Overview
This PetSafe Smart Feed review covers the 2nd Generation automatic dog and cat feeder, model PFD00-16828. It combines a large 24-cup food hopper with app-controlled scheduling, adjustable portions, low-food alerts, and a Slow Feed mode for pets that eat too quickly.
The Smart Feed is best suited to owners who want a straightforward connected feeder with generous capacity rather than advanced camera or pet-recognition features. It can dispense both dry and semi-moist food and allows up to 12 scheduled meals each day.
Check the current PetSafe Smart Feed price on Amazon.
PetSafe Smart Feed key specifications
| Model | PFD00-16828 |
| Generation | 2nd Generation |
| Capacity | 24 cups |
| Meals per day | Up to 12 |
| Portion range | 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal |
| Food type | Dry and semi-moist food |
| WiFi | 2.4GHz |
| App | My PetSafe app |
| Backup power | Optional 4 D-cell alkaline batteries |
| Dimensions | 20.3 × 9.4 × 12.6 inches |
What the PetSafe Smart Feed does well
The biggest strength of the Smart Feed is flexibility. You can create up to 12 feeding times per day and set portions from 1/8 cup through 4 cups per meal. That range makes the feeder suitable for cats as well as small to medium-sized dogs with very different feeding schedules.
The 24-cup hopper is also larger than many compact automatic cat feeders. That can reduce how often you need to refill the machine, particularly when using smaller daily portions.
Meal scheduling and portion control
Feeding schedules are managed through the My PetSafe app. Once configured, you can adjust meal times and portions from your phone instead of programming the feeder only through physical controls.
There is also a Feed Now option for dispensing an additional meal or snack outside the normal schedule. A physical button on the feeder provides another way to trigger an extra feeding.
If you want a smaller feeder with more emphasis on gram-level intake tracking rather than cup-based portions, see our Petlibro Granary 2 review.
Slow Feed mode
Slow Feed is one of the more useful PetSafe features for pets that tend to eat too quickly. For eligible meal sizes, the feeder dispenses the food gradually over approximately 15 minutes instead of releasing the whole portion at once.
This does not replace a veterinary feeding plan when a pet has a medical problem, but it can make the feeder more useful for everyday portion pacing.
App control and WiFi
The Smart Feed connects through 2.4GHz WiFi and uses the My PetSafe app on compatible smartphones. Multiple family members can access the feeder through their phones, which can be useful when more than one person is responsible for feeding.
The feeder also includes low-food and empty-food sensors that can send alerts when the hopper needs attention.
One limitation is that the feeder requires a 2.4GHz wireless connection rather than relying on newer 5GHz-only networking.
Food compatibility
PetSafe specifies the Smart Feed for both dry and semi-moist pet food. Its conveyor-based dispensing system is designed to move food from the hopper into the stainless-steel bowl while reducing the risk of jams.
This gives it more food flexibility than feeders limited strictly to dry kibble, although it is not designed as a refrigerated wet-food feeder.
Power and battery backup
The Smart Feed normally runs from its AC power adapter. It also supports four D-cell alkaline batteries as an optional backup power source.
The backup batteries are not included, so buyers who want protection against short power interruptions should budget for them separately.
Cleaning and maintenance
The stainless-steel bowl, bowl holder, hopper, and lid are designed to be removable for cleaning, and PetSafe lists these components as top-rack dishwasher safe.
That is useful for a feeder holding several days of pet food because oils and crumbs can gradually build up around the hopper, conveyor, and bowl.
Using the Smart Feed with more than one pet
PetSafe offers a compatible Meal Splitter for households where two pets can comfortably eat from the same feeding station.
However, the Smart Feed does not identify which pet is approaching the bowl. If one animal steals another pet’s food or requires a different diet, a selective-access feeder may be more appropriate.
For that situation, see our SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder review, which focuses on controlling which pet can access the food.
PetSafe Smart Feed vs WOPET F07 Pro
Both feeders provide app-controlled scheduled feeding, but their priorities are slightly different.
The PetSafe Smart Feed has a 24-cup hopper, a wide portion range, support for dry and semi-moist food, and a dedicated Slow Feed mode. The WOPET F07 Pro 6L is a more conventional WiFi dry-food feeder with app scheduling, flexible portion settings, and battery backup.
PetSafe is the stronger fit when Slow Feed and cup-based portion flexibility are priorities. WOPET remains worth considering if you want a simpler 6L smart dry-food feeder.
PetSafe Smart Feed vs Petlibro Granary 2
The Petlibro Granary 2 takes a different approach. Instead of concentrating mainly on dispensing scheduled portions, Granary 2 adds a built-in scale designed to monitor how much food remains in the bowl and estimate actual intake.
Petlibro also offers camera and multi-pet versions within the Granary 2 range. PetSafe Smart Feed is simpler: one core feeder focused on capacity, scheduling, portion flexibility, and Slow Feed.
Choose based on the problem you need to solve rather than the number of smart features. PetSafe makes sense for flexible scheduled feeding, while Granary 2 is more attractive when detailed intake monitoring is important.
Pros
- Large 24-cup food capacity.
- Up to 12 scheduled meals per day.
- Wide 1/8-cup to 4-cup portion range.
- Slow Feed mode dispenses food gradually over 15 minutes.
- Supports dry and semi-moist food.
- Low-food and empty-food alerts.
- Optional battery backup.
- Removable dishwasher-safe feeding components.
Cons
- Requires 2.4GHz WiFi for connected features.
- Four D-cell backup batteries are not included.
- No built-in camera.
- No individual pet recognition or selective feeding access.
- Large physical footprint compared with smaller automatic cat feeders.
Who should buy the PetSafe Smart Feed?
The Smart Feed is a strong choice for cat or small-to-medium dog owners who want dependable scheduled feeding, a large hopper, flexible portions, and app control without paying for cameras or AI pet recognition.
It is particularly useful if your pet eats quickly because Slow Feed can spread a meal across approximately 15 minutes.
It is less compelling if you specifically want intake weighing, video monitoring, or a feeder that can prevent another pet from accessing the bowl. If you are comparing those alternatives, our Best Automatic Cat Feeders guide separates the options by feeding need.
If you are also looking at PetSafe’s connected pet-care products beyond feeding, our PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart litter box review covers the brand’s app-connected rake-and-crystal system for automated litter-box maintenance.
Final verdict
The PetSafe Smart Feed 2nd Generation remains a practical automatic feeder because it concentrates on the fundamentals: capacity, scheduling, portion control, food-level alerts, app access, and Slow Feed.
Its 24-cup capacity and broad portion range make it especially useful for owners who want fewer refills and more control over meal size. The tradeoff is that it lacks the camera, intake-tracking, and pet-recognition features appearing on newer premium feeders.
If those advanced features are unnecessary, the Smart Feed is still a credible option rather than an outdated product simply because newer smart feeders have added more technology.
Check PetSafe Smart Feed availability on Amazon.
FAQ
How much food does the PetSafe Smart Feed hold?
The 2nd Generation Smart Feed holds up to 24 cups of food.
How many meals can PetSafe Smart Feed schedule?
You can schedule up to 12 meals per day.
What portion sizes can it dispense?
Meal sizes can be set from 1/8 cup up to 4 cups per feeding.
Does PetSafe Smart Feed work with wet food?
It is designed for dry and semi-moist food. It is not a refrigerated wet-food feeder.
What does Slow Feed do?
Slow Feed gradually dispenses eligible meals over approximately 15 minutes instead of releasing the entire portion immediately.
Does PetSafe Smart Feed have battery backup?
Yes. It supports four D-cell alkaline batteries as optional backup power. The batteries are not included.
Does it require WiFi?
Its connected app features require a 2.4GHz WiFi network.
Does PetSafe Smart Feed have a camera?
No. The 2nd Generation Smart Feed does not include a built-in camera.
Can it stop one cat from eating another cat’s food?
No. It does not identify individual pets or restrict access to the bowl. A selective feeder such as SureFeed is better suited to that problem.