I am not an expert on LPP since I've only had two pets, but I think you're doing exactly the right things. His bowl does get empty between feedings (if you let it get that low), but you can fill it before it's empty. If you touch your pet with the stylus, that's basically like hitting him for doing something you don't like. The contents of the bins are the only other things you have to interact with your pet. The two locked bins will become available to you later.
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Barbara
Unicorn
Last Day of Work