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9 Best Automatic Dog Feeders of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

automatic pet food dispenser

If you lead a busy life, you’ve probably come to realize that any product that can ease some of the burdens of caring for your dog is worth its weight in gold, especially when that same product benefits your dog too.

Dog feeders have evolved drastically since the first automatic feeders were introduced in the late 1940s. If you are ready to give your dog’s feeding schedule a makeover, then look no further than this reviews list.

Like many pet products, there is a multitude of options when looking for an automatic dog feeder. It can be a formidable task if you don’t know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a review list of the top automatic dog feeders to ease your stress. The buyer’s guide will also help you with things to consider before making a purchase.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder
  • Self-activating backup battery
  • Multiple color options
  • Programming and anti-clogging features
  • Best Value
    Second place
    PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder
  • BPA-free
  • Gravity fed
  • Simple design
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder
  • Controlled by smartphone and wifi
  • It can hold up to 12 meals
  • Slow feeding and feed now options
  • Best for Puppies
    PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder
  • Fabulous for growing puppies
  • Store 5 meals at a time
  • Wet/dry food compatible
  • Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder
  • No assembly required
  • You can record voice messages
  • Totally customizable
  • The 9 Best Automatic Dog Feeders

    1. DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder

    DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder

    Of all the automatic feeders we had the pleasure of reviewing, our favorite was the DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder. This smart device will spoil you with all its fantastic features. Most pet parents could find value in this product, and we’ll tell you why.

    This feeder is sleek and attractive, fitting in with almost any kitchen décor. It comes in three attractive colors: pink, black, and white.

    This particular design is best for medium to large-sized dogs. This feeder allows you to maintain a regular feeding schedule for your dog. The turntable has anti-clogging features, making it very easy for the design to distribute your dog’s food without malfunctioning.

    It has an LCD panel that allows you to control all of the aspects of feeding, including portion size and disbursement time. A USB connection powers it and luckily, includes a built-in self-activating backup battery, just in case! We think it’s the best overall automatic dog feeder.

    Pros
    • Self-activating backup battery
    • Multiple color options
    • Programming and anti-clogging features
    Cons
    • Designed for medium/large breeds

    2. PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder—Best Value

    PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder

    If you have a smaller breed, this affordable choice might be up your alley—the PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder! We think it’s the best automatic dog feeder for the money. It’s a breeze to assemble, and it doesn’t need any fancy features—it works all by itself.

    This particular design is not great for wet food. If you add any wet food, you should add it as a topper to the kibble in the bowl portion, not in the feeder itself. While it might lack this capability, it makes up for it with ease of use and simplicity.

    To put this feeder together, you just assemble the bottom bowl with the container portion, which securely fits together. It has a lid to top the kibble, keeping it safe inside. Gravity does all the work for this option, allowing the kibble to move out as needed.

    This is a great way to provide portion control for your pup. You can simply put their daily rations in the feeder and let the bowl do its job. It is made of BPA-free plastic that is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Who could ask for more? We think it’s the best automatic dog feeder for the money.

    Pros
    • BPA-free
    • Gravity fed
    • Simple design
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • No fancy features
    • Not suitable for wet food

    3. PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder—Premium Choice

    PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder

    We have to brag about the PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder. If you’re a person who loves smart technology, you will absolutely adore the features this feeder has to offer. It is compatible with the Amazon Echo, and you can connect it to your iPhone or Android from anywhere!

    It’s so convenient to control everything right from the comfort of your phone, whether at home or at work. It also will send you alerts if you so choose to get them.

    You can customize meal times, setting up 12 meals at once to make them routine. Or, you can use the feed now option to give a little extra nutrition in between feedings. While this feeder can hold up to 25 cups, it can only dispense between 1/8 to 4 cups at a time.

    If you have a fast eater on your hands, you can choose to slowly disperse the food over a 15-minute period.

    This feeder is easy to clean, being top-rack compatible in the dishwasher. It works for dry kibble and semi-moist foods.

    Pros
    • Controlled by smartphone and wifi
    • It can hold up to 12 meals
    • Slow feeding and feed now options
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Not compatible with wet food

    4. PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder—Best for Puppies

    PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder

    If you have a little puppy to feed, we want to rave about the PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog Feeder. It’s such a good option for meal planning. It has individual one-cup portion sections, so you can easily divvy up your pup’s servings throughout the day.

    You can set this feeder up to dish out meals five times a day, or less if needed. The feeder will automatically rotate to the next tray at whatever time you designate. You simply have to set it up for the times you’d like and refill the trays—easy peasy.

    This feeder is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. It requires 4 D-cell batteries, which are not included in the purchase. So, factor that in with the cost of the total product. Plus, we love that it is compatible with wet, dry, or semi-moist food!

    This design really cuts out the hard work of remembering to feed your puppy on a timed schedule—it does all the hard work for you. Setup is a cinch—no tools required. Plus, you can continue to use this feeder after your puppy enters adulthood.

    Pros
    • Fabulous for growing puppies
    • Store 5 meals at a time
    • Wet/dry food compatible
    Cons
    • You must purchase batteries separately

    5. Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder

    Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder

    The Petlibro Automatic Dog Feeder is another outstanding choice. It has a high-tech design that looks exquisite and nearly any decor setting, so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. We love the overall look and functionality.

    This automatic feeder comes in two different colors: black or white. It also comes in two different sizes: 3 L or 5 L. You can easily open the top portion by pressing two sides with your hands, and the structure helps keep your pet out while allowing easy accessibility for you.

    You can create a customizable schedule to feed your dog up to four meals per day. You can manage all of the settings on the LCD screen and even record a voice message so your pup can hear you when you’re away!

    This is a great tool if you’re going to be gone for extended periods to give your dog some guidance. Rather than using batteries, it plugs directly in, so you never have to worry about replacing parts. However, some users say that it has problems dispensing food correctly sometimes.

    Pros
    • No assembly required
    • You can record voice messages
    • Totally customizable
    Cons
    • Inconsistent food dispensing

    6. Athorbot Automatic Feeder for Dogs

    Athorbot

    This feeder offers many of the same features as other automatic feeders, and its design is pleasing to the eye. It will hold up to 6.5 liters (7.3 pounds) of dry food and has a top cover that locks so your dog can’t pilfer extra food when you aren’t around. It also has a sensor to prevent extra food from being discharged if any remains in the bowl.

    The LCD display is easy to read, and the instructions are clear on how to program it. We like having the option for either battery or plug-in power, and the plastic tray that collects the food is removable and washable. You can program up to four feedings per day, and this feeder is ideal for small to medium-sized dogs.

    The Athorbot offers a recordable message that is easy to understand, and the whole device is simple to disassemble and clean. On the downside, if the unit is turned off, you lose all your pre-programming and have to do it all over again.

    Pros
    • Holds 7.3 pounds
    • Cover lock
    • LCD display
    • Recordable message
    • Easy to clean
    • Feed four times a day
    Cons
    • Can lose programming

    7. BELOPEZZ Smart Automatic Dog Feeder

    BELOPEZZ

    This 6.5-pound capacity automatic feeder is a good choice for small to medium-sized dogs. You can set up to four meals per day with different quantities if you choose. The LCD screen and control panel are similar to those of many other automatic feeders, but they are a little difficult to read due to the color of the pad. You can record a voice message with this feeder too.

    It offers a sensor that helps prevent overfeeding if the tray is still full of food at the next scheduled feeding time. The BELOPEZZ runs on electrical power or three D-size batteries. You can detach the food dispenser and bowl from the main unit to wash them, and the material is resistant to scratching.

    On the downside, the tank isn’t clear, so you have to remove the lid to check how much food remains. Some pets have been able to knock the dispenser off of the base.

    Pros
    • Large capacity
    • Four meals a day
    • LCD screen
    • Voice message
    • Easy to clean
    • Cover lock
    Cons
    • Dispense detaches easily
    • Hard-to-read buttons

    8. RICHDOG Automatic Dog Feeder

    RICHDOG

    This is a decent dispenser for small dogs because it has a small bowl that would be harder for a large dog to eat from. You can customize the amount of food dispensed, and the sensor helps prevent the bowl from overfilling if your pet doesn’t finish the first meal. It runs on either batteries or a USB power cable.

    The LCD screen is easy to use and offers a voice recording option. We found that the recording is not loud enough for your dog to hear if they aren’t near the feeder, however. The bowl and the dispenser are both easy to clean, but it’s difficult to switch the dispensing paddles from small to large. It will hold up to 13.2 pounds of dry dog food.

    Pros
    • Large capacity
    • Ideal for small dogs
    • Sensor to prevent overfill
    • LCD screen
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Difficult to switch paddles
    • Not ideal for large dogs
    • Voice recording quiet

    9. PortionProRx Automatic Pet Feeder for Dogs

    PortionProRx

    Last on the list is the PortionProRx, which is made for any size dog. A unique feature of this feeder is that it is designed to prevent food stealing. If your pet hasn’t been assigned access, they will not be able to eat from the feeder. The dispenser holds up to 32 cups of dry dog food, and you can schedule up to six meals per day.

    To make this feeder work, you have to apply an RFID tag to your dog so the feeder knows that access has been granted. You can purchase more tags separately if you have multiple dogs. The dispenser lid locks, and there is a bowl sensor to prevent overfilling.

    There are many ways to customize your dog’s feeding schedule using the LCD screen, but we found that it can be confusing to program and set up. But if the power fails, it stores your program so you don’t have to reset it. The bowl and the dispenser are easily hand washed.

    However, it is pricey, and we found that many people have had problems with the feeder malfunctioning and becoming jammed with food.

    Pros
    • Prevents food stealing
    • Bowl sensor
    • Customize feeds
    Cons
    • Hard to program
    • Pricey
    • Malfunction issues
    • Jams easily

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Automatic Dog Feeder

    This section goes over considerations and tips to keep in mind when choosing an automatic dog feeder that is ideal for you and your dog.

    Automatic feeders allow you to control the portion of food your dog will receive. You can also decide how many times per day it will dispense the allotted portion. Features can include:

    Programming Option

    There can be different ways to program: Some will offer it directly on the feeder with the use of an LCD screen, while others are more hi-tech and allow you to use an app on your phone. Either way, it should be fast and easy to program your dog’s meal schedule. Also, you don’t want to lose the program you set up if the power is turned off, so having an internal memory is ideal.

    Close up of beautiful dog eating from the bowl
    Image credit: dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock

    Food Reservoir

    If you don’t want to worry about how much food is in the reservoir, you will want a large capacity, but you will still have to refill it about once per week. Of course, this will depend on how much you are feeding your dog. You also need to clean the reservoir periodically, so one that can detach and be submerged in water will make the task less troublesome.

    Sensors

    A sensor feature gives you the extra peace of mind that your dog won’t be overfed or the food won’t overfill the bowl. A good sensor will prevent food from dispensing when there is food leftover from the previous feeding.

    Ease of Use

    One reason to purchase an automatic feeder is to save time, so we know that you don’t want to spend a whole day setting up the feeder or cleaning or repairing it. If the feeder has many features, make sure that you are comfortable with what they are and that you feel confident using the feeder overall.

    Price

    Electronic automatic feeders are pricey and some are more expensive than others. Your budget will determine what type of feeder you can purchase. Just know that the more bells and whistles it has, the more money you will spend on it.

    Tips When Buying an Automatic Feeder

    • Make sure to purchase the correct size for your dog. One that has a small bowl will be difficult for your large dog to eat from.
    • Electronics can and will eventually malfunction, especially if they are low quality and frequently used.
    • Understand the reason that you want an automatic feeder. Is it related to convenience? Or to prevent your dog from overeating? Maybe to encourage your dog to eat more?

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    Conclusion

    DOGNESS Programmable Automatic Dog Feeder is our favorite because it is versatile and terrific for many dog parents. It has a backup battery, portion control options, and easy cleanability. We really think you’ll love it!

    PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station Gravity Feeder is a self-working system that is totally simple and affordable on nearly any budget.

    PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Wifi-Enabled Automatic Feeder is super high-tech if you’re into that sort of thing! It offers tons of cool features like timed meal planning and portion control!

    Hopefully, our reviews gave you some pretty comprehensive options, and you already have your pick in your shopping cart!


    Featured Image Credit: Mila Nauvoma, Shutterstock

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