Echo-Approved: The Pet Tech That’s Saved Our Sanity

So… we got a puppy. And not just any puppy — we got Echo, the fluffy tornado disguised as a Cavoodle. She’s charming, cheeky, and possibly smarter than us. As first-time dog parents (or paw-rents, if you will), we went through the usual checklist: toys, treats, leash, chew-proof everything. But nothing prepared us for the mental load of wondering if she’d drunk enough water or been fed while we were in the middle of school pick-up.

Enter smart pet tech — the kind that makes you feel like you’ve got it together, even when your toddler’s screaming and the dog’s doing laps around the living room.

We recently trialled three clever products from PetSafe®: the Outlast™ 1.7L Pumpless Pet Fountain, the Smart Feed Automatic Feeder, and the 5 Meal Pet Feeder. All three are game-changers, especially if you’ve got kids, a chaotic schedule, or a dog that thinks 4:45am is breakfast time.

Here’s what happened when we put them to the test — and why we’re officially hooked.

1. Outlast™ 1.7L Pumpless Pet Fountain: The Hydration Hero

Let’s start with the pet fountain. We’d tried a couple of water bowls (including one that Echo loved tipping over for fun), and while she eventually drank from them, we were always second-guessing if the water was fresh enough.

The Outlast™ Pumpless Fountain is exactly what it claims to be — pump-free, stress-free, and Echo-approved. It uses HydroSpin™ technology instead of a traditional pump, which means no noise, no clogging, and none of that “I forgot to clean the filter” guilt. And the best part? It’s dishwasher-safe. We repeat: dishwasher-safe.

Within five minutes of setup (yes, it’s that easy), Echo was intrigued. The gentle bubbling kept her curious, and we noticed she actually started drinking more — a win in our books. It’s the kind of pet gear that blends into your kitchen and doesn’t scream “we’ve officially lost the plot with how spoiled our dog is.” It’s sleek, quiet, and looks like it belongs in a minimalist café.

Bonus points: If your kids are like ours and obsessed with filling water bowls for the dog (then immediately spilling them), this gives them a job without the mess.

2. Smart Feed Automatic Feeder: Because Sleep-Ins Matter

We had a rough idea of what the Smart Feed Feeder could do — remote feeding, scheduled mealtimes, app access. But we didn’t expect just how much it would change the morning routine.

No more waking up to puppy eyes demanding breakfast. No more guessing if someone had already fed the dog. And no more sprinting home mid-errand because we forgot lunch. The feeder is controlled via a super simple app that lets you schedule, portion, and even trigger a meal on demand. It also connects to Alexa — because of course Echo would have better smart-home integration than our vacuum.

The real kicker? It sends alerts when food is running low. No more opening the cupboard to a sad, empty kibble bag. No more toddler tears because “Echo’s starving!” The feeder took one more mental task off our plate, and honestly, we’re not giving it back.

Echo got used to it in no time — she now trots over before each scheduled feed and gives us the side-eye if it’s even a minute late. Diva.

3. 5 Meal Pet Feeder: The Ultimate Snack Scheduler

This compact but clever device lets you preload five separate meals or snacks, rotating to serve each one on a schedule you set. We used it to cover snack times, training treats, and even medication dosing — all without the mental strain of remembering which scoop happened when.

The 5 Meal Feeder was especially handy on weekends when we were in and out of the house. We preloaded it in the morning and knew Echo would be fed on time, even if we were at soccer, the grocery store, or trapped in traffic.

And let’s be honest — if you’ve ever forgotten to feed the dog while managing a toddler meltdown over the wrong colour sippy cup, this feeder is a lifesaver.

Echo loved the novelty of the rotating tray (she now stands nearby and watches it like it’s a game show), and we loved the peace of mind. Plus, it’s battery-powered, so no cords or tech setup required.

Life With Smart Pet Tech: A Parenting Win

As parents, our days are filled with trying to be everywhere at once. The school runs, the laundry piles, the forgotten excursions, the snacks. So, anything that helps us streamline life — especially when it comes to the furriest member of the family — is worth shouting about.

These three PetSafe® products delivered exactly what they promised, without any fluff (except the one we now vacuum daily off the couch).

Hydration? Sorted. Feeding? Automated. Sanity? Hanging on, but slightly more intact.

Would We Recommend Them? Absolutely.

Whether you’re a seasoned dog mum or a newbie like us navigating the early months of crate training, these are the kind of tools that make the chaos feel a little more manageable.

Each product met a real need in our daily life:

• The Outlast™ Fountain kept Echo happily hydrated.
• The Smart Feed Feeder gave us back our mornings.
• The 5 Meal Feeder helped us juggle life on the go (and gave Echo timed treats like clockwork).

And Echo? She gives them two paws up and is already waiting for her next smart gadget delivery. (We didn’t tell her the automatic tennis ball launcher exists… yet.)

Disclaimer: Products were provided for review. All thoughts, experiences, and muddy paw prints are our own.