(PRESS RELEASE) Sure Petcare has announced the launch of the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, which monitors the eating behavior of pets. The smart feeder monitors how much and when a pet eats, sending real-time updates directly to the pet owner’s phone. The new product also features integrated scales, which enable owners to provide accurate food portions to their pet at every meal.
Feeding behavior is a key indicator of health for pets with a loss of appetite or change in feeding habits often being one of the first signs of illness. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect records the time and weight of food consumed by a pet each time they eat from the feeder, reporting it directly to the Sure Petcare app. Over time, this enables pet owners to build a comprehensive understanding of their pet’s unique feeding patterns, making it easier for them to spot changes in their pet’s health and well-being earlier than they may otherwise have been able to do so.
The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect also enables owners to personalize their pet’s feeding regime to suit their unique needs, whether that is to help address a specific health concern, such as obesity, or to establish a consistent and appropriate feeding routine to benefit all pets. Using the app, pet owners can specify the weight of a food serving for their pet. Once completed, every time they add food to the bowl, the integrated scales will weigh the food and LEDs on the front of the feeder will indicate when the correct portion weight has been reached.
Once connected to the Sure Petcare app via the Hub (sold separately) owners can:
- Monitor food consumption: See how much, how often and for how long their pet eats, to get a comprehensive view of their pet’s eating patterns.
- Receive detailed insights: Notice changes in feeding behavior, which may be early indicators of illness or behavioral issues.
- Set and manage accurate food portions: Set the portion size and type of food to be served for up to two types of food (e.g., wet and dry). Once portion sizes have been set up in the app, the product’s integrated scales weigh food as it is added to the bowl.
- Gain peace of mind: Check their pet was last fed and how much food is left in their bowl. This provides great peace of mind when owners are away from home.
- Connect with family and friends: Share access to the app with friends and family, which is ideal for pet sitters and day-to-day care.
- Use with existing Sure Petcare Connect products: Each Hub can connect up to 10 devices within the same household, enabling pet owners to manage all of their Sure Petcare “Connect” products from the same app account. The Hub also is compatible with the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect and SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap Connect.
David Hallas, managing director of Sure Petcare, and a veterinarian by training, said, “The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect not only provides owners with peace of mind and control over portions, but also enables owners to link all their Sure Petcare Connect products within one app. This provides owners with a detailed picture of their pet’s overall health and well being with all data feeding into one screen. Owners can check their pet’s access in and out of the home as well as changes in feeding behavior, and we expect to add more products to the Sure Petcare Connected Pet Ecosystem in the future.”
Ken Lambrecht, a veterinarian with West Towne Veterinary Center and Pets Reducing for Rescues in Madison, WI, said, “Feline weight management is a critical element to ensure a happy, healthy cat. In my veterinary practice and through my current scientific research, we have found improved compliance and detection by using innovative technology in pet home-health feeding and monitoring. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect is a game-changing feeder, as it allows pet owners to control and measure food consumption, manage accurate portion size and provide detailed analysis of eating behavior. Changes in feeding behavior can be early indicators of illness, pain and behavioral issues.”
Almost 60 percent of U.S cats share their home with another feline friend, while many of them also cohabit with a dog. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect is ideal for multi-pet households, as the product uses a pet’s identification microchip, or Sure Petcare collar tag, as a unique “key,” allowing only authorized pets to access the food in the bowl. Preventing food stealing by other pets in this way not only leads to more harmonious mealtimes, but also makes the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect a must-have for the many households where pets are on either prescription diets or weight management programs.
Pet technology continues to be a growing industry, with the global market expected to increase to $2.36 billion by 2022, according to Grand View Research. In 2018, pet owners spent a whopping $10 billion on general products and services for their animals.
The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect is available to purchase online across the U.S. at surepetcare.com MRSP: $179.99, and in the coming weeks from leading pet retailers. The Hub is sold separately MRSP:$72.80.
Watch a video of the feeder below: