Troubleshooting

Should you encounter a problem with the operation of your Perfect Petfeeder, please refer to the following problem descriptions and their possible solutions. This may be the fastest way to resolve the issue and return your unit to normal operation.

If the problem is not quickly resolved, please do not hesitate to to email us, or call us at 1-800-488-9192 so that we may help you resolve the problem and follow through with service and/or replacement if necessary.

My cat is acting like he's starvinng. How can I be sure the unit is working correctly?
The unit does not operate, but the green light is on.
The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen displays “SET TIME OF DAY".
The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen is blank.
At meal times the motor operates but no food is dispensed or the food dispenses inconsistently.
The Food Low Alert does not sound when the food is low in the hopper.

My cat is acting like he's starving. How can I be sure the unit is working correctly?

If the behavior has come about suddenly, you should investigate immediately as it could be a problem with the appliance or could signal a serious health problem. This is true for any pet. To test the appliance, you can either;

be present at a scheduled feeding to see that it is operating correctly,or
use the Free-Feed Feature to test it. Simply push and hold the up button for a few seconds and the unit will begin dispensing food for as long as you hold the button.

If the unit is operating normally we strongly recommend you consult with your veterinarian.

The unit does not operate, but the green light is on.

A. Check to be sure that the unit is not in Suspend Mode. If it is, press ENTER twice to exit suspend mode.

B. Push and hold the UP button for several seconds. If the motor operates, skip to C, below. If not, then either the motor module is not seated correctly or there is a problem with the battery pack. Proceed with the following.

Check that the battery pack is installed correctly. Remove, and re-install the battery. Please refer to page 5 of the Product Guide.

If the battery is installed correctly, try rubbing the battery’s contacts with a dry paper towel and reinstall.

If those do not work, remove and then reinstall the motor module from the bracket in the hopper (refer to pages 11 and 26 of the Product Guide). Be sure to check that the contacts are clean and that the thumb latch returns to the original position after the Motor Module is installed in the hopper as illustrated in the guide.

If these do not resolve the problem, replace the battery pack.

C. If the motor runs when the UP button is pushed, there is likely a problem with the meal program. Use the View/Change Program adjustment option described on page 23 of the Product Guide to make sure the meal times and amounts are correct. It is possible to inadvertently set some meal amounts to 0 using the Quick Change feature described on page 23. This will result in the unit not operating at those meal times. Also be certain the meals were programmed in chronological order from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM. Programming meals out of order will result in meals being skipped.

The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen displays “SET TIME OF DAY".

This would indicate that at some point the unit lost all power and now must be re-programmed according to the instructions on page 14 of the Product Guide. Try to ascertain why or how both battery power and outlet power were removed and take action to insure it doesn’t reoccur. Refer to pages 19 & 20 of the guide for help.

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The unit does not operate, the green light is off, and the screen is blank.

This would indicate a complete loss of outlet power for an extended period of time, or a failed unit. Begin by:

Making sure the power cord is plugged in to both the unit and a working outlet.

Check the outlet by plugging another device, such as a lamp, into the same outlet to test that the outlet is working. If it is not, check the circuit breaker for that outlet.

NOTE: If you find that the unit has been without outlet power to the point that it has become inoperative, then the battery has been drained to the point of being unreliable and must be replaced as soon as possible.

If the unit is properly connected to outlet power and is still inoperative, please email us, or call our customer support team for service.

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At meal times the motor operates but no food is dispensed or the food dispenses inconsistently.

Check the following:

Check for sufficient food in the hopper.

Check for obstructions in the hopper. The unit is designed to automatically reverse the motor if there is an obstruction. Empty the hopper so that you can check for any objects that may have inadvertently found their way inside.

Check to be sure the food is appropriate. Remember that pet food with “semi-moist” pieces or that are larger than about ¾” in diameter will not dispense evenly and should not be used.

If a considerable period of time has passed without cleaning the unit, there may be sufficient buildup of particulate and oil to bog down the dispensing mechanism. If that is the case, clean all parts immediately according to instructions on page 26 of the Product Guide.

The Food Low Alert does not sound when the food is low in the hopper.

The alert is dependant on the presence of sufficient ambient light to trigger the alert as described on page 30 of the Product Guide. If there is insufficient light, it will not sound. This is why you should visually check the level of remaining food regularly.

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