If you’re like us, we look forward to cooking and prepping our pet’s meals and adding supplements, fresh veggies, fruits, grilled chicken, salmon, or beef to top a high-quality kibble. Yet there may be times when our schedule doesn’t allow us to cook, and we have to rely on outside sources. This is where automatic dog feeders come into play. And yes, there’s no need to feel guilty; it happens to all of us!
There’s not enough to be said about automatic dog feeders. This buying guide for automatic dog feeders features expert reviews and comparisons on the top automatic dog feeders that are must-haves when it comes to caring for your furbabies. As with all excellent pet products, we’re keen to share with you some of the best features of our top picks, from infrared induction to voice recording and play.
The best option for your furbaby depends on its size, health needs, and activity level. We’ve put together a guide that includes our top 5 picks of automatic dog feeders for large dogs available and provided expert reviews to help you decide which one works best for you.
What are automatic dog feeders?
An automatic dog feeder gives your pet needed meals even when you can’t be with them. It is also great for busy work schedules and those who travel a lot and leave their pets with pet sitters.
Automatic dog feeders are designed to dispense food at specific times so that dogs don’t overeat or miss out on their required intake of nutrients. These devices may vary in features and capabilities, but most of them share a common goal – to help ensure that your pet gets the food it needs.
An automatic dog feeder can be programmed to dispense specific portions of food at different times during the day, which means you’ll never have to worry about whether Fido is eating or not. However, many devices come with a digital timer for this purpose.
The best automatic dog feeders also come with an auto-shut-off feature, designed to turn the device off when it’s full and prevent it from dispensing more food. This feature can save you money on electricity and helps reduce the waste of food and nutrients that your pet doesn’t need.
This expert buying guide for automatic dog feeders for large dogs features the best brands and models in the market, complete with expert analysis that will help you pick out the right product for your needs! Here’s the takeaway:
- Pros
- Quick set up
- Nine portions setting option per meal (2.5tsp -12.5ml)
- Dual power supply via 5V DC adapter
- Consistently provides food for your cat / small dog for a few days
- Voice recorder to reach out to your pet during mealtimes
- Allows for flexible feeding
- Powered by 5V DC adapter, 4.9ft cable
- Easy monitoring & control
- Features a humanized design
- It lasts a long time with batteries as well.
- Cons
- The screen is a bit small
The PetLibro automatic cat and dog feeder is an excellent solution for pet owners who have to leave their pets during workdays. It’s possible to feed your cat or dog up to 4 times a day. Moreover, it works with a desiccant bag that keeps food fresh from dust and moisture between meals.
Also, the programmable memory allows you to set up 1-4 meals a day and control the feeding cycle. We like this automatic dog feeder for all dog breeds because you can stay connected with your pet by calling PETLIBRO automatic pet feeder before meals with a 10s voice recording clip, thus enhancing the bond with your dog by keeping it fed regularly and making him feel safe and well cared for.
The PetLibro timer dog feeder is easy to use and clean, made of high-quality materials, and BPA-free. The capacity of 4 liters (16.9cup) is enough for the food portion for several days if you have a pet that needs only two feeds per day. Two-color options are available: black and white.
It comes fully assembled, with detailed, easy-to-follow instructions and a free downloadable app to program your feeding times up to 4 daily meals. It also comes with an AC adapter for non-stop feedings. It’s perfect if you have a busy schedule or work long hours away from home.
According to many customer reviews, this automatic feeder is an excellent solution for pet owners.
The PetLibro timer pet feeder comes with good quality material and works well. It features an easy-to-use interface, and it’s perfect if you have a busy schedule. This product features over 9,200 positive reviews.
Features
- Affordable
- Black/white stainless steel
- 2 sizes: 4L or 6L
- Inbuilt LCD screen
- Secure lid lock design for optimal security
- Easy to program
- 1-4 meals per day
- Cat /dog automatic feeder
- Over 9,200 positive reviews
- Inbuilt Desiccant Box
- Pros
- Infrared reduction prevents kibble clogging up or overflowing
- Smooth feeding with angled food chute
- Durable portion wheel measures & pours controlled portions
- No mess with top lock design
- Crafted with a dishwasher hygienic tray
- Works with both AC adapter and 3 D-size batteries
- Good customer service
- Works consistently
- Easy to clean
- Cons
- Portion sizes may be difficult to figure out
The Wopet automatic pet feeder features over 5,000 positive reviews. With this automated pet feeder, you can schedule up to 4 automated feedings per day using the built-in programmable timer. The automated pet feeder allows you to program each meal time with a few button clicks that are easy to use with the LCD screen.
The Wopet is crafted with a portion control mechanism with a maximum capacity of 4.5 cups per feed, perfect for medium to large-sized dogs. The Wopet can store up to 20 cups of dry food at a time and is made from durable stainless steel materials that are easy to clean.
You also have the option to program individual feeding times with voice recording. We like this automatic dog feeder because it comes with a 90-day refund policy as well as a 1-year warranty.
But best of all, you can press and hold the mic button for three seconds to begin recording a message to be played as each feeding dispenses. (e.g., Here, Fido! Come and eat, boy! Good doggy.) This feeder uses kibbles pellet size ranging from 0.2-0.6 inches in diameter; and can also dispense up to 4 meals a day.
Features
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- 7 L capacity with programmable timer
- Voice recording & play
- 4 automated feedings per day
- Easy to use LCD screen
- Ability to program portion size
- Dual power supply
- Crafted with infrared detection technology
- Over 5,000 positive reviews
- Pros
- Side cut-out handles along the base for lifting
- Non-skid rubber feet for secure feeding
- Extra-wide-mouth food hopper
- Easy to use
- Durable design
- Leak-proof cap with clip.
- Crafted with an extra-large mouth food hopper & water bottle for easy filling and cleaning
- Amazon Basics limited one-year warranty
- Dogs love the dish
- Easy to clean & maintain
- Cons
- May encourage obesity
- Food may pile up at the neck of the feeder.
The Amazon Basics Gravity Pet Food Feeder and water dispenser are ideal for keeping your pet’s food and water within easy reach while staving off the risk of overheating or dehydration. This gravity-feed system is simple to assemble with an adjustable feeding tray, hopper lid, and output tray.
Amazon’s super primary feed and water dispensing system features a 2-in-1 bundle: small pet waterer with 1-gallon capacity and small pet feeder with 6-pound capacity. It features gravity to ensure a consistent supply of food and water.
In addition, there are non-skid rubber feet for secure placement. This product is ideal for cats or dogs in single- or multiple-pet homes so that they have a constant supply of water or kibble. The storage hopper automatically releases more as feed or water supplies run low. This works well for when you’re running late at the office or gym.
It’s not the usually automated pet food dispenser that you can set feed times with, but it’s well worth the money to have at home if you don’t want to spend and need to ensure that your pets are fine if you’re late. This is an Amazon pet product, so you really can’t go wrong with this essential must-have. The Amazon Basics Pet Gravity Feeder features over 37,400 positive reviews.
Features
- Affordable
- Gravity feeder
- Material: Polypropylene & rubber
- 2-in-1 bundle
- Pet waterer with a 1-gallon capacity
- Small pet feeder with a 6-pound capacity
- Gravity pet feeder
- An Amazon pet product
- Over 37,400 positive reviews
- 1.82 pounds
- Pros
- Keeps foods fresh & secure
- Dispenses accurate meal portions
- Allows for flexible portions
- Dishwasher safe for easy clean
- Helps slow down fast eaters with slow feed options
- Portable feeder for pet vacay/camping/dog shows
- Pet-proof dispenser for optimal safety
- Two meal splitter for two pets ( at extra cost)
- Feeder never jams
- Cons
- No warning if it's low on food
- The sound of dry food landing in stainless steel bowl may frighten anxious pets
The PetSafe Healthy Pet automatic cat and dog feeder is another automated pet feeder that features over 5,000 positive reviews. While this is one of the costlier options, it is also one of the best automatic dog feeder systems that you can buy.
A great feature compared to other automatic pet feeders for large dogs is that it has a 12 meal per day capacity instead of other products with an eight meal per day capacity. Because your dog eats less than that, this pet feeder also has an excellent range of portion control settings that will take into account how much your dog should be eating each day.
This is one of the best automatic dog feeder systems because it offers slow feeding technology to help reduce bloating or other digestion problems associated with feeding dogs quickly or at large meals.
Automatic feeders for large dogs that eat a lot need to have a great capacity, and this one will help ensure that your dog eats the right amount throughout the day. It’s also easy to clean, which is an essential consideration if you want to keep things sanitary- especially since with larger automatic dog feeders, there are more crevices where food can get stuck.
The good news with this automatic dog feeder is that you can get a nice stainless steel bowl for it, too, if you want, which will make cleanup even less of an issue! Many people love this pet feeder system because it has so many great features perfect for large dogs, especially when balanced against the price.
Features
- Over 5,000 positive reviews
- Digital clock technology
- Holds up to 24 cups of dry or semi-moist foods
- Multiple feed modes
- Crafted with anti-jam protection
- Works with most kibble
- Requires 4 D-cell alkaline batteries or adaptor
- Slow feed options
- BPA-free plastic feeder parts
- A PetSafe pet product
- Pause feed option available
- Pros
- Rated voltage: 110-240V
- Camera: 120° Wide Angle Lens | HD Camera
- Controllable on your smartphones & computers
- Voice interaction via audio chat/recording
- Automatically broadcast to remind pets it's feed time
- App for feeder works well
- Connecting unit to WIFI is easy
- The camera shows clear images
- Food tray easily removable
- Smartphone interface is straightforward to set up
- User friendly
- Cons
- Customers would like an email with a short video clip each time their pet eats.
The Wopet Smart Feeder 6 meal automated feeder is the best automatic dog feeder for large dogs. This is because it offers six different meals to be fed at six different times, meaning that your dog’s individual feeding schedule can be adhered to every day.
With this large automatic pet feeder, you can also check in on your pet while out or away via video and voice recording. The feeder has a 1.3-megapixel camera and a built-in microphone for this purpose.
It also allows you to share access with friends and family so that if you’re going away on holiday, people can still check up on your dog while feeding it themselves. People love this product because it is easy to set up, with simple step-by-step instructions.
Having six meals to be served hours apart is great for large breeds; this way, you can ensure your dog gets the amount of food it needs for its size. The feeder also comes with a lot of storage space, so if your dog eats more or less than expected every day, it won’t be a problem. The Wopet Smart Feeder 6 meal automated feeder is perfect for your large dog if you’re looking for an automatically portioned food dispenser.
Not only does this product have excellent reviews, but it also has advantageous features such as the ability to check in on your pet via video and voice recording while out or away for the day; it also shares access with friends and family.
Most people who buy this product are thrilled with their purchase because of how easy it is to set up, with simple step-by-step instructions that allow you to start feeding your dog within minutes of opening the box.
People love this product even more because of its storage space, especially in comparison to other automatic feeders. Not only does the large capacity mean you don’t have to worry about refilling the feeder every few days, but it also means your dog won’t go hungry if they miss a meal or eat less than expected. This product features over 1,400 positive reviews.
Features
- Capacity: 7 Liters (29 cups of kibble), 6.5 Liters
- Smartphone controls feeding
- Support 2.4GHz network only
- Apple & Android users
- 1-6 meals per day
- Up to 20 portions of dry food per meal
- HD camera as smart pet camera
- Affordable
- Over 1,000 positive reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
How do automated pet feeders work?
Automated pet feeders can completely take over your dog’s feeding routine by simply programming the time and quantity of food to be dispensed. This makes it possible for you to work late without having to worry about your pet going hungry.
How do I choose between an automatic and a manual feeder?
Automatic feeders offer greater ease of use and convenience than manual feeders. However, most automatic feeders are more expensive than manual ones. An automatic feeder is the most convenient option if you have the budget.
What size is best for my dog?
Be sure to read the manual and product description before purchasing a feeder, as this will indicate what sized dog breed the product is intended to serve. In general, if you have a smaller breed dog, a standard-sized feeder should be suitable. However, if you have a larger dog breed, it’s recommended that you buy a large-sized feeder.
Do I have to assemble anything in the automated pet feeder?
Most automatic dog feeders come preassembled with minimal setup required. However, some units do require assembly. Be sure that you know whether or not a product needs to be assembled before purchasing it. The only exceptions to this rule are those products that come as a complete unit where no assembly is required. Then, of course, before buying an automatic food dispenser for your dog, you should always read the instruction manual and warranty policy carefully. If you’re unsure about assembling your new product, it’s best to get expert help.
What kind of batteries does an automated pet feeder use?
Most modern automatic feeders use a minimum amount of power to function solely off of battery power. If you have a larger breed dog, we’d suggest going for a product that uses AC adaptors. This will save you money in the long run, as battery-powered feeders can be quite expensive to maintain.
Do all automatic pet feeders work for both dogs and cats?
Most modern automatic dog feeders are designed to serve both dogs and cats. However, some products are made with specific breeds in mind, so it’s best to check the manual and product description to ensure your pet’s size and breed are compatible with the feeder you’re thinking of buying.
Can I use an automated pet feeder if my dog is on medication?
If you want to use an automatic feeder for administering medication, it’s best to confirm this with your vet before using the product. Some vets may feel that the feeder you’re using is too slow or too fast for administering medication, which can lead to your pet not receiving their required dosage or receiving too many pet meds or supplements.
How should I clean my automated pet feeder?
Most modern automatic dog feeders are dishwasher-safe or have detachable parts that allow them to be easily washed by hand. Be sure to read the manual for further instructions on cleaning your product.
How many meals does my dog get with an automated pet feeder?
Most automatic feeders allow you to program the number of meals and amount of food dispensed daily, so your pet can receive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day. Some products offer an ‘always on’ setting that dispenses dry food continuously, which is excellent if you have a larger dog or a very hungry pet.
Are automated pet feeders safe for my dog to use?
As long as you follow your particular product’s user manual and instructions, modern automatic feeders are perfectly safe for pets. Most current models are microchip activated to ensure your pet gets their food only when they’re allowed.
Do I have to train my dog to use an automated pet feeder?
Most automatic dog food dispensers are entirely self-explanatory and require no training. However, some products come with a training booklet or DVD for your convenience. If you’re unsure about whether your new product comes with an instruction manual, be sure to read the description carefully before purchasing.
Can I purchase a replacement bowl/tray for my automatic pet feeder?
In some cases, you may be able to purchase a replacement bowl or tray from the manufacturer. However, this is usually only an option for items that have been purchased directly from the supplier and not a third-party seller.
What are the benefits of using an automatic dog feeder?
Automatic pet feeders are fantastic for busy pet owners who find themselves often working late or getting delayed in traffic. They’re also ideal for pets that suffer from separation anxiety because the food is dispensed at regular intervals, meaning your hungry pup will have plenty of time to eat throughout the day. Automatic dog feeders are also great for homes with multiple pets that require different amounts of food or meals per day or if your pets are being cared for by a pet sitter while you’re out of town.
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Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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