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Petlibro's New Wet Food Cat Feeder Is A Game Changer

Much like humans, cats don't like to be kept waiting for their next meal when they're hungry. To avoid this, automatic cat feeders can help ensure your pet gets their food right on time every day, which comes in handy if their ideal breakfast time is 5 a.M. Or they like to eat while you're away at the office. But most feeders today only work with dry kibble, save for a few wet food–friendly models that require an ice pack to keep the food cold. But now, there's a new kid on the block: the Polar Wet Food Feeder, a new automatic model from Petlibro that makes it easier than ever to feed your cat wet food on a set schedule.

The Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder is the first refrigerated automatic cat feeder for wet food.

Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailer

Released on April 25, the innovative feeder uses semiconductor cooling technology to keep food at 50 degrees to preserve its flavor and freshness—no ice packs necessary. In the three 7.4-ounce compartments, you can store servings of wet, fresh or prescription food for up to three days, and you don't have to worry about it drying out or spoiling. Using the Petlibro app, you select the days and times for the three meals, and the feeder opens right on schedule and plays a chime to let your pet know it's time to eat. And in case your cat is fussy about the temperature of their food, you can program the feeder to let their meal warm up for 30 minutes before it's time to eat.

Petlibro

Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder

Max capacity: 22.2 ouncesDimensions: 14.2 x 13.4 x 7.7 inchesWeight: 7.5 poundsFood type: Wet, fresh, prescriptionWarranty: 2 years

My cat, Piper, and I were able to try out the Polar Feeder before its official launch, and it was a breeze to use from the get-go. I've used Petlibro's other automatic cat feeders in the past, and setup for this one was as easy as connecting the new feeder to my smartphone—a process that took a matter of minutes. Because I generally feed Piper a 3-ounce can of wet food at breakfast, I scheduled the feeder to open around the time I usually get up in the morning. In addition to selecting a date and time for the meal, the app prompted me to select a feeding duration between 15 and 30 minutes. (Don't worry—the feeder has an anti-pinch infrared lid sensor that prevents it from closing if your pet takes a little longer than usual to eat.) Through the app, you can also choose which compartment to open for each meal in case your pet needs a specific food at a certain time.

The Polar Feeder has three compartments for wet or fresh cat food.

Camryn Rabideau for Forbes

In the morning, the feeder opened right on time, though Piper did need a little convincing to eat from it. She was a bit put off by the humming noise that the machine makes, plus she also didn't like that the feeder is relatively high off the ground (it's nearly 8 inches tall). The first day, she ended up scooping the food out with her hand and eating it off the floor. Over the course of a few feedings, though, she became more comfortable using the feeder and eventually stuck her head in it to eat. She also quickly learned the unit's chime that signals mealtime and would sprint across the house to get to her food.

Between feedings, the Polar feeder remains tightly shut, so neither your pets nor insects can get inside. Also, just in case of an outage, you can outfit the feeder with three AA batteries that offer 12 hours of backup power. The only thing I didn't love about the feeder is the fact that you have to schedule it every three days. There's no option to simply have it open every day at the same time—instead, you can only program three feedings at a time. Also, the slight whirring sound it makes might deter skittish cats.

Between meals, the feeder is securely shut to keep out pets and insects.

Camryn Rabideau For Forbes

Overall, though, I was impressed by the feeder's performance and found it easy and convenient to use—and it gets two thumbs up from Piper, as well. It's also reasonably priced compared to many other automatic cat feeders, with a list price of $129.99. For busy cat owners whose pet eats fresh, wet or prescription food, the Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder could be a game changer.

Is Cat Food Expensive In 2024 Because Of Inflation?

In recent years, pet owners have felt the financial squeeze as the cost of caring for their furry companions, particularly in terms of feeding them, has risen considerably. As of 2024, cat food prices have continued to rise, prompting concerns and frustrations among cat parents. The escalating costs have been attributed to various factors, including the economic environment. Below, we'll delve into the reasons why cat food is expensive in 2024 and explore the role of inflation in these rising prices.

Why is cat food expensive in 2024?

The surge in cat food prices can be attributed to a variety of factors, yet central to this phenomenon is the significant rise in producer costs. Over the years leading up to 2024, the pet food producer price index (PPI) — which tracks the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output — has climbed dramatically. As of January, the pet food PPI had risen by 28.4% compared to January 2021, and an even more striking 30.7% from January 2019. This persistent high level of producer prices has a direct impact on retail prices, making cat food increasingly expensive for the average pet owner.

Different subcategories of cat food have experienced varying degrees of price increases. For example, dry and semi-moist cat food has seen a 5.6% year-over-year increase in January, with prices surging by 32% and 33.2% higher than in January 2021 and January 2019, respectively — per Petfood Industry. These figures starkly illustrate the financial pressures facing cat food producers and, by extension, cat owners.

Is cat food expensive because of inflation?

Inflation plays a crucial role in the rising prices of cat food, but it's not the sole factor. While the general inflation rate has tempered from its peak in 2022, its effects continue to linger, impacting a wide variety of products, including pet food. The steady yet persistent increase in the cost of raw materials, production, and logistics, compounded by inflationary pressures, has made cat food much more expensive.

However, it's not just inflation and production costs driving prices up. Seasonal trends and historical data suggest that prices for pet food, including cat food, tend to rise in the spring months. Though the increases may be small, they contribute to the overall trend of rising costs. Furthermore — according to John Gibbons of Pet Business Professor — producer costs rarely decrease, with a drop in the annual PPI for dog and cat food happening only once in the past decade.

The post Is Cat Food Expensive in 2024 Because of Inflation? Appeared first on CatTime.

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The Way To This Cat's Heart? At Wayside Waifs, They Say Treats, Pets And Wand Toys

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Miguel Addison Haberlach/Special to The Star

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