Large Automatic Feeder Review
This large automatic pet feeder is good for feeding both cats and dogs. It has a large capacity and good range of feeding. Let’s see a general description of this product, the features, and then the pros and cons:
DESCRIPTION
The large automatic pet feeder has a capacity of 45 cups dry food which allows this feeder to dispense up to 99 days (or non stop if you keep the hopper full).
The unit has adjustable portion sizes from a minimum of a ¼ cup up to 2 ½ cups and you can schedule the meal times from 1 to 4 times per day. In case you can’t supervise the feeder for some days, this unit features a smart sensor that prevents the feeding tray from overloading.
This unit also features a pet-proof locking system on the lid to keep those mischievous paws away from the food and also to prevent accidental food spillage in case your cat tips the feeder over. Another cool feature is that you can record a personal voice message calling for your pet to eat. This voice message will play every time a meal is dispensed.
FEATURES
- The large pet feeder has an LCD clock easy to read
- Dispenses up to 4 meals
- built-in microphone and speaker
- Low battery indicator.
- The system has a unique anti-jamming feature.
- This device requires 4 D batteries (not included).
- The dimensions are 17” x 9.5”x 14” and weight, 6.5 lbs.
- This large capacity feeder is made from ABS plastic (a thermoplastic polymer).
HOW TO PROGRAM IT
The programming of this automatic feeder is a little tricky so make sure to print these instructions and keep them close to your feeder.
1) Turn the feeder on
2) Set the time by pressing “Clock” to set the hour and pressing “Timer” for minutes (set the time within 90 seconds after turning the unit on). Press “Set” to confirm, then press “Clock” to toggle between 12/24 hours. Finally, push “Start” to confirm clock settings.
3) The display will show “1 07” which means meal #1 at 07:00. This is the default setting.
4) To set the meal #1 press “Set” for 2 seconds until display flashes and press “Timer” to set the feeding time
5) To set meal #2 press “Set” and press “Timer” to set desired feeding time
6) Press “Start” to save and exit
IF YOU WANT TO ADJUST THE PORTION SIZE:
1) Press “Vol” button to display portion size
2) Press and hold the “Set” button until the digit starts blinking
3) Press “Vol” button to choose the meal size. [ 1 = 1/4 cup, 2 = 1/2 cup, 3=3/4 cup]
4) Press “Start” button to confirm and exit
What are the Pros and Cons of the large automatic pet feeder?
Check the advantages and disadvantages of the Large automatic feeder for you to make a well informed decision if you want to purchase this item:
PROS
- A large capacity of the hopper, to hold up to 10.65 L dry food.
- Meals can be customized to fit your cat’s feeding schedule.
- Recording of owner’s voice that plays when it dispenses
- Allows up to 4 feeding times per day
- Detachable hopper and feeding tray for an easy cleaning
- Can be adapted to dispense food for 2 pets
CONS
- Very tricky to program, so you have to remember where the
instructions are to use them again. - Every time you change batteries or turn off the feeder, you have to program it again.
- You need to set the clock within 90 seconds after turning the feeder on.
- The ¼ cup portion is not accurate with small size cat food, it becomes more like 1/3 cup with small size food.
CONCLUSION:
√ I recommend the large automatic pet feeder for your cat, in these cases (all together):
- Feed 2 or more cats
- You use at least ½” diameter size cat food.
- Your cat eats 1 or 2 times per day at the most (more than that could overfeed your cat)
- If you don’t mind grabbing the instructions and reprogramming this unit every time you change the batteries and when the feeder is turned off.
x I wouldn’t recommend it:
- As the CONS states in this review, this is a very tricky unit to be programmed, so don’t buy it if you don’t want to deal with complicated programming devices.
- Cats on a diet.
- To feed one cat
To see more reviews of other automatic food dispensers click here.
As the review states — this is VERY tricky to programme.
In fact I gave up, and asked my neighbours to feed him!
This feeder is so NOT worth any money. I bought mine a year ago, couldn’t return it because it was a ‘special order price’. Couldn’t get the feed times set, directions very complicated and they they have so many revisions added to the directions you literally don’t know if you need to do the step or it is a revision. Got it out again recently and went through the directions many times. After over an hour I got it to work. Sat it on the counter and it seemed to work fine, measured the food coming out and it was NOT what it said but close enough I could work with it. Set it out for the dog. The timer goes off on time but it takes SO LONG to dispense the dog is going nuts waiting for her food. We left on a week vacation. Had someone checking on the dog and they checked the feeder to make sure the food level was going down. It was, some. Came back, the dog crying at her food dish. I checked the feeding and she was only getting 1/4 cup instead of 2 cups. Next time 1/2 a cup, then 1/8, then 2 cups. Sometimes just a few kibble bits. Nothing blocked, even replaced batteries with same results. So, in 15 months I have had 2 weeks of this actually turned on and it doesn’t work. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY.
I have 2 of these units. I have found that 1 unit works great, the other is the biggest piece of junk. They are NOT pet proof. My cats(both units) are constantly getting the lids off . Which are a royal pain in the first place to lock in place .I have a cat on a strict diet and cannot use this unit. 1/4c feeding always ends up more. most of the time it goes off once a day when programmed for 2 a day. Also having to pull out the manual to reprogram. I will never buy one of these again
Thanks for your comment Kim. As you state, this feeder isn’t accurate when dispensing and it is tricky to program. With cats, some units work perfectly and others don’t. This is not a feeder for a cat on a diet. Thanks again for your testimony, this will help more cat owners to decide what to buy and what not to buy which is the goal of this website.
The 99day feeding was what sucked me in for when we go away camping for 4-5days.
However the programming is Terrible.
Instructions VERY hard to understand and it seriously rubbish.
The only time I got it to work was fabulous. But that was once.
Rest of the time it wouldn’t program.
I did know where instructions were and it would take nearly an hour to program this piece of bollocks.
Don’t Buy it!!!! Is my recommendation
Thanks for your comment, Mouse Blaine. Your experience is valuable to us and will help our readers.
i have this feeder and need a new manual. were do i go?
This is the most irritating and aggravating contraption! Directions are terrible and it is not user friendly……waste of my money!
Thanks for helping others by sharing your experience, Debra, I really appreciate it.
Brought one of these and YES its hard to program but once you read the directions its pretty straight forward.
If you could program a VCR/DVD player then you’ll be fine!
Thanks for your input level!
Programming is a bit tricky, but not too bad. But a pain to program again every time its turned off and on.
Dealbreaker was it jammed with our kibble. and inconsistent portion sizes.
You can learn to program it and it works great when you achieve that.
But when you’re using it for some time, the food stucks and the machine gives an error. This is especially a pain in the ass when you’re out for some days.
Thanks for sharing Hodei.