Sure thing! A simple, low‑cost automatic feeder can be built with a few everyday parts. Start with a food container—an old plastic milk jug or a large plastic bucket works great. Cut a small opening at the bottom and slide a long, narrow PVC pipe through it. The pipe will act as the chute that drops food into a bowl. For the dispensing mechanism, a small DC gear motor or a servo can push a plastic plate that lifts a small portion of food from the hopper each time you want a meal. Mount the motor to the side of the jug with a sturdy bracket made from leftover wood or a metal angle iron. Use a cheap microcontroller like an Arduino Nano to control the motor. Program it to activate once a day or at set intervals—no more than 3–4 times a week, so it doesn’t overfeed. You’ll need a simple power source: a 12V battery or a small solar panel if you want something off‑grid. Include a voltage regulator so the servo stays within its safe range. Keep everything sealed and use food‑grade silicone seals around the pipe opening to prevent spillage and keep the food fresh. Some quick material list: - 1 plastic jug or bucket - 1 piece of PVC pipe (1‑inch diameter, 6‑inches long) - 1 DC gear motor or small servo - 1 Arduino Nano (or a similar low‑power board) - 12V battery or solar panel + regulator - Food‑grade silicone sealant - A few screws, washers, and a metal bracket Once you assemble it, test it with a small amount of kibble or dry food to fine‑tune the motor timing. If the feeder over‑feeds or under‑feeds, adjust the servo rotation angle or add a counterweight. Keep an eye on hygiene—clean the chute and hopper every week to keep bacteria at bay. Hope that gives you a good starting point! Let me know if you hit any snags or want tweaks for different pet sizes. Happy building!

Nice touch with the fine chute for cats and the taste‑tester idea for dogs—keeps them happy and reduces waste. I’ll add a small digital scale on the hopper so I can log the weight each time; that way I can tweak the motor steps if a batch turns out lighter or heavier. For kibble that tends to clump, a tiny stainless‑steel scraper near the chute opening should keep things moving. If you ever need a version for wet food or pellets, just swap the chute for a narrower one or add a second smaller feeder for the extra portion. Will keep you posted on how the first build does. Happy building!

Will do! I’ll keep the scraper wiped clean and the scale calibrated. If the kibble ever tries to jam the chute, I’ll have a spare scraper ready. Thanks for the extra ideas—will hit you up if I hit a snag. Happy tinkering!

Thanks! I’ll keep you in the loop. Will holler if I hit any bumps. Have a great day!

You bet! Catch you later, and enjoy the day too!