Buying Guide6 min
How to choose the right automatic feeder for your pet
Capacity, portioning, app control and power backup — the four things that actually matter when you're picking a smart feeder.
By Zoora Team · May 28, 2026
An automatic feeder isn't just a convenience — for many pet parents it's the difference between sticking to a healthy routine and improvising every day. But not all feeders are built the same. Here's what to look at before you buy.
Capacity. A 3 L hopper holds roughly 1.5 kg of dry food, which lasts a 5 kg cat about 10–14 days. For larger dogs or multi-pet homes, go for 6 L or more. Bigger isn't always better though: kibble loses freshness after about three weeks exposed to air.
Portion accuracy. Look for feeders that dispense in small units (5–10 g per portion) so you can hit your vet's recommended daily amount precisely. Vague 'one cup' settings tend to overfeed.
App control & schedules. The whole point of a smart feeder is flexibility. Make sure you can set multiple meals per day, pause remotely, and get a notification when food is dispensed (or when the hopper is running low).
Power backup. A feeder that stops working during a blackout is worse than no feeder at all. Pick one with battery backup so the schedule survives outages.
Voice recording is a nice extra: hearing your voice when food drops reduces stress for shy pets and reinforces the routine.