The modern age has given birth to a tonne of high-tech pet gadgets that make ole' stuffed animals or feather-on-a-string products look rather lame.
If you're the type of pet lover who enjoys indulging a cat or dog, than you'll love what we've rounded up. We have scoured the internet for the best and most technology-packed trackers, feeders, games, and other over-the-top (and possibly frivolous) toys that will make you and your neighbours and their pets jealous of your animal.
Whistle Go Explore health and location tracker
Whistle Go and Whistle Go Explore are activity trackers for your four-legged friends that help you monitor their well-being and location at all times.
These are waterproof trackers with real-time tracking and long-lasting batties. They include nationwide pet tracking with location and escape alerts available by email, app and text.
These trackers uses a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular tech to deliver the most accurate tracking possible, so you'll always know where your furry loved one is.
The accompanying app also allows owners to measure their dogs' sleeping patterns, set daily goals, track progress, view activity graphs, and retrieve information pertaining to changes in behaviour. A monthly subscription is required though.
PetNet smart feeder
PetNet is a smart feeder for both dogs and cats. It assesses the dietary requirements of your pet and creates a custom feeding regimen.
It'll also alert your device when your pet has been fed or when you need to buy more food. You can of course manually adjust feeding schedules from your laptop or mobile device in real-time, from anywhere. And finally, you can use Petnet to track your pet's calorie intake on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The feeder itself features status LEDs, micro USB power, a food level sensor, and more.
Fitbark 2 dog activity and sleep monitor
FitBark 2 is a cute bone-shaped wireless activity tracker that's tiny and lightweight but made specifically for dogs.
It attaches to a collar in order to monitor physical activity and rest levels all-day long. It then delivers useful insights and long-term health trend reports about your dog to an Android or iOS device via Bluetooth.
GoPro Fetch
GoPro Fetch is a dog harness that works with all GoPro cameras. You can use it to mount your GoPro to your dog and then capture the world from his/her point of view.
The harness has two mounting locations (chest and back) and is machine-washable. It's also fully adjustable to fit small, medium and large breed dogs in a variety of sizes. The chest mount is even removable for smaller dogs. Hilariously brilliant YouTube videos await.
Petcube Play
PetCube Play is a stylish box that lets you do more than just keep an eye on your cat or dog when you are away from home. Connected to your Wi-Fi network, Petcube is a simple but brilliant cube that features a wide-angle camera, microphone and low-intensity laser pointer.
It boasts many of the same intelligent features as a modern smart home camera but with the added bonus of interactive play to keep your pet engaged. A two-way communication mode allows you to talk to your pet when you're not home and the laser means you can play with them too.
Sphero Ollie
The Sphero team has an app-controlled gadget called Ollie. It's not technically designed for pets, but you can whip around the room or yard using a mobile device as a remote.
Ollie is cylindrical in shape and goes 14 mph, which is sure to keep your furry friends entertained or at least curious. These toys are technically for humans, but tonnes of videos on YouTube prove that both cats and dogs love them too.
Furbo interactive dog camera
If you hate leaving your dog alone at home then this might be the gadget for you - especially if he or she is prone to mischief when left alone too long. Along comes Frubo - the interactive pet camera.
With this simple, but brilliant gadget you can communicate two-way with your dog from your smartphone. You can also toss them a treat and even play a game with them while you're out of the home. Isn't technology grand? This is one toy that's bound to get tails wagging!
Pooch Selfie attachment
Getting your dog to sit still and behave long enough for an awesome photo is a tough ask. Yet a simple gadget could make a world of difference. The Pooch Selfie is one such example - an attachment for your smartphone that lets you clip your dog's favourite ball above the camera to keep their attention.
Other examples are available that allow you to attach treats if toys don't quite cut the mustard in terms of being attractive enough to keep your four-legged friend in place to pose for a snap.
Dog cooling collar
In the depths of summer, it can be hard to keep your pooch cool and comfortable. This little scarf is a brilliant solution to the problem. All you need to do is moisten the collar and wrap it around their neck like you would a collar. It's designed to stay cool for a period of time and help chill their bones.
iFetch ball launcher
If your throwing arm is getting a bit achy or you just want to really tire your dog out without the hassle of taking them for a long walk, then iFetch might be the gadget for you. This is a machine that can launch balls up to 30 feet. It works on both batteries and mains power and can be used indoors or outside too. So it's plenty flexible.
Dog treadmill
If you really love your pooch and want to be sure they get enough exercise, why not invest in a doggy treadmill. These things aren't cheap, but they're a great way to keep your dog moving and having fun too. Luckily the DogPacer also folds up and can be put away when not in use.
Smart water fountain
Standard water bowls are just so boring. Why not upgrade to a smart water fountain instead. This one is capable of holding over two litres of water and quietly dispenses it in a variety of flow modes including bubbling, flowing and more. If your pet is a bit fussy and prefers their water moving and running, this is the answer to your prayers.
No More Woof
No More Woof was a prototype machine that was unveiled in 2013. It was pitched as a device that was capable of scanning your dog's brain in order to translate his/her thoughts into words.
Using EEG sensors, microcomputing and special software it promised to translate thoughts (such as "I'm hungry - but I don’t like this!" and "Who is that woman, she looks nice!"). Alas, the whole thing was a pipedream and a failed Indiegogo campaign that saw the company take people's money and never deliver.
Smart Finder Wireless Bluetooth GPS Locator Kid Pet Tracker Anti-lost Alarm
Details
Descriptions:
Are you still worried about your own pets being lost? This locator can locate your pet in real time 24 hours of a day, so that your lovely pet is no longer lost.
Features:
- GPS + LBS + AGPS triple positioning, more efficient
- Low battery alarm, when the battery is lower than the warning line, it will send an alarm signal to remind of charging
- Remote shutdown, when the device has a built-in SIM card, you can remotely control the device to turn off through the APP
- Historical track, view the historical track of pet from the mobile APP
- IP67 waterproof, super high waterproof rating
- Magnetic charging, convenient and efficient
- Adjustable collar with a minimum perimeter of 28cm and a maximum perimeter of 40cm for pets of all sizes
- Fluorescent silicone case, help you find equipment quickly at night
Specifications:
Name: GPS locator
IP Rating: IP67
Battery type: Li-ion battery
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
Compatibility: for Android 3.1, iOS 8.0 and aboveApplicable Dog Breed: Universal
Collar Type: Slip Chains
Color: Black,Blue
Voltage: 100-240VPackage weight: 0.174 kg
Package Size(L x W x H): 8.00 x 8.00 x 5.50 cm / 3.15 x 3.15 x 2.17 inchesPackage Contents: 1 x Locator, 1 x Silicone Case, 1 x Collar, 1 x SIM Card Needle, 1 x Charging Cable, 1 x English User Manual, 1 x Box
