As much as Americans love their dogs, there are times when they have to leave them home alone due to business and life schedules. If we’re being honest, a dog’s favorite time of the day is mealtime. Unfortunately, busy schedules make it difficult for us to feed our furry friends at their preferred times.
In the past, dog owners might have used extra food bowls if they were going to leave their dogs home unattended. However, in some homes, that extra bowl of food would vanish as soon as the dog owner turns his or her back. Consequently, those dogs would start having stomachaches.
But in this age, pet tech gadgets make it possible to get our pets on a regular feeding schedule. One such gadget is the automatic dog food dispenser or feeder. With this dog gadget, dog owners can set up a programmed feeding schedule for their dogs. Automatic dog feeders come in different models as is often the case with pet gadgets. While some automatic dog feeders simply dispense food so many times a day, others come with extra features like cameras, mobile apps, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Depending on the model, an automatic dog food dispenser can be customized to dispense portion sizes, at a set time and frequency. Furthermore, while most of these gadgets are typically designed to work only with dry food, others also work with various types of semi-moist dog food too.
Things to look for in an automatic dog feeder
Some automatic dog food dispensers simply dispense two meals a day. Others come with more complex features such as easy programming, sturdy design, stability, an easy-to-clean food container, and the ability to dispense portion sizes multiple times a day. Currently, there are 4 main types of automatic pet food dispensers in the market:
- Gravity feeders
- Programmable feeders
- Plate feeders
- Smart feeders
I excluded gravity feeders from this list because these types of feeders are designed to make sure your dog bowl is never empty. This will result in your pup being overfed, which can lead to obesity and other health issues. Programmable models are designed to dispense a set amount of food at a set time. Plate feeders feature multiple compartments into which pet owners are required to portion out the food. These compartments then rotate to reveal one section at a time. Smart feeders allow pet owners to remotely set feeding times, portion sizes, and more. This means you can use your smartphone to even dispense pet food while you are away.
With all these models in mind, I’ve researched the most reliable automatic dog feeders available in the United States marketplace.
What Are The Best Automatic Dog Feeders/Food Dispensers In The U.S.?
1. Five-Meal Automatic Dog Food Dispenser
This automatic dog feeder from PetSafe is ideal for dogs who tend to eat too quickly. The feeder features five compartments that can hold one cup of kibble or treats of any size. After filling the five compartments with dog food, one meal is ready for the dog to eat. The other four can be scheduled for a later time.
Based on my research and according to the New York Times, the PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder is the best for most people in the United States. It’s affordable, dishwasher-safe, and the easiest to operate. However, one potential disadvantage of this feeder is the size of the compartments, which are a bit small for big eaters. In other words, this feeder is best for small to medium-sized dogs. Nevertheless, you are allowed to schedule two “meals” in a row!
Key Features and Specification:
- Brand: PetSafe
- Material: Plastic
- Style: 5-Meal Feeder
- Dishwasher-safe
- Great for fast eaters
- Multiple options
- Easy to operate
- Requires 4 D-size alkaline batteries
2. PetSafe 24-Cup Capacity Dog Food Dispenser
You can opt for this simple programmable dog food dispenser if you dislike the idea of refilling a pet feeder every day. People who have used this feeder in the United States praised it for its reliable function and versatile programming. The device allows you to conveniently schedule up to twelve meals per day and, depending on your dog’s unique needs, 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal. Furthermore, the feeder, which works with dry and semi-moist pet kibble, has slow feed options for dogs who tend to eat too quickly. However, the feeder doesn’t seem to work with pet kibble bigger than 3/4 inch in diameter. Many parts of the device including the hopper, the hopper lid, the bowl holder, and the bowl are all dishwasher-safe.
Key Features and Specification:
- Brand: PetSafe
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Slow feed options
- Pause feed mode
- Locking lid
- Great for all breed sizes
3. Automatic Dog Feeder with Camera and Voice Recorder
This smart dog feeder gives you full remote control, allowing you to remotely set times and amounts of food to feed your dog automatically through a smartphone app. Depending on your furry friend’s needs, you can schedule up to six meal times a day and up to twenty portions of dry food per meal. The device features a built-in webcam for video recording and a voice recorder that let you see, talk, and play with your dog with a connected app while you are away. Interestingly, the device allows you to record a 10-second voice message and automatically broadcast it to remind your dog that it’s time for a meal.
Key Features and Specification:
- Brand: WOPET
- Capacity: 7 Liters
- Operation mode: Automatic
- Remote control feeding
- HD Camera
- Dual power supply
- Voice recording
4. Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Dog Feeder
Here is another smart dog food dispenser from WOPET. The capacity of this feeder is six liters while the above one is seven liters. This feeder will help establish good eating habits for your dogs and as a result, they will live a long and healthy life with you. Using your smartphone, you can schedule up to fifteen meals and 1-50 portions per meal. The voice recording feature allows you to record a voice message to keep your best friend excited about meal times. Online reviewers praise this device for its sturdiness. Furthermore, this feeder works with the Pet Zero iOS/Android app.
Key Features and Specification:
- Brand: WOPET
- Capacity: 6 Liters
- Operation Mode: Automatic
- Great for dogs of all sizes
- Suitable for dry pet food only
- Wall and battery powered
- Smartphone programming
- Alarms and voice recorder
5. Automatic Pet Feeder For Large Dogs
You can opt for this little giant automatic dog feeder if you own a large dog breed like a Great Dane, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bullmastiff or Irish Wolfhound. This automatic dog feeder is durable and rust-resistant thanks to its tough galvanized steel body. This feature makes the device great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Key Features and Specification:
- Brand: Little Giant
- Operation mode: Automatic
- Dispenses of dry dog food
- No assembly required
- Secures dog food against pests
Benefits of Automatic Dog Feeders
Automatic Dog Feeders are designed to ensure pets are fed on time, every time. They are especially useful for canines with specific dietary needs. For example, a vet may recommend that a dog with health issues consume the same amount of food at the same feeding times each day. That's where an automatic dog feeder comes in handy. Speaking of benefits, these devices can:
- Prevent pet obesity
- Help dogs with medical issues
- Make your life easier
- Help you notice if something is wrong with your pet
- Saves you both time and energy
See also: The Best Automatic Cat Food Dispensers
