Automatic feeders are a
convenient way to feed our pets. They can be programmed to measure a portion,
avoid overfeeding, and control access to food. This is important for clients
who travel or have long working days to avoid putting out a large portion of
food that may cause overeating.

These devices can also be helpful
to manage feeding times for a diabetic pet, or one who likes to beg in the
middle of the night disturbing the owner’s sleep.

There are a few drawbacks both
medically and behaviorally with these automatic feeders. I primarily see the
problems in multi-pet households.

There may be competition between
the pets to get to the feeder when it releases food. This will be moreobvious in dogs

with growling, hovering over the feeder, body blocking, or actual
fighting. In cats, competition is more subtle. Cats will tend to lie in front
of the feeder body blocking it from the other cats. They will also come up and
start co-feeding to compete away with the other cats. Occasionally you will see
swatting and hissing around the feeder or chasing. This is aggressive resource
guarding of the feeder.

Sophisticated feeders have
microchip readers to read the pet’s collar chip to control access. This can
minimize some of the competition but I have seen competition be present with
these devices. The more sophisticated devices are often a couple of hundred
dollars. If you are seeking ways to manage food intake in the pets, be sure to
watch for any body blocking, co-feeding, or hissing around the food bowl.
Automatic feeders will worsen these behaviors and result in more feeding
problems.

What is the best way to feed our
dogs and cats? For dogs, measure out the food, in separate bowls out of sight
from each other. Give the dog 20 minutes to eat supervised or physically
separated to avoid other dogs from coming into the bowl to clean up or body
block the food. Be creative by using visual blocks like the kitchen island, and
the crate or feed one dog in a bathroom and the other in another room.

Cats need to graze through the
day but not from one bowl. Encouraging the cats to “hunt” or forage
for their food by finding small dishes with one tablespoon of dry food
distributed throughout the house avoids competition and allows them to use
their hunting skills. This enrichment also helps cats to feel happier.
Rotate the location of these little bowls to encourage more exploration around
the house.

Now convenience is the challenge
for pet parents to address with the attraction of automatic feeders. There are
small timer-release dishes so multiple ones can be set out to control food
access for multiple pets and avoid competition. If you can directly feed the
pet always do this. You can see how well your pet eats, if they finish the
food, and avoid another pet getting into food that has been medicated or is on
a special diet. I know from my experience, figuring out ways to control who
eats what seemed challenging to clients but with some of the above suggestions,
the clients followed instructions and everyone was healthier and happier.

High tech is alluring. Tell your
veterinarian about your using these and listen to their advice about the good
and bad behavioral impact and nutrition so the best decision is made.

Use my website handouts Here
YouTube channel videos, and courses at the Shop to help
your clients with their pet’s behavior.