How to Use an Automatic Dog Feeder to Care for Your Dog While You're Away?
Parenting a pet has its own set of roles and one of the most critical ones is that of pet feeding especially in pantries where the pet parent is absent. When you are off on a quick weekend getaway, or a longer business venture, a nagging question pops to mind, and that is, how would I be able to feed my dog when I am away? is one that all dog owners have probably wondered.
Due to technological innovations making our lives easier and better, including the automatic dog feeder, and proper planning, leaving your pup to look after themselves is easier than ever. These are all the things you need to know to ensure that your dog is taken care of when you are away.
How to Ensure That Your Dog Is Fed on Time During a Business Trip?
Feeding is one of the most imminent issues when you are leaving on a trip. Your strategy must be based on the duration of absence.
Long-Term Business Trips: Pet Foster Care or Help From Family and Friends
When you leave your house and are going away longer than a couple of days it is essential to have someone to watch your dog. Here, two possibilities exist:
Pet Foster Care
In cases of longer durations, pet foster care centers would be a safe bet. The professionals in these facilities are familiar with the emotional and physical requirements of dogs. The majority of them provide scheduled feeding, clean environment, daily walks, and 24-hour supervision. Your dog will have companions, socialization and meals on schedules.
In case your dog requires socialization and structure, foster care can help reduce separation anxiety when you are gone.
Family and Friends
You can find it easier to leave your dog in a strange place and in that case, it is best to leave their care to close relatives or close friends. Simply ensure that they are dependable and familiar with the schedule of feeding your pet, the type of diet, and their peculiar behavior.
To simplify the situation--and to have them be more consistent--you could get them an automatic dog feeder. An example of this would be the Oneisall 3L Cordless Smart Pet Feeder, which will allow them to merely top off the food reservoir and leave the rest to the device. Thus, your dog can stay eating on their schedule without anyone being there to watch them eat every meal.
Short-Term Business Trips: Use Smart Feeders or Ask a Neighbor for Help
Business trips that last a short time: Employ Smart Feeders or request the assistance of a neighbor.
When it comes to short-term business trips, occurring only a day or two in length, things are significantly simpler.
Smart Feeders
This is where a smart automatic dog feeder really proves its worth. Devices such as Oneisall smart feeder are Wi-Fi-connected, which means you can regulate feeding time, the food quantity, and even see a feeding log on your smartphone. One can program meals ahead of time and update it in real time in case a change is required, and be assured that the dog is being fed, regardless of the location.
Neighborhood Help
Do you have a friendly neighbor or a local friend, who does not mind dropping by, then ask him/her to feed your dog and fill the feeder in case needed. It may be a relief to get someone physically checking in even with an automatic feeder that even gives your dog some extra visit by a human.
Healthy Diet and Portion Control
It is not just about making sure your dog is not hungry when you are away; it involves food nutrition and balance as well.
Ensure Nutrition
If your dog was eating something particular kibble, such as grain-free food, high protein diet, or prescription diet, make sure that all of this is ready as well. Write on the jars, write down the instructions, and then be sure to check your feeder and make sure you are programming the right amount. In a situation where work is being undertaken by someone, you should explain the needs of your dog to that person.
Control Portion Size
Being overfed may also be a problem as much as underfeeding. Smart feeders will allow you to feed your pet on exact portions, avoiding wasting and the subsequent blame game involving the intestines. Your feeder makes sure that you are fed just the right amount every time instead of someone making an educated guess as to how much food to dispense. It is particularly useful to dogs on intensive weight management programs.
Dog Emotional Needs
Dogs are social beings and they sense your absence, in some cases even more so than you can imagine. It is equally important that their emotional needs be satisfied as well as physical feeding is done.
Relieve Separation Anxiety
Most dogs show symptoms of stress when they are left alone. This may come in the form of barking, destruction, or no appetite. To assist with this you are able to employ calming aids such as calming sprays, plug-in diffusers, or worry-free collars. They imitate the smell of a nursing mother and produce a soothing atmosphere in your absence.
Maintain Regularity
Dogs are creatures of habit. Attempt to make schedules of feeding and walking as constant as possible. The intelligent feeders ensure there is something to eat and dinner time is not a problem. A dog walker or the neighbor can take the dog out to walk and play. Maintaining these routines will keep anxiety levels down and behaviors trouble-free.
Use Technology to Manage Feeding
It is far much easier to take care of a dog remotely via pet technology.
Smart Feeder Features
A stable automatic dog feeder such as Oneisall Smart Pet feeder has app scheduling, timely feeding, controlled portion size and battery backup when there is no power. Some even allow recording a voice message, the one playing at feeding time, thus your dog hears your voice and feels comforted in case you are not there.
Camera Monitoring
To go a notch further, you can couple your smart feeder to a home camera. A lot of pet parents put up cameras around the feeder so that they can observe their dog eating, monitor their behavior or just feel good. Others are even smart feeders with attached cameras. The two-way audio will give you an opportunity to talk to your pet, and this move can significantly reduce their loneliness.
Budget and Cost Considerations
When comparing such options as pet sitters and smart devices, it is natural to consider cost as well.
Evaluate the Cost of Automatic Feeders and Pet Sitting
The cost of getting a pet sitter or sending your dog to a pet hotel ranges between $30 and 100 dollars daily. This accumulates rapidly over time. On the contrary, purchasing a good automatic pet feeder such as the Oneisall 3L Cordless Smart Pet Feeder can give an affordable lasting solution of less than 100 dollars. It is worth its cost in just multiple uses, especially when you travel a lot.
Train Your Dog to Adapt to a New Feeding Method
Do not think that your dog will accept the feeder in one night. Transition gradually.
Train the Dog to Use the Automatic Feeder
Use the feeder a week before you travel. Let your dog look at it, smell it, taste it, and eat out of it when you are still at home. Not all dogs respond well to either the noise or the movement so allow whatever time they need to adjust. Confirm that the feeder is reliable and safe and use treats and praise to stick with the idea. Be patient and in no time your dog will depend more on it than on you.
If you're curious about how automatic dog feeders can make your life easier, check out our detailed guide on How Does an Automatic Dog Feeder Work?. This article explains the technology behind automatic feeders, how they ensure your dog gets fed on time, and the different features that make them a reliable solution for pet owners who travel or have busy schedules.
Conclusion
Not being with your dog does not mean that you have to compromise in their care. You can make sure your dog is well-fed, happy, and healthy with the help of trusted people, proper planning and smart technology.
Having a high-quality automatic dog feeder, such as Oneisall 3L Cordless Smart Pet Feeder, you can safely leave home for a weekend or couple of weeks without feeling guilty about it!
Therefore, when packing you baggage remember next time it is; smart feeding, emotional support, and good routine; will help your best friend in making your absence a pleasant stay.
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