Necessity is the mother of invention. Without this project, my girl cat would eat all of the food. Boy cat wasn't happy so I came up with this solution.
If you have a Pet Feedster and want to split the food fairly evenly between pets, here are the supplies you'll need and the steps needed to reproduce mine.
Step 1: Equipment List
- Pet Feedster USA PF-10 CAT Pet Feedster Automated Pet Feeder For Cats (can be purchased from Amazon)
- Base to elevate the feeder. I made mine out of spare 2 x 4. measurements are approximately 14" x 14" x 10.5"
- Hopkins 10703 FloTool Spill Saver Radiator Funnel (wide funnel base - can be purchased from Amazon)
- 120 degree PVC Y adapter (https://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html, search for 475-21131T)
You can also make the Y adapter with a 3D printer at your local library if they have the equipment. You'd need the design information for the printing. Google and ye' shall find. Not information I can provide.
- pegboard wire circle
Can be made from a wire hanger or search online possibly. - appx 20" long 1" PVC pipe (I purchased mine from Home Depot)
- Hacksaw or pipe cutter (to cut 1" PVC pipe in half)
- Hot glue gun for attaching modified funnel to PVC Y adapter
- Drill with bit for pegboard wire circle or wire hanger
- Raised Cat Feeder food bowl (can be purchased from Amazon)
- 2 (3 x 5) standard index cards. Hot glued to bowl and folded over (for food backstops)
*** Please Note that if you use different equipment, you may need to make adjustments to things such as the base height ***
Step 2: Build base
Dimensions for the base are 14" x 14" by 10.5" for the one I built.
Step 3: Modify funnel and hot glue to Y adapter
- Trim the funnel to sit inside of the Y adapter so it doesn't block the path.
- Don't put the hot glue gun away. You'll need it for the next step.
Step 4: Hot glue the index cards to the elevated bowls
- Do not fold the index cards right away so you get a good feel of where the food is hitting.
- You can fold them later, after you know exactly where the kibbles hit.
Step 5: Drill hole(s) in bottom of pet feedster base and attach wire circle
- The bottom can be removed from feedster per manufacturers instructions ( I just lifted mine off).
- Mark the drill points with a marker for ease of drilling.
- Unscrew plastic bottom from feedster and drill holes slightly smaller than the size of the wire circle (you want a snug fit).
- Have 2 prongs will help keep this piece stationary. The third prong, opposite the dual side, also helps with stability.
Step 6: Cut PVC pipe in half
- I cut mine so both pieces were approximately 10".
Step 7: Feed the Y adapter through wire circle and attach PVC pipes
- I did not hot glue the PVC pipes on purpose, so I could remove everything from the wire circle. Friction holds them in place very well.
Step 8: Test and adjust over time
- I found that I needed adjust how close my dishes were located to the ends of the PVC pipes.
- See the video for the final result.
- Not too shabby. The food distribution is surprisingly even on mine. I hope you have similar results.
http://www.instructables.com/files/orig/FGN/SEE4/IEB818U6/FGNSEE4IEB818U6.mp4