Crossword Genius

Perhaps my pet needs feeding (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empty

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'feeding' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'perhaps my pet' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' indicates anagramming the letters.
'my'+'pet'='mypet'
'mypet' anagrammed gives 'EMPTY'.

'needs' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empty that I've seen before include "(Of words) insincere" , "Void; vacant" , "Vacuous" , "vain" , "worthless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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