Automatic dog feeders can be very helpful for those who have difficulty maintaining a twice-per-day feeding schedule for their dogs due to work, school, or family obligations, even though most dogs tend to do well with this routine.
Thankfully, there are numerous dog feeders that are automated, permitting you to maintain Fido’s feeding schedule even if your days are jam-packed.
Best Automatic Dog Feeders: Our 7 Favorites!
Although there are numerous automatic feeders available in the market, a fair amount of them are disappointingly subpar. Nonetheless, fear not! We have compiled a list of our preferred options to assist you in sifting through the rubbish and discovering those that really do the job!
1. WOpet Automatic Pet Feeder
The top-rated automatic dog feeder overall.
WOpet Automatic Pet Feeder
A feature-rich feeder with a built-in camera and speaker.
The WOpet Automatic Pet Feeder is an advanced pet feeder that makes feeding your pet effortless. It has a capacity to hold up to 29 cups of food and can be programmed to dispense six meals each day. Additionally, this feeder is equipped with a speaker that can record up to a 10-second message to alert your pet during feeding time.
The WOpet Automatic dog feeder is equipped with a built-in camera that enables you to monitor your pet while they dine, making it one of its remarkable features.
Characteristics:
- Holds 29 cups of kibble
- Several feeding and portioning options
- Doubles as a pet camera
- Allows owner to record messages that can be played when food is dispensed
2. Wagz Smart Dog Feeder
The top-quality automated dog feeder.
Wagz Smart Dog Feeder
An automatic feeder with built-in video and automatic food ordering functionality.
The Wagz Smart Dog Feeder is a great choice for tech-savvy individuals as it comes equipped with numerous exciting features such as the ability to order food automatically through Amazon and live stream video through its built-in camera. Additionally, this feeder is designed to dispense the exact amount of food that your dog requires to maintain a healthy diet, ensuring that your furry friend is always satisfied and content.
You can set up the feeder to release food at the most suitable time for your pet’s needs and it works well with both Android and iOS.
Characteristics:
- Built-in HD video camera
- Optional food-replenishment services
- Built-in scale for accurate feeding
- No-jam system
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, iOS, and Android phones
3. Petmate Replendish Gravity Feeder
The dog feeder that is the most budget-friendly and operates automatically.
Petmate Replendish Gravity Feeder
A gravity-style, low-tech feeder that’s perfect for grazers.
The Petmate Replendish Gravity Feeder is a simple gravity-fed food dispenser that ensures your dog’s food bowl remains filled with food constantly, except when the container runs out of food.
This automatic feeder offers excellent value for owners who prefer straightforward and economical options, making it an ideal choice for those who are not tech-savvy or want to save on expenses.
An added advantage of this feeder is that it is suitable for nervous dogs as it operates noiselessly.
Features :
- Bottle unscrews from base, making this device easy to keep clean
- Reservoir holds up to 10 pounds of kibble
- Features layer of Microban antimicrobial protection to help prevent odor-causing bacteria
- Requires no batteries for operation
4. WellToBe Automatic Pet Feeder
Top-rated Automatic Feeder for Households with Multiple Pets
WellToBe Pet Feeder
An automatic feeder designed to provide two pet meals at the same time.
If you own multiple pets with fur, consider using the WellToBe Pet Feeder, which can dispense meals into two stainless steel bowls. Each of these bowls is capable of accommodating a maximum of 3 cups of food.
With the feeder, you can customize a 10-second voice recording for your pets while it dispenses food. This versatile feeder can be powered either by battery or the AC adapter that comes with it.
Characteristics:
- Dispenses to two separate 3-cup feeder bowls
- Anti-clog mechanism for problem-free feeding
- Can be used to dispense 1 or 2 bowls simultaneously
- Raised base make it easy for your canine to chow down
- Locked lid keeps pets out of food reservoir
5. WESTLINK 6L Automatic Pet Feeder
The top-rated dog feeder that is ideal for extended use.
WESTLINK 6L Automatic Pet Feeder
A nifty, feature-packed feeder with custom-recorded messaging features.
The WESTLINK 6L is an automated feeder that boasts of user-friendliness and convenience. It is a feeder packed with features, allowing users to program up to four meals per day. Furthermore, it boasts of a unique feature to record a 10-second-long voice message for your pet to alert them when it’s mealtime.
It is possible to program the WESTLINK 6 to dispense a maximum of 39 meals individually, and it has the capacity to hold 6 liters of food.
Characteristics:
- Built-in infrared sensor helps ensure smooth operation
- Each meal dispenses approximately 10 to 12 grams of food
- Requires kibble pieces smaller than 0.39” x 0.39”
- Powered via batteries or USB
6. Dogness Wi-Fi Automatic Feeder
The most effective automatic dog feeder that can be controlled through a phone.
Dogness Wi-Fi Automatic Feeder
An iOS-friendly feeder and camera system, which you can program from your phone.
The Dogness Automatic Feeder is a feeder equipped with Wi-Fi that simplifies the task of feeding your dog, even while you’re away. Additionally, it features a built-in camera that enables you to monitor your pet remotely.
Using a cumbersome push-button control panel is unnecessary with this automatic dog feeder equipped with a camera – simply program it using your smartphone. A free app is required to operate the feeder, but it is a swift and effortless process to connect your phone to the device and make adjustments.
Characteristics:
- Powered via batteries or included AC cord
- Available in five colors: Grey, Blue/Orange, Dark Blue, Pink, and Tiffany Blue
- Holds up to 6.5 pounds of food
- Works with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; Does not work with 5G
7. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
The Automatic Dog Feeder with the greatest flexibility.
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
An automatic feeder with a removable bowl and a number of different feeding options.
The PetSafe Automatic Feeder is a comprehensive pet feeding system that enables pet owners to tailor the method by which the dispenser doles out food. This feeder can deliver up to 12 meals a day, unlike numerous other feeders that can only distribute a limited number of meals.
Additionally, you have the option to feed your pet when desired or temporarily stop the device from providing any additional meals until you choose to restart it.
Characteristics:
- Feeder can dispense food amounts ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups at a time
- Removable stainless-steel bowl is easier to keep clean than the plastic bowls included in most other feeders
- Includes “feed now” and “pause feeding” functions, for maximum flexibility
- Requires four D batteries (not included), but it also works with a power cord (sold separately)
BONUS: Vet-Approved Homemade Dog Recipe
Due to the constant changes in information and recalls concerning commercial dog foods, an increasing number of dog owners are choosing to make their own dog food at home. While dogs enjoy homemade meals, creating dog food at home requires adherence to critical guidelines in order to maintain the health of your furry companion.
Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?
There is a rise in the use of homemade diets, partly due to the ability to regulate ingredients which eliminates concerns of dog food recalls. Additionally, people are seeking healthier eating options, thus the preference for the same for their pets. Homemade diets are preferred by some as they consist of natural ingredients that are commonly regarded as more nutritious than manufactured pet food.
Before transitioning your dog to a homemade diet, it’s essential to contemplate several factors as home-cooked dog food may not be suitable for everyone.
- Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
- It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
- Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
- If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.
How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs
To ensure a well-rounded diet, it is crucial to abide by a complete and balanced recipe when creating homemade dog food. Once both you and your veterinarian have selected an appropriate recipe, it is time to begin the process.
- Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
- Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
- Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
- Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
- Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
- Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
- Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
- In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.
The practice of preparing food in large amounts and storing it in pre-portioned containers in the refrigerator or freezer is favored by numerous pet owners. While this approach is beneficial in terms of saving time and money, it is advisable to start with smaller portions to assess your dog’s response to the diet.
Sample Dog Food Recipes
Northwest Holistic Pet Care: Cooked Meal for a 20 lb. Dog
It is crucial to seek advice from your holistic veterinarian prior to altering your dog’s diet to ensure it is suitable for their current health condition. Make sure to weigh your dog before any alterations are made as this will provide a starting point for tracking their weight and adjusting food portions if necessary. It is important to keep in mind that an individual dog’s food requirements will be influenced by their age, activity level, and overall health.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces ground organic turkey thigh (boneless)
- 2 tbsp ground organic turkey organ meat (liver, gizzards, hearts)
- ¼ c finely grated organic veggies
- 1 tsp ground raw sunflower seeds
- ½ tsp organic coconut oil
- ½ tsp salmon oil
- 500 mg Calcium Citrate (*must include this!)
Make sure to modify the quantity of ingredients according to your dog’s weight and activity level. The measurements specified above cater to a sedentary 20 lb. dog. A dog’s calorie needs can increase by four times during rigorous exercise. It is essential to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and manipulate meal sizes to fulfill their calorie demands.
- 40 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 2
- 60 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 3
- 80 lb. Dog: Above amounts x 4
Directions:
The vegetables should be blanched and set aside. The ground turkey thigh and organ meat should be cooked gently over medium-low heat. The meat should be removed from the burner when a majority has turned white, but some remains pinkish. Utilize a food processor or a clean coffee grinder to finely grate the blanched veggies. Combine all ingredients and ensure the mixture has cooled before serving.
Advice: The vitality of food decreases when it is cooked due to the heat during the process. Preparing the food with gentle and partial cooking will help to maintain more of its vital force and make it easier for pets with a sensitive digestion system to consume than raw food. By blanching and grating vegetables finely, it can improve the nutrient absorption and digestion process.
