The word “portion” on a feeder is a machine setting, not a nutrition recommendation. Before relying on it, determine what the setting dispenses with the food you actually use. This worksheet checks the equipment; it does not calculate how much your pet should eat.
Separate three numbers
- The feeding target: established separately with appropriate veterinary guidance when needed.
- The device setting: a unit defined by the exact model’s manual.
- The measured output: the food that reaches the bowl during your check.
As one documented example, PetSafe’s Smart Feed setup instructions describe settings in cup increments. Do not transfer that unit to a feeder that uses numbered portions or assume a cup setting corresponds to a universal gram weight.
Run a supervised equipment check
Follow the manufacturer’s setup and calibration procedure first. Confirm food compatibility, install the dispensing parts correctly, and use the normal operating position. Keep your pet from eating repeated test outputs; these are measurements, not extra meals.
Use a kitchen scale suitable for the quantity, zero it with the empty bowl, and record the dispensed weight. Repeat the same setting several times, recording every result rather than just the nicest-looking one. Five trials can be a practical first check, but are not a reliability certification.
| Illustrative trial | Output |
|---|---|
| 1 | 24 g |
| 2 | 26 g |
| 3 | 25 g |
| 4 | 24 g |
| 5 | 26 g |
Here the total is 125 g, the mean is 25 g, and the observed range is 24–26 g. These invented numbers demonstrate the arithmetic only; they are neither a feeding amount nor an acceptable-error standard.
Decide what to do with the result
Compare your record with the manufacturer’s stated expectations. If output is inconsistent, stop relying on the schedule and use a human-managed feeding plan while troubleshooting with support. Do not compensate for an unexplained fault by silently increasing portions.
Recheck after changes to the food or dispensing setup. Keep the date, food name, setting, and measured weights together so later comparisons mean something.
Next: check backup power and connectivity separately.
Research-based equipment worksheet; no feeder was tested by us. Source checked October 9, 2026.