How to Constuct an Automatic Dog Feeder

Dogs and cats often need to be fed several times a day, especially at a younger age when their eating habits are still irregular. Automatic feeders are specifically recommended for diabetic pets that need constant access to food when their blood sugar gets low. You can construct your own automatic pet feeder with just a few simple tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden or cardboard box
  • Sharp knife
  • Cookie sheet
  • Dry dog food
  • Trash bag
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the box down so that the open or lidded end is on the floor. Use a hand saw or knife to cut a rectangular shaped hole out of one of the corners where one side reaches the bottom surface of the box. Angle the saw or knife so that you take about a 1-inch tall rectangle out of the bottom of the box as well as the side. The hole should be about 1 inch tall and 6 inches long.

    • 2

      Turn the box over so that the lid is upright and the cut corner is facing you. Place the trash bag into the box and settle the opening over the edges as you would with a trash can. The trash bag will ensure that any moisture from the food won't affect the integrity of the box.

    • 3

      Tear a hole in the trash bag where it meets the hole. Use tape to adhere all the edges of the trash bag's hole to the hole you cut in the box. The tape will ensure that no bits of plastic will get into the dog's food when exiting the box.

    • 4

      Place the cooking sheet underneath the automatic feeder box. Position it so that the feeder box sits at the back of the tray and leaves room for the food to spill out onto the tray in front.

    • 5

      Fill the automatic feeder box with dry food and tie the top of the garbage bag to keep moisture out. Close the lid of the box so that the dog will not try to access food from the top. Gravity will pull new food out of the hole as the dog consumes food in the tray.