Smart Pet Feeder Review: Is It Worth It for Your Morkie?

The first time my husband and I tried to leave Georgie alone for more than six hours, we set out a full bowl of kibble, a water bowl, and a few toys. We came back to a very full, very happy Morkie who had, apparently, eaten every single piece of food in one go. We found out later from the pet camera that she’d finished it all within the first hour of us leaving. The rest of the day was spent napping, occasionally nudging her empty bowl, and looking forlornly at the door. Clearly, Georgie has no concept of portion control, or perhaps, she just really loves to eat. This little incident, repeated a few times, led us down the rabbit hole of smart pet feeders. (Check out our top pick: premium small breed dog food.)

After much research and comparing features that seemed excessive (do I really need a two-way camera and voice recorder for a feeder?), we settled on a basic model with a programmable timer and portion control. Our main goal was to prevent Georgie from inhaling her entire day’s worth of food in one sitting and to give us a bit more flexibility with our schedules. The promise was simple: consistent feeding, controlled portions, and peace of mind. The reality? It mostly delivers, with a few caveats that are important for fellow Morkie parents to consider.

The biggest win has been the portion control. We can program the feeder to dispense small amounts of food multiple times throughout the day, which means Georgie is no longer experiencing the peaks and valleys of a feast-or-famine eating schedule. She’s less likely to beg for scraps at dinner, and her energy levels seem more consistent. There’s a definite benefit to her digestive system too; no more post-gorge tummy troubles. And for us, the convenience is undeniable. Late meetings, unexpected errands, or even just wanting to sleep in on a weekend morning no longer mean Georgie’s meal schedule is thrown off. The feeder handles it all, dispensing food with a surprisingly loud click and clatter that Georgie has now learned to associate with deliciousness.

However, it’s not a magic bullet. While it’s great for portion control and consistency, it doesn’t replace human interaction. Georgie still gets excited when we hand-feed her a treat or when we’re present during her meal times. The feeder is a tool, not a substitute for our presence. Also, some of the fancier features on other models, like two-way audio or cameras, might seem appealing, but honestly, for a Morkie who mostly sleeps when you’re gone, they’re probably overkill. Stick to the basics that address your specific needs. Our model, while simple, ensures Georgie gets her meals reliably, which is exactly what we needed. (Check out our top pick: training treats.)

For Morkie owners like us, dealing with a dog who has a bottomless pit for a stomach, a smart pet feeder with reliable portion control and a programmable timer is absolutely worth the investment.

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