E-Pet: Regulating the weight of the Dogs through Automation and IoT Utilizing Calorie Tracker

In a study by [1], it has been found that the lifespan of overweight dogs was up to 2 ½ years shorter, on average than those with healthy body weight. This correlation was strongly supported by 50,000 dogs across 12 popular breeds. Moreover, implementation, awareness, and prevention of obesity are critical principles in keeping them in shape, thus promoting longevity. The study conducted four experiments, subdivided into two parts, to test the performance of an automated feeding device and collect data for further analysis. The evaluation of the device’s performance was analyzed through the following factors: (1) the response time and (2) the accuracy of the amount of food dispensed. On the other hand, the data collection focused on two aspects: (1) the comparison of the measured calorie intake with the ideal required calorie intake, and (2) the trend of the measured weight in different feeding methods as compared to their initial weight. Research findings show that the average response time of the device is 0.6 seconds. The accuracy of the amount of food dispensed ranges from 92% to 100%. Additionally, it was found out that the feeding method that provided the closest value with the ideal required calorie intake the setup with the automated feeding device and a calorie tracker. Lastly, the trends of the weight from the two setups are that cup feeding method maintained the weight of the dog while automated feeding method regulated the weight of the dog. Therefore, it is concluded that the type of feeding method being used has a significant effect on the regulation of the dog’s weight and overall health.