The Best Automatic Dog Feeders in 2024
If you work a nine to five, or just have a swamped schedule that doesn’t allow you to stay home with your favorite four-legged friend, not to worry.
Technology has made it so easy to cater to your pup, even if you’re miles away. This device makes it simple to ensure your dog always has access to their kibble, so you never miss a feeding time.
To learn more about some of the best automatic feeders on the marketplace — and how to choose the right automatic feeder for your household, continue reading. We’ve narrowed down the search, so you don’t have to spend countless hours on the web comparing the top models online.
Our Top 6 List
Last update on 2024-11-26 at 16:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed
The PetSafe feeder allows you to schedule up to 12 meals in advance. This model is best for smaller to medium-sized dogs, so if your pooch is over 55 pounds, this may not be an excellent fit for you and your pet.
However, this feeder is dishwasher safe and has a slow-feed programmable option if your pup’s stomach is easily upset by their fast-eating habits. This model is great for anyone looking for a long-lasting and durable feeder. With its anti-jam prevention measures, it’s also incredibly reliable.
Pros
- Dispenses 1/8 – 4 cups at a time
- Slow feed programmable option makes this an excellent pick for fast eaters
- Easy to clean and BPA-free
- Incredibly customizable for small to medium dog breeds (and cats!)
- Clear lid so you know exactly when to refill your unit
Cons
- Batteries not included
2. Wopet Automatic Feeder
If you’re searching for a feeder that will blend in beautifully with the rest of your home, look no further than the Wopet feeder. This model is sleek, minimal, and modern — yet provides all the wonderful benefits most feeders offer. Some of its key features?
For starters, you can schedule up to 4 feeds ahead of time. Controlling your pet’s portions is simple. Select between teaspoons, cups, and everything in between with just the push of a button on its user-friendly LCD screen.
This option is also fantastic for those of you who love to spoil your pet with love and positive reinforcement. One of the ultimate features of the Wopet feeder is you can record a message for them to listen to while they’re eating. Call their name, whistle, or howl to make your dog feel like you’re still right down the hall.
Lastly, this model is reliable thanks to its dual power feature — never worry about power outages affecting your pup’s feeding schedule again.
So, who would love this feeder?
Any tech-savvy pet owner in search of a feeder that is as elegant as it is reliable should strongly consider this model by Wopet.
Pros
- Holds 20 cups of food
- Dispenses 2 teaspoons to 4.5 cups at a time
- Voice recording option
- Comes in small and large sizes
- Gorgeous design
- Its infrared detection deck ensures that your pet’s food will never overflow
Cons
- Voice recording feature is a bit tricky to get the hang of
3. PetSafe Smart Feed
This feeder is one of the most convenient and easy to use out of the bunch. Additionally, this model is fantastic for people with erratic and unpredictable schedules.
For example, let’s say you’re about to head home from work. But then, you’re asked to stay for another few hours out of the blue. On a normal day, you can make your pet’s evening feeding time, but now, you’re unsure of how late you’ll be out of the house. You start to worry about your pet missing dinner tonight.
Thankfully, this unit by PetSafe allows you to feed your dog from your smartphone! The corresponding app works on both iPhone and Android phones. Schedule up to 12 meals ahead of time, and take advantage of the feeder’s flexible portion option. Select portion sizes as small as ⅛ of a cup or 4 cups at a time.
The unit is dual powered, requires 4 D alkaline batteries, and is dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and even has a slow feed setting. Technology has many great purposes, and this is definitely one of them.
Pros
- Slow feed setting
- Easy to set up
- Feed from your phone
- Ability to set up a pet profile in the app
- Child lock feature to prevent spills makes it perfect for families
Cons
- Big dog food kibble may not work as well with this design
4. Arf Pets Automatic Food Dispenser for Pets
The Arf Pets dispenser is another well-designed machine that works as great as it looks. Thanks to the clear top cover, you’ll always know when it’s time to refill your feeder. Additionally, the top locks magnetically, so spills are the least of your worries. This model also allows you to record ten seconds of audio for your pet.
Call his or her name to let them know dinner is ready! This interactive tool is a smart choice if you’re out of the house all day, and want to let your four-legged friend know how special they are to you. Dispense 1 to 10 portions per meal (24mL) at a time for a total of 4 feeding sessions a day.
The feeder’s dimensions are 15.9 x 11 x 8.3 inches, and it has a 1.14-gallon maximum capacity. If you have a busy schedule and want to control how much your dog eats every day, this is a great pick that will also help you feel more connected to your pup. Like most feeders, you can choose two sources of power to make sure your machine never fails. It requires 3 D batteries, but can also connect to your wall for additional power.
Pros
- Records 10 seconds of audio
- Motor working life of up to 2,000 hours
- Clear top
Cons
- May clog sometimes
5. PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder for Dogs & Cats
If you want a hassle-free option that is both affordable and effective, the PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder is an absolute steal.
This feeder includes a dishwasher safe tray and has up to 5 programmable feeding times a day. Most notably, this feeder is one of the only units on the market that can dispense semi-moist dog food. It dispenses one cup at a time, based on when you program it.
We only have a few negative comments regarding the PetSafe 5 Meal Feeder. First, while it’s decent for cats and smaller dog breeds, a larger dog may knock it over when eating. It also does not deliver a power cord option, but the product makes up for this flaw with a trust-worthy and long-lasting battery.
All in all, the battery life is resilient, and this feeder is an excellent pick if you’re on the hunt for a worthy but straightforward feeder.
Pros
- You have the option of placing semi-wet food for your pup
- Easy to program
- Dishwasher safe tray
- Bowl rotates in hour-long increments
Cons
- Lightweight and easy to topple over
- No power cord option
6. Belopezz Smart Feeder
Give your pet up to 4 meals a day with the Belopezz Smart Feeder. This unit is our final pick, but it has many of the great features associated with a quality feeder. It can hold 6.5 pounds of food at a time and is 14.2 inches by 8.3 inches by 14.2 inches in size. Using 3 D alkaline batteries, it can run for up to two years without an additional source of power.
Pros
- Has automatic detection and controlled feeding, so the machine knows when to stop
- Comes with a treat dispensing toy with purchase
- 4 feed times at different times with different quantities
- Dual powered
- 10 seconds of voice recording capability
- Lasts as long as two years with batteries alone
Cons
- It is easy for dogs to unlatch the top
Top 6 Verdict & Review
PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed
Pros
- Programmable servings
- Easy to clean, BPA-free
- For dogs & cats
- See-through lit
Cons
- No batteries included (you know a product is good when this is the only complaint)
To wrap up this roundup of some of the best dog feeders on the market, here’s our final verdict. The PetSafe feeder has won the number one spot on our list due to its dependability and ease of customization. We love that it has 12 feeding slots and an easy to use interface. It’s also pet-proof, so your furry friend can’t sneak off with more than their allotted serving of food. Finally, the device is easy to clean and has a dual battery.
Buying Guide
In case you’re still wondering why you should even consider buying an automatic feeder, here’s more information regarding why they are indeed useful to millions of pet parents around the world.
Benefits of Automatic Feeders
There are many benefits to using an automatic feeder for daily feedings. Especially if you have a jam-packed schedule, but still want to provide the best care for your pet.
Your typical work routine out of the house can take up most of your day. If you’re not at your office, you’re probably stuck in traffic trying to get to and from there.
But, your dog also needs your care and attention too. Should your job stop you from caring for your pup? Absolutely not!
Advancement in technology has made it easier than ever to care for our pets. Feeders allow you to set a specific and reliable feeding time. You may also control the amount of food they’re getting, so they are never hungry and have the right amount of food for weight management. Dispense their breakfast, dinner, and snacks while you’re at your day job and keep their portions in check. You won’t have to worry about your dog overeating or under eating.
Additionally, purchasing a home feeder is a great way to give your pet some emotional benefits too! There’s no denying that your dog misses you when you’re out working or at school, but luckily, some automatic feeders come with a voice feature installed. They can play a ten-second clip of your voice reminding your dog that she is never alone.
Lastly, you can say goodbye to your dog waking you up in the early hours of the morning, or interrupting your sleep after the sun has gone down. If your dog is an early riser, you can have his breakfast ready for him without getting out of bed.
Common Issues With Fast Eating
There are a few main reasons dog feeders can help ensure your dog is happy, and most importantly, healthy. The first is that feeders help fight obesity. While free feeding (the act of leaving an open container of food out throughout the entire day) is convenient if you’re always out of the house, it can lead to detrimental health issues such as obesity in dogs. Obesity can lead to even more disheartening effects such as arthritis, cancer, and heart failure.
So, if you’re worried about your dog biting off more than they can chew, and want more control over their portions, a feeder is the best solution.
A dog feeder also nips fast-eating — a harmful and easily acquired habit — in the bud. Fast- eating in canines can lead to bloating, gas, and vomiting. By the way, if you’re at home, another way to make your dog eat slowly is to use a slow feeder bowl.
When your dog gets too excited over their next meal, they can accidentally swallow air when devouring their food too rapidly. This, in turn, can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort as well.
Therefore, if you’re concerned about your dog facing these issues, take charge!
What To Look For in a Feeder
Still confused as to which feeder will get you the most value for your money? Consider the next few factors when trying to settle on your final decision.
You want to think about your dog’s breed, its size, the amount of food he or she eats, how many pets you own, and how often you’ll be using your feeder. Additionally, what kind of food does your dog eat? While most feeders work with dry food, some models allow you to keep slightly-wet food fresh as well.
Now, if you have a larger dog, consider a stable model that isn’t easy to topple over. You don’t want to come home to a huge mess, after all.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!