What’s The Best Dog Food Dispenser? Reviews & Buyer’s 2022 Guide
When we talk about your dog’s nutrition, your dogs’ diet comes first. Through the food that it eats it manufactures the essential nutrients that it needs to go through the whole day. That is why it is important for you to feed your dog with the right nutrition that should be tailored to your dog’s age, breed, and activity level.
Feeding your pet can be a tedious task to do especially when you have other priorities like your work. This results in inconsistencies in the amount and the feeding time that you administer to your dog. That’s why, in this list, we provide you the best automatic feeders available today.
We already did all the research for you. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the best dog food dispenser in the market, here are our top choices.
PRODUCT / PRODUCT DETAILS
PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
- Battery-powered and does not require a wall charger
- Can be easily cleaned with its BPA-free plastic food tray that is dishwasher-safe
- Allows you to schedule a maximum of five meals for hassle-free feeding
- Serving portion ideal to small to medium dogs
- Capable of storing semi-moist dog food
- Allows you to schedule up to eight meals
- Uses a stainless steel bowl for hygiene
- Manufactured with a large reservoir that can store up to 24 feeds
- Suitable for semi-moist and dry food
- Contains a secure lock at the top for dog-proofing
- Capable of setting a 10-second voice recording to signal your dog
- Has a simple and sleek design at a reasonable price
- Offers precision with the amount of food being dispensed
- Operates with either battery of a power cable
- Uses a magnetic lock lid that offers added security and keeps the food fresh
Our 8 Best Automatic Dog Food Dispenser
1. PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
This product gives you more time for yourself instead of rushing home just to make sure that your furry friend got its food on time. PetSafe Eatwell Automatic feeder lets you schedule your dog’s food in advance without worrying about your pet’s next meal. This feeder has equally divided bowls that deliver a perfectly portioned meal for your dog, even with your busy schedule or if you are out for the weekend.
PROS
- Dishwasher friendly
- BPA-free plastic
- Regulated meal sizes
CONS
- Not suitable for large-sized pets
2. PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder
The Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder, manufactured by the PetSafe brand, allows you to fully customize feeding schedules that can be tailored to you and your dog’s routine. With this product, you can easily manage the food portions that you give to your dog as it has paused, and slow feed modes, perfect for pets that eat too fast and develop gastrointestinal problems. It holds up to 24 cups of food which is ideal for a busy pet parent like you.
PROS
- Large capacity of food storage(24 cups of food)
- BPA-free
- Runs on batteries
CONS
- Food bowl is suited for small to medium breeds only
3. Arf Pets Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
This automatic dog feeder is a WiFi-enable food dispenser that lets you set up to four meals per day and have your dog’s meal portion-controlled even when you are away from home. It has a tamper-proof lid for added security and a feeding tray that is 100% dishwasher-friendly. This feeder can allow you to prerecord ten-second audio for added personalization.
PROS
- Food bowl is suitable even for large breeds
- Capable of setting a personalized 10-second audio
- Runs on batteries or power cords
CONS
- Can be used for dry food only
4. WOpet Automatic Dog Feeder
This product operates with either batteries or power cords that make power outages not big of a problem leaving feeding schedules unaffected. This food feeder allows you to set up to four meals a day with controlled meal portions for a healthier diet for your furry friends. Its large compartments can store up to 2o cups of dog food which is very convenient.
PROS
- LCD for easier monitoring
- Capable of setting a personalized 10-second audio
- Runs on batteries or power cords
CONS
- Suitable for dry foods only
5. Little Giant Galvanized Steel Chow Hound Dog Feeder
This dog feeder by Little Giant combines durable material and the simplicity of gravity feeders. It is best suitable for dogs that constantly chew on everything as it is made out of heavy-duty materials that your dog cannot destroy. It is unconventionally mounted on the wall and can be used as an outdoor dog feeder.
PROS
- Holds up to 25 lbs of dog food
- Made with galvanized steel for durability
- Can be used as an outdoor dog feeder
CONS
- Meal portions are hard to control
6. WestLink 6L Automatic Pet Feeder
The WestLink Automatic Pet Feeder can hold up to 6 liters of dry food. It lets you pre-set four meals for the entire day. This also has a built-in voice recorder and speaker best for picky eaters for easy encouragement. This product is energy efficient and is built to last.
PROS
- Built-in voice recorder and speaker
- Energy efficient
- Suitable for most dog breed sizes
CONS
- Can only store dry food
7. WOpet Smart Feeder
The Wopet SmartFeeder has a WiFi-enabled control system that enables you to remotely manage your pup’s feeding portions. Its built-in camera lets you interact with your dog during meal schedules. The dispenser can store up to six pounds of food and can schedule up to 4 meals per day, ensuring that your pet gets fed even when you leave your home.
PROS
- Has built-in HD camera and voice recording function
- Can be accessed remotely via mobile android app
- Runs on batteries or power cords
CONS
- Tiny meal servings not suited for large breed dogs
8. Honey Guaridan A36
This automatic feeder can schedule up to six meals throughout the day and has a storage that can accommodate 13 cups of dry dog food. One distinct feature of HoneyGuaridan A36 is that once scheduled, the device will automatically dispense food even if shut down. The stainless steel bowl makes the product easy to clean and prevents the growth of molds and bacteria over time.
PROS
- Energy efficient
- Uses stainless steel food bowl
- Can schedule six meal intervals a day
CONS
- Not suitable for large breed dogs
Why Should You Buy An Automatic Dog Feeder?
Are you torn between the idea of buying an automatic feeder for your dog or stick to the traditional ones? Or do your think that automatic feeders do not deserve the hype and are just a waste of money? Before you decide whether you buy or not, here are some of the important benefits that you can get with an automatic dog food dispenser.
Time Off
If you happened to have a very stressful job, you might always take a time off and sleep all weekend mornings. This is when automatic dog feeders come in. As pet owners, you have your responsibility for your dog, apart from your work. Having an automatic pet feeder food dispenser would permit you to have all the time offs that you deserve without jeopardizing the meal time of your pet. A programmable dog feeder can be programmed to give your dog food during a specific time period whenever you are incapable of doing so.
Healthy Eating Schedule
The ideal frequency of feeding your dog is two meals a day. However, if your work requires you to leave your home early and return late, your dog’s meal time may be disrupted. In this case, an automatic feeder may be just the thing to put your mind at ease and keep your pooch happy and well-fed. And whenever you are not around, you may use an automatic pet feeder to dispense meals for your dog since adherence to the feeding schedule will help build a routine for your dog.
Provides Stimulation For Dogs When Left Alone
Your dog feels lonely when they are left home alone. If taken for granted, it may have a significant effect on your dog’s health and behavior. Some automatic dog feeders can provide stimulation for your dog as they can play a recording of your voice while it dispenses food, keeping your dog’s spirits high whenever you are not around.
Slow Feeding
Dogs can be prone to eat their meal too quickly which can lead to digestive problems. An automatic pet feeder with a slow feed mode can help portion control by gradually releasing small portion sizes of food, making your dog eat slower.
Suitable For Multi-Pet Households
An automatic pet feeder can be of great help if you have multi-dog households. Having multiple pets can be confusing during feeding time, especially when you need to have controlled portions for different dog breeds. Automatic dog feeders that have an infrared sensor or RFID technology can be very helpful as they can release different portion sizes, depending on the dog approaching the smart feeder.[1]
Types Of Automatic Dog Feeders
More than you know, there are various types of automatic dog feeders available in the market. Each automatic pet feeder is designed to fit your dog’s unique needs. Some of its variants include the following:
Gravity Fed System
This is considered the most affordable and the simplest automatic pet feeders available in the market. This automatic dog feeder is not ideal for dogs that would not stop until they eat the last piece of kibble in their sight since it does not contain any electric parts of programmable technology. This type of automatic feeder only relies on gravity and simpy release the dog food from the top food container into the feeding bowls ensuring a constant supply for your furry friend. If your dog is good with self-management and portion control, then this is the best automatic dog food dispenser for your pup.
Mechanized Vertically Feeder With A Timer
If you want to control the portion that your dog eats, this is the best feeder for you. This may cost you more than a gravity feeder but this type of automatic feeder gives you more control over your dog’s feeding schedule. You can do this by simply setting the timer on the smart pet feeder before leaving and the timed dog feeder will feed your dog a specific amount of food during a specific time.
Circular Dispenser
These types of pet feeders generally consist of multiple compartments that represent the total meals a day and are protected with a lid. When the timer sets off, the lid will automatically open and gives your dog access to the covered compartment during feeding times.
Clamshell-Style Dispenser
The clamshell-style automatic food dispenser is like the circular food dispensers that have a lid on the top. However, this automatic food dispenser has a steady, non-rotating lid. The clamshell dog feeder can have one or more feeding compartments that work with both dry kibble or wet food.
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Important Features To Consider
When choosing the best automatic dog feeder that is tailored for your pup’s needs, you may want to consider the following circumstances:
Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle can greatly dictate whether what automatic dog feeder are you going to buy. If your work requires you to be away for several hours, you might want to consider buying an automatic feeder with a large storage compartment. If your dog is a bit of a rough player, make sure to buy a heavy-duty and can withstand anything.
Security
Best automatic dog feeders must be able to limit your dog’s access to food storage. This will ensure that you are in control of the number of meals a day your dog receives. If the dog food does not secure the dry dog food, then it defeats your purpose of controlling your dog’s eating habits.
Capacity
You need to consider the minimum and the maximum portion capacity of the feeder as well as the hopper capacity. The portion size of your dog’s food should be within the range of the pet feeder to ensure that you feed your dog adequate amounts of dog food during feeding times.
Relatively Air-Tight Reservoir
An automatic dog feeder with an air-tight food reservoir will help keep your dog’s food fresh, allowing you to store more food, and prevent the growth of molds, germs, and bacteria that may cause digestive problems or affect your pet’s health entirely. An air-tight reservoir could be an essential feature to consider.
Food Type
It is important that you identify the type of food that you can use for the pet feeder. Most dog feeders generally accept dry kibble without any problem. However, if you plan to feed your dog with semi-moist food, wet, or moist food, then you might want to check whether these types of dog feeders are suitable for the food type.
Number Of Dogs
The number of dogs would be a great indicator of the number of automatic dog food dispensers you are going to buy. If you have competitive and aggressive dogs, you might want to give them an individual dog feeder to prevent them from checking on other’s food and start a fight.
Connectivity
Some of the best automatic dog feeders include hi-tech features and may be connected to an app on your mobile phone as well as other devices. This feature comes very handily, especially when you need to monitor and make changes in your pet’s automatic dog feeder. You must make sure, however, that your device is compatible with the dog feeder before buying.
A High-Quality Feeding Dish
In order for you to make sure that the automatic dog feeder will last for a long time and is relatively safe for your dog’s diet, ensure the feeding dish that comes with the dog feeder must have exceptionally high quality. It can be a stainless steel bowl or uses BPA-free plastic and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Size & Strength
Remember to check the actual size and the durability of the automatic dog feeder. You must choose a feeder that prevents your dog from accessing the food. You may want a dog feeder that comes with locking lids to secure the food in the hopper. Checking the size of the feeder is also a prerequisite for you to ensure that it is not too big or too small for your pup.
Programming Features
Different automatic dog food dispensers have specific programming features. The automatic feeder must be programmable to how many meals a day should it be activated and how much food would it release in one specific feeding schedule. Other programming features to look for include being able to pause feeding, meal monitoring, and formulation of temporary feeding regimes without affecting the primary program. Essentially, you should look for the best automatic dog feeder for your dog that suits your dog’s needs.
Dinner Calls
The best automatic pet feeders usually allow you to record short messages to signal calls. This automatic feeder best suites people having large dogs and small dogs alike, that are responsive to voice commands.
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Tips For Leaving Your Pet Home Alone
No pet parents want to leave their dog alone but because of uncontrolled circumstances, it cannot be helped. Given the context, you surely want to know whether your dog is happy and safe whenever you are not around.
Here are some tips that you may apply whenever you are leaving your dog home alone.
Prepare Your Home And Their Space
One of the most important things that you need to accomplish before leaving the house is ensuring a safe spot and easy access to everything that is exactly what it needs like food bowls and the potty or toilet break area. In order to limit any damages inside the household, you might want to limit your dog’s space to a couple of rooms at most. Put anything that can be damaged or is harmful to them out of their reach.
Take Them Out
Before leaving them alone, you might want to take them out first. Going out with your dog will help to tire them out and use all their energy running outside, which leaves them with less energy to zoom around the house and bark at everything that gets their attention while you are out of the house. Walking outside would also keep your dog’s weight healthy and will make them feel loved and less likely to feel abandoned.
Build Up The Time You Are Away
You do not expect your dog to be okay for long periods especially when your dog is not used to being left alone. To train out this kind of behavior, you might want to build up the time you that are away. Begin by leaving your dog for a few minutes and increase the time gradually until such time that your dog feels less anxious whenever you are gone. Remember to give praise whenever they did not do any mess or damage. Never punish them for doing something wrong – just give them a long time before you interact with them.
Occupy Your Pooch
Other than giving your dog food, you may simply give them toys to play with and keep them occupied while you are away. You can use a special toy that you only give whenever you go outside, for your dog to perceive it as a treat. Give your dog a sturdy toy that can easily be torn apart and can be a choking hazard.
Access To The Basics
Always make sure that your dog has fresh food and water. You might also want to ask someone to check in on them during the time that you are not around to break their time alone let them go for a walk for a potty break.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are automatic feeders better than conventional ones?
Automatic feeders are better than conventional ones because of numerous reasons. On top of it all, using automatic feeders will enable you to serve your dog consistent portions of food at regular time intervals. You would no longer worry about wasting any food left after mealtimes as automatic feeders would let you give the right amount for your dog. It would also be very convenient for you whenever you leave your dog home alone as this device can give your dog food even when you are not around.
How does an automatic dog feeder work?
An automatic dog feeder works using batteries or a power cord. Unlike gravity feeders, smart feeders release food with a specific amount at a preprogrammed time. This ensures that your pet receives the right amount at the right time, even if you are not around.
For how long can the food last in the feeder before getting stale?
The food can last in the feeder for several days without getting stale. However, this depends on some other factors. Relatively, dry dog food lasts longer than wet, or semi-moist foods. It would also improve your dog food’s shelf life if you use airtight reservoirs.
Can I put wet food in automatic feeders?
Yes, you can put wet food in automatic feeders. A number of auto-dog feeders can only work with dry food so if you want your dog to have wet foods, you look at the label first- whether it is suitable for wet food- before buying the product.
Conclusion
Selecting the best Automatic feeder that meets the unique need of your dog is not always easy. It requires you to be meticulous as some feeders differ from one brand to another. If you wish to know what’s best for your dog, the list above should have given you rich insights that will help you find the right feeder for your dog.
In summary, the PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder remain at the top of this tier of the best automatic feeder as this brand ensures the safety of the pets on top of all other important features of the product. No wonder, all this feeder’s advantages outweighs its drawbacks.
Editor's Choice
PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
- Battery-powered and does not require a wall charger
- Can be easily cleaned with its BPA-free plastic food tray that is dishwasher-safe
- Allows you to schedule a maximum of five meals for hassle-free feeding
- Serving portion ideal to small to medium dogs
- Capable of storing semi-moist dog food
