Animal interaction device, system and method

An animal interaction device, comprising:

• a base having a top surface;
• a housing covering at least a portion of the top surface of the base;
• and
• a feeding mechanism, including:
• a rotatable platform mounted on the top surface of the base to rotate about an axis of rotation;
• a bottom surface of the platform and the top surface of the base defining a low profile drive cavity;
• a food tray disposed on a top surface of the platform;
• and
• a drive mechanism located within the drive cavity;
• the drive mechanism including a curved rack gear mounted on the top surface of the base and engaged with the rotatable platform, the drive mechanism further including a horizontally disposed worm drive mounted on the top surface of the base and in communication with the curved rack gear to enable rotation of the rotatable platform about the axis of rotation as the rack gear is driven by the worm drive;
• wherein, as the platform is rotated, the food tray moves from a first position where the tray is concealed under the housing to a second position outside of the housing, thereby allowing access to the food tray by an animal.