- Performance & Quality
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Features
Summary
PetSafe created the best, albeit basic, automatic pet feeder. While Healthy Pet Simply Feed does not have many unique features, it performs its' main duty (feeding) flawlessly with the patented dispensing system.
PetSafe is an industry leading manufacturer of pet products ranging from pet behavior (training) to lifestyle. Healthy Pet Simply Feed by PetSafe may not have all the bells and whistles that Petnet or Feed and Go have, such as app-controlled pet feeding; however, this auto pet feeder can hold a LOT of food and it dispenses it flawlessly with a patented design. If you have multiple cats or have a dog that tends to eat too fast, we encourage you to check out the full Healthy Pet Simply Feed review below to see if this may be an option for you. The multiple feeding modes, including slow feed, help to reduce bloat in dogs from overeating or eating too fast.
Design
The overall design of the Healthy Pet Simply Feed is rather “plain”. When comparing to some of the newer automatic pet feeders on the market, this one just looks a bit outdated. However, we’re talking strictly aesthetics here. The usability of the design is phenomenal, and here’s the main reason: food storage and dispensing. In other words, the main reason someone would want to buy an automatic pet feeder! The translucent hopper holds up to 24 cups of dry food (thats 1.5 gallons!) and it is BPA free. This is the first automatic pet feeder we’ve come across that strictly claims their storage container is BPA free, which is a huge bonus, since BPA can actually imitate the effects of estrogen in animals. In addition, the top food storage lid locks in place to keep your pets from accessing all of the food at once and also helping to keep the food fresh.
Setting up and using the Healthy Pet Simply Feed was a no brainer. The controls are straight forward and easy to use, including buttons to temporarily pause or resume feedings, slow down feedings, timer adjustments, and more. We’ll discuss these options further down in addition to other features. The only thing we wish the device had was a bright LED display to really bring the user interface to life.
Inside the box you should find the Healthy Pet Simply Feed pet feeder, stainless steel bowl, bowl holder, quick start guide, and a product manual. This feeder requires 4 D batteries which are not included with the device, so be sure to pick these up as well. PetSafe also sells an optional power adapter which is sold separately if you do not want to worry about batteries (this is the route we chose).
Features
As we stated earlier, Healthy Pet Simply Feed does not come equipped with a variety of very unique features such as voice recordings, smartphone connectivity, or even microchip reading technology. However, this doesn’t mean you should disregard this product for another. If app-controlled devices are not your thing and you are just looking for a reliable automatic pet feeder that will not clog, then PetSafe is your answer. Let’s take a look at the Healthy Pet Simply Feed features.
Food Dispenser
The patented food dispenser is essentially a very creative conveyor which works with both dry and semi-moist foods in varying shapes and sizes. This conveyor-like system helps prevent food from becoming stuck. With a simple selection, you can change the number of feedings per day between 1 and 12 total meals per day. In addition, the meal portions are also flexible from 1/8 cup of food to 4 cups per meal. These sizes are suitable for cats and small to medium sized dogs. Larger dogs can also use this, however you will obviously have to refill the feeder more often.
The company also sells the PetSafe Electronic Pet Feeder which is significantly less money and is intended for cats or small dogs. This version can only hold 5 cups of food and dispense in 1 cup increments.
Slow Feed Mode
One of the best features of the PetSafe automatic pet feeder is the multiple feeding modes available, including slow feed. Slow Feed helps prevent your cats or dogs from eating too quickly by dispensing the meal over 15 minutes instead of all at once. In addition, you can pause and resume feedings without interrupting your previously programmed feeding schedule. This comes in handy if you want to give your pet a quick snack if they seem hungry.
Easy Clean Up
The BPA free plastic food storage and stainless steel bowl are quick and easy to clean. Even better, some pieces of the feeder are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Final Thoughts
PetSafe’s Healthy Pet Simply Feed automatic pet feeder (that’s a mouthful) is simple, yet effective. They opted to forgo fancy features and instead focus on reliability. The highlight adjustable programmable dispenser allows this device to work with just about any size pet. Overall, setting up and using this automatic pet feeder was incredibly easy and a great experience.
