A robotic pet accompaniment system includes a housing defining a substantially closed chamber having a food dispensing opening, a displacement subsystem substantially housed within the housing and a food dispenser located within the substantially closed chamber. The displacement subsystem is controlled to cause displacement of the robotic pet accompaniment system over an underlying surface. The food dispenser is controlled to intermittently dispense food onto the underlying surface. Sensed data may be received from a plurality of distance-enabled sensors and a direction of displacement corresponding to a longest unobstructed path may be chosen and the robotic pet accompaniment system is controlled to be displaced in this direction. The displacement of the robotic pet accompaniment system and the intermittent dispensing of food can stimulate a household pet.
