PetTech - Automatic Pet Food Dispensers and Pet Feeders

Automatic Pet Food Dispenser and Pet Feeders

What is the value of automatic pet food dispensers and pet feeders?

Has this ever happened to you? You are delayed at the office, or by traffic on your way home. Immediately you walk through the door, you are greeted by a cacophony of meowls, chirps and or woofs. The dog or cat leads you to its empty food dish looking over its shoulder at you accusingly. "You forgot about me," says the look.

You are travelling either for a couple of days or an extended period of time. How will your pet get fed? You have somebody whom has committed to house sit or check up on your pet every so often. (Watch this blog for a post on pet sitters ). However you dont sleep well because of the possibiltiy of human error or omission.

The last time you left extra food and water (next post will be on automatic pet water dispensers and pet fountains) out, your pet thought this was a food bonanza, and gobbled everything up.

Pets, just like humans, require timely and measured nutrition. This is where automatic pet food dispensers and feeders come in.

Pet feeders are available in two general variations.

The first, which I will term a mechanical feeder, is comprised of two components. The hopper (this is the container where the pet food is stored), and the bowl. This simple pet feeder operates on the laws of gravity. When the pet food level drops, more food drops down into the bowl from the hopper. As such these are free flow feeders These pet food dispensers are relatively cheap and run from $1.00 and up for birds, to $7.00 and up for larger pets like cats and dogs.

The second variation is the true "automatic" or electronic pet food dispenser. These pet feeders can be divided into automatic pet dishes, and automatic pet dispensers.

The automatic pet dishes available, are comprised of two to eight covered compartments, and a timer. Feeding times can be set to eight times a day, or once every day for eight days. When the scheduled pre-set time for feeding arrives, the dish either revolves or opens the cover, on one of the compartments to reveal food. With this type of feeder, the pet owner is responsible for measuring the amount of food and filling the compartments. The power source is mostly batteries. These range from $20.00 and up for the two compartments, to $70.00 and up for the eight compartments

The automatic food dispensers are composed of a hopper, a measuring mechanism, a timer, and a bowl or dish. They measure the pre-set quantity of food, and actually dispense it to the bowl, on the set schedule. Some models have upto four dishes for several pets. These feeders range from $50.00 and up and some models are $200.00 and above. Some operate on batteries and some are plug in.

Several factors need to be considered when purchasing a pet feeder.

The feeder is for the pet, so the pets convenience, based on its individual characteristics, come first.

What are your pet's feeding habits? If you have a pet that will basically "wolf" down anything available, then you would want to go with the automatic pet food dispenser where measured portions are given. If your pet is more disciplined in its feeding habits, then a mechanical pet feeder would sufice.

What are your pets' socialization habits? if you have two or more pets, is there a pecking order when it comes to feeding time? If so you would want to get more than one pet food dispenser. If your pets are used to sharing, one pet feeder with multipe dishes would be the option.

What is the pets size and age? Pets nutrition depends on their size and age. The pet bowl component of the food dispenser, needs to be of a sufficient size to meet the pets nutritional needs. It must also be easily accesible and comfortable for the pet. For older and bigger pets, elevated automatic pet feeders are recommended.

To digress for a minute, it is recommended for all pets, big and small, to eat with a level head. When a pet has to lower its head for food, it will tend to suck the food up into its mouth with a quantity of air which it will swallow. This will cause indigestion and often painful gas. It can also lead to a condition which can be life threatening, called GDV or stomach bloating.

Is the pet frisky or playful? This will also be impacted by age. A playful or rambunctious pet would be liable to knock over or even unplug a bulky feeder.

Other factors to be considered in purchasing an automatic pet food dispenser, have more to do with the pet owner.

What is your budget? This will impact the type of feeder purchased as well as consideration for maintenance and operating costs. Warranties and replacement part availability and costs will also be a factor here.

How easy is the feeder to clean? Does it have hard to reach nooks and crannies and are the various components amenable to a dish washer? Does the feeder have inbuilt spill or tip over prevention?

What is the design of the pet feeder and what materials is it composed of ? The automatic food dispenser should be durable, and lightweight. Its design should enhance simplicity in operation and maintenance. It should also be pet proof as far as the food storage goes.

Please note that an automatic pet food dispenser is not an alternative to human contact. I have a friend that left his Chow Chow in the house with a feeder for the weekend. When he returned, the dog had decimated the front door (Pet door post coming soon) and neighbors reported it had been howling at night. Pets get lonely and are affecte by changes in their environment. Despite its usefulness, an automatic pet feeder is no substitute for companionship.