A Good Pet Food Dispenser Can Easily Keep Your Furry Friends Fed

Getting to know a furry friend is fun and challenging at times. As they grow, their needs change. Pets and owners alike learn to work together to establish a schedule that is suitable to everyone.

Feeding time is a great time to bond and establish a routine. But, sometimes other things get in the way. 

In order to make things easier on both the pet and owner, pet food dispensers can step in and take away the task of feeding. Simply load up the dispenser and plan out when it should provide the pet with food. From there, it will release enough food to keep the pet happy without giving it so much that there’s the risk of becoming obese. Certain brands have made special accommodations for pets (and pet parents) with different needs.

Benefits of Using a Pet Food Dispenser

Pet food dispensers provide a neat and tidy alternative to an ordinary dog or cat bowl. Some people even choose dispensers to match their home decor. Some dispensers include being able to monitor portion sizes. Using a pet food dispenser takes the guesswork out of measuring how many cups or ounces are being poured at a time. They also promote healthy digestion and help maintain a pet's weight. The slow feeder, for example, is designed to stop a pet from scarfing down his lunch too fast. Meal time is less of a chore without having to lug around a large bag of pet food. There is less pressure to remember feeding times, especially as pets grow and their appetites change. Automatic dispensers allow for the time of day and portion size to be set ahead of time.

Top Brands and Models

• Gravity Feeder - The gravity feeder works by continuously filling food down into the food bowl. Similar to the design of a gumball machine, this food dispenser relies on gravity to get food into the pet's bowl. There is no automated function, the pet must manually release the food from the container. As the pet eats from the bowl, more food is released to replace it. A top brand is the PetSafe Healthy Gravity Refill Dog & Cat Feeder, 16-cup. - This particular model includes a stainless steel bowl. It also boasts being easy to clean and free of BPAs.

• Automatic Food Dispenser - The automatic dispenser relies on a timer to tell it when to dispense food. These dispensers are electric powered and require batteries or placement near an outlet. The user programs the times in which food is to be dispensed into the pet's bowl. A top brand is the PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder. This automatic pet feeder takes it a step further. It allows for the setting of five feeding times. At each of these intervals, an inner tray is rotated and releases food in different sections at different times of the day.

• Slow feeder - The slow feeder gently encourages a pet to eat at a slower speed. They are usually made of a flexible rubber material. The bowl has divisors set in place that a pet has to maneuver around to consume food. Slower food consumption contributes to better digestion and helps a cat or dog feel better overall. A top brand is the op Paw® Slow-Feeder Pet Bowl. This slow feeder is made of rubber which prevents the bowl from sliding across the floor.