Kate Barrington / Cats.com
With over a dozen fashions to select from, the Petlibro model has change into a frontrunner available in the market for good automated pet feeders. The most recent innovation, the One RFID Cat Feeder, places a private twist on Petlibro’s finely tuned granary-style engineering. This feeder doesn’t simply dispense portioned meals on a set schedule—it additionally pairs with an RFID tag to limit entry to the cat carrying the tag.
The Petlibro One RFID Cat Feeder is designed to serve multi-cat households, offering every cat with a personalised feeding expertise. How does it arise towards real-world testing? My cats and I attempted it out to carry you this in-depth evaluate.
Why Belief Cats.com
As a long-standing member of the Cats.com staff, I’ve spent the previous a number of years researching, testing, and reviewing merchandise. From self-cleaning litter containers to good feeders, my cats and I prefer to sustain with the most recent improvements in good pet tech. Previous to scripting this evaluate, we spent a number of weeks testing automated feeders, together with two Petlibro fashions.
To write down this evaluate, I started with a deep dive into the historical past of Petlibro as an organization and the model’s monitor report with buyer satisfaction. I then spent a while familiarizing myself with Petlibro’s product lineup earlier than unboxing my new One RFID feeder. All through the testing course of, I took notes on how straightforward the feeder was to arrange and program whereas my cats provided their opinions on how comfy it was to make use of.
Having examined a number of different Petlibro feeders, I used to be capable of make direct comparisons relating to the One RFID feeder’s performance, reliability, and comfort. I additionally scoured buyer critiques to get a really feel for what different cat house owners had been saying about it.
One RFID Cat Feeder and Petlibro Model Overview
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Enter “cats16” at Checkout To Get 16% off within the Petlibro Web site.
Based in 2019, Petlibro is a pet product firm headquartered in California. It presents necessities like cat toys however the model’s specialty is pet tech—particularly automated pet feeders and pet fountains.
Petlibro’s merchandise are shipped all over the world by means of the model’s web site and its retailer on Amazon, Chewy, and Greatest Purchase. All purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back assure however particular person merchandise could embrace an extended 24-month producer’s guarantee. Customer support seems to primarily be accessible by way of on-line contact type.
Although the corporate is just 5 years outdated, Petlibro has demonstrated a dedication to innovation with a gentle launch of good pet tech options. Along with feeders, it additionally presents a number of automated water fountain choices, together with the ultra-filtered Glacier and battery-operated Dockstream fashions.
From early feeders just like the Simple Feed to the camera-enabled Granary feeder, Petlibro continues to ship thoughtfully designed, well-engineered automated pet feeders. Complementary to those feeders, Petlibro presents an array of pet fountains. These run the gamut from easy stainless-steel fountains to the battery-operated Dockstream and the ultra-filtered Glacier fountain.
Petlibro One RFID Cat Feeder Options
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The Petlibro One RFID Cat Feeder is an automated pet feeder that pairs with the Petlibro app (accessible for iOS and Android) to ship portioned, timed meals in accordance with your schedule. What makes this mannequin completely different from different Petlibro feeders is the combination of RFID expertise.
Whereas microchip feeders are nothing new, the One RFID feeder is the primary programmable automated feeder of its sort. Commonplace microchip feeders encompass a coated meals dish with a lid that opens in response to a particular microchip tag (or your cat’s implanted microchip).
In the same means, the One feeder solely permits entry to the meals bowl for cats carrying the included RFID tag. But it surely additionally contains a 13-cup (3L) dry meals storage hopper and dispenses meals mechanically, saving you the effort of filling the bowl every single day. A desiccant bag built-in into the hopper lid helps hold meals contemporary.
The One RFID feeder is uniquely suited to multi-pet households. It takes the effort out of feeding a number of pets separate meals and it ensures that every pet will get the proper meals in precisely the correct amount, on schedule. By way of the Petlibro app, it’s programmable for as much as 10 meals per day with parts as small as 1/12 cup.
This feeder comes with every part you must get began (besides a smartphone, after all). It comes with a chrome steel meals bowl, one lid, and two meals bowl shields that go on both facet of the feeding space to maintain different pets out. The RFID reader is embedded in a tough plastic mat you connect to the feeder and it pairs with the included tag. This tag is connected to the included collar which weighs simply over 4 grams, making it light-weight and comfy for cats to put on.
In comparison with a few of Petlibro’s different feeders, the One RFID feeder is a bit more costly (retail worth $149.99). That mentioned, it’s extra modestly priced than many microchip feeders available on the market. It ships free within the contiguous United States, nevertheless, and consists of each a 24-month guarantee and 30-day money-back assure.
The Petlibro One RFID Cat Feeder is a corded electrical mannequin however battery backup energy is supplied by three D-cell batteries (not included). It’s WiFi-enabled for each 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
What We Like
- Pairs with RFID tag to limit entry to a single cat
- Takes the effort out of feeding a number of cats individually
- Setup is fast and straightforward with the Petlibro app
- WiFi-enabled for two.4GHz and 5GHz connections
- Giant 13-cup capability (for dry meals solely)
- Corded electrical energy with battery backup
- Contains a chrome steel meals bowl
- 24-month guarantee and 30-day a refund assure
What We Didn’t Like
- Solely works with the included RFID tag (one per feeder)
- Collar tag isn’t utterly waterproof, simply splashproof
- Some cats could also be uncomfortable with the enclosed consuming area
- Decided cats might be able to break into the feeder
- Proximity to different RFID merchandise could have an effect on performance
What Did Our Check Cats Suppose?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Once I opened up my One RFID Cat Feeder, I found that the packaging was simply as considerate as different Petlibro feeders I’ve examined. Small components had been saved contained in the hopper to save lots of area and foam items ensured every part stayed secure and as a substitute throughout delivery.
At first look, I believed the feeder appeared a bit like a pc tower with varied ports and indicator lights. Establishing the feeder was a breeze and I discovered the Petlibro app straightforward to navigate. As with every automated feeder, it took a while to determine the portion sizes however the feeder labored properly as soon as I bought it programmed.
I did discover some variations in how easily meals was distributed based mostly on the form and measurement of the kibbles. The feeder labored completely with small, spherical kibble (like Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein) however flat and X-shaped kibbles (like Dave’s Pet Meals) typically backed up within the chute.
The RFID expertise labored persistently as properly—I had no points with the feeder studying the chip. I did discover the chip itself to be a bit cumbersome, nevertheless, and I skilled some challenges with the included collar. I favored that the collar was adjustable for a variety of neck sizes however I had a bit bother sizing it with out triggering the breakaway function. It’s additionally value noting that, as a result of the RFID tag hangs off the breakaway part, the tag would possibly fall off and may very well be misplaced if the collar opens whereas your cat is carrying it.
I ended up shifting the tag onto the included metallic ring so I may hold it from my cat’s common collar. It labored however I’d be much less nervous concerning the tag getting caught on one thing or falling off if it threaded onto the collar itself.
After studying quite a few critiques the place prospects reported their cats with the ability to break into the feeder, I used to be looking out—particularly since I by accident acquired two left-side meals bowl shields and will solely set up one. My cats aren’t overly food-motivated, nevertheless, so there weren’t any break-in makes an attempt for me to touch upon.
Like different reviewers, I did discover the meals door closing pace a bit inconsistent but it surely wasn’t a significant challenge for me.
Although my cats took to the feeder simply fantastic, it’s value noting that some cats could discover it uncomfortable or scary at first. The partitions on the facet of the meals bowl would possibly make some cats really feel claustrophobic and others could also be alarmed by the motion of the lid. Whereas there’s no coaching mode to get your cat used to the lid, Petlibro’s app features a setting to maintain it open whereas your cat will get used to the brand new product. Then, customers can customise the lid’s pace in accordance with their cat’s habits.
What Do Prospects Consider the Petlibro One RFID Cat Feeder?
The One RFID Cat Feeder is Petlibro’s newest innovation, so it hasn’t been available on the market lengthy. As of early April 2024, there have been solely about 50 scores for the product on Petlibro’s web site and about 160 on Amazon. On each platforms, the feeder had a mean score between three and 4 stars (out of 5).
As an organization, Petlibro performs equally on third-party evaluate websites like Trustpilot the place it has a 3.7 out of 5-star score with 50 critiques.
Constructive Evaluations
Happy prospects continuously point out the benefit of setup of their critiques and lots of recognize with the ability to hold different pets from stealing meals from a cat that requires a particular food plan. Different optimistic critiques point out the user-friendliness of the app, the stainless-steel feeding bowl, and the beneficiant measurement of the hopper.
“With this feeder, you’ll be able to set the time and quantity of feedings, and it even has a “feed now” possibility in order that should you discover that your cat’s meals bowl is empty, it’s only a click on away in your telephone. It’s very straightforward to arrange and works instantly.” – Lisa on Petlibro.com, January twenty seventh, 2024
“I needed to make feeding straightforward and hassle-free and this product has made that occur. The cats have tailored properly to this product and love the bowls. For probably the most half, each cats have tailored properly to their separate feeders and there’s no extra grabbing for one another’s meals. The app is straightforward to make use of and I can arrange a schedule for every day feedings along with including snacks.” – Eva on Petlibro.com, January twenty seventh, 2024
Detrimental Evaluations
Whereas prospects are largely happy with the One RFID feeder, it’s clear that Petlibro nonetheless has some kinks to work out. Unreliable customer support appears to be a theme in detrimental critiques. A number of reviewers point out inconsistencies within the meals door’s closing pace or the door getting caught open. Quite a few reviewers mentioned their cats had been capable of break into the feeder with out a tag.
“General, this feeder does its job, conserving our meals loopy package out more often than not BUT the door closing pace may be very unreliable and even set on the quickest closing pace of 1sec, will usually occasions take as much as 7-9sec after she jumps away earlier than beginning to shut.” – Samantha S. on Petlibro.com, February 14th, 2024
“We had been excited for an RFID collar to assist guarantee our senior cat doesn’t should compete with our 2 youthful cats for entry to feeders. We had been very dissatisfied that inside a day our 2yo cats had found out find out how to pull the retractable high off the hinge. He additionally pierced the rubber flange so I’m not sure of how lengthy it is going to keep collectively.” – Megan D. on Petlibro.com, February twenty fifth, 2024
Aiming to deal with points and supply optimum customer support, Petlibro encourages customers to ship detailed points to their official service e mail to allow them to present well timed and thorough communication.
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Incessantly Requested Questions
Can the One RFID feeder learn my cat’s microchip?
No, the feeder can’t learn your cat’s implanted microchip and it gained’t work with tags from different manufacturers. Every feeder can solely sync with one collar tag.
Do I’ve to make use of the mat that comes with the feeder?
Sure, the included mat is integral to the feeder’s RFID perform. Throughout setup, ensure that the RFID reader mat is connected securely to the bottom of the feeder. If it isn’t correctly put in, it gained’t acknowledge your cat and the meals lid gained’t open.
Does the feeder work with moist cat meals?
No, the One RFID feeder is for dry meals solely. It really works greatest with kibble ranging in diameter from 2-15mm. Bigger items would possibly get caught within the meals outlet and trigger the feeder to jam.
Is the price of delivery included?
Petlibro presents free delivery on orders over $75. The One RFID feeder prices $149.99, so it qualifies totally free delivery.
