Automatic Feeders for pets

What are your thoughts on automatic feeders?

I don't use the automatic feeders. I like to control how much my dogs eat and drink for potty training purposes. Having a never ending supply of dog food can led to dog obesity and other health risks. I don't really like the water feeders either. I give my dogs clean water several times a day. If it sits for too long I dump it out and give them fresh water.

My sister has an automatic feeder for her cat. It is designed to drop only a certain amount on a timer. I don't know if they all work this way, but as long as the feeding is regulated it shouldn't lead to weight problems.

I see these as more of a solution if you are gone all day--like for a wedding or something. You know you won't be home at the right time. It could also be useful if you are away and have someone looking in on your dog each day. Beyond that, I don't see it as a solution for every day feeding.

I don't use one for my dog. She eats when I feed her. I refill her water as needed. I don't really need one.

I thought the good feeders all have the option to set the amount of food you want to release. The whole point of an automatic feeder is to give set amount of food on the set time. If a feeder is releasing all of its food at the set time, then you might want to look into the settings or perhaps a different new feeder.

I also do not see the point of using a feeder when the owner is at home. Feeding is a very important part of interaction the owner can have with the pet. You don't want to miss it.

(09-08-2012 11:41 PM)Ram Wrote:  I also do not see the point of using a feeder when the owner is at home. Feeding is a very important part of interaction the owner can have with the pet. You don't want to miss it.

My views exactly. Meal times are a time to bond with your pet, and they often develop little habits or rituals when you prepare their food. My friend's dog always runs in circles around the coffee table when her meal is being prepared. Dogs also seem to sense when feeding time is imminent, so automatic feeders could mess around with their internal body clock.

(09-24-2012 07:05 PM)Sandra Piddock Wrote:  My views exactly. Meal times are a time to bond with your pet, and they often develop little habits or rituals when you prepare their food. My friend's dog always runs in circles around the coffee table when her meal is being prepared. Dogs also seem to sense when feeding time is imminent, so automatic feeders could mess around with their internal body clock.

I agree - the bond that pets have with thier food can only enhance the bond with their owners if mealtimes become a time of interraction.

Also, as far as dogs are concerned, it is important to remember that dogs are apck animals and that, in your home, every human member should "be" higher in the pack than the dog. One marker of hierarchy is that the more senior pack members eat first. So, my dogs sit in their beds whilst I eat my breakfast and, in the evening, my dinner. Once I clear my pots from the table I feed them. they get fed twice a day - always after my meal.

This does really help our relationship - similarly, they never go through a door before me (either exiting or entering) unless I specifically give them permission to do so.

I lived in a small town where the neighbor always had food out for her cats. She fed them outside and you can see where this is going. Yep, she attracted every other cat from blocks around. She also never spayed nor neutered her cats. As far as she was concerned, her cats lived outside and could enjoy their lives outside. I don't think that is very responsible way of treating nor looking after cats.

With our dogs, we regulate their food and part of feeding them on a schedule is the bonding that occurs with feeding them. They know when it is their breakfast and dinner time and it is a special, bonding time - as well as a time to care and feed them.