Why I like it:
As someone who has had pets their whole life, I’m constantly trying to make caring for them convenient. I’ve tried multiple automatic feeders over the years, but all were for dry food (kibble). When my cat was diagnosed with diabetes, I switched her to an all-wet food diet, and suddenly, automating her feeding schedule wasn’t as easy.
Naturally, I was excited to try out this wet food feeder that promises to keep your pet’s food fresh and cold for up to 3 days. I appreciate how quiet and intuitive it is — the device itself runs and opens quietly and smoothly, and the app lets you customize the feeding schedule down to the minute. You can also select how long you want the feeder open. Pia, my cat, took to it quickly and gets excited when the bell rings to alert her that food has been served. I’ve found that it’s made our feeding routine much more manageable, especially on days I get home late.
Dr. Abel Gonzalez also had recommendations for feeders like this. “Automatic feeders can be a lifesaver if used correctly. They keep meal timing consistent, which helps pets prone to stress or stomach upset,” he told us. “Just make sure the device feels familiar before you leave for long hours, so it’s a comfort, not a new stressor.”
Who is this for:
This wet food feeder is perfect for pet owners who feed their pet wet food, but aren’t always at home to ensure consistency. If you feed your pet wet food, you know all too well the smell that comes from letting it sit out too long, and some cats won’t even eat it if it’s not fresh (mine certainly won’t) — the Polar Wet Food Feeder solves for that. The cooling system ensures your pet’s food stays cool and fresh, even when you’re not home.
For an alternative feeder from the same brand, the Petlibro Air Automatic Feeder ($44) isn’t as feature-rich as some of the higher-end models from the brand, but its size makes it perfect for travel or road trips with small pets. It’s lightweight and reliable enough to keep Pia on her normal feeding schedule. It’s not my everyday feeder, but it’s a solid backup for short trips or secondary spaces like a guest room.
Who shouldn’t buy it:
If your pet only eats dry kibble or you need to feed multiple pets, this feeder isn’t the best option since the plates are designed for a single serving. The feeder also needs to be connected to an outlet and Wi-Fi at all times. If you live in an area prone to long power outages, you may risk skipping a feeding. The feeder does have a 12-hour backup battery.
-Nasha Addarich Martinez
