The Best Automatic Dog Feeders
Feeding your dog at regular times can be challenging if you have a busy schedule or work unusual hours. But with an automatic feeder in your home, your pup will always be fed on time. Traditional feeders use gravity to push dry food into the bowl for your pet to reach. And more advanced versions run on schedules and timers to dispense food at mealtimes. We've rounded up a few of our favorite automatic dog feeders to help you pick one to fit your lifestyle.
What to Look For
Researching automatic dog feeders, we found the best ones are durable, have a large capacity, and are easy to set up. Based on these requirements, our top pick is the set of automatic feeders from Hipidog. These heavy-duty plastic feeders are designed to hold food and water and have clear canisters, so you always know when to refill. They don’t require batteries or electricity, making them simple to construct. For a more advanced option, we love the Wopet automatic feeder because it has a six-liter food canister. Designed to dispense dry food, you can connect this feeder to your phone using wi-fi to set up a personalized schedule for your pup. Keep reading to discover your new favorite automatic dog feeder.
Hipidog Automatic Dog Feeder Set
Always refilling
These budget-friendly automatic pet feeders from Hipidog don’t require any power or special equipment to set up. The plastic canisters are specifically designed to hold food and water, dispensing using gravity to keep your pet content. The clear containers make it easy to know when it’s time to refill your dog’s dry food and water supply. And the BPA-free dispensers are nontoxic to protect your pup from harsh chemicals.
Pros:
- Easy to refill
- Non-slip bases
- Multiple color options
Cons:
- Large pieces of food may get stuck in the dispenser
Voluas Automatic Dog Feeder
Perfect timing
If you need to feed your pet when you’re away from home, Voluas’ automatic feeder can help you out. Using a timer, you can schedule up to four feedings per day. And you can set the portion size depending on your dog’s specific food, so you can increase or decrease their meal size when necessary. Plus, this feeder runs on a power source and batteries to ensure it never shuts off throughout the day.
Pros:
- It can hold kibble of various sizes
- Anti-clog function
- Custom voice recording reminds your dog to eat
Cons:
- It makes a lot of noise when dispensing food
Wopet Automatic Smart Pet Feeder
Modern mealtimes
This advanced food dispenser from Wopet lets you connect to an app on your phone to set specific feeding schedules. After filling up the large, six-liter canister and programming your dog’s portion requirements, you can schedule up to 15 meals to accommodate your pet’s lifestyle. The canister and feeding tray are detachable for easy cleaning. And you can record 10-second voice messages to speak to your dog when you’re away from home, encouraging them to interact with the automatic feeder.
Pros:
- Dual power supply
- Easy to control the feeder from anywhere
- The app sends notifications regarding food dispensed and when to refill
Cons:
- You can’t pause the schedule temporarily while traveling without disabling the feeding times
HoneyGuaridan Automatic Dog Feeder
Double duty
HoneyGuaridan’s automatic dog feeder does twice the work of a standard one because it dispenses dry food into two bowls. The perfect solution to mealtimes if you have two pups, this feeder comes with two stainless steel bowls that slot into the plastic bases. And you can use the screen to create a schedule and set the amount of food you want it to dispense. The canister can hold about 20 cups of food, so you don’t have to refill it regularly. Plus, the top is secure to prevent curious pets from opening the feeder.
Pros:
- Ideal for two small dogs or one large dog
- The feeder won’t tip or fall over
- Bowls are removable for easy cleaning
Cons:
- You can’t customize the portion size for each bowl
Wuipet Adjustable Automatic Dog Feeder
Lift it up
Using a raised food bowl can help your dog’s digestion and joint health since they don’t have to bend down nearly as much to enjoy their meals. Wuipet’s automatic dog feeder includes attachable legs to raise the bowl one or two inches above the ground. You can schedule up to four meals per day to dispense when you’re at work or running errands. And it operates smoothly using two different power sources, so you can choose which works best.
Pros:
- You can adjust the height as your dog grows
- Locking lid prevents contamination and spills
- LED panel is easy to read
Cons:
- Not as affordable as other options
What are some benefits of using an automatic dog feeder?
Automatic dog feeders are primarily used if you aren’t home during the day to feed your pet. But there are other benefits to using these modern food dispensers. Since you can program the amount of food the feeder dispenses each time, you can feed your dog multiple small meals instead of one or two large ones. This will help them learn to eat slowly instead of rushing through their meals and causing digestive issues. Also, using an automatic feeder will help establish a mealtime routine for your dog, so they won’t have to wonder when their next meal is coming.
When should I invest in an automatic dog feeder?
We recommend purchasing an automatic dog feeder if you work irregular hours and aren’t able to feed your dog at standard times. Ensuring they receive regular meals and have enough water to drink will help them develop a routine while you are gone. And if you are worried about accidents in your home, you can always install a dog door to give your pup more freedom to move in and out.
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