what is an automatic feeder?
An automatic feeder is a nice option for the dog always with a constant amount of food to take care of you – no matter where you are.
These devices are particularly popular with dog owners who are rarely or irregularly at home. But dogs that are supposed to or have to adhere to a very precise diet are also occasionally fed automatically.
Programmable Help
Automatic feeders are actually always electrically driven, The power is supplied either by batteries or by means of a cable, usually according to the USB standard. You can do this using a control panel Adjust feeding to suit the needs of your four-legged friend. This includes, among other things:
- The time of feeding
- The Crowd of meals (usually two to five per day) and
- The Portion size.
In addition to timers, there are also other mechanisms, to release the food. For training purposes, there are devices where the animal has to complete a task before it can eat. Other models also use methods such as barking or motion sensors, and some machines can also be triggered via remote control or app.
Be sure to try it out before using it for the first time
Before you leave the dog alone with the feeder for the first time, you should definitely Try to see if your program settings work. At a Incorrect entry There is a risk that the animal will either get far too much or far too little food. So it's best to check for yourself what it looks like when feeding is triggered. This way you can also observe your four-legged friend's reaction.
Difference between automatic feeder and feed dispenser
Occasionally you can also find so-called “feed dispenser”, that are offered for purchase. This is a very simple form of automatic feeder; the function is not electrical, but mechanical.
This means that the food is placed into the bowl with the push of a button or by pulling/turning a lever. In some cases, the dispensers are designed so that only people can provide supplies; other models can also be operated by animals.
A food dispenser is primarily used for order and hygiene. Food is no longer lying around freely, but is stored in a safe container; it only goes into the bowl when the dog wants or should eat. This can be a great and inexpensive relief, but such devices are not suitable for precise feeding when the animal is alone.
Can be supplemented with a drinking machine
In addition to food, there is also Drinking machines. These work with a water bottle often turned upside down, when the dog wants to drink, the liquid is released. Advantages of these mostly mechanical devices: The drinking water is always fresh and cannot tip over, so the dog does not run the risk of suffering from thirst alone even in the event of a mishap.
When is it worth it? automated feeding?
In general, dogs should be fed at least once a day. In some cases, more meals are recommended; animals with digestive problems in particular should be fed two or even three times a day.
The Amount of feed depends on the type of food, the nutrients it contains and the calorie needs of the four-legged friend: very active dogs need more food than “couch potatoes”. You can also read more about this topic here.
In many households, meals – e.g. morning and evening – are an important ritual in the life of the dog and owner. Often it is not necessary to rely on electronic help, but there are also cases in which an automatic feeder is at least sometimes worthwhile.
The four-legged friend has to a lot of time alone spend
This is especially the case when the four-legged friend a lot of time alone have to spend. Unfortunately, sometimes this cannot be avoided:
- For example, if the dog owner is in… Shift work Unfortunately, if you are active, it is often impossible to be in the house for all meals.
- Also stressful jobs with lots of overtime can cause feeding to have to wait.
- Dogs, for example for medical reasons many meals spread throughout the day need, often cannot always be accompanied. For example, if the workplace is too far from the home, it will be impossible to quickly return home during the lunch break to put out food.
In these cases, a vending machine is a good option Emergency solution.
The animal can Do not divide food
A simple measure would be to simply put a bowl full of food that your four-legged friend can help himself to when he is hungry. This works surprisingly well for many dogs, but not for all: the animals often have no or only one little feeling of satiety.
This means that a daily ration or more is quickly consumed in one go. Digestion is often put under excessive strain. These complications can be avoided by giving the dog exactly what it needs at meal time – the best way to do this in the absence of human family members is with an automatic feeder.
Impetuous Furry friends
Another argument against leaving food in the bowl is that it quickly happens chaos can arise. If the dog is rather impetuous, it can happen that he manipulates the bowl – even because of separation anxiety or boredom – in such a way that the food is suddenly distributed across the floor.
At very spirited dogs A machine is definitely worth it.
The dog is up diet
An automatic feeder can also be very helpful if… Dog on a diet and can only get a certain amount of food every day. Portioning by hand is a bit difficult and prone to errors; the animal often gets significantly more than it actually needs.
In this case, an automatic feeder is helpful even if the dog is not alone. It then serves to very precise quantities to serve.
Automatic feeder as Training method
Furthermore, vending machines can also be used if the dog needs to be rewarded without him directly associating the food with you. This is the case with many, for example Intelligence exercises the case.
The device then serves as Training aid. There are also special models for this that serve more as treat dispensers.