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CNET reviewer David Watsky tested the Neakasa Riko automatic feeder for a month. The device grinds and rehydrates freeze-dried food meal by meal, but the review found that dialing in moisture levels takes patience and results with other dry foods were less consistent.
CNET reviewer David Watsky spent a month testing the Neakasa Riko, an automatic feeder that grinds and adds water to dry food at mealtime rather than keeping prepared wet food chilled. The review found its strongest results came with freeze-dried food, while compatibility with other dry foods and the time needed to find a suitable water ratio remain limitations for owners considering it.
The Riko holds freeze-dried food and water in separate reservoirs, then prepares a serving when a scheduled or manual feed is triggered. Its 80-ounce water tank and retractable bowl give the food time to rehydrate before the cat eats. Unlike many wet-food dispensers described in the review, it does not rely on refrigeration or freezer packs to keep pre-portioned wet food cold.
Watsky reported that freeze-dried food produced strong results, with moisture levels adjustable through the system. The process requires experimentation, however, and the review said finding the preferred water-to-food ratio takes patience. Neakasa says the unit may also work with air-dried and baked foods, but does not recommend extruded kibble.
The reviewer also tried the feeder with his cat’s regular food, Supreme Source. He said the Riko did not grind that food, though it softened it with water and his cat appeared unbothered by the texture. Watsky described those early results as promising but said he was not ready to rely on it for the entire feeding process. The review also noted a minor scheduling glitch during testing.
A Different Way to Serve Wet Meals
The Riko addresses a practical problem for pet owners: prepared wet food can be inconvenient to serve when no one is home at mealtime, while leaving it out for an extended period is undesirable. By preparing food when a meal is due, the feeder offers another approach for households that want to serve rehydrated food without storing multiple chilled portions in the device.
That convenience comes with trade-offs. The review says relying exclusively on freeze-dried food can cost more than canned food, and the Riko’s performance depends on the food type and moisture settings. Its up-to-a-week meal capacity, as described in the review’s pros, may suit some owners, but it does not remove the need to select compatible food, clean the equipment and check that meals are being prepared as intended.
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How the Riko Prepares Food
Watsky tested the feeder after previously feeding his cat wet food during a period following a health scare. He wrote that serving wet food required planning because it needs to be fresh and cannot sit out too long. The review compared the Riko with other approaches he had investigated, including dispensers using freezer packs and refrigerated units with limited capacity.
The Riko instead stores dry food and water separately. At feeding time, it grinds and wets the food before serving. It connects to the Neakasa app over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, where the reviewer found feeding history, schedules, manual controls and estimated food and water levels. The device also has removable tanks, two dishwasher-safe stainless-steel bowl inserts and a desiccant compartment. CNET’s review rated it 8.5, while listing food compatibility, cost and setup as drawbacks.
“I spent a month with the Neakasa Riko to see how it might help cat owners.”
— David Watsky, CNET reviewer
Food Compatibility Still Varies
The review does not establish how the Riko performs across a broad range of brands, recipes or cats. Watsky’s test of one additional food was limited: the machine did not grind it, and he described the outcome as an early indication rather than a basis for fully handing over feeding. Owners may need to test settings and monitor whether their cat accepts the resulting texture.
Other points remain untested or limited to the review period. Watsky did not test the optional rechargeable battery pack, for which Neakasa claims up to seven days of backup power. The review also reported a minor scheduling glitch but did not establish its cause or whether a software change would resolve it. The tester said his unit appeared to be an early production model and lacked a cleaning brush included in other kits.
Check Fit Before Switching
For prospective buyers, the immediate next step is to check Neakasa’s current food guidance and compare the feeder’s requirements with the cat’s existing diet. The review suggests allowing time to adjust the water-to-food ratio and observing how the animal responds before relying on the device for all meals. Buyers should also confirm what accessories are included in the kit they plan to purchase, since the tested unit’s contents differed from other Riko kits described by CNET.
The source material does not identify a forthcoming software update, additional testing or a company response to the reported scheduling issue. Until more information is available, the monthlong review supports a measured conclusion: the Riko showed promise with freeze-dried food, but its fit for other diets and its long-term reliability are not established by this test.
Key Questions
What does the Neakasa Riko do?
It stores dry food and water separately, then grinds and rehydrates a serving when a meal is scheduled or started manually.
Which food worked best in the review?
CNET reviewer David Watsky reported the best results with freeze-dried food. Neakasa says air-dried and baked food may work, but does not recommend extruded kibble.
Can it replace canned wet food?
The review describes rehydrated dry food, not a dispenser for canned food. Watsky found freeze-dried food worked well, but said using it exclusively can be more expensive than canned food.
What drawbacks did the reviewer report?
He said adjusting moisture levels takes patience, results with other dry foods were less consistent, and a minor scheduling glitch occurred during testing. He also noted the cost of relying on freeze-dried food.
How long did CNET test the Riko?
Watsky used the feeder for one month. He did not test the optional battery pack, so its real-world backup performance was not covered in his review.
Source: rss
