The market for smart pet feeders has expanded significantly, with various companies integrating advanced features like AI cameras and health monitoring into devices that previously only dispensed food automatically. After enjoying my experience with Petlibro’s wet food dispenser a while back, I decided to explore their latest offering: the Granary 2 series, specifically designed for dry pet food.
The Granary 2 series does not disappoint. Expanding on the original Granary line, this new series provides cat owners with detailed insights into their pets’ eating habits, including food intake, eating duration, and any changes in these patterns over time.
This series comprises four models, with prices ranging from $129.99 to $249.99. The entry-level Granary 2 offers features like app-controlled feeding, precise portion sizes, and tracking of food intake. The Granary 2 Vision that I tested, priced at $189.99, comes equipped with an AI camera that can identify up to 10 cats and monitor each one’s eating behavior.
The Vision Duo, costing $199.99, is tailored for households with multiple pets, featuring two dispensers so each animal can have its designated meal. The most premium option, the Granary 2 X at $249.99, utilizes AI for customized portioning according to individual dietary needs.
One of the standout features of the Granary 2 series is its integrated scale. This allows the feeder not only to dispense food but also to calculate how much is left in the bowl, providing a more accurate reading of your pet’s actual consumption. Unlike traditional feeders, which only note when a meal is dispensed, the Granary 2 can log how much was eaten and the time taken to finish the meal.
Trackable metrics include food intake, duration of meals, feeding frequency, and preferred eating times. The accompanying app compiles this information into daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly accounts, helping owners recognize any significant shifts in appetite or routine. This is particularly beneficial for those who closely monitor their pet’s weight and eating behavior.
The Granary 2 presents two feeding modes: Smart Refill Mode and Scheduled Mode. Smart Refill Mode continuously provides smaller portions throughout the day, ensuring the bowl is always fresh until the daily limit is reached. This option could be especially good for cats that prefer to nibble throughout the day.
Scheduled Mode allows for more conventional management, enabling specific feeding times and portion sizes. There’s also a manual feeding button for additional flexibility when needed.
In addition to regular features, the tested version includes an AI camera that identifies which pet is eating, logging the meal to the correct profile. This is particularly useful for multi-pet households with varying dietary requirements, ensuring that the right pet eats its designated food.
The 1080p camera, equipped with night vision, allows pet owners to check in on their cats remotely. The feeder also includes two-way audio for communication and an option to record a voice message to call your pet for meals.
Moreover, the feeder provides real-time app notifications for issues like low battery, food shortage, or jams, bringing peace of mind to owners away from home. It’s also equipped with a rechargeable backup battery to manage power outages.
However, it’s essential to note that some advanced features rely on Petlibro’s subscription services. Specific health and monitoring functionalities require a Petlibro Care subscription (starting at $59.99 annually), while access to camera cloud recording necessitates purchasing a Video Cloud plan ($119.99 annually).
In summary, I believe the Granary 2 is one of the best feeders I’ve experienced. For those seeking a more budget-friendly alternative, Pawsync offers a comparable feeder at $79.99, featuring a built-in scale to ensure accurate portions to avoid underfeeding or overfeeding.
