Feeding your dog while you are dealing with day to day life can be challenging for some pet owners.
Perhaps you have to leave in the morning before your dog is willing to eat, or maybe you work late hours, making it difficult to feed your pet dinner at a reasonable time.
Fortunately, there is a solution: an automatic dog feeder
Our Top Recommendation for Automatic Dog Feeders!
This is a highly efficient dog feeder that allows convenient food scheduling with flexible portions to manage your dog’s food intake. It is a stainless steel quality product and is easy to use.
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Automatic pet feeders are a great way to keep your dog’s eating schedule consistent, and they’re incredibly convenient for pet owners on the go.
We’ll recommend seven of the best automatic feeders for large dogs below, but first, we’ll talk about the situations in which an automatic pet feeder may be helpful, and some of the things to consider when you start shopping.
Best Automatic Feeder for Large Dogs Reviews
There is no shortage of automatic feeders for dogs on the market. But unfortunately, many are substandard products, which will tend to frustrate dog owners more than they’ll help. Additionally, many timed dog feeders are not suitable for large breeds.
But we’re here to help.
We’ve reviewed seven of the best automatic feeders for large dogs below so that you don’t have to look through the hundreds of models available.
Each of these timed feeders should work for larger dogs, and some will even work for giant breeds, like mastiffs and Great Danes.
Here are our top five large automatic dog feeder reviews with the addition of a couple of runner ups that we thought deserved an honorable mention.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | PetSafe Automatic Feeder | • 24-cup capacity • Meals can be dispensed in amounts ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups | |
 | PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder | • Comes with a built-in digital clock and LCD display screen • The tray is removable and dishwasher safe | |
 | LITTLE GIANT Galvanized Steel Chow Hound Dog Feeder | • Holds up to 25 pounds of food • No assembly required – it ships completely assembled | |
 | SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder | • Compatible with most RFID chips in use around the world or SureFeed’s RFID collar tags • Sealed food dish won’t attract bugs or pests | |
 | PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder | • Conveyer-style design works with most semi-moist foods or kibbles • Compatible with iOS and Android devices | |
| Honorable Mentions | |||
 | PETKIT Automatic Cat Puppy Feeder | • Energy Backup • Weight Sensor | |
 | WestLink 6L Automatic Pet Feeder | • Ultra Low Power Consumption • Built in Voice Recorder and Speaker |
#1. PetSafe Automatic Feeder
The PetSafe Automatic Feeder is a relatively high-capacity, fully programmable large dog feeder. This product will not only help keep your dog’s belly full while you’re away at work or school, but it’ll also help make your life easier too.
Unlike some other automatic feeders, which only work with kibble of a specific size and shape, the PetSafe Automatic Feeder uses a conveyor-style design that’ll work with a variety of different kibbles.
Features
- 24-cup capacity
- Slow feed mode to control the amount of food ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups
- Pet-proof lid design keeps food fresh, locked up and secure
- Can be programmed to dispense food up to 12 different times
- Works with 4 D-cell batteries or an optional AC connector
Customer Reviews: Most owners who tried the PetSafe Automatic Feeder were very happy with their choice. A high percentage who tried the feeder rated it favorably. A few did, however, complain that the bowl was a bit small for very large dogs, but that’s a relatively minor concern, and it’ll dispense plenty of food for most big dogs.
Bottom Line: The PetSafe Automatic Feeder is easily one of the best options on the market for large dogs. It comes with a variety of useful features and offers owners great feeding flexibility. One of the nicest features included with the unit is the “slow feed” option, which dispenses the food over 15 minutes, which can help prevent vomiting or bloating.
#2. PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder
The PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder is a rotary-style automatic feeder, which can be used to offer your food five meals before needing to be re-loaded.
It isn’t the largest feeder on the market, but owners of large dogs can simply set it to deliver two meals in quick succession if a single meal compartment doesn’t hold enough food.
Features
- Comes with a built-in digital clock and LCD display screen
- The tray is removable and dishwasher safe
- Each meal compartment will hold up to 1 cup of food
- US-made product that is backed by US-based customer service support staff
- Made with only BPA-free plastic
Customer Reviews: Although the PetSafe 5-Meal Pet Feeder didn’t work out ideally for some owners, the vast majority found that it worked well and rated it very highly. A few noted that destructive or mischievous dogs were able to break into the unit’s lid, so it is probably best-suited for relatively calm and well-behaved dogs. Additionally, several owners reported that the unit’s batteries lasted for a very long time.
Bottom Line: The PetSafe 5-Meal Feeder is a great option for many dogs, and it will help take the inconvenience out of feeding your pet.
You may have to adjust the settings to provide two meals at a time if your dog is very large, but that’s not a huge problem. This is also one of the easiest feeders to keep clean, which makes it easy for owners to use.
#3. LITTLE GIANT Galvanized Steel Chow Hound Dog Feeder
The LITTLE GIANT Galvanized Steel Heavy Duty Dog Feeder is a gravity-fed dog feeder that makes it easy to keep your dog fed.
Made without any of the loud and frightening moving parts that are included with most other feeders, the LITTLE GIANT Chow Hound is completely silent, so that even the most nervous dogs will feel comfortable using it.
Features
- Holds up to 25 pounds of food
- No assembly required – it ships completely assembled
- Can be hung on the wall or used on the ground
- Magnetic door closure keeps the stored food fresh and safe
- 24-gauge galvanized steel construction
Customer Reviews: The LITTLE GIANT Galvanized Steel Dog Feeder received really good reviews from most owners. Several noted that their pet would readily eat from the device, despite being afraid of other, louder units. Additionally, several large dog owners were pleased with the feeder’s generous capacity, which prevented them from having to reload it constantly.
Bottom Line: If you have a large, but sensitive dog, who is frightened of the sounds motorized feeders make, the LITTLE GIANT Chow Hound is a great option. It contains plenty of food storage capacity for even the largest dogs, and it has an opening large enough to accommodate their heads too. If you like to feed your dog in a free-choice fashion, this is easily the best automatic dog feeder for large breeds on the market.
#4. SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
This means that unlike some other automatic feeders, which strive to make it easy to feed your pet multiple meals, this automatic feeder is instead designed to make sure that a specific pet gets a specific food.
Features
- Compatible with most RFID chips in use around the world or SureFeed’s RFID collar tags
- Sealed food dish won’t attract bugs or pests
- Can be used with wet food, semi-moist food or kibble
- Will work with up to 30(!) different pets
- Dish holds up to 2.5 cups of dry food
Customer Reviews: The vast majority of owners who tried out the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder were very happy with their selection. The RFID chip reader appears to work very well, and the design makes it very difficult (if not impossible) for unauthorized pets to access the food contained inside.
Bottom Line: The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is most appropriate for homes with multiple pets. It is not only helpful for ensuring that your dogs don’t steal each other’s food; it is helpful for dogs who need to lose weight or require prescription foods.
Although the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder probably won’t work well with giant dogs, it should hold enough food to keep most large breeds full.
#5. PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder
You can schedule up to 12 mealtimes or simply select the “feed now,” option.
You’ll also receive updates on your phone verifying that the meal was dispensed at the proper time.
Features
- Conveyer-style design works with most semi-moist foods or kibbles
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
- Dispenses up to 4 cups of food at a time
- Lid, hopper, and bowl are all dishwasher safe
- Can be powered via the included AC adapter or with 4 D-cell batteries
Customer Reviews: Most owners were very happy with the PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Feeder. Most reported that the app was intuitive and easy to use and that the convenience this automatic dog feeder provided made it an excellent solution for their needs.
A few very intelligent pets learned to push the “feed now” button themselves, but this problem can occur with almost any feeder.
Bottom Line: Because you can change the feeding schedule from anywhere, this is an ideal choice for owners on the go. It is not only large enough to work for the biggest dogs around, but it should work well with your dog’s current food, thanks to the dispenser’s flexibility.
You will pay a little more for this large automatic dog feeder, but because it is one of the few automatic pet feeders on the market you can control from afar, it is well worth the additional cost.
Honorable Mentions
While the five large automatic pet feeders above have been tried and true, we thought we would also review a couple others that are also suitable for large dogs to give you a better view of what is available for your furry friend.
#6. PETKIT Automatic Cat Puppy Feeder
PETKIT Automatic cat and puppy feeder is a decent product. Its bowl is made of stainless steel and holds up to 10 portions. It takes pride in utilizing maximum technological support for an enhanced experience.
About: This is a simple yet efficient pet food dispenser that does not have any functional or moving parts that may scare your pet away. It is powered by energy backup and is to be operated with optional battery backup to ensure uninterrupted services. It can hold up to 25 pounds of food.
Features
- It features 2.4GHz wifi to ensure your pet never has to wait for too long for their food, even at midnight.
- It allows you to set meal plans and can easily dispense food in portions from anywhere between one full portion to ten portions.
- To ensure freshness, it uses a duo fresh lock system.
- Its weight sensor never lets it go out of food by alerting when it is low on food.
- It has a capacity of 2.8L, which can easily suffice for your pet’s one day meal.
- It doesn’t require any assembly; it is easy to use.
User Review: Anyone looking for a dog feeder with a stainless steel bowl can consider purchasing this product. Users found the magnetic door closure feature useful in keeping the food dry and therefore fresh and long-lasting.
Bottom-line: This is a highly durable and efficient product if you have the right amount of space to store it in your house. Its functionality makes it even more useful for those dog parents who struggle to feed their moody pets. With this product, you can feed your dog fresh food at any time.
#7. WestLink 6L Automatic Pet Feeder
This automatic dog feeder has the capacity to provide up to four meals a day and can dispense 1 to 39 portions. It also features a built-in voice recorder and speaker, which means you can record a message calling your dog to the feeder for their meal.
It features a built-in infrared sensor that stops food from being dispensed when there is still food left in the bowl. It is programmable and easy to use. Simply press two keys at the same time to get it to function.
Reasons to Use an Automatic Dog Feeder
There are a number of circumstances in which an automatic dog feeder for large breeds can be helpful. Some of the most common situations include:
1. Dog Owners Who Work Long or Odd Hours
Pets thrive best when provided with a fairly consistent feeding schedule. It helps to keep their bathroom habits regular, and it prevents them from feeling hunger pains when they’re forced to wait longer than normal.
So, owners who work long or irregular hours will often find that an automatic dog feeder helps to ensure their dog eats breakfast and dinner at about the same time each day.
2. Owners Who Travel Frequently
If you travel a lot, you’ll obviously need to make arrangements for your pet’s care while you’re gone. You’ll need someone to come over and let your dog outside to go to the bathroom several times a day, and you’ll need them to just check up on your pet’s wellbeing while you’re away too. But with an automatic feeder, you can at least avoid having to pay extra for your dog walker to feed your pet.
3. Owners Who Have Multiple Pets
Some dogs (or cats, for that matter) require special foods that differ from those your other pets eat. For example, your dog may require a low-calorie food if he’s overweight, or he may need food with a medication mixed in.
An automatic pet feeder – particularly one that utilizes an RFID chip reader, which enables the feeder to distinguish between your pets – may help immensely in this regard.
4. Dog Owners Who Like to Feed on a Free-Choice Basis
Some owners prefer to provide food to their pets on a continuous basis, rather than feeding them portion sizes at specific times. Such owners may find that a gravity-fed automatic feeder makes this easier to accomplish.
If you select a large-capacity model, you may only need to fill the storage compartment every other week or so, which will help eliminate the need to re-fill the food dish constantly.
5. Owners Who Have Pets That Require More Than Two Meals Per Day
Some dogs may need to eat three or four small meals each day, rather than the typical twice-daily feeding schedule that suits most pets. For example, dogs who are prone to bloat may remain safer if they’re fed small portion sizes of dry dog food spread out throughout the day.
Multi-meal automated dog feeders are excellent for these types of dogs, as most can be programmed to offer several small meals throughout the course of the day.
Picking the Best Automatic Dog Feeder: Things to Think About
If you want an automatic dog feeder for large dogs that works well and makes your life easier, you’ll need to be selective while choosing a model. Even if you only consider the best-made feeders, you’ll need to make sure that you pick one that suits the specific needs of you and your pet.
Accordingly, you’ll want to consider the following things when making your choice:
1. Ensure That the Pet Feeder Is Large Enough for Your Canine
Unfortunately, many automatic dog feeders are designed for relatively small pets. They typically feature relatively small feeding dishes and they only dispense a small amount of dog food at a time. However, there are a few models available that are suitable for large or giant breeds.
All five of the automatic dog feeders detailed below will work for large breeds (those who weigh roughly 50 to 100 pounds), and a few will even work for giant breeds (those weighing 100 pounds or more).
You may have to set the pet feeder so that it dispenses two meals at a time, rather than one. However, this is easy to do with most programmable feeders.
2. Select the Type of Automatic Dog Feeder That Best Suits Your Needs
There are several different types of automatic feeders on the market, so you must select the type that best fits you and your dog. Some of the most popular styles include:
Gravity-Fed Feeders
Gravity-fed feeders usually don’t require any power – they simply dispense food as necessary to keep the food bowl filled.
These are great for owners who like to feed their dogs on a free-choice basis, and they’re also great for owners who worry about power outages or mechanical failures.
Rotary-Style Feeders
Rotary-style feeders usually feature five or six separate food compartments. When it is time for your dog’s meal, the spindle rotates and opens the proper compartment. These feeders often work with either wet or dry food, but they usually feature relatively small food compartments, so you may have to set them up to offer more than one meal at a time (or offer two in quick succession).
Programmable Hopper-Style Feeders
Hopper-style feeders keep the bulk of the food in a large container, and only dispense the established quantity of food at mealtimes. Most models require you to use a built-in interface to program feeding times and quantities, but the very best models allow you to have portion control via your smartphone.
Selective Feeders
Selective feeders are designed for multi-pet households. Most will only open (thereby allowing access to the dog food) when the proper pet approaches the unit. Most of these feeders utilize your pet’s microchip ID tag or an included RFID collar to distinguish between your pets.
3. Make Sure That You Select a Large Dog Feeder That Is Compatible with Your Dog’s Food
Some feeders (particularly programable hopper-style feeders) only work with a given type of size of kibble. Typically, this means that you cannot use kibble that is too large to fit through the opening, nor can you use kibbles that are made into shapes that don’t pass through the food opening easily.
However, most of the hopper-style feeders detailed below reportedly work with a variety of different kibble types and sizes.
4. When Possible, Select a Model That Relies on Batteries in the Case of a Power Outage
Many automatic dog feeders for large dogs utilize an AC adapter to provide power. This is very convenient, except that it may mean your dog goes hungry if the power shuts off.
However, there are a few models that also work via battery power. Such units may be a good choice for those who live in areas subject to frequent power outages.
5. Look for One That Provides an Airtight Reservoir for the Dog Food
You want to find a heavy-duty automatic dog feeder that allows for a tight seal so air can’t enter the reservoir where the food is being stored. This kind of container allows the food to stay fresh for much longer and this is especially important for large dog feeders because they hold more food.
6. Prerecorded Messages for Your Pet at Mealtimes
Many large dog feeders allow for pre-recorded messages to be put on the feeder to alert your dog at mealtime. The message will play when it is time to eat. This is a good feature to have for older dogs and those that like to sleep a lot.
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Final Words
As you can see, there are several high-quality large automatic dog feeders from which you can choose. Just be sure to select the model that best fits the needs of you and your dog, and you’ll be enjoying the convenience of automated mealtimes before you know it.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.