A waste-reducing food dispenser particularly for cages for small animals, comprising a box-like body, with an opening at which elements for fixing to the cage are provided, and an internal food-carrying tray, the food dispenser having at least one portion of the base of the box-like body that is grille-like. A recovery tray is coupled, by way of removable couplings, on the box-like body and below the base, the dimensions of the recovery tray being sufficient to cover at least the grille-like portion of the base. The box-like body comprises elements for insertion/extraction of the food-carrying tray.