Abstract: A device for dispensing material consumed by an animal and monitoring the animal's consumption of the material, includes a sensor, a valve, and a controller. The sensor is operable to sense an amount of a material that is held in a container and to be consumed by an animal. The valve is operable to control the flow of the material into the container from a source of the material. The controller is coupled with the sensor and with the valve, and operable to direct the valve to open in response to the sensor sensing an amount of material in the container being less than a minimum amount. The controller is also operable to direct the valve to close in response to the sensor sensing an amount of material in the container being above a maximum amount. The maximum amount of material that triggers the controller to direct the valve to close is greater than the minimum amount of material that triggers the controller to direct the valve to open.