Petlibro’s Polar Feeder could be the reply to your moist meals dilemma. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
An automated feeder can preserve your cat’s feeding schedule while you’re away. However what in case you feed your cat moist meals? Most automated feeders are solely suitable with dry kibble, and even the few fashions supposed for moist meals have their shortcomings.
International pet tech firm Petlibro goals to resolve this headache with one of many model’s newest product launches: the Polar Moist Meals Feeder. This modern machine is the primary of its form. As an alternative of counting on chilly packs, it really works like a mini fridge that serves up moist meals on a schedule, all powered by way of an app in your cellphone.
We examined Petlibro’s Polar Moist Meals Feeder for a number of weeks with two cats to see the way it performs by way of worth, effectivity, practicality, and ease of use. Right here’s what we thought, and who’s prone to discover the Polar Moist Feeder match.
Rankings:
- Look – 5/5
- Building – 4.5/5
- Usefulness – 5/5
- Ease of Cleansing – 4/5
- Value – 4/5
Total Rating: 4.5/5
Why Belief Cats.com
To say our group is obsessive about pet tech could be an enormous understatement. We’ve seen and examined all of it. This gathered information served as an knowledgeable launching level for this evaluate. I thought of previous experiences with automated feeders whereas evaluating this newer mannequin, what labored and what didn’t for different units.
Earlier than organising the Polar Feeder, I studied the automated pet feeder market and discovered about Petlibro’s opponents to match their effectivity and worth.
Throughout testing, I evaluated the setup course of and app performance, noting how simple it was to sync the app with the machine. Then, I stuffed the feeder with moist meals and took it for a take a look at drive. I noticed my cats’ reactions to the feeder, paying particular consideration to their consolation with consuming from it. Lastly, I broke down the unit for cleansing to see how concerned the method was.
Along with my very own observations throughout testing, I learn dozens of Reddit threads and buyer testimonials to get a really feel for a way different cat dad and mom fared with the Polar feeder.
Polar Moist Meals Feeder and Petlibro Model Overview
The Polar Feeder makes it simple to serve contemporary, moist meals—proper on schedule. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Established in 2019, Petlibro has spent the final 5 years making a reputation for itself on the earth of pet tech. With headquarters in California, the corporate provides among the market’s top-performing water fountains and automated pet feeders.
Petlibro is devoted to innovation, a truth made abundantly clear by the corporate’s continuous launch of upgraded units that enhance upon earlier fashions.
You’ll find Petlibro merchandise on the firm’s website, in addition to Amazon, Chewy, and Finest Purchase. Merchandise are backed by a 24-month guarantee.
Debuting in April 2024, the Polar Moist Meals Feeder is without doubt one of the model’s latest releases. This ingenious machine is the primary of its form, using refrigeration expertise to maintain moist meals contemporary for as much as three days.
Petlibro Polar Moist Meals Feeder Options
You may fill as much as three compartments with moist or contemporary meals. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
The Petlibro Polar Moist Meals Feeder contains a built-in refrigeration unit that makes use of superior semiconductor expertise to maintain moist meals cool and contemporary for as much as 72 hours. It allows you to schedule as much as three meals by way of an app in your cellphone.
Since most cats choose to eat moist meals at room temperature, upcoming meals are saved in a non-refrigerated part half-hour earlier than serving. When meals are prepared, a chime alerts your cat to “come and get it.”
Together with selecting the date and time of your cat’s meals, you may as well choose which compartment you need to be served—a useful function for pets who want particular meals at a particular time. Customers can set the end time for meals inside a window of as much as 4 hours.
The Polar Feeder is powered by a 60W energy adapter and must be plugged into the wall. It’s additionally geared up with a backup battery compartment (takes 3 AA batteries) to keep up your cat’s feeding schedule for 12 hours if there’s an influence outage.
At present, the Polar Feeder prices $129.99 on Amazon, which places it on the upper finish of automated feeders. Nevertheless, given the expertise behind this machine, I believe it’s worth that can serve the wants of many cat dad and mom.
Homeowners of mischievous cats will admire the feeder’s cat-proof design. It has a low middle of gravity, making it not possible for cats to knock over. Moreover, it’s sealed shut to maintain out wily paws (and bugs!). An infrared sensor on the lid retains it from closing on cats which might be nonetheless consuming.
This machine does emit a low buzzing noise. It’s not intrusive by any means, nevertheless it might be annoying to noise-sensitive customers.
For peace of thoughts while you’re away, you may monitor feeding information within the app to make sure your cat has obtained their meals.
What We Like
- Retains meals contemporary for as much as three days
- Means that you can schedule as much as three meals or feed on demand
- Customizable feeding window, as much as 4 hours
- Anti-pinch infrared lid sensor
- Backup battery energy
- Smooth and engaging design
- 24-month guarantee
What We Dislike
- The meals dish is plastic (we’d choose chrome steel)
- At present, solely out there in black
- Solely helps 2.4GHz networks
- Pretty excessive off the bottom (could be problematic for very small cats)
What Did Our Check Cats Suppose?
Floyd had no bother consuming out of Petlibro’s Polar Feeder. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
There’s rather a lot to love concerning the Petlibro Polar Feeder. For starters, it retains meals contemporary for much longer than conventional moist meals feeders that depend on chilly packs. It’s extra handy, too, with meals constantly refrigerated—no extra swapping out ice packs.
Setup was easy. Simply plug within the energy wire, set up the app, and also you’re good to go. The app is intuitive, and scheduling meals is hassle-free.
Whereas the feeder is designed to deliver meals again to room temperature earlier than serving, some product reviewers discovered the meals was nonetheless too chilly. My very own cats had no complaints. Additionally they had no bother accessing the meals, although I think the feeder’s top and comparatively deep dish (2 inches) could be problematic for very tiny cats or kittens.
Realistically, most cats will want a interval of adjustment to make use of this feeder, and it would take some coaching earlier than they study what the chime sound signifies. However that in all probability received’t be a deal-breaker for most people.
One downside is that the chime sound might be simple to overlook, probably inflicting cats to overlook their meal. It could be good to have the choice to play the chime a number of instances till the machine detects a cat is consuming.
Cleansing the Polar feeder was simple. Simply come out the meals bowl and the rotating lid for laundry (solely the meals bowl is dishwasher-safe). I seen some condensation pooling inside, however nothing a fast towel dry couldn’t deal with.
One of many issues that almost all impressed me was the corporate’s responsiveness to buyer suggestions. Petlibro listened to consumer suggestions and applied enhancements accordingly.
For instance, initially, you couldn’t feed your pet on demand, and there was no possibility to decide on a customized meal size. Prospects have been additionally miffed that they needed to manually re-enter meal schedules after every three-meal cycle. Petlibro acknowledged these weaknesses and made some modifications. Now, you may feed on demand, select a feeding window of as much as 4 hours, and set meals to repeat routinely.
This units Petlibro aside in a significant method. I really like that the model is open to continuous enchancment and genuinely needs to fulfill pet dad and mom’ wants.
What Do Prospects Consider Petlibro’s Polar Feeder?
Because the Polar Feeder is so new, there aren’t many opinions but. Nevertheless, the overall consensus is fairly constructive thus far. At present, it has 4.1 stars on Amazon, however many reviewers are updating their opinions to mirror the model’s software program enhancements.
Constructive Opinions
Many cat dad and mom have been happy with the Polar Feeder’s general performance, noting that it solved the issue of retaining moist meals contemporary. The vast majority of customers discovered the app simple to make use of and have been capable of arrange meal instances with out issue. Additionally they appreciated that the machine was pretty quiet and felt strong and solidly constructed.
“This product works nice, and I like to recommend it to anybody with a busy schedule. It cools the meals and brings the meals temperature up half-hour earlier than feeding. It’s opened on time each time and does provide the choice to “Feed Now” or “Shut Now.” I’ve seen opinions the place the sounds weren’t loud sufficient, and whereas that could be true, cats are extremely recurring. As soon as they get used to the feeding schedule you set (could be modified at any time utilizing the app!), they’ll KNOW when the feeder door will open earlier than the feeder has an opportunity to go off. My largest grievance could be that the inserts are deeper than I’d like and will trigger whisker fatigue and by making them of metal materials, it’ll in the reduction of on micro organism and cat zits. Total, it’s really easy, and I’m grateful I made this buy (and my kitty is simply too)!”—Katelatestate, Amazon
Damaging Opinions
A lot of the preliminary complaints revolved round rigid scheduling and serving choices. Nevertheless, PetLibro has largely addressed these issues with software program updates, considerably bettering the consumer’s expertise. There are some complaints concerning the feeder’s dimension, and a few cat dad and mom would like it to have greater than three meals compartments. Moreover, a number of customers famous that the ability wire tends to get sizzling, which may pose a security difficulty.
“I really like the thought of this, and I actually wished it to work for my cats as a result of I would like them to have the ability to eat moist meals if I’ve to go away them for the weekend. Nevertheless, this actually wants a redesign.
- It’s HUGE. One in every of my cats can’t even attain into the compartment with out having to climb on it.
- It’s 2.5” deep. Each my cats have been hesitant to place their face into the bowl and even then, they have been pulling objects out to eat them reasonably than consuming constantly. I examined with freeze dried meals in order that we wouldn’t soiled the machine.
- The tone is brief and never very loud for indication of machine opening.
- It would solely permit every compartment to be open for 4 hours max.
I had actually hoped this is able to work, however I think about I’d want two to suffice for each cats. At $110+ worth level, I believe Petlibro ought to actually take into account redesigning the machine to be whisker pleasant and extra versatile on time.”—Taylor, Amazon
Comparable Merchandise
On the lookout for different merchandise just like PetLibro’s Polar Feeder? Take a look at a few of our different model opinions.
Enter “CATS16” at Checkout to Get 16% Off at Petlibro.com
Steadily Requested Questions
What kinds of meals can be utilized with the Petlibro Polar Feeder?
The Petlibro Polar Feeder is suitable with moist or contemporary meals (canned, bagged, and many others.). Whereas it’s supposed for moist meals, you should use it for dry meals, too. You possibly can additionally fill it with freeze-dried meals with added water. The corporate advises in opposition to utilizing uncooked or selfmade meals on this feeder.
How lengthy can the Petlibro Polar Feeder preserve moist meals contemporary?
The Petlibro Polar Feeder can preserve moist meals contemporary for 3 days (72 hours).
Does the Petlibro Polar Moist Meals Feeder work with batteries?
No. For normal use, you’ll need to run the Polar feeder with its plug-in energy wire. There’s a backup compartment for batteries that kicks in throughout an influence outage. Nevertheless, that is simply to keep up your cat’s meal schedule and received’t energy the machine’s refrigeration.
