Auto Feeding - How does it work?
How Auto Feeding works:
Ovvi serves meals automatically according to your schedule when the Auto Feeding feature is activated. By default, Ovvi's Auto Feeding feature is ON when you first set up your unit. Once you create a feeding schedule, Ovvi will open and present the food based on your schedule and will close the food door when the specified portion has been consumed.
Here is an example of the Auto Feeding work flow:
Let's say you schedule Ovvi to feed 1/2 a can (2.75 oz) in the morning at 5:00 AM and another 1/2 a can of food at 4:00 PM. Here is what the Auto Feeding Feature will do:
- 5AM Obtain a new can from the New Can Chute
- Weigh the can for total weight
- Open the can
- Open the food door and present the food for your pet to eat
- As your pet eats, the weighing sensor will continuously monitor the weight of the can. When it senses that 2.75 oz has been removed, Ovvi will close the food door. (See below FAQ for "What if my pet doesn't eat the full portion?")
- Ovvi will update the app to let you know the amount consumed.
- The opened can of food is stored safely inside the Ovvi enclosure to maximize moisture and freshness and to await the next feeding.
- 4PM
- Ovvi will open the food door and present the rest of the can for consumption.
- The weighing sensor will recognize when the can is empty. At that point, the food door will close and Ovvi will retrieve the lid and place both the empty can and lid into the Empty Can Chute.
- Ovvi will update the app to let you know the amount consumed.
Ovvi will continue this process everyday and keep you updated on the App.
How to turn the Auto Feeding feature ON:
Here is what it looks like on the Main Screen when your Auto Feeding feature is OFF.
To turn the Auto Feeding Feature ON, follow the steps below:
- Open the App and navigate to the Main Screen.
- Click on the gray area that shows "Feeding is Paused". This will send you to the scheduling page.
- Cilck on the Start Automatic Feedings button on the bottom of that page.
- A pop up menu will show. Click Start Automatic Feedings again to confirm your choice.
- Set up your feeding schedule if you have not done so already. Here is a video on how to set up your schedule:
- Now you should be completely set up! Here is what your Main Screen will look like with Auto Feeding ON (cans and meal count may vary depending on how many cans you have loaded and your schedule).
FAQ about the Auto Feeding feature:
Q: What if I set the portion to 1/2 a can (2.75 oz) but my cat doesn't eat all of it at once?
A: If you set 1/2 a can for 5:00 AM and the next meal time is at 4:00 PM, then your cat will have from 5:00 AM - 4:00 PM to finish 1/2 a can. That means if you have a little nibbler that only eats a tiny amount at a time, they can come back to Ovvi as many times as they like before the next feeding schedule to nibble some more. Ovvi's proximity sensor will open the food door for them if and only if they did not finish their portion. If they came back 5 times and finally finished 1/2 a can by 1:00 PM, then Ovvi will override the proximity sensor from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM to ensure they only get the portion you specified.
In most cases, cats will finish their given portion immediately because pet parents already know how much they eat normally. However, if they need a little more or a little less, Ovvi is incredibly flexible. You can feed as little as a 1/4 of a can at a time. Or if you have multiple cats, you can feed as much as 8 cans in a row. Ovvi's portion control feature is more robust than any other wet food feeder out there.
Q: Sometimes my cat just seems extra hungry. Can I give an extra feeding?
A: Yes! You can feed an extra feeding anytime as long as the Auto Feeding feature is ON. From the Main Screen, click the Schedule area to enter the Scheduling page. Click on the Extra Feeding Now button right under your schedules. This will allow Ovvi to present an extra meal right away to your pet.
NOTE: The portion size for this extra meal is the same as the portion set for the next upcoming scheduled meal.
NOTE: Extra Feeding Now will only work when Auto Feeding is turned ON.
Q: How many meals can I schedule a day?
A: You can schedule up to 10 meals per day.