My Dog-Food Dispenser Could Be a West Elm Cabinet
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Storing dog food has always been one of the more annoying parts of being a pet owner. From spilling kibble all over the floor to breaking large plastic clips while trying to close an awkward 15-pound bag, I’ve never found a foolproof storage solution for my two dogs’ food. That is until I started testing the Houndsy kibble dispenser, which has been a major game changer for Ringo’s meal routine.
First of all, it’s the nicest-looking dog-food holder I’ve ever seen. It’s sleek, almost like a small retro cabinet. I love that we can leave it out on display in our kitchen or mudroom rather than hiding it away in a broom closet. The assembly is simple: All you have to do is screw on the four base legs, which come in a standard or elevated height depending on the size of your dog. (Since my basset hounds are very much considered low riders, the standard height was more than ideal for Ringo’s short stature.) After attaching the legs, you just fill the Houndsy with dry kibble through the top opening, which is then secured with two knobs that give it an airtight seal. Overall, it looks more like a West Elm cabinet than a kibble container.
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The Houndsy isn’t all looks, though. It has taken a lot of guesswork out of feeding my dogs. They eat a combination of dry and wet food, and the Houndsy makes it easy to perfectly portion the dry food. The BPA-free-plastic storage liner holds up to 30 pounds of dry food and uses interchangeable stainless-steel bowls to portion meals. Instead of hunching over to scoop food out of the bag in a dark closet, I pull the mechanical lever — the Houndsy is operated manually and doesn’t require any power — and out pops a stainless-steel bowlful of Ringo’s kibble. If you’re worried about your food-motivated furry friends pushing the lever themselves with a snout or paw, rest assured: You actually have to lift up before the lever can be operated, making it a bit more secure.
Another thing I like about the Houndsy is that it dispenses food at the bottom of the container first, unlike a typical dog-food bag where the bottom kibble is trapped in the bag for several weeks and can go rancid. The 30-pound volume limit also ensures that the food will be eaten in roughly four to six weeks, though I personally only serve the same batch of kibble for about one month before purchasing a new refill bag. (Even with the Houndsy, I’d recommend keeping your original kibble bag or taking a quick photo of the lot number and expiration date since you’ll need to reference them if there’s ever a sudden recall on your pet’s food.) Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Houndsy has brought ease to Ringo’s meals. Though he doesn’t eat directly out of the Houndsy stainless-steel bowl — we add wet food and hydrate his meals — he’s always eager to feast when he hears me pull the lever. It’s become his new favorite dinner bell.
More of my favorite dog supplies
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Let your pooch sip some LickCroix.
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The mental-stimulation puzzle toy that my dogs fight over.
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The only dog bed Ringo will sleep soundly in.
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