit not dispensing food immediately. Well, if one reads the instructions, they indicate the need to pre-charge the conveyor. If you test the serving size, as you should, the conveyor is pre-charged and ready to go. I initially put only a day's serving in the hopper, concerned the mech may empty the hopper by mistake. The fact that the kibble is dispensed via an inclined conveyor, the risk of the hopper draining from gravity is all but impossible. Not so with other gravity fed units so, another good design point here. Once tweaked to the serving size, setting to three feedings a day, the unit has worked reliably. I have come to trust the unit and add fill the hopper.This unit allows you to completely disassemble the food contact parts for cleaning. Well thought out disassembly and re-asembly guides. Keep the instructions for a reminder of the set-up and assembly.We are using the batteries for now. They say they are good for a year. Keeps from cluttering up the counter and monopolizing an outlet with another adapter.We have taught our furry friend how to extract treats from puzzles so, we were concerned she would see this as just another puzzle to work-out if we left the unit on the floor. Therefore, we have the unit on a counter above an elevated food bowl. No attempts so far to pull the unit off and raid the contents. I think the consistency in feeding time keeps this tendency at bay. I have fitted a fabric chute down to the bowl using the unit's bowl holding ring. Keeps the kibble from bouncing out of the bowl below and onto the floor- mostly. Our furry wee beastie hears the feeder operating, whining gery noise and all, and she's off like a shot-Pavlov's effect at its best. I highly recommend this unit.

I read tons of reviews. But didnt want to buy 3 devices. Found a 3 way splitter (mentioned in other reviews). saved my sanity and made us get this auto dispenser. I'm due with my first in July. I cant free feed my cats because they will get fat (they never used to bother us for food when we free fed them-sigh). They have lost a combined 4 lbs since we started scheduling thier foods & are no longer obese!! But this scheduling came with them bombarding us in the am. Cant have that with the baby coming!So I took a chance on an open box like new with slight scratches. I'm very pleased to say even the open boxed device works!I got it a day or 2 before my splitter and adapter, so I used that time to clean and air dry. Install took maybe 12 minutes? Make sure all items/components are tight, secure, & dry!The programming was prob the most difficult, but its so worth it for the benefits! Now it find it fairly easy! It would be nice if the screen had a blue back light or something so it's easier to see. Think grey screen with black letters; that's what this display is like. When programmed and ready, it shows the buttons are locked and the next time for feeding!I've heard some say they had issues.I did buy the adapter separately. I've since had 2 power outages and all I have to do is set the time and then set to custom (vs the preprogrammed cat or dog) and it remembers the feeding schedule without me having to reschedule the feedings! Very thankful for that lil feature since power outages are very common in the summer here!You will have to force feedings a couple times because the conveyor doesnt have food on it! At first I was like wth! But after doing a couple force feedings, it worked perfectly.TIP: dont use slow feed unless you have larger portions. Since you can schedule up to 12 feedings with 1/8c as your lowest, I just do multiple 1/4c feedings. The smaller amounts just take way too long to dispense on slow feed!We use blue buffalo cat kibbles and have no issues with jamming.It took about 2 months for my cats to correlate the feeder with feeding rather than us making it magically happen. They have now completely stopped tormenting me in the mornings for food!I give them wet food at night so it's just for morning breakfast and afternoon snack!I will say we have messes because I cant secure the bowls and the cats drag the bowls, but honestly the cats love the hunt... they go nuts.Make sure to read the cleaning recommendations! Def dont want to ruin your new life saver!My cats are brutes! They even tried to bite the lid off. They haven't been able to open it no matter how hard they try. I do see that some say it could be tipped over. Ours is on the floor. They would have to use some serious skill to knock it over with full food for sure. Since I have the splitter, my cats cant stick their paws up for treats.The only negative I have is that now my cats associate the sound to cereal pouring into a bowl, and they run in all excited and confused lmao

Most of these are made for small pups or cats and don’t accommodate large kibble or have a bowl do small and close to the feeder a large dog can’t use. This one accommodate both. Doesn’t tip over and has a locking top for curious pups. The conveyor belt design was great and the programmable function for multiple meals was a must as was the need to regulate meal size and timing of feeding. Replaced the cheap thin bowl included with a porcelain one the dog is use to with a wider circumference which is more appropriate for a larger dog.The directions need to be rewritten. Not logical progression for setting up testing and use so have to back track. Programming is not intuitive and you really have to read the directions and don’t throw out as you’ll need them to adjust for various circumstances. Battery life is good. Took away one star as the cord is sold separately and is not cheap given the cost of the unit. Batteries are great but an electric backup is necessary for dependable use.