Automatic Pet Food Dispensers and Pet Feeders can be an invaluable resource for the pet owner on the go.
In case of travel, work, or vacation, pet feeders can ensure that your pet gets fed right on the ball.

There are 2 categories of pet feeders. Mechanical feeders and automated feeders.

Mechanical feeders are simple feeders that are based on the laws of gravity. They are composed of a food storage bin or tower, and a dish. Once the level of food in the dish is below a certain level, more food will fill up the dish from the hopper (storage bin). As such, food is always available to the pet, which can consume as much as it wants to.

Automated feeders can be automatic dishes or automatic food dispensers.

Automatic dishes are composed of covered compartments that the pet owner puts food in. At a preset time, the dish will open one of the compartments, giving the pet access to food.

Automatic food dispensers are, like mechanical dishes, composed of the hopper and the dish. The “automated” section is composed of a timer, and often a measurer. As such measured portions of food are dispensed to the pet at preset times.

The ideal pet feeder should be suited to your pets needs. As such the pets size, age , temperament and feeding habits should bear consideration. The number of household pets is also important. You might need a feeder with multiple dishes, or more than one feeder.

Further, the ideal pet feeder should pass some tests in utility. It should be rugged and durable; easy to assemble and use ; affordable; easy and affordable to maintain; easy to clean; pet proof (the hopper); spill proof; should have a battery back-up if a plug-in; attractive, unobtrusive and manageable.

A word of caution. These devices cannot substitute for human contact. If you will be away for an extended period of time, pet feeders should be combined with a house or pet sitter, or somebody to check up on the pet.