A lot of dogs thrive on a feeding schedule that includes two meals a day. But many dog owners cannot meet up with this requirement because of their busy schedule. To solve this problem, you need to find the best automatic dog feeder.
If you’re searching for a way to make sure that your dog has access to proper meal portions regularly, then your best bet is an automatic feeder.
Unlike water fountains that are powered by mains, automatic dog feeders use batteries. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding a suitable plug or an outlet.
Presently there different models in the market and this may make finding a suitable one somewhat difficult. We have done some research and have selected the top five automatic dog feeder as well as tips to help you choose.
Top 5 Automatic Dog Feeders
1. Petsafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed
[img_products img_code=”81brXy-8weL” alt=”PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Pet Feeder” code=”B00VIXRB6O” reviews=”View on Amazon”]The Petsafe Healthy Pet automatic feeder makes it possible to schedule up to twelve meals daily. Flexible portions can also be scheduled in the feeding routine. The device releases food into the bowl at programmed times. It also has a default cat and dog settings to ensure that the appropriate portion of food is served at the right time.
The amount to be served can also be varied to suit each pet. It uses a conveyor belt system that ensures that the portion is controlled and accurate. The feeder also has a special “slow feed mode” that makes sure all meals are at least 15 minutes apart.
It helps reduce different health complications like vomiting and bloating. It dispenses food over 15 minutes to ensure that the food passes through slowly. It improves digestion as well as prevents bloating and vomiting.
Aside from this mode, the device has two other modes known as the “intermediate feed mode” and the “pause feed mode” the first one allows the food to be dispensed immediately after the last one. The latter mode allows the owner to pause the entire schedule and resume without having to reset the details.
It comes in a stainless steel bowl with a non-toxic hopper. The feeder also has a heavy-duty and solid build that prevents your dog’s paw from going into the hopper to get more food.
- Assembly is easy
- Easy to program
- Stores food safely so curious pets can’t get to it.
- It is bulky
2. HoneyGuaridan A25 Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser
[img_products img_code=”61%2B1PslIlAL” alt=”HoneyGuaridan A25 Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser ” code=”B01I90GSMG” reviews=”View on Amazon”]The HoneyGuaridan pet feeder comes with a sizeable food bowl. This large bowl allows pet owners to store more food at a time. It can be programmed to serve flexible portions from 1/3 cups to 4 cups. 3.3 lb. of food and more can be stored on this device. However, this measurement is for dry food.
To ensure that your pet maintains a healthy diet, the feeder may be used to serve food 6 times a day. The intervals to be followed can be preset on the device. For dogs that prefer to eat when they hear your voice, this product may be an ideal choice.
It comes with a pre-installed voice recorder to fix this problem. You can simply record your voice, call the pet’s name, so he will assume that you are present, and start to eat. This feature may also help the dog to eat only the required portion.
The device also has an infrared detection system that ensures that proper portions are served at the right time.
- Infrared detection system to regulate food portions
- Voice recorder
- Large hopper
- The dispenser sticks sometimes
3. Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser for Dogs & Cats
[img_products img_code=”61XI9Q%2BZsKL” alt=”Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser for Dogs & Cats” code=”B06XBRP7J1″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]The Arf Pets Automatic feeder comes with a large bowl to store enough food to last your pet in your absence. The device provides four meal portions every day.
It comes with a simple digital clock that serves as an alarm to alert your pet when it is feeding time. This feature may be ideal for responsive dogs, and they will definitely respond to its alarm and mealtime.
This automatic food dispenser serves about 24ml of food at a time. It also offers about ten meal portions during each meal for the pet.
You can pick the size as well as the portion of the dog according to the nutritional requirements and size of your dog. Simply pick the size and portion your pet requires and set your alarm.
In addition, for dry foods, you can opt for units each time. This will help keep the food clean and fresh away from the prying eyes of your pet.
This automatic feeder has a magnetic lid to hold the food in place. It is quite easy to use. It is also light enough for your pet to open with ease. It comes with an LCD display and blue light clock.
This helps maintain the time settings for each schedule. The settings are adjustable to fit every situation to ensure that the pet eats at the right time. The feeder can be used to dispense food for at least two days during the holiday.
- Has a digital display and LCD clock
- Mealtime alarm system
- Magnetic lid to keep food fresh
- Recorder that calls pet to eat
- Noisy dispenser
4. Petmate Pet Cafe Feeder
[img_products img_code=”81nlIDpZ7hL” alt=”Petmate Pet Café Feeder” code=”B004IJ6ZZ8″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]The most obvious feature of the Petmate feeder is its beautiful design. It is both easy to clean and attractive. The device comes with a removable lid and is quite comfortable to fill up. The removable top is easy to clean and operate as well. It does not have a power-based system.
The device is stable at the base to prevent tipping over. The food hoppers are built with a wide mouth so you can quickly change the food. It also has a grab handle as well as an elegant structure to make the automatic feeder easy to maneuver. The blue color on the top and base make it look more attractive.
The feeder is made of plastic, and this sustainable PVC material is ideal for the purpose. The color combination may even blend in with any home décor you have set up in the past. It also has a rigid and hard hopper that may make it a durable option for your adorable pet.
- Made with PVC food container
- Has a removable lid
- Stores more food
- Sticky dispenser
5. Automatic Pet Feeder WOpet Dog Cat Feeder Bowl
[img_products img_code=”51JooR241zL” alt=”WOpet Automatic Dog Feeder ” code=”B018YOESY2″ reviews=”View on Amazon”]Only a few automatic feeders can dispense wet food because it requires refrigeration. This dispenser allows the dog owner to feed his or her pet with canned food without any worries.
All you need to do is freeze the ice packs and place them beneath the food. This will keep it fresh until the pet needs to eat.
This product may be ideal for pet owners who are worried that the food will decompose before mealtime. It helps keep the food fresh if it is stored properly.
The device is not restricted to wet canned food alone. It also works well with dry food. Both wet and dry foods can be stored simultaneously if your pet requires both during the day. Just fill one part with wet food and the other with dry food. The ice packs must be used to maximize the effect of cooling.
However, you should note that the feeder is made to accommodate small pets and even kittens in some cases and matured cats. It has a limitation when it comes to setting the timer. The timer must be set at different times.
The food will not be accessible at the same time. This makes the product ideal for single-dog households. For multiple-pet homes, you need to buy more than one unit so each pet can use one.
When compared with other dog feeders, it is quite simple. The device has a streamlined, basic look that complements different home interiors. It is also battery operated and can be placed anywhere in the house that is convenient for the pet.
- It is affordable
- Icepack keeps the food cool
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for smaller pets
Automatic Dog Feeder: The Benefits
A dog feeder makes your life easier when it comes to caring for your adorable pet. It also ensures that your pet gets the needed nutrition on time in your absence. Some other benefits of using an automatic dog feeder include:
- Automatic dog feeders make sure your dog is fed regardless of your location or circumstances. Your precious pet never has to miss a meal!
- Automatic dog feeders offer other benefits such as scheduled feeding and portion control. It makes it a lot easier to manage the dog’s weight as well as any other medical condition.
- It has a self-contained measurement as well as eating the bowl. This reduces the need to wash and clean for the pet owner.
- Removes the need to beg family and friends for babysitting favors, to come and feed your pet if you are outdoors for long.
Things to consider
There are lots of things you need to consider before picking an automatic dog feeder. The most important factor is the length of time that the pet owner will be away from the pet. This helps in programming the device to suit the preference of the owner.
Automatic feeding
Is the feeding schedule permanent or temporary? You also need to consider the portion or amount of food that the pet will need every day.
Will the food be served in bigger or smaller portions? You also need to consider if the meals will be dry or wet. These functions will largely determine the type of feeder you need.
Scheduling
Dog owners can purchase automatic feeders with times that can be set from 24 hours to about 30 hours ahead. Basic automatic feeders let the owners set a single timer, but this works only when it is open.
Nevertheless, other advanced automatic feeders allow the pet owner to schedule the meals at different times in the day.
Portion size and capacity
Automatic dog feeders are categorized into different types. The first involves feeders that have single bowls that open up when scheduled. The second type serves a planned quantity of food in the bowl at the programmed time.
Amount of food
Dog owners who are interested in getting the right automatic dog feeder can buy one to six feeding bowls. Each should have a portion size of about 175ml to 500ml.
In addition, such automatic feeders typically have a large storage bin that dispenses food into the single bowl which may be up to ten liters. This size is more than enough for a dog to rely on for a few weeks.
Types of food
Dog feeders are mostly made for dry food. Only a few brands can be used for wet food. You can find brands that use both wet and dry foods. There are also other automatic feeders that let the pet owner place ice packs to help keep the food fresh for a long time.
Pet owners can also buy feeders that allow them to record voice recordings that play when the device opens to call the pet during mealtime.
This unique feature allows the pet to know that it’s time to eat and reassures them that their owner is nearby. All these simple, but necessary features should be considered before picking an automatic feeder for your pet.
Conclusion
Finding the best automatic dog feeder can be a breeze if you know what you want. If you’re a busy pet owner, this device is essential as it will help keep your pet’s health and nutrition in check despite your busy schedule.
Even though all the models mentioned above have amazing features, the clear winner is the Petsafe Simply Feed. This device may not have some extra features such as a built-in voice recorder, but it is quite reliable and offers all the basic requirements that some models lack.
With this device, 12 meals can be timed daily, and the speed settings control how fast they eat as well as how much they consume in each meal.
I want to buy an automatic pet feeder as you said it is essential to have it. Thank a lot for the tips!