Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
“Automated Cat Feeder with Alexa and Amazon Dash” was a Raspberry Pi DIY project documented in 2017—not a verified retail feeder you can buy and set up today. It combined a servo-driven dry-food dispenser with Alexa voice commands, sensors, a camera, AWS and MQTT, and Amazon Dash Replenishment for intended food reordering. The project is useful as an architecture reference, but its original skill and cloud workflow are not guaranteed to work in 2026.
What the original project built
The project, published June 7, 2017, linked five parts: a mechanical dispenser, a Raspberry Pi controller, an Alexa skill, monitoring sensors, and a cloud-based replenishment workflow. Its Hackster project page documents the implementation and is the best source for the historical hardware and software details: Automated Cat Feeder with Alexa and Amazon Dash. The original project write-up is also available at Projects Raspberry Pi.
- Dispenser: A dry-food dispenser used a paddle wheel driven by a continuous-rotation servo. The custom enclosure incorporated a two-gallon bucket and PVC parts. Its dimensions were tailored to that mechanism, not a universal feeder design.
- Controller: A Raspberry Pi received commands, drove the servo, read an ultrasonic hopper sensor, and communicated with the camera and cloud services.
- Alexa and cloud: A custom Alexa skill passed requests through cloud code and MQTT to the Pi. The project also used AWS IoT Device Shadow for device status. Its documented components included the Alexa Skills Kit Node.js SDK, AWS IoT SDK, UUID, Request, DynamoDB, and S3. The example DynamoDB table was named
Cat_Feeder_Configand usedUserIdas its partition key. - Monitoring: An ultrasonic sensor estimated food remaining in the hopper. A camera and image-comparison code estimated bowl fullness in rough steps—0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%. These readings were estimates, not proof that food reached or was eaten by the cat.
- Replenishment: The system was intended to report dwindling food through Amazon Dash Replenishment so a selected cat-food product could be reordered.
The published build included specific mechanical details such as a 1.125-inch-diameter by 1-inch wooden dowel, a 5-inch lid opening, and a roughly 1.75–2-inch front opening. Those are historical notes for that apparatus, not dimensions to copy without checking the dispenser you use. Likewise, the author calibrated the servo at approximately one second per ounce. That is a build-specific timing estimate, not a dependable conversion for other kibble, motors, or mechanisms.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How the command and status loop worked
Alexa voice command
↓
Custom Alexa skill / cloud logic
↓
AWS IoT and MQTT message
↓
Raspberry Pi
↓
Servo turns the dispenser
Sensors and camera
↓
Raspberry Pi / cloud status
↓
Alexa response and intended replenishment reportingThe historical skill supported requests to dispense 1, 2, 3, or 4 ounces, ask when the cat was last fed, check whether food remained, and ask whether the feeder needed refilling. It could also request a photo or status update through the connected system. Treat these as capabilities described for that project—not guaranteed current Alexa phrases or a currently available skill.
#1 Best Overall
- RELIABLE FEEDING - The automatic pet feeder will ensure your pet is fed at the designated time even when you're working overtime, vacationing, sleeping, or otherwise occupied. Holds 6L of pet food - 6 daily meals for 35 days for a cat and 20 days for a small dog - and you can set up to 9 portions per meal.
- HEALTH and HYGIENE - The auto cat feeder dispenses a preset amount of cat food every meal, ensuring your cat eats balanced meals and doesn’t overeat. Kibble stays fresh and crisp in the enclosed desiccant bag, and you can use the manual button for extra treats.
- SIMPLE SETUP - Simple-to-operate LCD screen and detailed instructions ensure you can effortlessly set up a timed cat feeder to meet your specific needs. Record a message of up to 10 seconds to call your pet for feeding time so it feels loved and cared for in your absence.
- PET-SAFE DESIGN - The top of this pet feeder automatically locks so it’s impossible for your pet to tip it or push their paws in to grab food. The feeder has a nonslip bottom and additional stickers are provided to keep it stable when your pet tries to shake it.
- DEPENDABLE POWER SUPPLY - The gravity feeder is equipped with dual power supply and a special memory setting so that your pet can continue self-feeding even in the event of a power outage. The bowl is dishwasher safe for effortless cleaning and maintenance.
There are several different meanings of “works with Alexa.” A custom skill interprets a named skill’s custom requests; a native smart-home integration exposes standardized device capabilities; an Alexa routine may trigger an action through supported devices or services; and cloud-to-device messaging is the path by which a backend can send a command to a Pi. The 2017 project used a custom skill and MQTT. It does not establish that the feeder is a current native Alexa device.
“Amazon Dash” meant replenishment, not a button
In this project, “Amazon Dash” referred to Dash Replenishment: a service intended to let a connected device report consumable inventory and support low-supply notifications or reordering. It did not mean that a physical Dash Button could measure a hopper or automatically know when the feeder was low.
The project’s documented setup associated a feeder or topic ID with an account, let the user select a replenishment product, and handled shipping and payment details. It also described storing a refresh token for later use. That explains the historical design; it does not mean the old registration endpoint, token handling, product listing, or Alexa skill still works as written.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRank #2
- Go Out of Town Without Worrying : When you are traveling, attending a party or up too late to feed your pet at home, smart automatic cat feeder will regularly schedule your pet's daily food for you. No matter where you are, you can monitor your pet's daily routine and diet, as well as change your feeding schedule online, anytime, anywhere via the mobile app.
- Feeding Schedule ( Regular Diet ) : Setting up a scientific feeding schedule for your pet (up to 15 meals per day, with a maximum of 20 portions per meal) with automatic dog feeder will not only improve your pet's eating habits, but also save pet owners' valuable time (you don't have to constantly think about whether your pet is getting food or not). Not only can you view your pet's feeding history in the app, but you can also view how much food is left in the dog food bowl via the camera.
- Record Wonderful Moments ( Life ) : The Full HD 3 megapixel camera on the cat feeder automatic perfectly records every moment your pet is playing at home. Even when night falls, the infrared sensor in the camera provides clear night vision. It not only supports shooting and recording, but also supports storing data in TF card and cloud storage. (TF card supports up to 128GB) When you turn on motion detection, the APP will remind you when your cat is doing activities.
- Dual-band WiFi : The Frienhund automatic cat feeder with camera supports dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz & 5GHz). Dual-band network lets you don't have to modify your router for channel compatibility issues. Faster 5G networks allow for more stable, crisp video quality.
- Stay Close to Your Pet : “ Two-way Audio ” allows you to talk to your pet in real time. If your cat is sensitive to sound, you can adjust the volume of the feeder through the “Device Volume” in the APP. auto cat feeder supports various terminal logins, in addition to remote control via mobile phone or tablet, you can also log in to the IPC terminal via PC browser to keep your mischievous cat or dog company at all times.
Amazon’s current Dash Replenishment documentation describes a developer integration for supported Alexa smart-home add-ons, multi-capability skills, or Alexa Connect Kit devices. It involves account linking, registered devices and consumables, and inventory reporting through Amazon’s interfaces. Marketplace product availability and certification also matter. Amazon now calls smart-home skills “smart-home add-ons” in this documentation; its device registration guide and certification guide describe additional steps.
Amazon separately says the physical-button concept was sunset in favor of predictive replenishment features such as Alexa Smart Reorders; see its overview of that evolution. Neither a button nor the existence of Dash Replenishment makes an ordinary feeder capable of automatic ordering: the device needs appropriate sensing, software, product configuration, and user authorization.
Can you build it today?
Yes, but the practical difficulty depends on what you mean by “it.” A local scheduled feeder is a manageable maker project. Remote monitoring and Alexa control add networking and integration work. Current Dash Replenishment is the most involved tier: it is a developer-service integration, not a casual add-on to a servo.
Rank #3
- Smart APP Control: Wi-Fi fully automatic dog feeder is 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi-enabled allowing you to program your pet's meals anywhere anytime through the PETLIBRO App on your iOS or Android smartphone.
- Never Miss A Meal: Easily schedule up to 10 meals per day and 1-48 portions per meal (1/12 cup each portion) with the Wi-Fi automatic cat feeder, you can easily customize your furry friend's feeding plan and check the feeding records to ensure your cat has been fed on a set schedule by the APP.
- Personalized Meal Call: Record a voice message for up to 10 seconds that plays for each feeding, and freely set the times the meal call play, so your pet can feel your care even when you're not at home. Not only that, but the thoughtful automatic cat food dispenser provides you with the ability to record up to 10 customized meal calls and adjust the volume to your needs!
- Freshness in Every Bite: Patent rotor in the tank base and twist-lock lid of the automatic pet feeder prevent pets sneaking into the food dispenser for extra food. Built-in desiccant bag and sealing strip keep food fresh and crunchy. Food-grade stainless steel bowl provides healthy and hygienic feeding, saving your pets from chin acne.
- Smart Notifications and Indicators: Your phone receives notifications and the machine’s indicators also lights up red when the food tank of the cat feeder automatic is empty, food gets jammed, the battery is low, or has other problems. The infrared sensor keeps checking and stops food dispensing if the food outlet is blocked.
| Build level | What it involves | Practical outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Local timed feeder | Motor, measured portions, local clock and schedule, manual control | Best starting point; meals should not depend on internet service. |
| Remote control and monitoring | Raspberry Pi or microcontroller, sensors, dashboard or app, secure messaging | Moderate project; status must distinguish estimates from verified dispensing. |
| Alexa control | Supported smart-home integration or a custom skill plus backend and device messaging | Advanced; confirm current platform requirements before choosing an approach. |
| Dash Replenishment | Device and consumable registration, account linking, inventory reporting, marketplace configuration, testing and certification | Very advanced and usually more relevant to a hardware maker than an individual pet owner. |
A sensible rebuild without Dash
For most hobbyists, first make feeding work locally and safely. The controller should keep a schedule even when Wi-Fi, Alexa, or a vendor cloud is unavailable. Calibrate each portion against the actual food with a kitchen scale; do not rely on motor run time or a nominal ounce setting. Record each dispense attempt, reject duplicate commands, and detect empty-hopper and jam conditions where possible.
Recommended Free Tools
Then add remote features as a separate layer. A useful interface can expose manual dispensing, schedule management, and status, with confirmation for unusually large or repeated portions. A bowl scale or chute sensor can provide stronger evidence that food moved than a camera estimate alone. A camera may help a person inspect the bowl, but it cannot reliably establish that a cat ate the food.
If you really need Dash Replenishment
Plan for a developer integration rather than copying the 2017 setup unchanged. Current Amazon documentation calls for an eligible Alexa integration, account linking, a registered device and consumable, and inventory reports. You would also need to verify that the selected cat food is registered and available in the target marketplace, decide what measured threshold means “reorder,” and provide a clear consent and refill-reset flow so a stale reading does not trigger repeated purchases. Amazon’s current documentation and certification requirements are the authority; legacy project code is not a guarantee of compatibility.
Rank #4
- 【Smooth feeding， No food blockage】-Have you encountered any issues with the food cardholder not coming out while using the feeder? Are you still troubled by constantly shaking the feeder to let food flow out? Our automatic pet feeder comes with a food distribution system that ensures smooth and even feeding of food into the feeding bowl during the automatic feeding program. The detailed design and comprehensive functionality can free up your hands and time, allowing you to no longer worry about pet feeding.
- 【Custom voice recording】-You can record 10s voice to keep connected with your pets. When the feeding time you set is up, the system will automatically play your recording 3 times to shout for your pet to come and eat. Your voice will keep a close relationship with your pet and also let your pet eat with peace of mind.
- 【Fresh food prioritizes health】-The automatic cat feeder features a finger broadcasting lid opening device at the top to prevent your pet from stealing food. We have designed a desiccant placement box in our food dispenser, the design can completely isolate the air to prevent food from getting damp and moldy. We have included a desiccant to ensure the freshness of pet food.
- 【Ensure smooth feeding】- We have designed a food swinging device in the food dispenser to ensure that food can be smoothly placed into the feeding bowl from getting stuck. The feeding bowl of our automatic cat feeder is designed to tilt 8 degrees to ensure that your pet can eat in a comfortable position.
- 【Two power supply options available】- Use the 5V DC adapter while supplying the automatic cat food dispenser via 3 AA alkaline batteries(not included) installed in case of power outages, to ensure that your cat gets food consistently.
Reliability and safety matter more than voice control
A feeder can report success in the cloud while the mechanism is jammed. A turning motor does not prove that kibble fell into the bowl. Food may bridge over the outlet, a servo may stall or strip its coupling, and food trapped in a chute may later release as an oversized portion. An ultrasonic reading can be wrong on an uneven kibble surface; a camera estimate can be thrown off if the bowl moves or the view is obstructed. Hopper level and bowl fullness are different measurements, and neither proves consumption.
A modern build should have a unique identity for each device, TLS-secured MQTT if MQTT is used, least-privilege cloud permissions, and no AWS keys hard-coded in source code. Protect account tokens with secure storage and isolate credentials between the Pi and cloud services. Add local schedule storage, a physical manual-feed control, visible low-food and jam indicators, and notifications that do not depend solely on Alexa. A battery backup should be documented to continue feeding—not merely preserve clock settings—and should warn when its batteries are low.
Do not make an experimental feeder the sole food source during a long absence. Run it under supervision first, arrange for a person to inspect it, keep a backup food plan, and write down portions and schedules. Cats with diabetes, kidney disease, medication timing, or other feeding-sensitive needs require veterinary guidance; an unverified cloud workflow is not an appropriate sole safeguard.
Best Value
- 5G Stable Wi-Fi Connection: oneisall automatic cat food dispenser can connect to 5G/2.4G Wi-Fi. Compared to 2.4G Wi-Fi, this feeder with 5G feature would connect to network more stably. You don’t need to worry about failing to control when you are out of home
- Feed Your Pets Anywhere Anytime: You can feed your pets by scheduled plan or manual feeding anywhere and anytime. You can also view the feeding log on your IOS or Android mobile phone
- Share the APP to Your Families: You can also share the APP to your families to feed and monitor your pets feeding together
- 5 L/20 Cups Capacity: A full tank of dry food allows 2 adult cats to eat for 10 days. oneisall cat feeder would help to feed your furry babies well when you go away for vacation
- 10 s Voice Recorder: You can record a 10 s calling message. The feeder would play the audio before each meal. To let your baby pets know that you love them all the time, you can record a calling message and let them hear your voice at meal time
Build or buy?
Build if your goal is to learn Raspberry Pi, MQTT, AWS IoT, Alexa integration, mechanics, and sensor design—or if you specifically need custom portion logic and local control. Treat the original project as a useful architecture reference, not a finished appliance.
Buy if you want setup, a manufacturer-supported app, easier cleaning, a warranty, and less mechanical and electrical risk. For a consumer feeder, prioritize local schedule behavior, true battery-backed operation, manual feeding, jam and low-food alerts, a clear return policy, and basic feeding that does not require a subscription. If Alexa is essential, verify the exact model’s current Alexa support in first-party documentation; do not infer it from Wi-Fi or app control.
Current examples illustrate why feature verification matters. The official WOpet Cube Air page lists app scheduling and notifications, but the reviewed page did not establish Alexa or Dash Replenishment support. The official PETKIT Fresh Element Solo page describes app control, alerts, and dual-power protection, but likewise did not document Dash support; it also gives inconsistent capacity figures, with both a 12-cup description and a 3-liter/1.33 kg specification, so check the current listing before buying. PETLIBRO’s Granary 2 information describes app-based feeding and monitoring, including camera features, but the reviewed first-party material did not establish native Alexa or Dash Replenishment for that series. These are examples, not endorsements, and product features can change.
A simple locally scheduled feeder is also a valid alternative. It gives up voice control, remote status, and automatic ordering, but avoids some account, cloud, and network failure modes. For a medically sensitive feeding schedule, predictable local operation may matter more than a camera or voice command. Amazon’s Works with Alexa standards published in 2026 say new certified smart pet feeders should expose core feeding functions—such as portioning, schedules, and manual dispensing—through Alexa beginning June 15, 2026; that standard does not automatically apply to every older or third-party model. See Amazon’s announcement and confirm certification for the specific device.
Quick Recap
Pre-travel test checklist
- Run the schedule for at least a week while someone is home to observe it.
- Weigh repeated portions with the actual kibble; repeat if food type or mechanism changes.
- Test a realistic range of hopper fill levels and check for bridging or uneven sensor readings.
- Disconnect Wi-Fi and verify that scheduled meals still occur locally.
- Remove mains power and verify what battery backup actually supports and for how long.
- Simulate an empty hopper and a jam; confirm the device does not silently report successful feeding.
- Check that alerts arrive through a route other than Alexa alone.
- Have another person test the manual feed and backup procedure.
- Do not rely on the device as the only plan for a medically vulnerable cat or during an extended absence.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Leave a Reply