Smart Tech and Wearables for Pets
The different types of wearable technology available for pets are extensive. You can choose from smart collars and trackers to training systems and health monitors. Many devices include all of these services in one collar.
Wearable technology for your pet includes:
- Fitbark - Fitbark is a smart collar that utilizes a built-in GPS and health tracker so you can check on your pet.
- LINK AKC - LINK AKC is a smart collar that allows you to track your pets location. The device can notify owners when your pet’s environment is too hot or too cold, store vet records, and remember walking routes, among other features.
- Whistle Activity Monitor - Whistle is another smart collar that can track your dog’s location. Like other devices, Whistle can provide information on your dog’s activity and health.
There are even wearable training systems that will be featured further below.
Smart Home Pet Technology
Smart home technology enhances everyday devices by outfitting them with a communication system; thereby enabling automation or remote control. The evolution of smart technology has brought about myriad pet-related apps, products, and services, each of which offers ways to enhance your pet’s lifestyle, wellbeing, and safety. According to a 2019 Global Insights, Inc. report, the pet tech market is expected to accrue over $20 billion by 2025.
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Smart Food, Water, and Treat Dispensers
Smart pet dispensers can release food, water, or treats. These devices are highly convenient and designed with the pet in mind. Built pet-proof, smart dispensers will only release food or water when you want it to. Owners can simply connect the device to a smartphone to schedule meal times or utilize an instant feeding button. Smart devices can give you peace of mind by assuring you your beloved animals eat on time.
Types of smart dispensers include:
- Petzi Treat Cam - Petzi Treat Cam allows owners to see, speak to, and dispense their pet’s favorite treat, among other features.
- Petnet SmartFeeder - Petnet SmartFeeder is an automatic food dispenser optimized for cats and dogs. With the Petnet app, you can easily feed your pet from your phone, as well as automate your pet's meal.
- PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder - The PetSafe Smart Feed system is designed with pets in mind. The company’s latest system holds 24 cups of dry food, allows for meal scheduling, notifies owners when feed is low, and is able to automatically reorder your pet’s food through Amazon’s Dash Replenishment.
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Pet Cameras
The evolution of video surveillance has reached not only residential life, but also the pet world. Pet cameras answer the all-too-familiar question: what do pets do when their owners are gone? Owners with mischievous or younger pets especially may be wondering this. You may also feel more comfortable leaving them alone after installing a pet camera. These devices vary; some allow functionality between two smart devices with cameras, while others are a camera in and of themselves.
Different pet cameras for owners to consider include:
- Annie Pet Monitor - The Annie Pet Monitor allows multiple owners to watch their pet wherever they may go.
- BarkCam - BarkCam is a camera that comes with filters for your pup.
- Furbo - Furbo is a camera that allows you to see, speak to, or give treats to your dog wherever you may be.
- Petcube - Petcube is a camera with a built-in voice control that also allows you to toss treats to your pet.
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Smart Pet Doors
Installing a smart pet door may be ideal for those concerned about the safety hazards of traditional pet doors. Smart pet doors work by detecting your pet through a sensor on either their collar or in a microchip, then unlocking when your pet is near. This means no other animals will be able to come through the door.
Like other smart devices, smart pet doors can be vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. Owners can largely combat this by regularly updating their software and protecting their devices.
A few smart pet doors owners may want to consider include:
- Wagz Smart Door - The Wagz Smart Door allows you to open and close your pet door from wherever they may be. The device also comes with an HD video camera and an alert system.
- PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor - The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor comes with a SmartKey that you can attach to your pet’s collar. This way only your pet may enter and exit the door.
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Smart Litter Boxes and Pet Toilets
To avoid or simplify the process of picking up a pet’s waste, owners may want to consider investing in a smart litter box or pet toilet. Owners of indoor pets, especially, may appreciate these products. Smart litter boxes and toilets help to keep your home looking and smelling clean no matter how busy you may be.
Smart litter boxes and pet toilets are listed below:
- iKuddle - iKuddle separates your pet’s waste from the clean litter with its automatic scooper. The waste is then auto-packed into a bag for your convenience.
- Lavvie Bot - The Lavvie Bot automatically cleans and refills your cat’s litter box. Owners simply must dispose of the waste.
- Litter Robot - The Litter Robot is one more smart litter box that does away with scooping through its automatic cleaning and refilling functions.
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Pet Safety Apps
As a pet owner, you must always prioritize your pet’s safety. With the evolution of mobile apps, you can do just that. Various mobile apps exist addressing concerns regarding dogs, cats, and exotic pets. You can easily find out information on what your pets can and cannot eat, what temperatures are unsuitable or unsuitable for them, as well as basic first aid practices for different types of pets.
Below are a few examples of useful pet safety apps:
- iKibble - iKibble is an app that lets pet owners ask and receive answers to common questions, such as one surrounding what dogs can and cannot eat.
- Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) - The APCC’s mobile app gives pet owners access to crucial information and expert advice from veterinarians. Pet poisoning is a serious concern for any pet owner and having access to that information can be critical.
- Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross - Brought to you by the American Red Cross, the Pet First Aid app also offers essential information regarding your pet’s health and safety.
- Veterinary Care of Exotic Pets - Owners of exotic pets can benefit from this app designed to provide answers to those left behind by traditional pet care resources.
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Veterinary and Medical Records Apps
Just like there are telehealth options for humans, there are new telehealth developments and options for your pets too. Through these apps you can schedule vet appointments, store your pet’s medical record, and access crucial information at the click of a button.
Below are a few veterinary and medical records apps:
- Dog Medical Agenda - With the Dog Medical Agenda, you can store your dog’s general and health information, as well as keep up-to-date on vaccinations, physical exams, and other important matters.
- PawPrint - The app PawPrint allows you to store all of your pet’s important records and share them with service providers. Other features include receiving reminders, adding friends or co-owners, and keeping track of important dates, such as those for vaccinations and grooming appointments.
- Vitus Vet - The Vitus Vet app stores important medical records regarding your pet, features record sharing, and provides reminders.
- Merck Vet Manual - The Merck Vet Manual is an app offering an abundance of health resources for your pet. You can use the app to read about what conditions or diseases may affect different systems of your pet’s body, as well as receive news, watch informative videos, and store medical records.
Pet Sitting, Walking, and Grooming Apps
Even the most devoted pet owners occasionally need help. Whether you need a pet sitter for when going out of town for the weekend, a walker for when you’re working late shifts, or a groomer who comes to your home, there are many options for your animals.
Those looking for the right caretaker for their pets should consider the following options:
- BarklyPets - BarklyPets offers a community of local, independent dog walkers. You can simply input your location and see verified professionals near them. The app also allows you to see your dog’s exact location at all times, providing a level of transparency.
- Groomit - Groomit is an in-home pet grooming service available to dogs and cats. Through the app, pet owners can book professional pet groomers all at the click of a button.
- Pawshake - Pawshake offers a variety of services, such as five-star rated dog walkers and sitters. Most notably, Pawshake gives you the option to leave your dog with an actual family while you are away. Users can read and write reviews on the app ensuring that not only themselves but also other pet owners find the right caretaker for their beloved animals.
- Rover - Rover is an app designed to find you a reliable pet walker, sitter, or day care in your area. The app caters to only dogs and cats.
- Wag - Wag offers many services for your dog, such as walkers, sitters, drop-in visits, training, and boarding. Dog owners are provided transparency through GPS-tracked walks and enhanced background checks for all pet caregivers.
Pet-Friendly Travel and Transportation Apps
There are a variety of apps available designed to help ease the process of traveling with pets. Whether you are traveling out of state or out of the neighborhood, these apps can help to ensure the safety of your pet. Instead of leaving your beloved pet in a car or other environment potentially hazardous to them, pet-friendly travel and transportation apps help find you sidewalks, pet hotels, and other places to take them while you run errands or go inside buildings that do not allow pets. These apps also can find safe dog parks or relief stations.
A few pet-friendly travel and transportation apps are included below:
- DogSpot - DogSpot is an app that features and informs you of safe places to put your dog when you must enter a building or area where they are not allowed. These safe places are designed as sleek cages with temperature control and pet cameras.
- Uber Pet - Uber Pet finds rides that accommodate your pet. Riders with service animals are not required to use this specific service.
- BringFido - BringFido provides you information on pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and other attractions throughout the U.S. and in over 100 countries. You can read reviews, make reservations, and place a booking at no extra fee all through the app.
Pet Community and Connection Apps
Last but not least, smart technology is an excellent way to meet other pet owners who are just as passionate about their animals as you are. Getting involved in your local community can be beneficial to both you and your animal, allowing both of you the opportunity to socialize and make like-minded friends.
Below are a few community-focused pet apps to consider:
- BabelBark - BabelBark links up dog or cat owners with others, alongside their health data.
- BarkHappy - BarkHappy lets you find dog-friendly places and events for you and your pet to socialize and make friends. The app also features “lost and found” alerts for missing pets.
- PetConnect - PetConnect is a mobile app that provides pet owners helpful, local resources, such as those for nearby daycares, pet-friendly restaurants and stores, and groomers. The app also helps those looking to adopt find the perfect pet for their family.
- Ollie - Ollie is a dating app designed for dogs and owners alike. Through the app, both parties can find like-minded friends or partners.
- PatchPets - PatchPets is your pet’s social media app. Designed to help socialize your pet, this app assists in meeting dog friends, finding dog parks, and even lets you upload photos of your pet.
