Are you not a morning person, but your dogs are? Or do you travel a lot or work long days, making it hard to get home to feed the pups? Thanks to automatic dog feeders, you can rest assured Fido is getting the correct amount of food on time regardless of where their humans are. You can also put your dog feeder on a timer to schedule their mealtimes when life gets busy. I review the best automatic dog feeders, answer frequently asked questions, and share our team’s personal experience with them. So, let’s take a closer look.
| Smart Feeder | Low-Tech | Microchip |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| WOPET SmartFeeder | PetSafe Healthy Pet | SureFeed SureFlap |
| View on Amazon | ||
7 Best Automatic Pet Feeders
Here are my picks for the best automatic pet feeders. Each allows you to schedule or manually dish out your dog’s food. And most can operate via battery if your electricity goes out. I’ve chosen various options based on quality, durability, feeding schedule options, customer reviews, and more. So whether you’re looking for a smart device, a budget-friendly option, or a larger feeder for multiple pets, I’ve got you covered.
Best Smart Feeder: WOPET SmartFeeder Review
The WOPET SmartFeeder lets you remotely schedule your dog’s feedings from one to six times daily. The feeder stores up to seven liters of food (~29 cups). You can also set each meal to 1 to 20 portions, around 10 grams per portion. This gives you a wide variety of options according to your dog’s feeding schedule. So, if your dog likes to wolf down their food, this feature can help slow them down. The food dish is removable and dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning it fuss-free.
You can also record a message, letting your pup know it’s time to eat. This smart automatic pet feeder doubles up as a pet camera, too. Thanks to the high-definition camera and two-way audio, you can log into the app and interact with them. Only a small number of customers reported connectivity issues with the app. It comes in black and white, has great durability, and has a one-year warranty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pet food dispenser with camera | No night vision |
| Two-way talk via smartphone app | Requires 2.4GHz network |
| Can pre-record a message to play at mealtimes | Only for dry food |
| It can run on batteries or be plugged into a power outlet | |
| Remote scheduling and viewing with iOS and Android apps | |
| 1-year warranty |
Pricing
Our Personal Experience With WOPET SmartFeeder
I purchased this automatic pet feeder for an extremely persistent pet placed on a diet. She was doing everything possible to pester me into giving her more food. I programmed the automatic feeder to dispense small meals throughout the day in an attempt to keep her satisfied. She learned the schedule and would wait beside the feeder instead of wreaking havoc around the house. A huge win!
– Tara Maurer, Pet Parent, Writer & Social Media Content For Canine Journal
If you’re interested in keeping an eye on your pup throughout the day, please read our guide on the best dog cameras. This way, you can interact with them whenever you want.
Best Low-Tech Feeder: PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Review
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If you don’t need a smart pet feeding device synced to your phone, this PetSafe timed dog feeder is an excellent option. You can schedule up to 12 meals daily with this feeder, so it would work well for multiple pets eating the same food (as long as they don’t steal each other’s servings!). Alternatively, you can purchase a two-meal splitter, which is sold separately. Only a few customers found it difficult to program.
This feeder holds up to 24 cups of food at once and uses an anti-jam conveyor belt. Portions range from 1/8 to 4 cups of dry kibble or semi-moist food, which is great for your dog’s feeding schedule. You can even select a “Slow Feed Mode” option, which dispenses the meal over 15 minutes to keep your dog from chowing down too quickly. It also works as an outdoor automatic dog feeder since it runs on batteries. However, to maintain its durability, you should keep it undercover. However, you can also purchase a power cord separately.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It does not require a Wi-Fi connection or internet | The power adapter must be purchased separately |
| Holds up to 24 cups of food | It is expensive for no smartphone capabilities |
| Dispenses 1/8 to 4 cups of food per portion | |
| Runs on batteries (or power adapter purchased separately) | |
| Dispenses dry & semi-moist food | |
| BPA-free | |
| 1-year limited warranty |
Pricing
Best Microchip/ID Pet Feeder: SureFeed SureFlap Microchip Pet Feeder Review
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Do you have multiple pets trying to eat their sibling’s food, or maybe you have one pet with a special diet that you need to feed separately? Then this smart feeder by SureFeed is for your household. It identifies your pets by microchip ID or the lightweight RFID collar tag that opens the lid when it detects the linked ID. The bowl doesn’t dispense like the other feeders but allows the right pet to eat the correct diet. It also means you can feed them fresh food, veterinary diets, or medicine.
It’s essential to check what type of microchip your pet has, as it’s only compatible with a few different options (or you can use the RFID, which comes with the feeder). The feeder holds 13.5 fl oz, and the neoprene lid is secure and keeps your pet’s food fresh all day. You can also purchase colored bowls to more easily identify your feeders from each other. The company recommends having one feeder per pet, which could make it an expensive setup for multi-pet households. This option comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind and durability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| BPA-free plastic | Batteries not included |
| Holds up to 13.5 fl oz of wet or dry food | Only feed one meal portion at a time |
| Various colors available (sold separately) | Expensive |
| Can pre-record a message to play at mealtimes | No power adapter option |
| Wireless | |
| Best for pets with special diets | |
| 3-year warranty |
Pricing
If you haven’t microchipped your pup, please check out our guide on microchipping your dog. Learn why it is important and other crucial information about keeping them safe.
Budget-Friendly Dog Food Dispensers
Although these automatic dog food dispensers didn’t make our top picks, you may find one that better fits your needs or budget, as they are a bit more affordable than our top picks.
Arf Pets Automatic Dog Feeder Review
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The Arf Pets automatic dog food dispenser is a simple but great option. This timed pet feeder allows you to remotely set up to four feedings per day and control portion sizes from 1 to 10 portions per meal (each portion is 24ml). It has a tamper-proof lid, and the kibble chamber and feeding tray are dishwasher safe. It holds up to 18 cups of food at once.
This feeder also has a built-in microphone that allows you to pre-record up to 10 seconds of audio, allowing pet owners to “call” their pet when it’s time to eat. The LCD clock and display make setting up and changing the schedule easy. It runs via a power outlet or batteries, giving you more versatile placement or allowing you to take it on your travels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Holds 18 cups of dry kibble | Batteries not included |
| Variety of portioning options | Some complaints that the feeding schedule settings aren’t reliable |
| Can pre-record a message to play at mealtimes | |
| Battery-operated or wall plugin | |
| 1-year warranty |
Pricing
Iseebiz Smart Dog Feeder Review
Iseebiz’s smart pet feeder allows you to schedule up to six meals a day and customize your pet’s feeding portion from 1 to 20 portions per meal. If your dog has problems with portion control or you have problems with feeding them the proper amount, this smart dog feeder may be the solution. It holds up to three liters of food, about 13 cups, and features a built-in infrared detector to prevent overflow or clogging.
Thanks to the two-way audio, the camera allows you to interact with your pup and has night-time vision. The app allows you to easily set and change the feeding schedule, which is handy if you’re running late from work. It is also compatible with Alexa. Some users found the programming to be complicated at first. A socket or battery powers the feeder, and the cord has an anti-bite protective covering. This feeder comes with a one-year warranty. If you don’t need a smart product, Iseebiz also has a manual pet feeder version.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Audio recording microphone built in to pre-record up to 10 seconds | Must be connected to a 2.4GHz or 5 GHz home Wi-Fi network |
| Holds 13 cups of kibble | Lower kibble capacity than others |
| Backup batteries to use wirelessly or AC adapter | |
| Made from BPA-free plastic | |
| 2-way audio & camera with night-time vision | |
| It comes with a 1-year warranty |
Pricing
Pawple Automatic Pet Feeder Review
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The Pawple automatic food dispenser for dogs and cats is of excellent value for its reliability and ease of use, and it gets excellent customer reviews. Through its automatic timer, you can set up to four meals daily and portion your dog’s food from two teaspoons to four-and-a-half cups per feeding. It holds up to seven liters of kibble, which lasts several days. You can also record a voice message to call your dog for mealtime.
This automatic pet feeder runs on USB power or three D batteries (which are not included). This is not a smart option, but that is an advantage for many as you don’t have to rely on Wi-Fi. It’s a simple option that many families rate. The food tray is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Only a few customers reported an issue with inaccurate portion control.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| BPA-free plastic | A few customers reported that the portion control sizes weren’t accurate |
| Holds 7 liters of kibble | |
| Wide variety of portioning options | |
| Can pre-record a message to play at mealtimes | |
| USB-powered (or run on batteries) | |
| Customer reviews for reliability and customer service |
Pricing
iPettie Donut 6-Meal Wet and Dry Food Feeder Review
The iPettie donut food dispenser is a stylish option that holds up to six meals. It serves two meals a day, which covers three days of meals, each weighing up to six ounces. Set the timer, and the lid automatically rotates to reveal the next meal. The great thing about this option is that it serves any meal, whether your dog eats kibble, semi-moist, or wet food, which not many dispensers can accommodate. You could also place afternoon snacks in one cup to reveal your dog’s midday snack when you are at work.
This affordable kit is only suitable for small to medium-sized dogs, considering the smaller food limit per cup. It is durable and great for traveling because you can dispense the food ready for your trip. You can purchase ice packs to place underneath, which help keep wet or semi-moist foods cool and fresh. You have to buy these separately. It is powered by USB or battery, and you must purchase the batteries separately. The only downside to this product is that some customers found it difficult to open.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Suitable for dry, semi-moist, or wet foods | Some users found it tricky to open |
| You can insert ice packs (not included) underneath to keep food fresh | Not suitable for larger dog breeds |
| USB or battery-powered | |
| Can hold up to 3 days of meals | |
| Ideal for traveling with |
Pricing
- Feeder starts at $69.99
- Ice Packs: $19.99 ($19.99 / Count)
Frequently Asked Questions
We know that some of our readers might have more questions about automatic pet feeders and how they work. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t see yours below, please ask us in the comments section below, and we’ll find out for you.
Are Automatic Feeders Good For Dogs?
There are many benefits of using an automatic dog feeder. The main advantage is convenience because you set it and let it do its thing. This is ideal for families who like to sleep in at the weekend or run late from work. It also makes portion control much more straightforward. And if your pup has a special or veterinary diet or requires medicine with their meals, the microchip pet feeder option ensures the right pet eats the right meal. Not all families need an automatic feeder, but many benefit from it and say they wouldn’t return to a regular dog food bowl.
Are Pet Food Dispensers Suitable For Large Dogs?
Yes, some are suitable for large dogs, but you must know the product’s food capacity limits. This probably won’t be a big deal if you have a young puppy or small breed. But if you have a medium to large breed that eats a lot, you might need to refill it every few days. Be sure to measure your dog’s daily food and consider their feeding schedule before purchasing one of these pet feeders to ensure it will work for your dog’s feedings and your routine. If you have a large dog or multiple large dogs, you might want to consider sticking to a standard dog bowl. If so, head over to our guide on the best dog food bowls.
Do Pet Food Dispensers Work For Every Type Of Dog Food?
Most pet food dispensers are limited to dry kibble, but some can serve every type of dog food. The PetSafe automatic food dispenser pick is suitable for semi-moist meals. The SureFeed SureFlap microchip meal dispenser and iPettie donut are the only options that enable you to serve whatever diet you wish, including wet dog food. You also need to check the kibble size, as some dispensers can only handle kibble up to a specific size. If your dog eats food specifically for large breeds, the biscuits might be too large, so be sure to see if the product has kibble size limits.
Can You Make A DIY Pet Food Dispenser?
Many of our readers ask if you can make a homemade dog food dispenser. The answer is yes, you can. However, most homemade options do not effectively control the portions, and I can’t comment on their durability. This might be an issue for dogs who overeat or need to manage their weight. If your dog respects when they are full and sticks to their feeding schedule, watch this short video with instructions on how to make a pet food dispenser.
More Options For Busy Families
In addition to feeding your dog while you’re not at home, you also want to ensure they stay hydrated with clean, fresh water. See our reviews of the best dog water fountains, from basic, battery-operated options to large-capacity water dispensers and outdoor drinking fountains. A dog water bottle could also prove beneficial when you’re on the go. Also, if you’re super busy, you might consider a dog food delivery service to have your dog’s food delivered to your door regularly.
Do you use any of these dog food dispensers? Or maybe you use another product you think deserves a spot on my list? We’d love to hear from you, so please let us know in the comments below.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is a dog mom to two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips, and they both get hangry when I don’t feed them on time. Before becoming a freelance writer, Emma was a professional walker and sitter, and many of her clients used automatic food dispensers as they worked away from home for long hours. Emma is passionate about dogs and sharing her knowledge and experience with her readers. She works with a professional and experienced team at Canine Journal to provide the most up-to-date and best recommendations for their readers.
