Best Automatic Dog Feeder in 2024: Overall Importance and Different Types
Do you have to leave your dog unattended without feeding for long hours because of your job schedule? Are you looking for the best automatic dog feeder? Then, keep reading this article because here I will discuss the eight best automatic feeders that can ease your stress and worry.
Having a dog comes with the responsibility to feed the pet and make sure that it is in good health. It can be achieved by creating a proper feeding schedule for your dog. Following such a program prevents your pet from starvation or overweight. These two aspects can negatively affect the dog’s health, especially if you leave your household for a long time without anybody to feed the canine.
There was a time when I found myself not being able to feed my dogs on time due to my tight schedule. Their feeding habits changed, and it also affected the mood and the health of my huskies. However, I have started using some automatic feeders, and now I can comfortably leave my dogs without worry.
8 Best Automatic Dog Feeders Reviewed
In this post, I made sure to include the eight best dog feeder automatic products with timers and other helpful features. From my experience, I can recommend these items as extremely helpful solutions for feeding your dog. You are welcome to pick the feeder according to your preferences after reviewing their specifics, cons, and pros. Below, you can choose from small to extra large automatic dog feeders, depending on the size or the number of your dogs.
More to that, below, you can find information on how different types of feeders work and their maintenance. Most of them use power adapters or batteries for an automatic dog feeding station.
Such modern feeders are great at giving the food to your dog at a reasonable hour. Some models have an audio modification that reminds the dog when it is feeding time. After reading this article, you will have in mind the best types of feeders to purchase for your canine. Let’s move to the eight different automatic feeders that I would highly recommend.
1. SureFeed: Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder
If you have more than one dog, then this automatic feeder should be on your buying list. This amazing item came in handy for my three huskies. My dogs used to give me a hard time feeding them because they had an aggressive behavior towards each other when it was feeding time.
When I bought this automatic timed dog feeder for them, I became calmer about the feeding schedule of my pets. Now, the dogs don’t struggle and fight for food anymore, and I can rate this item as the top best automatic dog feeder.
SureFeed works thanks to an automatic chip, and I can confidently name it the best automatic dog feeder for large dogs. Your canine will have a stress-free mealtime with this SureFeed feeder. It is programmed with a Microchip ID that should be placed on the dog’s collar. It communicates with the feeder and releases the food for the specific dog.
You can also purchase an additional RFID collar tag so that the feeder could recognize a few pets. The item starts providing the food when a dog is near the feeder. Moreover, it closes when the pet goes away.
These feeders are of great help to dog owners whose pets are on recommended diets. The item holds a size of 13.5 oz. The feeder can be used for both dry and damp food and has a neoprene lid that retains humidity to keep the food fresh for an extended period.
This automatic feeder can control portions to help a dog eat healthily so that your pet won’t consume too much or too little food. The canine will only have a healthy amount of food. I would recommend this feeder for any dog owner, but you should know that it is not an outdoor automatic dog feeder with timer.
- Reduces stressful mealtimes
- Good for dogs on prescribed diets
- Has a lid that retains the food fresh for an extended time
- It can’t be used in an outdoor setup
2. Westlink: Timed Automatic Dog Feeders
By continuing these automatic dog feeder reviews, coupled with my experience, Westlink comes second in my list. This is a food machine with a voice stereo and timer features. This automatic feeding dispenser allows a dog’s healthy eating habits. With a capacity of 6L, it provides up to four stable meals a day for a dog.
I mostly like this tool because of its ability to record your voice and play it when it is feeding time. Also, this item is probably the best automatic dog feeder with timer. You can record yourself for ten seconds to alert your dog when it’s time to eat. With the help of the infrared sensor, the feeder will only dispense the desired portion according to the vet’s instructions. The sensor also prevents the food from locking or spillage.
The automatic feeder holds only dry foods of different shapes, but the form should not surpass 0.39 inches. If the size is bigger than 0.39 inches, the food may be stuck in the hole, thus, blocking the dispenser.
I think that the best thing about this tool is the fact that it consumes low power; thus, it will serve you for long. It uses 3D batteries and comes with a USB cable. Note that this automatic feeder is not waterproofed, so it is not suitable for an outdoor setting. However, you can cover it to avoid damage.
- You can record your voice to alert the dog to its feeding time
- Consumes very low power
- Comes with a sensor that prevents the food from spilling outside the bowl
- Not waterproof and can’t be used outdoors
- Supports dry foods only
3. Little Giant: Galvanized Automatic Dog Feeder
This feeder falls as my 3rd best automatic feeder. The main reason for that is because of the galvanized sheet, which is strong and durable to serve you for a very long time. It is also designed with a specially angled shoot that makes the food flow easily to the bowl.
This large dog automatic feeder has a metallic door, which helps to keep the food fresh. It also keeps the flies and dust out, preventing the food from unwanted germs. However, this model is also not an outdoor automatic dog feeder.
This automated feeder has a capacity of 25 lbs. so that it will work for feeding even big dogs. If the pet can’t reach the bowl, you can adjust the height. Also, you can hang the item on the furniture, thanks to its design.
The feeder comes completely assembled and ready to use. Although the metal door is good for keeping the food fresh, it may rust if used inaccurately. This automatic feeder is not fitted with a timer, so the dog will stop eating once it is full. Considering all the pros and cons of this tool and my experience with it, I can recommend this automatic feeder for large dog owners.
- Durable
- Keeps the food fresh for long
- Has an angled shoot design that helps in a smooth flow of the food
- Best for large dogs
- Does not have a timer
- May rust because it is an automatic metal dog feeder
4. Dogness: An Automatic Dog Feeder with Camera
It is great to always be on the lookout with any new features in our products to keep up with the latest technologies. When I first saw this Dogness feeder, I thought of the way I can control the eating habits of my huskies via an app and watch them through my phone thanks to the inbuilt camera of this tool.
With the Dogness free app, you can monitor your dog and talk to it via the camera. You can download it from the App or Google Play stores. The device must be plugged into a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to allow you to watch and feed your dog from wherever you are.
It has a large capacity of 6.5 L but works for dry foods only. The device uses both the battery power and power adapter of 5V with a long cord that allows you to safely place the item to any corner of the house with the automatic dog feeding bowls.
These large automatic dog feeders are convenient and ergonomically designed with an elementary set of removable containers. You can detach them and clean quickly, and these containers keep your dogs’ food fresh for a long time free from germs and dust. The automatic feeder locks out air and is only designed with a one-way pull-back lever. This ensures the food stays fresh for longer, and the dog will not tamper with the food inside. I like this feeder because you can see your dog when it eats.
- The owner can talk and see the dogs online as they eat
- Comes with a free app
- Uses two power sources battery and a power adapter
- Ensures the dog can’t access the food inside the feeder
- Uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to connect
- Does not have an infrared sensor
5. Petmate: Automatic Dog Feeder with Bowls
With this feeder, your dog will have an adequate amount of the food all day long if you have a busy schedule. The item can be used as both small and large dog automatic feeders. It is available in three different dimensions that range from 3 to 12 gallons. The models come in quite a few pearl colors, adding a touch of beauty to your home.
This automatic feeder is designed to disperse dry foods with an advanced gravity feeding technology. However, this is not an automatic portion control dog feeder as the dog can gorge all the food at a go.
The feeder can be cleaned with ease as it has a large bowl bottle that can be removed from the bottom for simple hand-washing. It is also easy to load the food by eliminating the crack lid. It helps to keep your dog’s food fresh for a day. It is hard to spill the food from the feeder because of the design, as you can even lift it without the food leaking.
The plastic base is BPA-free for the safety of your dog. It keeps the food free from harmful chemicals that may affect your pet’s health. This is the best-recommended product if you are looking for a cheap automatic dog feeder.
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Has a gravity feed design for continuous food supply
- Comes in different colors
- Easy to clean
- Does not have portion control, so the dog may eat too much at a go
6. SereneLife: Automatic Feeding System for Dogs
This is an electronic dog feeder that helps in weight control and provides the desired food portions for the pet. It has an inbuilt voice recorder, which you can use to record yourself to remind your dog when it is mealtime. With a storage volume of 6L, this item allows a dog owner to leave the dog at home comfortably for the whole day.
You can control the portion your dog should eat to avoid its obesity, which may lead to health issues. The lid fits well, thus, maintaining the food fresh for extended hours. The feeding dish is stain-resistant and easy to wash in a dishwasher or even using hand-washing. This feeder is made of BPA-free plastic that can be used for dry meals only.
The tool has a cord that permits the owner to feed the dog in any corner of the house. You can also use batteries or 5V connector. It is possible to set the device to four meals a day in small controlled portions and be sure that the dog won’t be eating too much or too little. The portions should be determined by the size of your dog and the feeding habits.
The design is sleek, and the item compact in size, so it can fit in any place in your house. Even if you have a tight and busy schedule, you don’t have to stress about your dog getting food as your pet will eat according to the feeding schedule. I can recommend this extra large automatic dog feeder to every dog owner.
- Keeps the dog healthy thanks to the programmed portion control
- Keeps the food fresh for hours because of the well-fitted lid
- Can be washed easily in a dishwasher
- Has a voice recorder to record the owner and remind the dog when it is mealtime
- Can’t be used outdoors because it is not waterproofed
- Should be used for dry foods only
7. AmazonBasics: Automatic Dog Feeder and Waterer
This is a cheap automatic feeder that keeps water running, so the dog stays fully hydrated. The dog waterer is made to use gravity and ensures your dog has enough quantity of water for consumption. The water is routinely released as the vessel empties.
It is not hard to use and refill the waterer. You can fill up a gallon of water in the opening flask, then screws the end onto the lid and toss the unit, which permits water to drain down the attached bowl. The waterer is well-created to avoid water from dripping until the bottle is strongly close to the base.
This automatic waterer has a flat and lovely design and a modish sandstone pallor that adds a touch of beauty to your home. The item can be easily modified with a catch and cut out handles, which prevent spillage of water when you want to change the feeding post for your dog.
The item is made with a latex that is very secure for feet setting and safe for any pet as it doesn’t slide. The waterer can be only hand-washed as it is not suitable for a dishwasher machine. The tool comes with both water and the food feeder. I like this model because besides feeding your dog, it keeps it also hydrated.
- Easy to use and refill
- Ensures your dog is well-hydrated around the clock
- Adds a stylish touch to your home
- Can be modified to prevent spillage
- Doesn’t keep the food fresh for long
- Available in small size only
8. Petsafe: Large Automatic Dog Feeder
This is a tool that can be programmed to feed your dog up to twelve meals depending on the prescription. The food can be divided into portions, and with that, your dog will not overeat and gain extra weight.
It can be scheduled for a small portion to help your canine with such problems as stomach upsets if it eats too fast. The dispenser keeps the food in good condition and free from germ infestation. The lid allows you to see when it is time to refill the feeder with food.
With a stainless metal bowl, the feeder can be washed in the dishwasher without a problem. The product uses batteries to power, thus, making it easy to find and place the item to different feeding spots. I would recommend this one for large or medium-sized dog owners.
- Has a slow feed option to prevent stomach upsets
- Keeps the food fresh for a day
- Can be cleaned in a dishwasher
- For the dry food only
Helpfulness of the Automatic Dog Feeder
If you work 8-10 hours a day, and you own a dog, then definitely you are the perfect candidate to hold an automatic dog feeder and waterer. With the automatic feeder, you can comfortably leave your dog with no worries.
Such automatic feeders come in handy as they help your dog to have an adequate amount of food to avoid being overfed or underfed. Through the portion control, the dog eats the necessary amount of the food as advised by the vets, ensuring a healthy eating habit. When the dog is well-fed, it tends to be much calmer and stress-free. Also, such items often come with useful features, like a timer or camera so that you can take care of your pet on a distance.
This tool can solve the obesity problem that has been on the rise among pets recently. Obesity has been attributed to many other diseases. The automatic dog feeder can help you to avoid trips to the vet due to dog’s sickness, and your pet will be energetic and healthy.
Things You Should Be Aware when Using Automatic Dog Feeders
In every product, there are both the positive and negative sides. Below are the potential problems and pitfalls that may arise if you use an automatic dog feeder for large dogs.
- The automatic feeders are much more expensive than conventional ones. This expense is due to the advanced system and technology used to make sure that these tools are automatic and can operate even when the owner of the dog is far from home.
- Unlike other feeders, automatic feeders use batteries or power adapters. If you forget to recharge or change the batteries, the dog may stay hungry, and this can lead to aggressive and anxious behavior. So, as the dog owner, you must make sure to monitor when it is time to change the batteries to avoid such encounters.
- Most of the automatic feeders are not waterproof. Thus, they can’t be set up as a feeding spot outdoors. Moreover, the dog food might attract mice inside the house.
- Some of the gravity designed automatic feeders are not programmed with portion control, so the dog can indulge all the food set to serve for several hours on the go. It can lead to an overweight pet suffering from some diseases caused by obesity.
- For the feeders using cord, the plug might be unconnected, and, thus, no food will be released to your dog. The Wi-Fi might also turn off, and you will not be able to control and see what your dog is doing through your app.
- A metal automatic dog feeder is most likely to rust if there is a spillage of water where it is placed. However, the rust can be sprayed off, and the item will look as good as new.
- Other than the galvanized feeders, which are durable, the rest are made from plastic that can easily break if not handled with care.
- Compared to the other conventional feeders, these automatic ones tend to break down more quickly. The good thing is that most items come with years of warranty, and the customer service is available to your service.
- Most automatic feeders use dry food only, and this is said to have a high-calorie level. If the portion is not set as the vet advises, then your dog might get overweighed.
- When the wet food is not consumed as supposed to, and the lid tightly closes to keep the food fresh, it may eventually go wrong because of locking out moisture. The lid is an advantage for preventing bacteria but not for keeping the wet food fresh.
Advantages of Using Automatic Dog Feeders
Below are all the advantages that have really saved many dog owners. That’s why it is worth relying on automatic feeders.
- One of the key advantages of automatic dog feeders is that they enable one to control the feeding habits of his or her dog. This helps your pet to follow a healthy diet and avoid getting sick or even being obese. The programming is set with the required amount of the food you want your dog to eat and the period between the eating times.
- The automatic dog feeders are well-modified with lids, which make sure that the food is fresh for long, and no harmful bacteria may interfere with your dogs’ food. Lids also prevent the dog from getting access to the stored food.
- With this type of feeder, you can discipline the dog to eat according to a schedule with a voice recording that alerts when it is time for the food.
- Your household will get a stylish device and a well-organized feeding station. This also improves your home hygiene.
- You can travel more and without worries because you know that your dog will be fed on time. You can also get time to do something extra in your schedule.
- Like with the Dogness automatic feeder, you can download a free app to see when your dog is eating. You can even talk to your pet through the app, thus, connecting with it more.
- You can easily use the automatic dog feeder if you own more than one dog. This will help to reduce scrambling and a messy eating area.
Types of Automatic Dog Feeders
The automatic dog feeders can be divided into two types. They differ from the power used, as one is electronic, and the other uses gravity to dispense food.
Electronic Dog Feeders
This timed dog feeder allows you to set schedules and feeding intervals for your dog. This kind of automatic feeder was firstly designed to achieve a healthy diet for our pets. The second reason was to feed the pets without worry, even when the owners are away.
Most models use batteries with 5V and can last you for an extended period, while other feeders require power adapters to get charged. Both options ensure a smooth feeding time. You can set a device with the desired information, and it will automatically feed the dog as scheduled. With some items, the owner can even record voice messages to remind the dog when it is feeding time.
Gravity Dog Feeders
Gravity dog feeders are devised to make sure that your dog continually has adequate food and water. With these items, you can choose the percentage of the store food you want your dog to consume even when you are far away.
The best thing about such tools is that they can be washed effortlessly and with ease before filling up. They have an active pose that can’t be hit off by your dog when feeding, thus, avoiding spillage. However, a gravity feeder has a disadvantage if you have not only one dog, like me. This type of feeder is made for one pet only.
Buyer’s Guide for the Automatic Dog Feeders
When purchasing the automatic dog feeder, you should think about the following characteristics that will make your dog’s and your lives easier and more comfortable.
- You need to reflect on the feeding capability of the item and the size of the dog’s food. The capacity should be your first concern.
- Also, consider the time that you are usually away. It also affects the required capacity of the device.
- Feeding mode is your next apprehension if your dog is prescribed to eat at a specified period. As a solution, you should consider large automatic dog feeders with timers. Also, an electronic tool will be more suitable than a gravity feeder in such cases.
- You should also consider the specifics of taking care of the cleaning and hygiene of the item to avoid a messy feeding area and be sure that the dog’s food is fresh.
- Lastly, you should contemplate on the value. You are, of course, shopping with an estimated budget. The greatest thing about automatic feeders is that they all have almost similar features, so you can choose the one that entirely fits your needs.
Enjoy the Experience with Best Automatic Dog Feeders
After reading this best automatic dog feeder review, I hope that you have gained useful information on these tools. Now, you are sure of what item to choose and know a lot about automatic feeders for dogs. With automatic feeders, you can comfortably leave your dog at home without worrying about its eating time.
You can also clean such devices with ease being sure that your pet will eat from a clean bowl. SureFeed is one of the best feeders that I would highly recommend to any dog owner. Other products presented in this article also deserve your attention and consideration.
Do you still have questions about the best automatic feeders? What features do you appreciate the most? Please ask me any questions, and I will be delighted to answer you. I will leave the comment section open below, so you can write your opinion about the automatic dog food feeder reviews and share your thoughts with me.
