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Petnet SmartFeeder Review: Why You Shouldn’t Buy One in 2026

Petnet’s app-controlled feeder was clever for its time, but discontinued status, cloud uncertainty and documented dispensing problems make it a poor choice for dependable feeding today.

By Animalso Team 7 min read
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The Petnet SmartFeeder was an early app-controlled dry-food feeder, but it is discontinued and its cloud-dependent features may no longer be reliable. It could schedule meals and dispense food remotely; historical testing also found jams, misleading “fed” notifications and weak battery backup. For a new purchase, choose a currently supported feeder instead. A used Petnet should not be trusted as a pet’s sole or medically important food source.

What the Petnet SmartFeeder was designed to do

Petnet’s Wi-Fi feeder stored dry kibble in a hopper and released measured portions into an attached bowl. Its iOS and Android app let owners set meal schedules or trigger a feeding remotely. Owners could create a pet profile, enter food details, receive feeding notifications and get low-food warnings. Petnet also advertised a food-delivery feature.

The pet profile generated portion guidance, but that was not veterinary nutrition advice or medical monitoring. The feeder was designed around one pet and a shared bowl, so it could not ensure that the intended animal ate the food in a multi-pet home.

Is the Petnet SmartFeeder still available?

As of 2026, treat the SmartFeeder as discontinued and unavailable new. The original black SF10C and later models appear as unavailable or sold out on Best Buy, Best Buy’s later-model listing and Urban Outfitters. A retrospective says Petnet stopped manufacturing after the company shut down (The Vet Desk).

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#1 Best Overall
ANDOLL HOME Automatic Cat Feeder,4L Timed Cat&Dog Dry Food Dispenser
  • 【Smooth feeding, No food blockage】-Have you encountered any issues with the food cardholder not coming out while using the feeder? Are you still troubled by constantly shaking the feeder to let food flow out? Our automatic pet feeder comes with a food distribution system that ensures smooth and even feeding of food into the feeding bowl during the automatic feeding program. The detailed design and comprehensive functionality can free up your hands and time, allowing you to no longer worry about pet feeding.
  • 【Custom voice recording】-You can record 10s voice to keep connected with your pets. When the feeding time you set is up, the system will automatically play your recording 3 times to shout for your pet to come and eat. Your voice will keep a close relationship with your pet and also let your pet eat with peace of mind.
  • 【Fresh food prioritizes health】-The automatic cat feeder features a finger broadcasting lid opening device at the top to prevent your pet from stealing food. We have designed a desiccant placement box in our food dispenser, the design can completely isolate the air to prevent food from getting damp and moldy. We have included a desiccant to ensure the freshness of pet food.
  • 【Ensure smooth feeding】- We have designed a food swinging device in the food dispenser to ensure that food can be smoothly placed into the feeding bowl from getting stuck. The feeding bowl of our automatic cat feeder is designed to tilt 8 degrees to ensure that your pet can eat in a comfortable position.
  • 【Two power supply options available】- Use the 5V DC adapter while supplying the automatic cat food dispenser via 3 AA alkaline batteries(not included) installed in case of power outages, to ensure that your cat gets food consistently.

Used listings may still appear, but a working motor does not establish that the app, account setup, remote feeding or alerts will work. Retailer-page customer statements have reported Petnet server problems, but the available evidence does not establish an official server shutdown date or confirm the current status of every function. Assume cloud-dependent features may fail.

Historical specifications and model differences

These are historical figures, not current operating guarantees. Petnet sold more than one model, so dimensions and capacities should not be assumed to match every unit.

Rank #2
IMIPAW Automatic Cat Feeders, Timed Cat Dry Food Dispenser with Desiccant Bag, Dual Power Supply, Programmable Portion Size, 6 Meals, 20 Portions Per Day, Auto Pet Feeder for Cats and Small Dog, White
  • Programmable Timed Feeding: The IMIPAW Automatic Cat Feeders helps you create a personalized, healthy feeding schedule for your pet. The 12-hour clock is easy to program and understand. You can set up multiple meals per day, and set up as many servings as your pet needs (1 serving is 7-9 grams)
  • Easy to Use & Maintain: IMIPAW Auto Cat Feeder inbuilt LCD screen allows quick setup and press both UP & DOWN together to manually dispense 1 portion; Proper angle so that food will not accumulate in the food outlet, and the cat food tray are removable for cleaning. The secure lid lock design prevents pets from getting food
  • Appropriate Capacity food Storage: The 3L/12 cup (1 cup = 16 tbsp) food storage will keep most pets comfortably fed for several days. Contains a desiccant bag to help keep the food fresh and easy to chew. The automatic cat food dispenser easily feeds your cat or puppy during long weekends and short business trips. Keep your pet well-fed, happy, and giving you peace of mind
  • Dual Power Supply & Anti-Clogging Design. 5V DC adapter + 3 alkaline D-cell batteries (NOT INCLUDED), our automatic pet feeder for medium and small pets adopted the latest power system to prevent power outages, thus ensuring a constant food supply for your beloved pets
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed: We always try to make sure you get the best quality and strive to ensure user comfort and satisfaction. If you have any problems while using this timed cat feeder, please contact us for specific instructions
Feature Historical specification Qualification
Food Dry kibble Not designed for canned, refrigerated or fresh food.
Hopper About 5 lb on the Urban Outfitters listing Other listings vary; kibble density affects how much fits.
Kibble size About ⅛–⅝ in (approximately 0.13–0.63 in) Retailer specifications; shape also affected dispensing.
Portion range Approximately 1/16–1½ cups Reseller specification; verify the particular model. Volume is not a weight measurement.
Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n From the historical setup guide.
Dimensions 14 × 9.5 × 16 in Urban Outfitters listing; do not generalize to every model.
Power Wall power for dependable routine use A historical review reported roughly seven hours of battery operation; this is not a current guarantee.
Original price About $149 retail Historical price, not a current offer.

Sources for these historical details include the Petnet user guide, Urban Outfitters listing, reseller listing and TechHive’s historical review.

How setup and daily use worked

The original setup relied on Petnet’s app and account, rather than being a simple standalone timer. The guide’s estimated setup time was five to seven minutes, but that estimate describes the original process, not a setup that can be assumed to work today.

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Rank #3
Sale
PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder, 5G WiFi Automatic Dog Food Dispenser with Freshness Preservation, 5L Timed Pet Feeder with Low Food Sensor, Up to 10 Meals Per Day, Granary Black
  • Smart APP Control: Wi-Fi fully automatic dog feeder is 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi-enabled allowing you to program your pet's meals anywhere anytime through the PETLIBRO App on your iOS or Android smartphone.
  • Never Miss A Meal: Easily schedule up to 10 meals per day and 1-48 portions per meal (1/12 cup each portion) with the Wi-Fi automatic cat feeder, you can easily customize your furry friend's feeding plan and check the feeding records to ensure your cat has been fed on a set schedule by the APP.
  • Personalized Meal Call: Record a voice message for up to 10 seconds that plays for each feeding, and freely set the times the meal call play, so your pet can feel your care even when you're not at home. Not only that, but the thoughtful automatic cat food dispenser provides you with the ability to record up to 10 customized meal calls and adjust the volume to your needs!
  • Freshness in Every Bite: Patent rotor in the tank base and twist-lock lid of the automatic pet feeder prevent pets sneaking into the food dispenser for extra food. Built-in desiccant bag and sealing strip keep food fresh and crunchy. Food-grade stainless steel bowl provides healthy and hygienic feeding, saving your pets from chin acne.
  • Smart Notifications and Indicators: Your phone receives notifications and the machine’s indicators also lights up red when the food tank of the cat feeder automatic is empty, food gets jammed, the battery is low, or has other problems. The infrared sensor keeps checking and stops food dispensing if the food outlet is blocked.
  1. Assemble the base, hopper, lid, bowl and bowl insert.
  2. Download the Petnet app and create an account.
  3. Create a pet profile, including details such as age, weight, breed and activity level.
  4. Connect the feeder to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
  5. Enter food information or select a food in the app.
  6. Set meal times and portions, then enable automatic feeding.
  7. Historically, owners were meant to test several meals while present. Anyone with a working old unit should likewise observe dispensing directly rather than relying on an app notification.

What worked—and what did not

TechHive’s historical hands-on review found the schedule and app controls useful, and the concept of remote feeding was convenient. The review also documented limitations that matter more than the convenience when a pet depends on the device:

  • A notification did not prove food reached the bowl. The feeder could report a successful meal when the hopper was empty.
  • Kibble could jam. Food could lodge between the chute and bowl, depending on its shape and size; the review found round kibble worked best.
  • Battery backup was limited. The review reported about seven hours of battery life, making a wall outlet necessary for routine use. A dead battery could lead to a missed meal without an adequate low-battery warning.
  • Dispensing was noisy. The mechanism could be noticeable in a quiet room.
  • It was not a multi-pet or wet-food solution. The open bowl did not identify the animal eating, and the mechanism handled dry kibble only.
  • App alerts could become repetitive and easy to miss. Notifications were not equivalent to confirmation that a pet had eaten.

Retailer ratings provide another limited historical signal, not a controlled reliability test. Best Buy’s SF10C listing showed 4.3/5 from 114 reviews, with positive comments about ease of use and app control alongside complaints about dispensing, connectivity and battery life. A later-model listing showed 2.4/5 from 17 reviews, with reports including broken units, server issues and mechanisms that turned without dispensing kibble. These are model-specific retailer snapshots and may reflect review-selection bias.

Rank #4
Frienhund Automatic Cat Feeder with 2K Camera: 5G WiFi Automatic Dog Feeder with Night Vision,Cat Food Dispenser with 7L Large Food Storage Container for Multiple Pet,Detachable for Easy Clean -29 Cup
  • Go Out of Town Without Worrying : When you are traveling, attending a party or up too late to feed your pet at home, smart automatic cat feeder will regularly schedule your pet's daily food for you. No matter where you are, you can monitor your pet's daily routine and diet, as well as change your feeding schedule online, anytime, anywhere via the mobile app.
  • Feeding Schedule ( Regular Diet ) : Setting up a scientific feeding schedule for your pet (up to 15 meals per day, with a maximum of 20 portions per meal) with automatic dog feeder will not only improve your pet's eating habits, but also save pet owners' valuable time (you don't have to constantly think about whether your pet is getting food or not). Not only can you view your pet's feeding history in the app, but you can also view how much food is left in the dog food bowl via the camera.
  • Record Wonderful Moments ( Life ) : The Full HD 3 megapixel camera on the cat feeder automatic perfectly records every moment your pet is playing at home. Even when night falls, the infrared sensor in the camera provides clear night vision. It not only supports shooting and recording, but also supports storing data in TF card and cloud storage. (TF card supports up to 128GB) When you turn on motion detection, the APP will remind you when your cat is doing activities.
  • Dual-band WiFi : The Frienhund automatic cat feeder with camera supports dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz & 5GHz). Dual-band network lets you don't have to modify your router for channel compatibility issues. Faster 5G networks allow for more stable, crisp video quality.
  • Stay Close to Your Pet : “ Two-way Audio ” allows you to talk to your pet in real time. If your cat is sensitive to sound, you can adjust the volume of the feeder through the “Device Volume” in the APP. auto cat feeder supports various terminal logins, in addition to remote control via mobile phone or tablet, you can also log in to the IPC terminal via PC browser to keep your mischievous cat or dog company at all times.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What happens if the app, servers or power fail?

The user guide’s setup process calls for the app, an account and Wi-Fi connection. Losing the service is therefore more than losing a convenience: it can block setup, remote feeding, schedule changes and status alerts. The extent to which an already configured unit may continue to dispense locally is not established for every model or current software state. Do not assume that it will keep a dependable schedule offline.

Likewise, the presence of a battery or Micro USB port does not make the feeder a practical cordless backup. The historical review’s roughly seven-hour battery report is a limited observation, not a promise that a schedule will survive an outage. A server outage and a power outage are separate failure modes; neither should be treated as safely covered without testing the exact unit.

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Best Value
PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder, Timed Dry Food Dispenser for Cat & Small Dog
  • Programmable Feeding Schedule – Set up to 6 meals per day to support your pet’s healthy diet and prevent overeating.
  • Portion Control for Cats & Dogs – Each meal adjustable from 1–50 portions (2.5 teaspoons per portion).
  • Keep Food Fresh & Dry – Patent rotor, secure twist-lock lid, sealing strip, and included desiccant bag lock in freshness and preserve flavor—say goodbye to stale kibble.
  • Dual Power Supply & Battery Backup – USB-C + 3 D-Cell batteries, no worry during power outage, the batteries can last about 30-50 days.
  • Personalized Voice Meal Call – Record a 10-sec message to call your pet every mealtime, comforting your pet at mealtime even when you're away.

For an existing owner, observe multiple feedings in person and keep a human backup. Do not use the Petnet as the only plan for a diabetic, medicated, underweight or otherwise medically vulnerable pet. Ask a veterinarian about a suitable feeding and contingency plan.

Should you buy a used Petnet?

For dependable daily feeding, no. The seller may demonstrate that the motor turns, but that alone cannot establish app activation, a working account, cloud access, accurate portioning or reliable food delivery. Do not buy one for a pet whose missed meal could go unnoticed.

If you are considering a unit for historical interest or experimentation, require a complete demonstration: account and app access, scheduled and manual meals, the exact kibble you intend to use, and dispensing observed into the bowl. Treat the test as evidence about that unit at that moment—not a guarantee of future service. Do not rely on it without a separate feeding backup.

Current alternatives, chosen by what you need

Prices below are official U.S. prices observed in August 2026 and can change with region, promotion and configuration. All automatic feeders still need practical monitoring; an app, camera or notification is not proof that a pet consumed a meal.

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Feeder Price observed Best fit Trade-off
PetSafe Smart Feed, 2nd Generation $134.99 App scheduling and a larger hopper; holds up to 24 cups and supports up to 12 meals daily according to its guide. Still Wi-Fi/app connected and plugged in. An optional meal splitter is intended for homes with more than one pet, but a shared feeder does not provide identity-controlled access.
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed $95.99 Scheduled feeding with less cloud dependence; holds up to 24 cups and schedules up to 12 meals daily. Primarily local, button-controlled operation rather than remote phone control.
PETLIBRO Granary Smart Feeder $89.99 Lower-cost current app feeder for cats, small dogs and rabbits. App-connected, so it retains app/cloud dependency. The product page lists a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24-month warranty.
PETLIBRO Granary Smart Camera Feeder $139.99 Owners who want a 1080p camera, night vision, motion and sound detection, and two-way voice. Video-cloud options may add subscriptions; the official page listed plans of $59.99/year and $119.99/year, plus a separate $95.99/year video-cloud option depending on configuration. Camera access is not proof of full intake.
PetSafe FlexFeed or 5-Meal Feeder $59.99 each on the catalog Simpler timed feeding when remote control is not essential; the catalog also listed a two-meal feeder at $24.99. Availability can vary; these are not substitutes for a large-capacity or remotely controlled feeder.

For multi-pet homes where one animal must not eat another’s food, consider separate feeders or a microchip/RFID feeder that restricts access to the intended pet. A shared-bowl hopper—even one with an optional splitter—is not equivalent to identity-controlled feeding. For the simplest resilience-first setup, favor a non-Wi-Fi timed feeder and keep a person responsible for checking meals.

How to evaluate any automatic feeder

  • Offline operation: Find out whether schedules continue if the internet, app or vendor service is unavailable.
  • Dispensing confirmation: Determine what a “fed” notification actually measures. A motor cycle is not necessarily proof that kibble landed in the bowl.
  • Portion consistency: Check portions against a kitchen scale using the exact food; volume varies with kibble size, shape and density.
  • Food compatibility: Run repeated cycles with the pet’s actual kibble and inspect for bridging or jams.
  • Power backup: Check whether backup power runs the schedule or merely preserves settings.
  • Cleaning and access: Confirm food-contact parts can be removed and cleaned, and that clearing a blockage is practical.
  • Vendor longevity: A cloud-dependent feeder’s manufacturer and service are part of its long-term usability.
  • Medical suitability: For medication timing, diabetes or other urgent feeding needs, consult a veterinarian and retain a human backup.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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