Making sure your dog is fed at the correct time and in the right portions when you are not around, is an unsettling problem.
Maybe you often work late; maybe you have children to taxi around to their clubs and societies; maybe you want a lie-in at the weekend. Whatever the reason why you’re looking for an automatic pet feeder, we explain what they are, why they’re useful and review the Top 3 Smart Pet Feeders.
They vary in how they work from battery-powered to those that are mains operated and function via your smart phone and home wi-fi.
Table of Contents
What is a Smart Pet Feeder?
A Smart Pet Feeder is a device that ensures that your pup is fed at regular times and in the correct portions. They vary in the type of food that is dispensed; very few automatic feeders work well with ‘wet’ food, with most models only suitable for ‘dry’ food.
The types of smart pet feeders are:
- Gravity Feeders – these have a ‘hopper’ that contains the food. Food eaten is automatically replaced by food in the hopper
- Rotational Feeders – these have between 4 and 6 compartments, which cycle through at a scheduled time, normally battery operated
- Basic Automatic Feeders – these tend to be a hinged-lid device with either one or two feeding trays. These basic automatic feeders are suitable for feeding ‘wet’ food and are normally battery operated
- Multi Portion Feeders – these have a hopper which holds dry food and releases it at set, programmed times – up to 4 portions daily. They feature Portion Control, LCD display, large capacity hoppers (up to 7L), and Voice Recording. These feeders are either battery or mains operated.
- Wi-Fi Enabled Feeders – these are similar to the Multi Portion Feeders; however, they can be controlled via your Smart Phone from anywhere in the world. Fully programmable using one or more phones; one phone can control more than one of these devices. Some include a camera. Wi-Fi enabled feeders are generally mains operated with battery back-up
Are All Smart Pet Feeders Suitable for Dogs & Cats?
Automatic food dispensers are ideal for either dogs or cats; however, one more suitable for dogs needs to have a larger capacity, since dogs generally need more food, being larger animals.
Please note that gravity feeders are not recommended for dogs; you’ll find that your furry friend will eat the lot in one go – and likely end up with a bad bellyache.
Why do You Need a Smart Pet Feeder?
Smart pet feeders help with the regular feeding of your pet. They help you to control portions and monitor your dog’s diet, keeping them healthy and content.
Dogs need to be fed twice a day. This can cause problems and chaos in a busy household, especially when having to get children ready for school or driving them to their evening activities.
Nightshift workers will also find these devices useful as they’re very often not present when their pet needs feeding. A busy social calendar will be eased with the use of a smart pet feeder; less to worry about when preparing to go out to an evening event or greeting guests stress-free.
Not to mention that you can sleep in at the weekend, knowing your pooch is being fed without you having to get up and comply with demands for breakfast!
With a smart pet feeder, you can control the portions of food for your furry friend and help maintain a diet if your dog is obese and required to restrict their intake of food.
You’ll have noticed that your pet always knows when it’s mealtime and that they will soon let you know when you’re late feeding them. Unfortunately, life can get in the way; traffic delays your journey home; last-minute shopping takes priority; work commitments must be met.
All these happenings can mean that you’re not always home in time to feed your four-legged friend on time. A smart pet feeder will ensure that your dog doesn’t miss a meal when you can’t be there for them
These types of feeders are also ideal when meal portions vary; you may feed less at one mealtime than another; a puppy will need feeding more frequently during the day than an adult dog; a poorly dog may need to eat smaller portions, more often until they recover.
Smart Pet Feeders are the ideal solution to ease problems when you can’t be available at feeding time.
What to Look for when Buying a Smart Pet Feeder
Smart Pet Feeders can involve investment, so you want it to last.
- Look for a feeder that is made of quality materials and have secure fittings to ensure your pet can’t break into it and access the food inside
- An air-tight food-hopper won’t allow air into the reservoir and will keep food fresher for longer
- A high-quality feeding bowl also needs to be non-toxic and strong enough against even the heaviest chewer
- Owning a large breed of dog will require an automatic feeder that dispenses large sized pellets/kibble
- Some smart pet feeders are not suitable for wet food. Most Rotational or Basic Automatic Feeders are suitable for either wet or dry food or a combination of both
- As with anything that you feed your pet from, it will need to be easy to clean. Look for removable trays/bowls that can be washed by hand or put into the dishwasher.
All products in this article can be found on amazon, any links which are clicked and subsequently purchased may provide us (bowwowtech.co.uk) with a small commission. Any commissions earned are reinvested to enable us to produce more articles and provide educational material to visitors to our site.
Top 3 Smart Pet Feeders
Best Budget Price in Smart Pet Feeders
Two-Portion Basic Automatic Feeder
Automatic Food Dispenser with Timer by Wopet
This food dispenser from WOPET, has twin compartments, allowing for two meals to be prepared in advance of mealtime.
The countdown timer is powered by two AA batteries which releases the hinged lid, allowing your pet access to its meal. The unit allows for the release of two meals within a period of up to 48 hours.
A convenient device which removes the pressure of remembering to feed your pet, it is easy to use and clean. Simply fill the trays with food, close the lids and set the timers.
Six suction cups ensure that the unit isn’t pushed all around the room, and the timer control cannot be tampered with by your pet.
The two feeding trays/bowls are removable for ease of cleaning. They are dishwasher proof for added convenience.
The two compartments function independently allowing meals to be delivered at separate times, as each has its own timer.
Key Features:
- Suitable for wet and dry food
- Countdown timer allows for up to 2 meals within 48 hours
- Dishwasher-safe food tray for ease and convenience
Read more customer reviews on Amazon here!
Best Mid-Range in Smart Pet Feeders
Multi-Portion Automatic Feeder
Gohiking Automatic Pet Feeder
This multi-portion automatic pet feeder from GoHiking, is programmable to release up to 4, variable sized meals a day.
The digital control panel is simple to programme and has an LCD display. Up to 10 seconds of voice recording allows you to record a message to your pet, calling it for its meal.
The transparent lid allows you to see the level of food left in the reservoir as well as being removable for cleaning. The large capacity feeder will last several days before requiring to be refilled.
Powered by mains electricity, there is a battery power option which is ideal for when there are power failures.
The unit is easy to set up and disassemble for ease of cleaning.
Key Features:
- Large Feed Dispenser
- Voice Recorder
- Mains / Battery Powered
Read more customer reviews on Amazon here!
Top of the Range in Smart Pet Feeders
Wi-Fi Enabled Multi-Portion Automatic Feeder
PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder
Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to fully programme and monitor your pet’s mealtime from anywhere using your smartphone in conjunction with the free app.
You can be notified when your pet is fed, the food level is low or the feeder is empty. Should the Wi-Fi connection be lost or the feeder is offline, food will continue to be dispensed as scheduled.
This programmable automatic feeder can be set up to dispense up to twelve feedings per day with a ‘feed now’ option, allowing you to feed your pet on demand.
Its ‘slow feed’ option can dispense a meal over a 15-minute period – ideal for controlling mealtime for dogs that gobble their food up too quickly. The stainless-steel bowl is removable for ease of cleaning.
A ‘low food’ sensor notifies you when food levels are low and should the hopper become empty; you will be alerted.
This smart pet feeder includes an AC power adaptor and has a backup battery option using 4 D batteries (not supplied).
Key Features:
- Smartphone Programmable
- Large Capacity Feeder
- Mains power with battery option
Read more customer reviews on Amazon here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I feed my dog?
A. It is recommended that dogs be fed twice every day – once in the morning, and once in the evening/late afternoon. Puppies should be fed more often, usually 3 or 4 times daily.
Q. What is a smart pet feeder?
A. A smart pet feeder is any device that automatically serves food to your pet. They come in various types, including gravity-fed; rotational feeders, timer-controlled feeders, multi-portion feeders and wi-fi enabled feeders.
Q. How does a gravity-fed dog feeder work?
A. Gravity-fed feeders work, as the name suggests, on gravity. A vertical reservoir/hopper is filled with your pet’s dog food; the food falls down into the bowl below. As your dog eats the food, gravity pulls more food from the hopper into the bowl. This type of automatic feeder is only suitable for dogs that graze (eat throughout the day); dogs that gobble their food down or overeat would keeping eating until the entire hopper is empty.
Summary – Top 3 Smart Pet Feeders
As you can see from above, smart pet feeders come in various styles and cover all budget ranges. The basic feeders are available within the price range of £15 to £30; the multi-portion units range from £35 to £75; the wi-fi enabled devices range from £80 to £200. Some units also include a camera; however, we have not reviewed this type due to the additional cost.
You can find a wide selection of Smart Pet Feeders on Amazon here
All products in this article can be found on amazon, any links which are clicked and subsequently purchased may provide us (bowwowtech.co.uk) with a small commission. Any commissions earned are reinvested to enable us to produce more articles and provide educational material to visitors to our site.
Bowwowtech.co.uk does not provide veterinary advice. Our aim is to provide the reader with information to enable them to make a good decision when making a purchase. All content is therefore for informational purposes only.