6 Best Automatic Dog Kennel Feeders For Busy Farmers That End Chore Stress
Simplify farm chores with an automatic kennel feeder. Our guide reviews the top 6 models designed to reduce stress and ensure your dogs are fed on time.
The sun is down, the tools are cleaned, and the chickens are roosting. You’re finally sitting down when that nagging thought hits: "Did I remember to feed the kennel dogs?" On a farm, where every day brings a new surprise, automating a simple chore isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy for sanity. An automatic feeder ensures your most reliable helpers get the consistent care they need, even when you’re busy mending a fence or pulling a calf.
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Why Farm Dogs Need Automated Feeding Systems
The rhythm of a farm is anything but consistent. One morning you’re out the door at 5 a.m. for an early market, the next you’re up all night with a sick goat. A working dog’s energy and health depend on a predictable feeding schedule, something that farm life constantly threatens to disrupt.
An automated system provides that crucial consistency. A dog that eats at the same time every day has better digestion, more stable energy levels, and a more balanced temperament. This isn’t just about convenience for you; it’s about providing the reliable structure a working animal needs to thrive and perform their job well, day in and day out.
This is a core principle of good animal husbandry. A farm dog is a partner and a valuable asset, not just a pet. Ensuring their fundamental needs are met with unwavering reliability is just as important as keeping the livestock’s water trough full. It frees up your mental energy from a recurring chore, allowing you to focus on the more unpredictable challenges the farm throws at you.
Little Giant Chow Hound: The Rugged Gravity Feeder
When you need something that just plain works, you reach for a tool made of steel. The Little Giant Chow Hound is exactly that—a no-nonsense, galvanized steel gravity feeder built to withstand the realities of a farm kennel. It’s heavy enough to resist being knocked over and tough enough to deter all but the most determined chewers.
Its operation is brilliantly simple. You fill the hopper with up to 25 pounds of kibble, and as your dog eats from the bowl, gravity pulls more food down to replace it. There are no batteries to die, no electronics to fail in a damp barn, and no programming to figure out. It’s the definition of set-it-and-forget-it reliability.
The obvious tradeoff here is the lack of portion control. This feeder is ideal for high-energy dogs that self-regulate their intake, burning off calories throughout the day. If your dog is prone to overeating, this is not the feeder for you. But for a lean, active dog in a secure kennel, the Chow Hound offers unmatched durability and simplicity.
PetSafe Simply Feed for Precise Portion Control
Some dogs simply can’t be trusted with an all-you-can-eat buffet. For the easy keeper, the dog on a specific diet, or the one you’re trying to keep at a lean working weight, the PetSafe Simply Feed offers the precision a gravity feeder lacks. This is the tool for total control.
This feeder allows you to schedule up to 12 meals a day, with highly customizable portion sizes ranging from a tiny 1/8 cup up to 4 cups. This level of detail is perfect for managing a dog’s specific caloric needs, preventing bloat with smaller, more frequent meals, or ensuring a pup gets the right amount of food for steady growth. The conveyor belt system is also better at preventing jams than many auger-style feeders.
Of course, that precision comes at the cost of ruggedness. It’s made of plastic and relies on D-cell batteries or a power adapter, creating potential points of failure. It’s not the feeder you’d leave exposed to the elements or with a destructive dog. But for a well-behaved dog in a sheltered kennel, its ability to deliver the exact right amount of food at the exact right time is invaluable.
WOPET Smart Feeder: High-Tech Kennel Solution
For the farmer who uses their smartphone to monitor everything from weather to security cameras, the WOPET Smart Feeder is a logical next step. This feeder connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, allowing you to schedule feedings, dispense meals on demand, and receive notifications right on your phone, no matter where you are.
The real benefit is peace of mind. Stuck in town longer than expected? You can trigger a feeding from the hardware store parking lot. Some models even include a camera and two-way audio, so you can check in, see that your dog is okay, and even call them over to eat. It turns feeding from a nagging worry into a solved problem you can confirm with a tap on a screen.
The major caveat is connectivity. If you don’t have a strong, reliable Wi-Fi signal that reaches your kennel, this feeder is useless. It’s also another piece of technology that can glitch, lose connection, or have its app stop working. It’s a fantastic tool for remote management, but you still need a backup plan in case the tech fails.
Petlibro Granary: Keeps Kennel Food Fresh & Safe
A big bag of dog food is an investment, and leaving it in an open feeder can lead to stale, unappetizing kibble. The Petlibro Granary feeder is designed specifically to solve this problem. Its main selling point is an excellent sealing system, including a desiccant bag in the lid, that keeps food fresh, dry, and crunchy.
This isn’t just about taste; it’s about safety. A well-sealed hopper prevents moisture from causing mold and does a far better job of keeping pests out. On a farm, where mice and insects are a constant presence, a sealed feeder can be the difference between a healthy meal and contaminated food. It protects both your dog’s health and your feed budget.
Like other programmable feeders, it offers precise portion and schedule control. Its unique value lies in combining that automated convenience with superior food preservation. For farmers who buy premium, nutrient-dense dog food, the Petlibro ensures that the last scoop from the hopper is just as fresh as the first.
SureFeed Microchip Feeder for Multi-Dog Kennels
Managing different diets in a single kennel run is a classic farm problem. You might have a senior dog on a special joint-support formula and a young adult on a high-protein diet. The SureFeed Microchip Feeder is the most elegant solution to this challenge.
The feeder works by reading your dog’s existing microchip or a provided RFID collar tag. The sealed lid only opens for the authorized dog, giving them exclusive access to their specific food. When that dog walks away, the lid closes, preventing the other dogs from stealing their meal. It’s a game-changer for ensuring targeted nutrition.
The primary limitation is capacity and cost. These feeders hold a small amount of food, so they need to be refilled frequently, and they are priced per unit. This isn’t a bulk-feeding solution. It’s a specialized tool for solving the specific problem of dietary cross-contamination in a multi-dog household. For that specific job, nothing else works as well.
Bergan Gourmet Dispenser: Large Capacity Simplicity
Sometimes, you just need a simple tool that holds a lot of food. The Bergan Gourmet Dispenser is a plastic gravity feeder that prioritizes capacity and ease of use over all else. With models that can hold up to 40 pounds of kibble, it’s perfect for large breeds or for ensuring a food supply is available if you have to be away for a weekend.
Its best feature is its simplicity. There are no electronics and no moving parts to break. The extra-wide mouth at the top makes it incredibly easy to pour a 40-pound bag of dog food straight in without spilling half of it on the floor. It’s a straightforward, functional, and budget-friendly option.
Like any gravity feeder, it offers no portion control, making it suitable only for dogs that don’t overeat. Its plastic construction also means it’s less durable than a steel model like the Chow Hound. But for a trustworthy dog in a secure area, the Bergan dispenser offers an unbeatable combination of high capacity and low cost.
Choosing the Right Feeder for Your Farm’s Needs
There is no single "best" automatic feeder; there is only the best feeder for your specific dog, your kennel setup, and your daily routine. Making the right choice comes down to honestly assessing your needs and understanding the tradeoffs of each design. Don’t buy a high-tech feeder if your barn has no Wi-Fi, and don’t get a gravity feeder for a dog that eats until it’s sick.
Before you buy, ask yourself a few key questions. Your answers will point you directly to the right category of feeder for your farm.
- Does my dog overeat? If yes, you need a portion-controlled feeder. If no, a gravity feeder is a simple, reliable option.
- What are my kennel conditions? For outdoor or rugged kennels, a steel feeder like the Chow Hound is best. For sheltered, indoor kennels, plastic is fine.
- Do I have multiple dogs with different diets? This is the specific problem the SureFeed Microchip Feeder is designed to solve.
- Do I need to check in or feed remotely? If so, a Wi-Fi-enabled smart feeder is the only way to go, assuming you have the signal.
- What is my priority: durability, precision, or freshness? Your answer will guide you toward steel, programmable, or well-sealed models, respectively.
Ultimately, an automatic feeder is a tool for efficiency and consistency. By automating this one simple chore, you buy back time and mental bandwidth. You eliminate a source of daily stress and ensure your working partner receives the reliable care they deserve, helping you both handle the real work of the farm.
Investing in the right automatic feeder is a small change that pays big dividends in peace of mind. It’s one less thing to worry about at the end of a long day, ensuring your canine partner is fed, healthy, and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. That kind of reliable support is what makes a small farm run smoothly.
