11 Best Automatic Dog Feeder Selections For Busy Pet Parents

Feeding your pet on a regular schedule can be a challenge when you're juggling work, school, family, and time-consuming commitments. But with an automatic dog feeder, you can feed your pooch at regular intervals— even when you aren't home. Not only will a smart feeder make mealtime easy, but it will also benefit your dog's health by ensuring they get the nutrition they need without overfeeding. So to help you keep your furry friend fed while you're away, we've rounded up the best automatic dog feeders on the market below.

Benefits of Using an Automatic Dog Food Dispenser

As the name implies, automatic dog food dispensers do the work for you at feeding time. They're designed with a timer to release food at the mealtimes of your choosing. Most have a storage tank that holds between 4 and 6 meals worth of dry dog food at a time. If you want to provide fresh food daily, you can find an auto dog feeder that can dispense up to four meals daily.  Here are a few of the perks of using one of these convenient automatic feeders:

• Pet parents love automatic pet feeds for their convenience as it dispenses food on a schedule set by you. Thanks to their built-in timers, you won't have to worry about your pet missing a meal or eating the wrong amount of food.
• Automatic dog feeders are also a great option for pets that eat too fast. Unlike gravity feeders, an automatic dog feeder dispensing your pet's food in small, spaced-out portions helps them eat slower, supporting healthy digestion and weight management. Some even come with slow feed mode.
• Not a morning person? There's no need to wake up early anymore to feed your hungry pooch. Just set your smart dog feeder before you go to bed, and it'll dispense your pooch's breakfast automatically so you can keep hitting snooze.
• An automatic pet feeder is an excellent choice if you work long hours or spend a lot of time away from home. Thanks to these handy food bowls, your pooch can stick to a regular feeding schedule even when you're away.
• Automatic dog feeders can also help maintain your dog's weight. They prevent overeating and weight gain by feeding your pet pre-portioned meals instead of allowing them to graze on a full food bowl throughout the day.
• Automatic feeders aren't just for dogs! They're also great for feeding cats while you're at work, out of the house, or away on vacation. You'll just want to double-check that the feeder you've chosen is suitable for use with canned food. 

What to Look for in an Automatic Pet Feeder

Though most automatic pet feeders work relatively the same way, there are a few key features to look for in a product:

• Capacity— An automatic food dispenser with a larger capacity won't need to be refilled as often. Bigger dog food containers are ideal for larger breeds and pet parents who are away for extended periods of time.
• Portion Size— Similarly, you'll want to look for an automatic dog feeder that dispenses the right portion size for your pooch.
• Automated Feeding Schedule— While all automatic dog feeders use some sort of automatic food dispensing system, you'll still want to check how many meals it can release and how often.
• Wifi Capabilities— The best automatic feeders come with wifi capabilities that allow you to control the feeder's portion size and feeding schedule through a convenient app. Some even come equipped with a camera so you can check in on your dog while they chow down.
• Additional Features— More advanced pet feeders are designed with fancy, tech-savvy features like voice recording capabilities and cameras. Thanks to the added features, these models tend to be a bit more pricey.
• Durable Design— It's worth reading a few customer reviews to double-check that the product you're getting is built to last, especially when it's something you'll be using multiple times a day. Stick to products made from stainless steel and BPA-free, food-safe plastic.
• Prevents Blockages— The best feeders are designed with sensors that detect blockages and adjust their rotation pattern to release stuck food and dispense your dog's meal.
• Easy Cleaning— Look for an automatic pet feeder that offers a removable bowl for easy cleaning. And it is also made with dishwasher-safe materials and a design that's easy to clean.
• Price vs. Quality— While lower-priced options may save you a bit of money upfront, they probably won't have the same tech-savvy features, durable materials, or stylish design. It's worth splurging a bit to get a high-quality product that will last through countless mealtimes to come.

11 Best Automatic Dog Feeders

Now that you know what to look for, let's check out the best automatic dog feeders on the market to find one that's right for you and your pooch.

If you're new to the world of automatic pet food dispensers, this WoPet SmartFeeder Automatic Pet Feeder is a great place to start. Pet parents can set feeding times, record up to 10 customized voice memos, and check Fido through the built-in camera thanks to wifi capabilities and smartphone controls. The internal food container holds up to 29 cups of food, dispensing between one to six times per day. It's a great choice for pet owners on a busy schedule!

Don't let the affordable price of the Pet Libro Automatic Dry Food Dispenser trick you. It's just as high-tech as expensive, high-end feeders on the market for a fraction of the cost. The convenient dog feeder holds up to 16.9 cups of dry food at a time and can dispense 1-4 meals per day. Plus, it comes equipped with a built-in camera and handy voice recorder so you can stay involved at mealtime when you're away at work, school, or on vacation. Not to mention, it comes with a desiccant bag to keep food fresh. While the automatic dog feeder is ideal for small to medium dogs, it's equally as suitable for feeding cats.

If techy home gadgets aren't really your thing, stick with a low-tech option like this PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder with Digital Clock and Portion Control. Just set the timer and forget it! The automatic feeder will do the rest for you. Each of its five compartments holds up to one cup of dry or semi-moist food, helping break down feeding into smaller meals that support healthy digestion and weight management. The removable tray is made from BPA-free plastic that's dishwasher-safe for quick and easy clean-up.

Mealtime establishes an important bond between pets and their owners. Thankfully, with this Automatic Pet Feeder and Voice Recorder from Voluas, you can stay involved at feeding time when you're away. It's equipped with a built-in voice recorder that allows you to leave personalized messages for your pet to hear every time the feeder dispenses a meal. A four or six-liter capacity food tank and programmable timer make it easy to keep Fido on a regular feeding schedule while you're at work, in class, or running errands. It's even equipped with infrared detection to prevent food spills during dispensing.

Need to feed your cat or dog multiple meals while you're away? Try this 6-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder from PetSafe. It'll give you peace of mind while you're away and keep your pet on a healthy feeding routine regardless of how busy your schedule gets. The user-friendly feeder holds up to six pre-portioned meals that can be set to the time of your choosing. Each section can dispense up to 1 cup of dry or semi-wet food. The bowl and tray are fully removable and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up at the end of the day. This is also the best option for small dogs as each slot can uphold to 1 cup of dry food.

If your household has two dogs, you'll need an automatic feeder with two bowls— like this Two-Pet Automatic Feeder from Honey Guardian. The dual-bowl design and large food tank make it easy to feed two dogs at once. Just use the LCD screen to program the feeding schedule of your choosing, and your furry friends can enjoy up to six meals a day while you're away. The removable food storage container holds up to 29 cups of dry dog food and has transparent sides that make it easy to see when it's time for a refill. A built-in infrared sensor prevents food blockages and ensures feeding time always runs smoothly.

For small dogs, puppies or cats, we recommend this feeder from Petkit. With a simple setup from your phone, you no longer need to get up in the middle of the night to feed your puppy or cats. With the personalized setting, you can dispense different portion sizes. Control portion sizes from one portion to twenty portions. Featuring the duo fresh lock system, it will keep the dry food dry and fresh. And it comes with a dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl.

The app-enabled Instachew Purechew Automatic Pet Feeder combines practicality and aesthetics. This elegant pet feeder allows you to automate feeding, control portions, keep food fresh AND look good doing it! You can schedule meal times for your pet to immediately dispense their food, whether you are at home or traveling! With an HD camera and two-way audio, you can check on your fur baby at all times.

Got a dog that is overweight? Then the PortionPro Rx Automated RFID Dog & Cat Feeder just may be the perfect option for you! Great for dogs of all sizes, this feeder features a patented access control technology that helps keep your smartypants from stealing food. Simple to program, it dispenses the right food portion to only the right pet every day at the right time! The storage hopper can hold 32 cups of kibble and can deliver up to 2 cups per feeding and feed up to 6 times per day. And the ceramic-coated steel food bowl offers durability and bacterial control. Designed to feed an RX or therapeutic diet and with true portion control, it can help reverse and/or even help prevent animal obesity.

If you want the ultimate automatic feeder for your dog, then Whisker Feeder Robot Smoke Hopper Dog & Cat Feeder may just be what you are looking for. With Wi-Fi enabled, you will never miss a feeding and ensure your pet gets the right amount of food at every meal. This feeder features anti-jam technology, food backup detection, and a built-in backup battery to prevent missed meals. The hopper can hold up to 32 cups of dry or semi-moist kibble, while the bowl can hold up to 2 cups. And with two color options available, you will find one that fits your home decor.

The PetSafe Smart Feed 2nd Generation Automatic Pet Feeder was designed to bring peace of mind for pet parents and their pets to mealtime. By downloading the PetSafe Smart Feed app, your can use your smartphone and connect the feeder to your home's Wi-fi, you'll be able to schedule, adjust and monitor your pet's meals whether you're at home or at the office.
This updated smart feeder works with your Amazon Echo device, so you can quickly ask Alexa to feed your pet a snack hands-free. The new low food sensor will notify your phone when the feeder is running low on kibble and when it is empty so that you can restock. The feeder components are top-rack dishwasher safe to make cleaning simple. One feeder can be controlled from multiple family members' smartphones, and multiple feeders also can be controlled from one smartphone within the PetSafe Smart Feed app.