Are Automatic Dog Feeders Good for Dogs?
If you’re in the middle of planning a vacation or a busy work week, you might wonder if using an automatic dog feeder could make your travel a little easier. But do they really work? Will your dog use them? And can you use an automatic dog feeder to replace a pet sitter for short trips?
Let’s take a closer look at how far the tech has come.
Possible benefits of automatic dog feeders
We’d like to tip our hand right out of the gate and say that, like many veterinarians and other professionals, at G&G Pets, we don’t think automatic feeds are the best way to feed most dogs. Whether you’re at home or on vacation, they can present some risks and add difficulty to an otherwise straightforward process.
However, there are some feeding situations that aren’t straightforward and where using an automatic feeder could help. Such as:
Mobility aid: If, as the owner, you have difficulty feeding the dog, this could be an excellent tool to get the job done. However, you will likely need to supervise meal times to ensure it’s working properly.
Schedule saver: If no one is home when the dog needs dinner, this can make sure they’re still fed on time. However, you’ll still need to work out bathroom breaks and double-check that it worked when you get home.
Slowed eating: If your dog eats too quickly, a feeder can help you break up their meals without having to feed them 5 times a day. However, you’ll need to make sure your feeder dispenses accurate meal sizes.
Separating siblings: Some automatic feeders only open for their programmed microchip and can help if you have multiple dogs that need specific foods. These systems still require monitoring, but much less than traditional dog bowls.
Proven risks of automatic dog feeders
Adding mechanical and sometimes digital features multiplies the points where a product can fail. If you are going to use an automatic feeder, you should also have a plan in place to address these common risks:
Power Outage: If the power goes out or the battery loses charge, mealtime will be on hold. Some models have a backup battery to cover for short outages, but some may need to be reprogrammed or reset when the power goes out.
Moving Parts: If you have a small dog or puppy, they could get their leg or head stuck in the feeder when it starts to move. The same goes for dogs with long ears.
Inaccurate Meals: When Wirecutter tested some of the most common automatic dispensers, all of them overfed — some up to double the intended amount.
Large Dogs: Many models don’t account for dogs that eat more than one cup of kibble at a time. You should also test the feeder to make sure that a determined large dog can’t knock it over to get at more food.
Nervous Dogs: Some dogs that are shy or nervous might be intimidated by the sound or movement of the automatic feeder. This may make them reluctant to eat or cause them to eat too quickly.
Cleaning Hassle: All those moving parts also mean more to clean. And it’s important to do so on a regular basis to prevent bacterial build-up that could make your dog sick.
On top of all this, most feeders are only set up to disperse dry kibble. So if you use wet, semi-wet, or fresh food that needs refrigeration, automatic feeders won’t work well for you.
What’s the best kind of automatic dog feeder?
Some styles of automatic feeders allow you to pre-portion the food when you fill them, and these are typically the most reliable kind. They usually require more frequent loading, but they do allow you to use wet food.
The PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder is a good example of one that works well for smaller dogs. Parts of it can also be cleaned and sanitized in the dishwasher.
Do automatic dog feeders work in place of a dog sitter?
No, we were unable to find any dog care professionals who recommended unsupervised use of automatic feeders. Ourselves included!
On top of the risks we’ve discussed here, an automatic feeder can’t take your dog for a walk or monitor their health while you’re gone. They also can’t comfort them during a thunderstorm or play with their favorite ball. Dogs are social creatures, and it can be stressful for them to be alone for days at a time if they’re used to you being there.
That’s why we recommend overnight in-home pet sitting to all of our clients at G&G Pets. It allows your dogs to get the same level of care that they’re used to, and gives you the peace of mind that they’re getting individualized attention. If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, use the button below to get to know the best pet sitters in your area.
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