Last Updated on July 3, 2025 by teamobn
Build This No-Mess Dog Feeder with Built-In Storage!
It’s no secret that we all love our dogs, but sometimes things can get a little messy – especially when they knock over their food or water bowl! It’s strange how the kids are never around to help clean up the mess, but it’s just another one of your tasks, right?
And then there’s the question of food storage. Depending on the breed of your dog, that food can take up a lot of cupboard space. If you have a large breed dog, for example, you’ll need to make sure you have enough food storage to accommodate their larger meals. If you have multiple dogs, you’ll need to factor in even more food storage.
We’ve got the perfect solution! No dog owner will ever have to worry about their dog’s mealtime again – this homemade dog food feeder with built-in storage!
This dog feeder project is beautiful and made from recycled pallets, so you don’t have to worry about spending too much on materials.
It’s a great way to show your love for your furry friend, and this dog feeder is sure to make mealtime more enjoyable for both of you. Plus, it’s a fun project to put together so you can enjoy a creative outlet while also doing something practical.
Now you don’t have to worry about messes in the kitchen or your dog getting through the cabinets and stealthily snacking on their dog food!
If you’re not a fan of the raw timber finish then you can stain or paint your dog feeder in any colour that you like. It’s all up to you! 😉
Contents
Building a Homemade Dog Food Feeder
You’ll need these materials…
- Recycled pallets
- Wood glue
- Paint or varnish
And these tools…
- Planer or thicknesser
- Router
- Scrollsaw
- Hand saw and hand plane
Instructions:
- Dismantle your pallets. Make sure that yours are marked as HT which means they were treated with high temperature and therefore safe for projects involving food. NEVER use pallets that have been painted red or blue, those have been treated with chemicals and aren’t safe to be used, even as heating!
2. Plane your pallet planks. Make sure that your planks are all the same thickness and glue them together into several panels.
3. Cut the panels to the right size and glue them together using box joints. You can use screws but since this is a project that would be used by animals, that might pose some danger to them in the future. Box joints provide a lot of contact area for the glue, making your project sturdier.
4. Glue the bottom and top. Attach a band of wood that is a bit higher than the top of your box to create a rabbet and glue them together and repeat this procedure for the bottom. Make the cover with the holes for the dog bowls using a compass and router and set them aside for now.
5. Make names and silhouettes using a scroll saw. If you don’t have a scroll saw, you can just paint your dogs’ names and other flairs on the dog feeder box itself.
6. Make the lift. Cut 4 centimetres from the top using a hand saw and smooth out the edges with your hand plane. Using wood scraps, make the lift mechanism based on coffee table lifts.
7. Finishing. Coat the interior with 5 coats of varnish to make it suitable for food use. Attach the names and other decorations you made earlier (if painted, coat them with varnish to avoid contact with your dogs) and coat the entire box with 3 coats of varnish. And you’re done!
Thanks to Esdeebee for this wonderful project. You can follow him on his Facebook page, Archi 4 Pets for more ideas and inspiration.
Ergonomic Feeder Height Guide
Proper bowl elevation keeps mealtime comfortable for every dog size. An ergonomic setup reduces neck strain and helps digestion by aligning the throat and stomach.
Measure Shoulder Height Correctly
Stand your dog on flat ground beside a wall. Mark the point at the top of the front shoulder. Subtract five centimeters for dry kibble bowls or seven centimeters for water bowls. This clearance lets the jaw dip easily without forcing the neck to bend. Use the mark to set leg length on your homemade dog food feeder and keep posture natural.
Small Breeds and Puppies
Tiny dogs need shallow bowls placed low yet stable. Cut feeder legs to sit just above the carpal joint. That position steadies the body while chewing and keeps eager pups from tipping dishes. Growth comes fast, so design screw-in risers you can swap out every few months. Your homemade dog food feeder grows with the dog and saves you from constant rebuilds.
Medium Dogs
Border Collie or Beagle size dogs benefit from a feeder lip level with the lower chest. Measure again after seasonal weight changes because coat thickness can hide real height shifts. Adjustable feet with threaded inserts let you twist up or down in five-millimeter steps. Locknuts stop wobbles and keep the system quiet on tile floors.
Large and Giant Breeds
Labradors, Dobermans, and Great Danes share a risk of bloat, so bowl placement matters. Aim for the sternum midpoint to keep food moving smoothly into the stomach. Build broad splayed legs or add a back board that leans against a wall for extra support. Heavy dogs slam bowls, so line the rim with silicone to cushion metal clatter and spare sensitive ears.
Adjustable Leg Options
Not every home has one dog. Bolt-on leg kits let you swap heights between morning and evening if pets eat separately. Choose hardwood dowels with threaded metal inserts for strength and fast changes.
Add color-coded bands, green for the Corgi, blue for the Shepherd, so you’re never guessing which leg set belongs to whom. Your homemade dog food feeder stays flexible and future-proof.
Homemade Dog Food Feeder Gallery
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. ????
Portion Control Compartment Ideas
Controlled portions prevent obesity and keep nutrient intake balanced. Smart compartments built into a homemade dog food feeder make accurate scooping effortless at every meal.
Built-In Measuring Scoop Slots
Route a pocket under the lid to fit a dedicated scoop. Size it to hold one day’s ration for your dog. The scoop nests securely, never gets lost, and keeps oily kibble from touching countertops. You lift, pour, and slide it back in one motion. Convenience encourages consistency, which is the backbone of weight control.
Calorie Charts Under the Lid
Laminate a quick-reference chart that lists grams of kibble per kilogram of body weight. Mount it beneath clear acrylic so crumbs wipe away fast. Update the table when diet formulas change by printing a new insert. You glance once and know if today needs a trim or a top-up. The homemade dog food feeder becomes an at-home nutrition station.
Removable Divider Panels
Install sliding plywood or food-grade plastic panels that divide the storage bay into weekly sections. Fill each cell on Sunday when you’re relaxed and thinking ahead. At mealtime pull from the next compartment without measuring again.
The system prevents accidental overfilling when someone else feeds the dog. Wash panels monthly and swap in spares while they dry to keep hygiene high.
Portion Wheels for Multi-Dog Homes
Attach a rotating disc on the underside of the lid. Segment it like a pie, label slices with each dog’s name, and cut holes that match their meal sizes. Turn the wheel to the right dog before opening. The correct hole lines up over the bowl and releases the exact volume. Mix-ups disappear even when kids handle feeding.
Smart Scale Integration
Embed a compact digital scale in the base plate beneath the kibble chute. Program it to beep once the target weight lands in the bowl. Recharge with a USB cable and seal electronics in a waterproof case. If you’re traveling, switch to manual mode by lifting the bowl off the scale. Technology guides accuracy yet leaves you a fallback plan.
This 700-word guide shows how thoughtful design turns a homemade dog food feeder into a health tool. Ergonomic height protects joints while portion features guard against extra pounds. Combine both strategies and you’ll give your dog comfort, safety, and the right fuel every day.
Conclusion
A homemade dog food feeder does more than hold kibble. It organizes storage, controls portions, and raises bowls to a healthy height. Clean-up takes seconds because liners lift right out. You save money by recycling pallets or scrap wood instead of buying plastic stands. Your dog eats comfortably and you get a kitchen that stays neat.
Bedding is as important as a pet feeder. Check out our dog bunk bed project next!
