I put these Smart Cam Feeder and Treat Dispensers to the test with my dogs - here's my honest review

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One of the saving graces of working from home and social distancing from family and friends during COVID-19 has undoubtedly been my pets. With two dogs and a cat at home, there is always someone to walk, cuddle with and talk to (yes, that's where we are now).

While I'm more than happy to have my pups interrupt my meetings for work, they've started to develop some anxiety whenever my partner and I leave the house. Even though we only leave the house to run errands, we would always wonder what "the girls" were doing — and if they had chewed another hole in a throw pillow in frustration.

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Luckily, I was able to try out two products from Dogness, the Smart Cam Feeder and Smart Cam Treat Dispenser, available at Best Buy Canada.

Dogness Smart Cam Feeder

SHOP IT: Best Buy Canada, $234

What are they?

Dogness products allow pet owners to keep a watchful eye on their furry friends.The Smart Cam Feeder features a 165-degree HD camera with night vision and two-way audio so that you can interact with your pet. Dogness products are easy to set up, you just plug into your wall, download the Dogness smart app and pair your phone with your pet feeder. The app gives you access to your camera and microphone and allows you to schedule a meal ahead of time for your pet and release food to your pet throughout the day.

The Smart Cam Feeder can hold up to 6.5 pounds of dry kibble and allows you to select meal portion sizes (ideal for pets on a weight management program).

The Smart Cam Treat Dispenser, like the feeder, features a 165-degree HD camera with night vision and two-way to speak to or listen-in on your pets. The Treat Dispenser is smaller in size, but allows you to disperse treats to your pets with just the press of a button on the Dogness smart app.

First Impressions

I was impressed with how easy it was to set-up the Smart Cam Feeder and Treat Dispensers and navigate the Dogness app. It took less than 10 minutes to download the apps, synchronize my device, plug in the dispensers and start playing around with them.

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Initially, my dogs were very confused that they could hear my voice from the Feeder and Dispenser but quickly learned that if they heard me through the device, they were going to receive a treat.

Dogness Smart Cam Treat Dispenser

SHOP IT: Best Buy Canada, $230

Both dispensers feature a high-quality camera and microphone and the treat dispenser even has suction cups to secure the device in place in case your dog becomes playful.

What other people are saying

Dogness products have earned positive reviews from customers for allowing pet owners to keep a watchful eye on their dogs, cats and rabbits while they're away from home.

"This may have been the best pet purchase I've ever made!" one Dogness shopper said of the Smart Feeder. "The app is easy to use, function of the feeder is error-free and the camera has a nice wide angle with a crystal clear picture. I love this thing and am so happy knowing when I work late, or am away from home, that I can check in on my boy and know he's been fed."

Like the Smart Feeder, pet owners have gained peace of mind knowing that they can talk to and watch their pet using the Treat Dispenser throughout the day.

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"We bought the Dogness camera knowing we were going to leave our cats for the weekend and it turned out to be a great purchase," wrote one customer about their Treat Dispenser. "It was very easy to set up and we were able to see and even talk to the cats throughout the weekend. The cats seemed to enjoy getting their treats and we enjoyed being able to check on our little ones while away. This was a good find and it's so simple to use. Our cats got used to it right away. We are very happy with this device. If you have a pet this is the perfect item to have around the house."

Verdict

Dogness smart products are incredibly useful for animal lovers who want to check in on their pets and schedule feedings during the day.

Since we have to separate our dogs while they eat to avoid our smaller pup from hogging all of the food, the Smart Cam Feeder isn't a fit for our family. I do have a cat, who eats wet food, but could see this being incredibly useful for anyone with only one dog or anyone with cats who want to stick to a feeding schedule.

I've been using the Treat Dispenser regularly whenever I leave the house and am really pleased with the screen and sound quality. I know this will be incredibly helpful when I return to work for to help relieve my own anxiety of leaving them for the day and I know they'll enjoy the little treats!

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