Top 9 Best Automatic Dog Feeders of 2020

Feeding your dog twice each day on a regular schedule can be difficult if you work long hours or irregular hours. Automatic feeders are an easy way to take care of that problem. You can set a timer to feed your dog at specific times each day. All you have to do is fill the feeder with food!

This article discusses the ideal features for an automatic dog feeder and the best automatic dog feeders we found on the market for 2020.

How to choose the Best Automatic Dog Feeder

Some automatic feeders have more features than others. You can read through this buying guide and decide which features you would like on your very own automatic feeder!

Timer

Automatic dog feeders feature a timer you can program to release food at regular intervals throughout the day. For example, let’s say you work the usual 9-to-5 with an hour-long commute but want your dog to eat at 9AM and 4PM. Obviously, you won’t be home to feed your pup if you’re at work. Just set the timer for 9am and 4pm and your dog will get his meals! Some feeders even have a digital display that clearly shows the set times.

Food Reservoir

Obviously, an automatic feeder needs space to hold a sufficient amount of food. You want to take measurements of how much food your dog needs in a day and make sure the feeder will hold enough. Some feeders have a reservoir big enough to hold 2- or 3-days’ worth of food. Such a feature would require less maintenance.

Some automatic feeders have anti-jam conveyor belts or dispensers. A feature like this may add a few dollars to the cost of the feeder but it could save you the headache of having an unfed dog at home.

Lastly, you may be interested in a reservoir that holds both dry and moist dog food. If you dog eats moist food, you’ll want to make sure the feeder can accommodate.

Ease of Clean Up

Some automatic feeders will have features that make it easier to clean. For example, a stainless-steel bowl is easy to wash and resists stains from food. Dishwasher-safe bowls can make clean up convenient.

Dismantling and cleaning your automatic feeder is important for preventing food particles from getting clumped up. Build-up of debris can cause a feeder to overload its motor and wear out.

Price Point

Automatic dog feeders can range from less than $20 to over $200. You don’t want to break the bank just for a dog feeder, but you undoubtedly want a good quality product. Even a decent automatic feeder that meets your needs is still affordable. You’ll see the different types of feeders and their prices in the product review section!

Ease of Setup

If something is too complicate to utilize, you’re most likely not going to use it to its full potential. So, when you’re searching for an automatic dog feeder, look for one that’s simple enough for you.

Battery Life

If you’re looking for a feeder that is battery powered, find one with enough battery life to last throughout the day. If the battery dies while you’re out, your pup won’t get the proper food he needs.

Security and Safety

Strong plastic or metal should prevent your dog from chewing up the feeder while no one is around. Anxiety can cause dogs to chew on objects other than their toys, so beware if your dog has this behavior.

Additionally, this plastic or poorly made products can break from normal wear and tear, so make sure your feeder is good quality so it lasts for months, if not years.

Bonus Features!

While it’s not a necessity, some automatic dog feeders have voice recorders. Why? So you can record yourself saying “Come and get it!” Then, when you’re not home and it’s feeding time, your dog will hear your voice and he’ll feel comforted.

Other automatic feeders are Bluetooth connected to your smartphone or tablet! Just download an app and you can feed your dog anytime you want!

Best Automatic Dog Feeder Food Dispenser Reviews

1. PetSafe Automatic Dog Feeder

The Simply Feed by PetSafe has all the bells and whistles! You can program your dog’s feedings with any amount of food between 1/8 cup and 4 cups – up to 12 times per day. The hopper holds up to 24 cups of dry or semi-moist food.

The LCD screen has a built-in clock for easy setup of your dog’s feeding schedule.

The Simply Feed is portable for anywhere in the house or travel since it runs on 4 D-cell batteries that last up to 9 months. The Simply Feed also runs on a plug-in adapter if you would prefer that method of power.

The pet-proof hopper is translucent so you can easily see when it’s time to refill. The lid locks to prevent Fido from sneakily feeding himself extra food.

2. Westlink 6L Programmable Automatic Pet Feeder

The Westlink Automatic Pet Feeder has all the bells and whistles plus that bonus feature we talked about. The hopper holds up to 6 liters of food and dispenses up to 4 meals per day. The voice recorder calls your dog to eat with up to 10 seconds of recorded voice.

A built-in infrared light detects when there is still food in the bowl to prevent overfeeding.

You should keep in mind, though, that food size cannot exceed 1 cm with this feeder.

The feeder runs on 3 D batteries or USB electrical power.

3. AmazonBasics Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer

This Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer by AmazonBasics is definitely the simple, budget-friendly option for automatic pet feeders. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of digital displays or portion control, but it gets your pup fed without any fuss.

This feeder comes as a set so you can continually feeder and water your dog while you’re not home. You can fill these feeders with 2.5 gallons of water or 12 pounds of kibble.

Gravity provides your dog with consistent water or food. We recommend this feeder for dogs who are already accustomed to free feeding. Otherwise, your dog may eat the entire supply of food because he’s used to emptying his bowl.

This set is definitely on the “east to clean” list! Two simple pieces just unscrew for you to wash and refill.

4. Arf Pets Automatic Dog Feeder Food Dispenser

The Automatic Pet Feeder by Arf Pets has all the bells and whistles in a pet feeder but costs less than the competition. You can program up to 4 feedings per day in the portion you choose. The blue light up LCD display shows the clock and adjustable settings.

The lid magnetically locks to prevent sneaky noses from stealing more food. You can set the feeder to play a recording of your voice each time the food dispenses. And lastly, the feeder runs on 3 D-cell batteries or a DC power cable.

5. Honey Guardian Automatic Pet Feeder

This Honey Guardian Automatic Pet Feeder is lower in price but still has the luxury features you’ll love in an automatic pet feeder. The hopper holes 13 cups of dry kibble while the stainless-steel bowl holds up to 3 cups of food. Kibble size cannot exceed 0.47”. You can schedule up to 6 feedings per day. These feedings will be followed permanently once you program them, even if the device shuts down.

The food container and stainless-steel bowl are both easily washable. The hopper features a built-in low food alarm with a LED blue light that flashes.

You can record your voice on this feeder, similar to other high-quality automatic feeders. The feeder runs on 4 D-size batteries as well as DC adapter power.

6. WOPET Automatic Dog Feeder

This automatic feeder by WOPET is customizable to dispense food at specific times, up to 4 times each day. The hopper holes 2.5 pounds of dry food and dispenses food with either an alarm or a recording of your voice. Kibble should measure between 0.2 inches and 0.6 inches.

The removable stainless steel bowl is easy to clean and durable against chewing puppies. The hopper is also easy to clean and refill.

The built-in infrared detector scans for food in the bowl to prevent overfeeding and jamming.

All materials are optimal food-grade and safe for your pets.

7. PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog Feeder

Check out this snazzy automatic feeder! The PetSafe Smart Feeder might cost a bit more than other feeders but it has extra features you will love. Download the smart feed app on your iPhone or Android device so you can feed your dog any time you want.

Schedule up to 12 pre-programmed meals plus the option to give an additional meal, if desired. Meals can be anywhere from 1/8 cup to 4 cups. There is also a Slow Feed option that dispenses food slowly over a 15-minute period. Eating slower prevent digestive upset.

While the feeder is powered electrically, 4 D-cell batteries back up the product so that if the Wifi cuts out your dog will still receive his meals.

The lid, hopper, stainless steel bowl, and bowl holder are all dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning and made of durable, high-quality materials. All plastic is BPA-free. It is only made for indoor use.

8. WOPET SmartFeeder Automatic Pet Feeder

In addition to smart feeders, the WOPET SmartFeeder not only features a voice recorder and a phone app, but also an HD camera to view and take pictures of your dog eating. You can program the feeder to automatically feed at specific times or you can manually feed your dog from your phone app.

The HD camera is for voice and video recording that let you see and talk to your dog when you’re not home. You can even share your moments on social media.

The SmartFeeder comes with two different food dispense trays that vary on the size of kibble you feed. The feeder is only suitable for dry food with kibbles ranging in size from 0.2 inches to 0.6 inches. You can feed up to 6 meals per day.

9. Little Giant Automatic Dog Feeder

The Little Giant Chow Hound feeder by Pet Lodge is a high-capacity, low-maintenance feeder that holds up to 25 pounds of dog food. The food “dispenses” when your dog opens the swinging door with his nose. You may need to spend a few minutes to teach your dog how to do this. It’s a pretty simple task!

The Chow Hound is manufactured from 24-gauge galvanized steel, which is durable against chewing puppies or big puppies with powerful jaws. The specially angled shoot provides easy flow of food. The magnetic door closure helps keep food fresh and dry as well as deters unwanted pests.

The structure of the feeder is designed to hang on a wall or set on the floor. It arrives at your house completely assembled and easy to install.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should use an automatic feeder?

People who are not home throughout the day when it is time for your dog to eat. If you work long hours and don’t want to set one large bowl of food out for your dog (because you know he’ll eat it all at once…) using an automatic feeder can control his eating schedule.

How do you set up an automatic feeder?

It’s pretty simple! Most feeders are packaged fully assembled. All you have to do is follow a few instructions to set specific times, fill the hopper, and you’re good to go!

How many times per day should I feed my dog?

Typically, we recommend feeding young pups (6 months or younger) 3 times per day. Dogs older than 6 months should eat twice a day. We don’t recommend feeding your dog one large meal per day because that can cause digestive upset or worse – twisted stomach.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! We hope you found an automatic dog feeder that meets your needs. Which one did you choose? Share your experiences! What worked? What didn’t work?

We love comments and questions and we’re happy to help you!