Smart automatic pet feeder based on Arduino – STEP 1

The desire to provide your dog with a cozy home and surround it with comfortable accessories is natural for any loving owner. A dog bowl holder will allow the bowl to stay in place rather than sliding around the room with your dog.

The simplest DIY dog bowl stand can be made from an ordinary box. In addition, the space under the box itself can be used as a place to store dog toys.

DIY Dog Bowl Stand with Storage Box.

Usually, the most beautiful options are the most practical. This convenient stand for bowls can be bought in a store (not cheap), or you can make it yourself.

There is nothing complicated about making such a design yourself, and we will tell you how.

The main advantage of this stand is the presence of a drawer. It can be adapted to accommodate a container with dry food.

The basis for the manufacture of the structure is wooden boards or old pallets. The dimensions of the structure are determined by the number and size of bowls, as well as the availability of free space in the kitchen.

The structure is assembled from boards of the same size. They are knocked together, placing the end faces facing each other, according to the principle of a box.

One end panel, which will serve as a drawer, is equipped with a bottom, low side slats and a sliding mechanism. Roller guides are not difficult to purchase at any furniture hardware store.

At the final stage, all that remains is to use a jigsaw or grinder to make holes to fit the size of the bowls being installed and screw the handle to the drawer.

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A year and a half has passed since our beloved Labrador dog Albina left for the land of eternal hunting. And so they made themselves another family friend. I've been thinking about buying a height-adjustable feeder for a dog for a long time.

After studying the market and various options on the Internet, I came to the conclusion that I could easily make such a feeder myself. What material was used for: profile pipe 15x15 - 300 mm - 2 pcs. — 70 mm — 3 pcs. — 350 mm — 1 pc. profile pipe 20x20 - 60 mm - 1 pc. (although I just had a scrap that I didn’t throw away out of laziness)) a nut for an M6 thread and a screw, I found it in the trash)) - 1 meter of 4 mm wire. 2 bowls.

Bowl stand for dogs. We are making a wall version.

You can make a wall-mounted version of the stand - in this case, the bowl will be rigidly fixed to the wall and even the strongest dog will not be able to drag it across the floor.

Drawing of a stand for a dog bowl.

We cut out a circle in plywood according to the size of the bowl and assemble the wall support. The supporting element can be either in the form of a wooden triangle or in the form of a metal corner.

We put our structure with a bowl on a wall support and secure it to the side with screws.

Operating rules

The automatic feeder is equipped with a food dispenser for adult dogs; in most cases, the device contains sensors that regulate the volume of food in the container. However, remember that the use of such a device is fraught with overeating: the animal does not know how to limit itself in food, so as soon as the bowl is replenished with food, it will again begin the next meal. This is why it is important that the device operates on a timer so that food is served at regular intervals. All you need to do is pour the dog food into the container and set the feeding frequency.

Beautiful and convenient stand for dog bowls.

Every “self-respecting dog” should have personal dishes. And so that it stands firmly on the floor, you need to use a stand under the bowl. Since this is a very small share of the dog’s property in the house, you can make a stand for the bowl not standard, but in accordance with the size of the dog, its habits and tastes.

If desired, a bowl stand can be made from an old wooden box. To do this, you need to drill holes in the top wall of the box, the diameter of which is a couple of centimeters smaller than the size of the bowls used. The hinged lid will be convenient to use when washing the working surface of the structure. And the inner cavity of the opening drawer, if desired, can even be adapted for storing supplies of dry food and other “goodies.”

A stand for dog bowls can be stylized as a barrel; it is made on the basis of a semicircular frame covered with wooden slats. This stand is convenient because it does not have sharp corners, providing free access for the animal when approaching from any side, which will be convenient in a small room.

Mobile supplies built into drawers look no less interesting. By choosing this option, you will, if necessary, have the opportunity to retract the stand, freeing up space on the floor.

When may it be required

An automatic feeder is a unique find for owners, since with its help you don’t have to worry that your pet will remain hungry.

It will come in handy in the following cases:

• you need to leave for a few days;
• you may forget to feed your pet;
• if necessary, give food to the dog in fractions, by the hour;
• if the dog needs dosed medication over time.

Tips for choosing

First you need to decide on your pet's diet. You need to decide what you will feed him: dry food or natural products. Then you can think about the dishes. Ideally, you can buy several feeders, and then leave the one that turns out to be the most convenient for the puppy.

If you are going to feed your baby dry food, then a bowl with sides will suit him so that the food does not spill out. A good choice would be a shallow bowl for feeding packaged food or canned food. Medium-sized dogs generally don't like bowls with sides and may use it for doggy play.

Never feed your pet from a saucer, even if it is a small breed dog. When choosing a feeder, pay attention to the shape of the muzzle, the size of the mouth and height, because the pet may not be very neat.

One of the varieties - a bowl on a stand - turns out to be the most convenient, because it can be adjusted to the size of the dog.

Perhaps the short service life of the feeder or its fragility will not be a disadvantage for you, and you will not be annoyed by the sound of a metal bowl rattling. That's why it's up to you to decide which bowl to choose for your friend. Let's consider all these options.

Requirements for automatic feeder parameters

There are certain requirements for any automatic feeder:

1. Protection. The sides and turntables do an excellent job of removing dirt and excrement.
2. Ease of maintenance. Food containers need to be washed regularly, so it is better to make or purchase a mobile, lightweight feeder made from a universal and quick-cleaning material, such as plywood or plastic.
3. Size. The feeder must be accessible to all individuals of the herd at the same time. Otherwise, weak chickens will go hungry due to oppression. A regular tray should hold at least ten centimeters per head, and a circular one - one to three centimeters. For young animals, reduce these figures by half. There is no need to construct large power stations - several smaller objects are quite enough.

Varieties

Often dog breeders purchase feeders made of material such as plastic. Of course, the cost may please you, but the service life of such bowls is too short. Such feeders have another drawback - they are unstable. They can also emit a very specific chemical odor, and they also absorb the odors of sour food. If you don't change the bowl in time, the smell may scare your pet away.

A more convenient option is ceramic cookware, which is durable in use. Its price is higher, but ceramics are more stable and, unlike plastic feeders, do not absorb unpleasant odors. The disadvantages include the fact that the bowls are made of fragile material and can easily break if dropped.

You can pay attention to the double feeder. True, in such a model it will be difficult to change water and food separately; you will have to change everything at once. But technology does not stand still, and manufacturers have found a way out of this situation by releasing bowls that can be removed from the stand individually.

Sippy bowls – water is supplied to such a bowl using a built-in membrane. They retain water even if the bowl is touched. The design is suitable if your pet has long ears or a beard. Can be used on the go.

The bowls on the pallet are well stable, do not slip on the floor, they are easy to remove and easy to clean.

Non-slip feeding bowl with a rubber element at the very bottom. Thanks to this, your pet will not be able to move the bowl, pour out food or pour out water.

The feeders are interactive - here you will see labyrinths and obstacles that will allow your dog to spend more time eating than usual. The pet will eat more slowly and will be able to get enough.

You can even buy a bowl with a timer. These feeders are suitable for those dog owners who are away from home for a long time.

If your pet has been prescribed a diet by your veterinarian, consider bowls with sections . You can independently set the time and quantity of food served. They are equipped with a sensor with voice notification and a heating system.

Buy an automatic waterer - this way your pet will always have only fresh water to drink. These innovations are suitable for those owners who decide to breed dogs; they will help teach puppies to take food at the same time.

Automatic feeders made of wood or plywood

Wooden or plywood systems are more reliable because, compared to plastic ones, they do not dry out during service, are less susceptible to mechanical stress and do not crack. But making them requires more effort and time. If such difficulties are not an obstacle for you, then you can use the procedure for assembling automatic feeders from chipboard or multi-layer plywood.

Without pedal

The standard version of the feeder without a pedal is designed for two to three chickens and has a length of twenty-nine centimeters. If you have a large herd, you can make a couple of such systems and calculate your own sizes.

Material you will use:

• thick plywood/wood boards;
• drill;
• screwdriver, screws;
• loops;
• sandpaper;
• saw;
• marker;
• ruler/tape measure.

Before you start assembling the structure, it is important to draw sketches for each part:

• the side blanks are two figures, the height of which is forty centimeters, the length of the upper edge is twenty-six, and the length of the lower edge is twenty-nine. Cut out 2 triangles on each wall;
• front part - two rectangular parts measuring 28 x 29 and 7 x 29 cm;
• the bottom is a rectangle measuring twenty-nine by seventeen centimeters;
• cover – rectangular piece 26 x 29 cm;
• the back wall is a rectangle measuring 41 by 29 centimeters.

After preparing all the drawings, start working:

1. Transfer the sketches to sheet material and cut out the parts along the lines.
2. Where the fastenings are, use an electric drill to make holes.
3. After cutting out the parts, process them with sandpaper - this will remove burrs and make their surface smooth.
4. Assemble the feeder with the front and back walls positioned relatively horizontally at an angle of fifteen degrees. If you need more compaction, use a clamp.
5. Screw the cover to the rear side elements using two hinges.
6. Treat the assembled structure with an antiseptic. Avoid varnish and paint due to their negative impact on feed quality and poultry health.

With pedal

The version of the system with a pedal is the same hopper with a tray. The chickens press on it - this causes the lid to rise, opening access to the food. When the birds have eaten, they move away from the pedal. The latter rises to its original position and closes the tray lid.

To make such a system, use the previous diagram - the dimensions are the same. The only thing is to supplement it with two rectangles, which are necessary for the tray cover and pedal. To make a rod you will need six bars:

• two long blanks to attach the pedal;
• two middle ones to secure the lid;
• two short ones to connect the lifting mechanism.

How to do it yourself?

You can make a stand for the feeder yourself, using your imagination and available materials.

If you know how to use a welding machine, then you will not have any difficulties making a bracket from an iron tube. And you yourself will position the bowl at the adjustable height that will be comfortable for the dog. You can also use wood as a material.

It is necessary to ensure proper waterproofing; without this, the stand will quickly become unusable. After all, animals often spill water from their bowls when drinking. The structure can quickly rot and lose its presentable appearance.

A wooden stand will perfectly complement the interior of your home or apartment.

You can purchase a stand with wall mounts . There are stands on sale that hold the bowls on a tripod, with rings for metal bowls for water and food. It allows you to easily adjust the height.

This is a small, stable metal structure that can be used from an early age.

She will be able to grow up with her pet. After all, with the purchase of such a stand you will have the opportunity to keep your house clean. This saves space in your kitchen. The main thing is that this way you can avoid problems with your pet’s health.

Your dog should have two bowls. One is for dry or natural food, the other is for clean water. Your pet should swallow less air when drinking from a bowl and swallow food more easily so that it does not get stuck in the esophagus.

The ideal location for bowls for your four-legged friend is at chest level.

A tripod will help you with this. If you take into account all these points, you can easily resolve the issue of choosing a stand and feeder for your pet.