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Best Automatic Feeders for Cats and Dogs

Cats and dogs thrive on routine, but long workdays and hectic schedules can make it nearly impossible to keep mealtimes consistent. Automatic pet feeders dispense the perfect amount of food at scheduled times so you never have to worry about rushing home to feed your beasts.

Even better, if your pet is among the more than 50 percent of cats and dogs in the United States that are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, then an automatic pet feeder may help them get back in shape. You can program the feeder to dispense perfectly measured portions. Unlike humans, pet feeders never get swooned into extra helpings by those “puppy dog eyes,” nor can they be tricked into giving a second dinner, as often happens when family members fail to communicate that the pet’s already been fed.

You can choose from several types of feeders to meet your pet’s mealtime needs. Smart feeders allow you to modify your pet’s meal schedule remotely and even dispense snacks from your phone, and some even have a built-in camera so you can drop in on your pet anytime. Other feeders don’t use an app but have handy capabilities like keeping wet food chilled, or allowing access for a specific pet using microchip identification.

BEST OVERALL

Whisker Feeder-Robot

WHISKER

Both manual and smartphone controls
Dishwasher-safe bucket and bowl
Built-in backup battery
Anti-jam technology so no missed meals
Plastic bowl

Key Specs

Food Type: Dry
Capacity: Up to 32 cups or 7 to 8 lb. of dry kibble
Controls: Manual and Smartphone app
Power Source: Power Cord with Backup Built-in Lithium Battery

The Feeder-Robot comes from Whisker, the makers of Litter-Robot. It has several standout features including a built-in lithium ion backup battery. Other feeders require batteries to ensure your pets get fed in the event out of a power outage, but the Feeder-Robot’s built-in battery holds a charge that lasts up to 24 hours. It also offers unmatched flexibility, with a control panel that allows manual scheduling as well as a smartphone app with extended features, like monitoring if your pet is finishing their meals, offering alerts to low food supply, and dispensing snacks.

BEST BUDGET OPTION

PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station

PETSAFE

Low price
No power needed
Stainless steel bowl
May promote overeating in some pets

Key Specs

Food Type: Dry
Capacity: Small, 8 cups or 2 lb.; large, 16 cups or 4 lb.
Controls: None
Power: None

The Healthy Pet Food Station from PetSafe has a removable stainless steel bowl that refills from the reservoir with the power of gravity—no cords or batteries needed. It’s ideal if your pet likes to graze throughout the day but might not work for those pets that can’t be trusted to self-regulate. The reservoir offers some protection from air, moisture, and debris, helping to keep your pet’s food fresh.

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Bernadette