Pet Tech: Helpful Apps & Products To Help Keep Your Pet Safe & Well

The IOT and recent advances in Pet Tech have combined to give us the ability to care for our pet's health and wellbeing, 24/7, home or away.

This covers all aspects of caring for our pets, and is coming increasingly to the fore as we prepare to return to "normal" work patterns, i.e. back to commuting and working in the office.

This raises the serious question of anxious dogs or separation anxiety in dogs, especially given the huge increase in Pet Adoption during pandemic lockdowns.

Separation Anxiety in dogs is real, can cause extreme stress or distress, and may lead to uncharacteristic behaviour, including urinating or defecating, destructive behaviour, and escaping. For help in dealing with this see our related blog: Separation Anxiety in Dogs – Symptoms & Treatment.

Some of the Pet Tech offerings outlined below provide helpful solutions for monitoring and keeping in touch with our pets while we are at work. These can be a real aid in caring for your pet, and can also make great present ideas for the Pet Lover in your life!

If your workplace is not currently pet-friendly, and you'd like help in making the case to your employer, check out our blog on the many benefits of Pet-Friendly Workplaces. NB: These benefits apply to all, including Employers!

Dating Apps for Dog Lovers

Dig-The Dog Person’s Dating App (USA only)

Dig is a free mobile dating app for dog lovers and dog owners, built to connect dog people based on what’s most important to them. Available on iOS, Android and on the web. See current coverage below.

Dig was created because it's dog-loving creators recognised that being a dog lover isn’t just another box to check off on a long list of your attributes. It’s a way of life for a growing number of single people, and it’s crucial to know that up front when dating.

Not all dogs get along, which is why some dog owners may want to find someone without a dog to join them on the cuddle couch or be able to search by dog size etc.

Dig has a number of features to help plan a dog-friendly date. The brand new version of Dig comes with free messaging, video chats, and more.

The additional features on the app are available to help plan dog-friendly dates, learn tips and tricks, offer users member only daily deals, and connect dog lovers with local dog-friendly businesses.

Current coverage
Currently available in New York City, Las Vegas NV, Kansas City MO, Columbus OH, Austin & Dallas TX, Seattle WA, Denver CO, Atlanta GA, Los Angeles & San Francisco CA, Miami FL, Portland OR, Chicago & Detroit MI, Boston MA.

https://digdates.com/

Remote Cameras/Monitors & Treat Dispensers

These are especially helpful in dealing with anxious dogs or separation anxiety in a dog.

• As a standard, these allow 2-way audio to talk to and hear your pets.
• Some also dispense treats or include an interactive toy.
• Some may include a subscription element.

PetCube Cam

Stay connected: see, talk, and keep tabs on your pets. Powered by cutting-edge, AI-technology, PetCube Cam Pet Camera with Built-in Vet Chat for Cats & Dogs, comes with Security Camera with 1080p HD Video, Night Vision, Two-Way Audio, Magnet Mounting, 8x digital zoom, and 110° wide-angle view for full-room coverage.

Alexa compatible: add voice control by combining with an Alexa device.

PetCube Play 2

PetCube Play 2 is a Smart HD Pet Camera with Laser Toy, 160° view, and Voice Control.

Features include live 1080p HD video, night vision, 4x digital zoom, full duplex sound, with 4-microphone array and a speaker bar, and 160° view for full room coverage.

The interactive laser toy is set to autoplay mode to keep pets engaged when you're busy.

You can connect with licensed Veterinarians 24/7 year-round right from the app. Pet parents can chat live, share photos and videos of their pets taken either with their smartphones or via Petcube cameras.

Alexa built-in
PetCube Play2 comes with Alexa built-in and doubles as a smart speaker. To activate your voice assistant, just press a button in the app.

PetCube Bites 2

PetCubes Bites 2 is a smart HD Pet Camera with Treat Dispenser, 160° view, and Voice Control, that lets you see, talk to, fling treats and reward your pet to enhance training and prevent anxious behavior.

You can toss treats remotely from your phone and control the amount and distance. You can also set to autoplay mode to keep your pets occupied when you're busy.

You can connect with licensed Veterinarians 24/7 year-round right from the app. Pet parents can chat live, share photos and videos of their pets taken either with their smartphones or via Petcube cameras.

Interactive Ball Launchers

iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers

iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers are ideal for home-alone dogs, indoors or outdoors, and all dog sizes!
Comes in three versions, with prices ranging from $39.95 to $199.99.

iFetch Original

Uses miniature tennis balls 1.6″ (40 mm) in diameter.
AC Adapter or battery-operated.
Three distance settings, 10, 20 or 30 feet.

iFetch Frenzy

Uses miniature tennis balls 1.6″ (40 mm) in diameter.
Gravity-operated, doesn’t require batteries/power.
Balls roll out of the base in a random direction.
For small dogs & small spaces.

iFetch Too

Rechargeable battery that lasts up to about 300 throws.
Four distance settings (10, 25, or 40 feet, or random).
Normal or large tennis balls or Chuck-it balls.

Check out full iFetch product specifications and prices here.

Dog GPS Trackers, Fitness - Health - Activity Monitors

Fitbark Dog GPS Tracker & Health Monitor

Fitbark 2

FitBark 2 Dog Activity and Sleep Monitor monitors your dog’s everyday activity and sleep, and turns that data into actionable health insights. It’s a new way to motivate you and your dog to be active, explain changes in behavior, and make better decisions with your vet about nutrition, mobility, anxiety, skin conditions and other health issues.

How it works
Install the FitBark Mobile App on your phone.
Attach the FitBark to your dog's collar.
Monitor activity, sleep quality, distance traveled, calories burned, and overall health and behavior 24/7.
Track Location 24/7 in real-time (see note re geographical limits).

Geographical limitations - please note:
Geo-fencing and location tracking features are only available for the FitBark GPS (United States).

Paw-activated Dog Water Fountains

Koolinater Paw Activated Doggie Fountain

The paw-activated Doggie Fountain, or Koolinater, connects to a standard water hose.
No need to worry about filling or checking water bowls on hot Summer days, your dog simply presses on the pad to get clean fresh water.

Doggie Water Fountain (westernpetproducts.ie)

Pet DNA

Embark Dog DNA Test

Embark's Dog DNA test was developed by veterinarians in partnership with Cornell University.
Learn about your dog's breed ancestry, health (tests for 200+ genetic health risks), traits, and relatives (tells you, based on science, how much DNA your dog shares with other Embark dogs and offers you the ability to connect directly with them).

How it works:

1. 1. Activate
   Register your kit with your profile using the code included with it.
2. 2. Swab
   Swab the inside of your dog’s cheek for thirty seconds.
3. 3. Mail
   Mail your dog’s swab back with a free return label.
4. 4. Results in 2-4 weeks!

Embark Dog DNA Test (embarkvet.com)

Self-cleaning Litter Boxes

PetSafe ScoopFree^® Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Second Generation

Automatically removes waste.
Hands-free cleaning: no scooping, cleaning or refilling your cat's litter box for weeks.
Excellent odo(u)r control.
Automatic and adjustable scooping system.
Track your cat’s litter box activity for possible health concerns.
Stop smells with leak-proof trays, pre-filled with premium crystal Litter.
Select from hooded or non-hooded privacy options.

https://www.petsafe.net/scoopfree-2-0#front

Microchip Pet Doors

Sure Petcare App-Controlled Microchip Pet Door

Remotely lock or unlock the pet door anytime, anywhere from the Sure Petcare app. Share access with family or friends.
Receive notifications when your pet enters and leaves your home.
Create a curfew - set the door to lock and unlock at specified times.
https://www.surepetcare.com/en-gb/pet-doors/microchip-pet-door-connect

Go Pro Fetch Dog Camera

Pet TeleHealth

Automatic Pet Feeders