This is very easy to use if you read the directions. Once you do, you will have it up and running in just a few minutes. Love how much easier it makes to feed them. Also helps a lot when you have a pet that loves to over eat. This will help manage how much they eat and get them on a good schedule. Mine were scared of it for about an hour. Then the food came out and they were perfectly fine with it once they found out what it does.