What are the Top Rated Automatic Feeders for Cats and Dogs?

Automatic feeders have gone from simple timers to smart devices that help with portion control, remote feeding, and even vet-grade monitoring. If you’re researching top rated automatic feeders for cats and dogs, this guide walks you through the categories, real-world strengths and weaknesses, and the specific models that consistently appear on “best of” lists and tests. Whether you want a no-fuss mechanical feeder for short trips or a connected smart feeder for daily portioning and monitoring, read on — you’ll leave with a clear shortlist and the criteria to pick the right feeder for your pet and lifestyle.

Why use an automatic pet feeder? (value first)

Automatic pet feeders solve three common problems:

  • Keep feeding schedules consistent when you’re at work or traveling.

  • Support portion control for weight management or medical diets.

  • Reduce human error (late nights, missed meals) and stress for pets that do better on routine.

They’re not a replacement for daily care — they don’t replace social time, monitoring, or veterinary guidance — but for many households they’re a huge convenience and a useful tool for pet health.

How to choose among the top rated automatic feeders for cats and dogs

Before we list the top-rated units, here are the buyer considerations that separate “good” from “great”:

— 1) Pet size & food type

  • Dry kibble only? Most feeders work fine.

  • Wet food or fresh meals? Look for specialized refrigerated/ice-pack wet-food dispensers (fewer and pricier).

  • Small breeds and cats need portion control with small minimum servings.

— 2) Portioning precision & programming

  • If you’re managing weight, choose a feeder with accurate gram- or tablespoon-level portions and flexible scheduling (multiple meals per day, varying portions).

  • Basic 5-meal trays are fine for short trips; programmable dispensers are better for daily management.

— 3) Power & reliability

  • Dual-power options (AC + battery backup) are safest — power outages happen.

  • Mechanical simplicity tends to be more reliable long-term; Wi-Fi features add convenience but also potential points of failure.

— 4) Ease of cleaning & food freshness

  • Removable bowls and wide openings make cleaning easier.

  • Airtight hoppers, seals, or desiccant systems help preserve kibble.

— 5) Multi-pet households & anti-theft features

  • If you have both a cat and a dog, consider feeder placement, weight sensors, or microchip-activated feeders to prevent stealing.

— 6) Smart features vs. simplicity

  • Smart feeders (app control, camera, notifications) are convenient but cost more and require reliable Wi-Fi.

  • Simple mechanical feeders are affordable, highly reliable, and often better for travel-only use.

Top rated automatic feeders — the shortlist (by category)

Below are models and categories that repeatedly rank highly in expert testing and buyer reviews. I’ve grouped them by the need they best solve.

 — Best overall smart feeders (precise portions + app control)

  • Whisker Feeder Robot / automated feeder — Frequently highlighted for consistent portioning and advanced app control in modern roundups. It’s a higher-cost option, but reviewers praise reliability and feature set for daily use. People.com

  • PETLIBRO (Air / Automatic) models — PETLIBRO’s Wi-Fi feeders appear on multiple “best of” lists for balancing battery life, app usability, and consistent dispensing; a solid middle-ground between price and performance. The Spruce Pets+1

 — Best value / reliable basic programmable feeders

  • PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed and other PetSafe programmable units — PetSafe shows up often as a dependable, cost-effective choice with simple programming and repeatable portioning. Good for households that need regular meals without bells and whistles. Reddit+1

 — Best for travel and short-term use (tray-style)

  • Five-meal rotating compartment feeders (Cat Mate / PetMate style) — These compartment feeders are mechanical, simple to program, and perfect for short trips; they’re limited in portion granularity but excellent for vacation feeding. The Cat Mate C500 is a long-running favorite in many guides. Cats.com+1

 — Best for dogs and larger portions

  • PETLIBRO Automatic Dog Feeder with Camera and similar larger-capacity feeders — Built for dogs and multi-day feeding, some larger PETLIBRO units come with cameras and flexible portioning suitable for small-to-medium dogs. Consumer-facing reviews and testing often call these out for capacity and cleaning ease. Good Housekeeping+1

 — Best budget smart/big-capacity option

  • Pitpet Smart Automatic Feeders — A popular value smart-feeder brand with large capacity, portion options, and positive buyer feedback; has been featured in price-deal roundups. If you want smart features on a budget (and check current model reliability), these deserve a look. Business Insider

Short model-by-model pros & cons (quick reference)

— Whisker Feeder Robot (smart; higher-end)

  • Pros: Accurate portioning, strong app features, lots of customer praise for daily use.

  • Cons: Pricey; bulkier footprint; some owners report setup learning curve. People.com

 — PETLIBRO Air / PETLIBRO Automatic

  • Pros: Good balance of battery life, app usability, and portion accuracy. Works well for cats and small dogs depending on model.

  • Cons: Not always the most robust for large-breed dogs. The Spruce Pets+1

— PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed

  • Pros: Proven, simple, reliable, good for medium-sized dogs/cats, affordable.

  • Cons: Less “smart” (app features) on older models; portion increments might not suit very small cats.

— Cat Mate / rotating 5-meal trays

  • Pros: Extremely reliable for short trips; no Wi-Fi needed; inexpensive.

  • Cons: Limited to a fixed number of compartments; not suitable if you need precise, daily portion adjustments. TrustedHousesitters Community Forum+1

— Pitpet Smart Automatic Feeder

  • Pros: Large capacity, many portion settings, budget-friendly smart option.

  • Cons: As with many lower-cost smart devices, firmware and long-term support can vary — check the latest user reviews. Business Insider

Real-world testing & expert picks — what the reviewers say

Several independent reviewers test large arrays of feeders and report common themes:

  • Testers frequently praise feeders that combine reliable mechanical dispensing with a usable app and battery backup (the best balance of convenience and safety). The Spruce Pets+1

  • No feeder is perfect for every household: some models excel for wet food, others for portioning, and some are mainly travel tools. Choosing the right feeder is largely about matching the model to your pet’s diet and behavior. Consumer Reports+1

Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping emphasize checking battery backup and ease of cleaning as top priorities; even a well-programmed feeder can become a problem if the bowl is hard to clean or the hopper is tricky to refill. Consumer Reports+1

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

— 1) Overreliance on automation

Automatic feeders help, but they don’t replace observation. If your pet is ill or eating much less (or more), automation can mask a problem. Use feeders as tools, and check your pet’s intake regularly.

— 2) Choosing a feeder that’s too large/small

Match the feeder’s minimum portion size to your pet. Many feeders’ smallest serving is too big for kittens or tiny toy-breed dogs, which can cause overeating.

— 3) Not planning for power outages

Always prefer AC units with battery backup. If you must choose a battery-only model for portability, ensure battery life meets your needs for the typical trip length.

— 4) Food jams and hopper design

Some feeders struggle with oddly shaped kibble or very small pellets. Look for models that explicitly state compatibility with your kibble size.

— 5) Multi-pet snatching

If one pet is dominant, choose microchip-activated feeders or separate stations to prevent food stealing.

Installation & setup tips (quick wins)

  • Do a multi-day trial at home: program the feeder for a week and observe — troubleshoot noise, portion sizes, and pet acceptance before relying on it for travel.

  • Record a feeding message if the feeder supports it — pets often respond to familiar voices.

  • Place feeders on anti-skid mats and in pet-friendly zones away from direct sunlight (heat can affect kibble).

  • Clean the unit weekly; empty the hopper and wash bowls according to manufacturer instructions.

Use cases: which feeder is right for you?

— You travel occasionally (weekend trips)

Pick a reliable timer-based rotating feeder or a simple programmable dispenser (Cat Mate C500-style or a PetSafe small-capacity unit). These are low-maintenance and less likely to fail.

— You have a medical diet / weight watch

Choose a smart feeder with precise portion control and multiple daily feeds (Whisker, PETLIBRO, PetSafe SmartFeed). Use daily logs or app history to monitor trends and share with your vet as needed. People.com+1

— You have multiple pets or a food bully

Consider microchip-activated feeders or weight-sensing bowls to ensure each pet gets its share without theft.

— You want a budget smart option

Pitpet-style feeders often give you app control and large capacity for a lower price — check firmware and recent reviews for stability. Business Insider

Frequently asked questions

— Are automatic feeders safe for pets?

Yes — for healthy pets they’re safe when used properly. Don’t use them if your pet needs hand feeding, close monitoring, or has complex medical feeding needs without guidance from your vet.

— Can feeders dispense wet food?

Some specialized feeders exist for wet food (refrigerated or ice-pack designs), but they’re less common and more expensive. For most pet owners, wet food is better served fresh.

— How often should I clean the feeder?

At least once a week for bowls and contact points; deep clean hoppers and mechanisms monthly or per manufacturer instructions.

Final recommendations — how to pick your top rated automatic feeder

  1. Match capacity and minimum portion size to your pet’s size.

  2. Prefer AC + battery backup for reliability.

  3. If you need daily portion control and monitoring, pick a proven smart feeder (Whisker, PETLIBRO, PetSafe SmartFeed family are commonly recommended in tests). People.com+2The Spruce Pets+2

  4. If you just need travel feeding, a mechanical 5-meal tray (Cat Mate) is often the best, most dependable choice. Cats.com+1

Use this article’s categories and pros/cons as a checklist when you’re comparing product pages and current user reviews. Models and firmware change frequently — once you’ve narrowed to a specific model, check the latest buyer feedback and warranty/return policy.