Some of us – okay, a lot of us – are obsessed with our four-legged friends. Mine even has his own Instagram account (and he’s far from the only one). It’s only natural that our desire to want the best for our dogs, cats, lizards, birds, and other critters has us skimming online articles for the best of the best in new tech and products. Feeling a little overwhelmed by the options? Let’s break it down.
Pet Cameras
Most of us have to be away from our pets regularly, whether for work, school, or other obligations. But without supervision, some pets get up to less-than-likeable antics. There are plenty of pet cameras offering various levels of interaction with your pet while you’re away.
These work best for free-roaming creatures, like cats and dogs and potbelly pigs, but if you’re really missing your iguana or have a particularly verbose parrot, a pet cam will still get the job done. There are several options and price points, so you choose whichever is best for you.
Pet Door
Some pets like to spend time outdoors, and you’re probably thinking a pet door is a great idea. And you’re right! But if you’re also a true crime fan and struggle with anxiety like I do, then you’re probably worried about the easy-access a pet door would grant to your home. Why not go with an electronic door that only opens for your pet’s RFID microchip?
If your pet isn’t microchipped (they really should be!) or too big for the microchip door, there are other electronic and safe pet doors to peruse.
Grooming Products
Want your pet looking and feeling their best? While this can mean frequent trips to the groomers, there are some tasks that can be accomplished right at home! A simple dog grooming kit or sheep shears are must-haves for most pet parents, but some go above and beyond and even purchase their own grooming table.
It’s also worthwhile to invest in a pet scale and nail trimmers to make everyday life more comfortable for your companions.
Interactive Toys
This goes right along with being away from your furry friend. If you want to keep them entertained, consider picking up interactive toys to engage them when you’re not around. Electric fish toys, automatic laser pointers, and even intelligent toys that respond to the way your pet plays are all available.
Clothes
Whether you’ve got an all-weather friend who wants to go skiing or an indoor bud who prefers to be warm, clothes might not be high tech, but for some pets they truly make a difference. Snag a cute sweater, a full-body extreme warmer, or a blanket depending on you (and your pet’s!) needs. For swimmers, a life vest is a must-have!
Water Fountain
Some pets are a bit … high maintenance when it comes to their daily lives. If you have a critter who refuses to drink still water from a bowl, some sort of pet water fountain is perfect! Plus, these have the added bonus of being highly sanitary options and more visually appealing than a classic metal bowl.
Training Tools
Pets are cute and fun but can still run amok when not safely corralled. If your pet has any troublesome behaviors, there are plenty of tools to help wrangle them, such as training clickers and anti-barking devices. However, there are also less traditional devices like pet-operated doorbells to notify you when someone needs to go outside and do their business!
An important note: Lots of people think of anti-bark collars when looking for high tech training tools. Do your research and pause before hitting buy; there are plenty of more humane options.
We all love our pets, and they love us for giving them the best life possible. There are plenty of small changes to make and products to pick up that will make their lives – and yours – that much easier.
For more pet-inspired living tips, head over to NewHomeSource’s Learn Center, and follow us on social media!
Kian Zozobrado joined Builders Digital Experience (BDX) in 2019 as a content writer. A graduate of Southwestern University with a degree in English, Kian is passionate about the written word and making connections. Outside of work, Kian also serves as president of the Board of Directors for the Writers’ League of Texas.