Pet Cleanup Kit contents: foaming liquid, absorbent powder, brush, gloves and UV light

How to Clean an Automatic Pet Feeder

An automatic feeder saves you a job at mealtimes, but it does not clean itself. Kibble dust and oil coat the inside of the hopper, crumbs pack into the dispensing wheel or conveyor, and the bowl collects saliva and leftover bits just like any other food bowl. A dirty feeder can also jam, so a regular clean keeps it working as well as keeping it hygienic. This guide covers how often to clean, how to take a feeder apart, which parts can get wet, and how to keep the electronics safe.

It follows the cleaning instructions PetSafe and PETLIBRO publish for their automatic feeders, and the FDA’s tips on handling pet food safely. Feeders differ a lot from model to model, so check the manual for yours as well.

How often to clean

  • The whole feeder: PETLIBRO says to thoroughly clean the entire feeder every 30 days, or sooner if food powder, oil, moisture or buildup is present.
  • The bowl: PETLIBRO says to clean the stainless steel bowl and bowl holder every one to two weeks, or as often as needed. The FDA’s general advice for pet food bowls is stricter: wash them with soap and hot water after each use. A spare bowl to swap in makes daily washing easy.
  • Before refilling: for its Simply Feed feeder, PetSafe recommends cleaning the feeder before refilling, and says regular cleaning helps prevent jams and error messages.

Before you start

  1. Cut the power. Unplug the feeder, and switch off or take out any backup batteries. PETLIBRO says to disconnect external power and set the battery switch to OFF.
  2. Empty the food. Pour the kibble left in the hopper back into its bag, or into a clean, dry container. Some feeders can run their dispensing parts empty first: on the Simply Feed, PetSafe’s steps include dispensing any food left in the conveyor before you take it apart.
  3. Take out any desiccant or freshness pouch from the lid (see below).

Take it apart

Most feeders come apart into the same few pieces: the lid, the hopper (food tank), the dispensing part (a wheel, auger, paddle or conveyor), a chute or crumb catcher, the bowl and its holder, and the base with the motor and electronics. On the PetSafe FlexFeed, for example, you unlock the two hopper latches, lift the hopper off the base, unclip the lid, and turn the chute cover on the bottom of the hopper to remove it. On the Smart Feed, you lift out the hopper, release the red latch and lift out the conveyor, then take the crumb catcher off the bottom of the conveyor.

Take a photo before you start if you are not sure how it goes back together.

Wash the removable parts

  • Hand wash in warm, soapy water. PetSafe says to hand wash the FlexFeed’s lid, food hopper, chute cover and food tray in warm soapy water. PETLIBRO says to hand wash the removable bowls, bowl holders, food tank, lid and washable dispensing parts with mild soap and water below 50°C (122°F).
  • Brush out the dispenser. PetSafe says to use a small brush to clean food debris and residue from the Simply Feed’s conveyor belt. A bottle brush or an old toothbrush reaches into a dispensing wheel and the chute.
  • Scrub off the oily film inside the hopper, where kibble dust and fat stick to the walls.
  • Rinse well. PetSafe says to rinse the Smart Feed’s parts well after washing.

Is it dishwasher safe?

It depends on the model, so check before you load it. PetSafe says the FlexFeed’s stainless steel bowl can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher, but that the Smart Feed’s crumb catcher and conveyor are not dishwasher safe. PETLIBRO’s general care page says not to use a dishwasher at all. If the manual does not say a part is dishwasher safe, wash it by hand.

Keep the base and electronics dry

The base holds the motor, the circuit board and, on smart feeders, a camera or scale. Water there can ruin the feeder.

  • Never rinse or submerge the base. PetSafe says the FlexFeed base contains electronic components and is not waterproof, and not to rinse it, submerge it in water, or spray it with cleaning solutions. For the Smart Feed, it says not to get the base wet at all.
  • Wipe it instead. PetSafe says to wipe the base with a non-abrasive cloth, and PETLIBRO says to wipe the main unit, camera, power port, bowl base and electrical contacts with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
  • Clear the crumbs. PETLIBRO says to remove any food, hair or foreign objects around the bowl holder, weighing base and dispensing path. A dry brush or a small vacuum nozzle gets crumbs out of the corners.

Dry everything completely

PetSafe says to let all components dry thoroughly before you reassemble the feeder, and PETLIBRO says to let every part air dry completely. Kibble that meets a damp hopper can clump, stick in the dispenser and go stale or mouldy, so leave the parts on a rack until there is no moisture left in the corners. A second hopper or a spare bowl lets you keep feeding while the first set dries.

Desiccant and freshness pouches

Many feeders have a small pouch in the lid that soaks up moisture to keep the food fresh.

  • PETLIBRO says to replace its desiccant bags every two weeks, or sooner if they become hard or damp.
  • PetSafe says each FlexFeed Food Savor Pouch lasts up to 30 days and recommends replacing it each time you clean the feeder, to help prevent mould and keep the feeder running smoothly.

Refill with clean hands and the right food

  • Wash your hands. The FDA says to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water before and after handling pet food and treats.
  • Use a clean scoop. The FDA says not to use your pet’s food bowl as a scooping or measuring utensil, and to use a clean scoop, spoon or cup only for pet food.
  • Use the food the feeder is made for. PetSafe says not to put canned, moist or wet food in the FlexFeed, and gives a kibble size range for it. Food that is too big, too small or too oily is a common cause of jams.
  • Do not top up old food. Empty what is left before you add a fresh supply, so stale kibble does not sit at the bottom of the hopper for weeks.
  • Store the rest well. The FDA says to store dry pet food in its original bag with the top tightly folded down, in a cool, dry place.

Also have an automatic litter box? See how to clean a self-cleaning litter box.

A simple routine

  • Every day: check the bowl and the chute for stuck food, and wipe up spills around the feeder.
  • Every week or two: wash the bowl and bowl holder, more often if your pet’s food leaves a film.
  • Every month, or at each refill: take the feeder apart, wash and dry the removable parts, wipe the base, and change the desiccant or freshness pouch.
  • Always: power off first, keep the base dry, and dry every part before it goes back together.

For the bowls your pet eats and drinks from the rest of the time, see how to clean pet food and water bowls, and for a drinking fountain, how to clean a pet water fountain.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit is made for dog and cat accidents on carpets and fabrics, such as a pet that brings its food back up on the rug. It is not for inside a feeder: wash the food parts with mild soap and water as above.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean an automatic pet feeder?

PETLIBRO says to clean the whole feeder every 30 days, or sooner if there is food powder, oil, moisture or buildup, and the bowl every one to two weeks. Wash the bowl more often if you can.

Can I put my automatic feeder in the dishwasher?

Only the parts your manual says are dishwasher safe. Some stainless steel bowls are, but PetSafe says the Smart Feed’s conveyor and crumb catcher are not, and PETLIBRO says not to use a dishwasher. The base must never get wet.

Why does my automatic feeder keep jamming?

Often because of crumbs and oily residue in the dispenser, damp food, or kibble the feeder was not designed for. PetSafe says regular cleaning helps prevent jams and error messages.

How do I clean the base of an automatic feeder?

Unplug it and wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not rinse it, soak it or spray cleaners on it, as the base holds the electronics.

Sources

This guide is general cleaning information. If your pet stops eating, or you are unsure about its diet, talk to your veterinarian.

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