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If you live in a multi-cat household, you likely face a specific chaotic morning ritual: the synchronized screaming for breakfast, followed by the inevitable shoving match where the dominant cat eats two portions while the shy one gets scraps. The PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera (Dual Tray Edition) attempts to solve two problems at once: portion equity and peace of mind while you are away.
However, the market is saturated with “smart” pet devices that are often more trouble than they are worth—plagued by connectivity issues and flimsy mechanics. This unit boasts 5G WiFi support, 1080P HD video, and a meal splitter designed for two. But does the hardware justify the price tag, or are you just paying for a glorified kibble dispenser? We analyzed the specs, the app functionality, and the build quality to give you a pragmatic verdict.
Core Features: Beyond the Marketing Fluff
Connectivity That Actually Works (5GHz Support)
Most smart home pet products are stuck in the past, supporting only 2.4GHz WiFi bands. If you live in a modern apartment complex, the 2.4GHz band is often congested, leading to connection drops. A standout feature here is the dual-band support (5GHz & 2.4GHz). This might seem like a minor technical detail, but for a device you rely on to feed your pets while you are on vacation, connection stability is the single most critical factor.
Surveillance and Interaction
The unit integrates a 1080P HD camera with a 145° wide-angle lens. Unlike static cameras, this one is positioned specifically to monitor the food bowl area. This allows you to verify not just that food was dispensed, but that your cats actually ate it. The inclusion of Infrared (IR) night vision is standard but essential for checking in during late hours without startling the pets with a spotlight.
The Dual-Tray Mechanism
The “Granary” design uses a meal splitter to distribute food into two stainless steel bowls. The challenge with most dual feeders is uneven distribution—one side gets a mountain of kibble, the other a molehill. PETLIBRO utilizes an adjustable meal splitter that allows you to manually tweak the flow if you notice a bias, aiming to ensure both pets get their caloric requirements.
Hands-On Analysis and Performance
Setup and App Experience
The onboarding process via the PETLIBRO app is streamlined thanks to the 5G compatibility. You aren’t forced to split your home router bands just to get the device online. Once connected, the app offers granular control. You can schedule up to 6 meals daily with 1-50 portions per meal. For a 5L hopper, this capacity is sufficient for two adult cats for roughly a week to ten days, depending on their appetite.
Critical Note on Audio: The two-way audio allows you to listen in and speak. While the “meal call” feature (recording your voice to play when food drops) is cute, the real-time audio is more practical for breaking up fights remotely or simply soothing an anxious pet. However, expect a slight latency in the audio transmission, which is typical for cloud-relayed IoT devices.
Video Storage and Privacy
There is a catch regarding video history. While the live stream is free, the device offers two storage methods: local SD card (up to 256GB) or Cloud Storage. The SD card is not included, and the Cloud Storage requires a subscription. If you are privacy-conscious, buying a cheap SD card is the better route. It keeps your data local and avoids monthly fees. The motion detection is sensitive enough to capture eating habits, and the “Smart Notifications” will alert you to low food levels or blockages.
Hygiene and Maintenance
Plastic bowls are notorious for causing chin acne in cats due to bacteria retention. This unit correctly ships with stainless steel bowls, which are non-porous and dishwasher safe. The food tank is detachable, making the deep cleaning process relatively painless. The desiccant bag holder in the lid is a necessary feature to keep kibble crunchy, though you will need to remember to replace these bags monthly.
Power Redundancy
A feeder that fails during a power outage is dangerous. This unit supports a dual power supply: a standard USB-C wall adapter and a battery backup (3 x D-cell batteries, not included). In battery mode, the camera and WiFi features disable to save power, but the feeding schedule remains active. This failsafe logic is exactly what you want; prioritizing the cat’s survival over your ability to watch them video stream.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ The Good | ❌ The Bad |
|---|---|
| 5G WiFi Support: Significantly more reliable connectivity than 2.4GHz-only models. | SD Card Not Included: You must buy a micro SD card separately for local recording. |
| Stainless Steel Bowls: Hygienic and easy to clean, preventing feline chin acne. | Battery Limitation: Camera and WiFi turn off in battery-backup mode (feeding only). |
| Wide Angle Camera: 145° view covers the feeding area well, even in total darkness. | Desiccant Costs: Requires ongoing purchase of desiccant bags to keep food fresh. |
| Adjustable Splitter: Helps correct uneven dispensing between the two bowls. | Size Limits: Only works with dry kibble between 2-15mm in diameter. |
Product Comparison
To see where the PETLIBRO stands in the market, we compared it against a standard competitor without a camera and a budget gravity option.
| Feature | PETLIBRO Granary (Main) | Generic Smart Feeder (Competitor) | Gravity Feeder (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👁️ Monitoring | 1080P Camera + Audio | App Logs Only | None |
| 📶 Connectivity | 5GHz & 2.4GHz WiFi | 2.4GHz WiFi Only | None (Mechanical) |
| 🥣 Feeding Type | Portion Control (Electronic) | Portion Control (Electronic) | Free Feeding (Uncontrolled) |
| 🛡️ Hygiene | Stainless Steel | Usually Plastic | Plastic |
| 🔋 Power | Wall + Battery Backup | Wall + Battery Backup | Gravity |
Gallery: User Experience
Here is a closer look at the build quality and design elements that matter for daily use.
Verdict
The PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera is a premium solution for a specific problem. If you work long hours, travel frequently, or simply want to monitor your pets’ health closely, the combination of 5G connectivity and visual confirmation is worth the investment. It eliminates the “did the feeder actually work?” anxiety that plagues cheaper, non-camera models.
However, if you are always home or have a tight budget, the camera features may be overkill. But for the modern, multi-cat household looking to automate feeding while maintaining a high level of care and hygiene, this is currently one of the most robust options on the market. The inclusion of stainless steel bowls and a sealed desiccant compartment shows that PETLIBRO understands the practical needs of pet owners, not just the tech specs.
