Are gravity feeders different from timed automatic feeders?

A gravity feeder is mechanical and passive: a large hopper sits above a tray, and as the dog eats, more kibble slides down to refill the tray, the same principle as an old fashioned bird feeder. There is no electronics, no schedule and no way to limit how much is available at once, aside from how much you load in. A timed feeder uses a motor and a small computer to open a chute or rotate an auger at programmed times, releasing a set amount and then sealing again until the next cycle.

A gravity setup suits a dog who naturally self regulates and stops eating once satisfied rather than finishing whatever is in front of them, and it works well for free feeding situations or when a dog sitter needs a low maintenance backup for a weekend away. It is a poor fit for a dog prone to overeating, since nothing stops repeated visits to a full tray.

A timed feeder suits dogs on a calorie controlled plan, dogs recovering from weight gain, or households that want consistent meal spacing, for example every 8 hours, without relying on someone being home. It also helps dogs who eat too fast if paired with a slow feed insert, since only a fixed portion arrives at once rather than a full bowl.