Technology is evolving every day, solving problems for us that we didn’t even know we had! From smartphones to high-tech appliances, fitness trackers, and virtual assistants, our days are surrounded by helpful technology. As the tech world expands, our furry friends are starting to gain those benefits as well. From devices like pet cams and trackers, “smart” toys, and feeders, all the way to tech-savvy “talking” dogs! There are many great gadgets to help our pets live more comfortable, safe, and fun lives!
1. Smart Collars for Dogs
Smart Collars for dogs have gained traction almost as quickly as fitness trackers for humans did just a few years ago. Being able to track your dog’s activity stats as well as their whereabouts should they get lost is a huge deal for many dog owners.
One of the most popular Smart Collars on the market is the Fi. The Fi Collar was made for the adventure dog! It’s GPS-connected, waterproof, reinforced, and has a long battery life to give us dog owners peace of mind while hiking, camping, and other adventures with our four-legged friends.
Other highly rated Smart Collar options include the Whistle and FitBark. Both offer fitness and GPS tracking options as well as other customizable features based on which model you choose.
2. Smart Litter Boxes for Cats
There are endless options of high-tech litter boxes on the market today that cat owners can choose from. Everything from basic automatic scooping litter pans to Wi-Fi-enabled robotic pods that track your cat’s movements and can alert you of potential issues.
The highest-rated self-cleaning litter box line is the Litter-Robot. The litter robot has the most high-tech features and is known as “the smartest cat litter box”. It connects to Wi-Fi and has an app that alerts owners of their cat’s activity.
The Pet Safe Scoop Free is a basic but dependable option that offers hands-free litter cleaning without all the “bells and whistles” (or high price) of the higher-tech versions.
3. Treat-Dispensing Dog Cameras
Dog cams have become a household staple for owners wanting to check in on their pups when they are not home. They add an extra level of safety and security as well as interaction between owner and pet. Some cameras have chat features and dispense treats so you can say a quick hello and toss a treat to your furry friend when you are not there.
Leading the way is the Furbo dog cam. This cam has all the high-tech features an owner could want in their dog camera. It has a 360-degree view, microphone, treat dispenser, and safety features that will alert you in case of fire, broken glass, or abnormal activity. Since its debut, the Furbo dog cam has been recognized for saving over 250,000 dogs’ lives.
The Petcube is another smart home pet camera with four different models to choose from. They all offer safety features, but some also include treat dispensing and interactive laser toys that are especially enticing for our feline friends.
4. Robots That Help Dogs Exercise
The Varram Pet Fitness Robot is a unique, high-tech way to give your pet some more activity and playtime when you are not available. You can fill the robot with treats and set the time and length of the activity through the app. Once initiated, the robot will begin moving around in one of its customizable play modes and dispensing treats as your pet interacts with it.
Cats will enjoy chasing the Pet Droid Interactive Cat Toy. This robotic cat toy comes with multiple feather attachments, pre-programmable playtime settings, and sensors that avoid objects.
5. Automatic Feeders for Dogs and Cats
Automatic pet feeders can be helpful for scheduling mealtimes when you are not home. No more worrying about breaking routine when you’re running late or stuck in traffic. You can pre-program feeding times or control some through an app. There are many advanced options to choose from.
PetSafe has several highly rated options of automatic feeders for dogs and cats, some are even smartphone-connected and can be managed through an app.
The Cat Mate Digital Feeder is a perfect wet food option. It comes with an ice pack system to keep the food fresh until feeding time.
Have multiple pets on different foods? The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is a great option to ensure each pet gets its intended meal. The SureFeed scans each pet that approaches for a microchip (or wearable RFID tag) and only opens if the correct pet is present.
6. Fetch Machines for Dogs
Dogs love a good game of fetch! The GoDogGo fetch machine gives dogs endless fun while saving their owner’s arms. This machine has customizable settings for time and distance and can either be pre-programmed or used with a remote.
For smaller dogs and indoor play, the iFetch Frenzy is a smaller, quieter, option. The iFetch rolls mini tennis balls out of different compartments to keep your dog entertained with a milder game of indoor fetch.
7. Buttons to Foster Communication
In 2018, speech pathologist, Christina Hunger, adopted a bright, inquisitive puppy named Stella. She began training Stella with some of the same technology she used with her patients and soon the Hunger for Words mission was born.
The now-famous Stella the Talking Dog knows over 50 words and uses communication buttons daily to communicate with her owners. You can follow Stella’s journey and adorable antics on her Instagram page, @hunger4words.
Christina launched the Talking Pet Starter Kit to share this technology with other owners and inspire a new generation of “talking dogs”. The kit comes with recordable buttons and a training guide to start your dog on the path to higher communication.
