June 24, 2026 | Dog Food • Cat Food
| Weight Tool | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed | $80 | Portion-controlled automatic feeder, 12 cups, 12 meals/day schedule |
| WOPET SmartScale | $40 | Bluetooth pet scale—tracks weight weekly, exports to vet |
| Jorgensen Labs Canine Meter | $5 | Body condition score chart—visual guide. Free from most vets. |
56% of U.S. dogs and 60% of cats are overweight or obese (APOP 2024 survey). An overweight dog lives 1.8 years less on average than a lean dog (Purina lifespan study, 14-year longitudinal). The single most effective intervention: measure food by weight, not volume. A standard "cup" of kibble varies 20% in actual grams depending on kibble size, how packed the cup is, and the scooping technique. A $15 digital kitchen scale eliminates this variability. Weigh the daily portion in grams and feed nothing else—treats count as calories (subtract 10% of daily calories for treats).
The PetSafe Simply Feed ($80) automates the schedule—12 meals per day at precise portions as small as 1/8 cup. For dogs that inhale food, the slow-feed mode dispenses over 15 minutes. The conveyor-belt mechanism handles most kibble shapes including large-breed kibble. The locked lid (push-button latch) prevents determined dogs from extracting extra meals. View on Amazon →
Disclosure: PetCarePicks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Obesity statistics from APOP 2024.