Top 5 Hottest Gadgets You Need to Try for Your Dog

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Being a pet owner in 2024 is easier than it once was a decade ago. Thanks to tried-and-tested, customer-approved technology, keeping your pet fit, entertained, and safe is achievable in a single click or swipe.

While technology can’t—nor does it intend to—replace a human-animal connection, it can certainly make your job as a pet parent easier. If you haven’t yet hopped onto the pet gadget bandwagon, below are five of the hottest products on the market that you need in your home.

Why is Pet Technology Popular in 2024?

Innovative technology is a force to be reckoned with. It is changing the way we think, interacts, and communicate—even with our canine companions. If you aren’t familiar with today’s pet-centric technological trends, here are a few reasons why you should be.

Increased Activity in Lazy Pets

Daily walks and a nutritious diet are the keys to a healthy pet. Without them, your pet can become overweight, depressed, or even at the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, products such as automatic ball launchers or remote-controlled chaser toys are an excellent way to keep your dog in shape while you’re busy or away.

While they can’t replace the value of physical exercise, they make for a suitable alternative if you can’t cut into your busy schedule for an hour of fresh air.

Keeping a Watchful Eye on Your Pet

As social distancing measures and lockdown restrictions ease up, many are returning to on-site work. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety or engages in destructive behavior while you’re away, being able to keep an eye on them can offer you peace of mind. Never underestimate what hearing your voice can do for an anxious dog!

Entertaining Your Dog

Those opting to work from home know the horrors of a disruptive pet in the middle of a virtual meeting. No matter how robust your project management structure is, it isn’t going to keep your rowdy dog from nipping at your ankles and hopping onto your desk.

The good news is, smart technology and advanced puzzle toys do an excellent job of keeping your dog entertained—sometimes for hours.

Helping Overweight Pets Shed Pounds

When it comes to keeping your pet at its ideal weight, exercise is only half of the equation. A balanced and nutritious diet is something else to consider altogether.

If you don’t have the time to carefully portion your dog’s daily meals, having an automatic feeder take care of the job for you can take a significant weight off your shoulders. Some of these gadgets even come equipped with mobile applications that allow you to keep track of your dog’s overall health.

Training Your Pet

If you’ve just introduced a new puppy to your family, training it isn’t as simple as most people assume—especially if you’re often away from home. Equipment such as pet cameras can help you catch naughty canines in the act of tearing up your sofa or becoming a little too familiar with the kitchen.

You can also use gadgets like puzzle toys to test your dog’s cognitive responses or teach them to put away their belongings—yes, it’s possible!

Top 5 Pet Gadgets You Should Consider

Now that you know the comprehensive benefits pet technology can provide, let’s peep at the top five trending gadgets now available on the market.

Pet Cameras

As we mentioned, pet cameras are an excellent way to keep an eye on your pet—and their surroundings—when you’re away from home. In addition, they can provide comfort for anxious pets calmed by their owners’ voices.

If you cater to a relatively independent four-legged friend, a one-way motion-censored camera may suffice. However, two-way cameras are all the rage. If you want to take it a step even further, a two-way camera equipped with a treat dispenser might be more up your alley.

The Furbo Dog Camera and Dog Treat Dispenser is a wireless pet camera with a high-definition feed. Its wide-angle lens allows you to keep an eye on every corner—it even features a barking sensor. If your calming voice isn’t doing much to soothe your pet, simply command Furbo to toss them a treat!

If your dog prefers alternative entertainment, the Petcube Play Smart Pet Camera beams a pet-safe laser that keeps your dog preoccupied and in great shape!

Is your dog more of a “visual” learner? You can give the PetChatz Interactive Pet Camera a shot. This videophone allows you to make two-way calls to your pet and even dispenses its favorite aromatherapy scent!

Smart Pet Collars

Does your pet enjoy the occasional dart out of the dog door? If keeping an eye on your pet is more of a challenge than most, a GPS-equipped smart collar might be the solution for you.

The Fi Smart Dog Collar lets you keep tabs on your escape artist canine by sending location alerts to your smartphone. Not only are you constantly aware of your dog’s location, but you can also keep track of your dog’s fitness level. Yes, like a FitBit, and yes, you can count their daily steps!

If you prefer something flexible, the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker is a removable device that you can clip onto your pet’s collar or harness. Plus, the product’s mobile application comes with an interactive map that can quickly point you in your dog’s direction.

Automatic Pet Feeders

Raising a healthy canine means one thing—diet consistency. Sure, using a measuring cup to calculate its daily intake carefully may suffice, but it can take up a lot of time you might not have. The solution? An automatic pet feeder!

The Arf Pets Food Dispenser allows you to schedule mealtimes and even control portions. If your dog responds to the sound of your voice, you can even record a mealtime alert. The Arf Pets dispenser also comes equipped with a camera and notifies you of accidental jams or empty food compartments.

Could your dog stand to lose a few pounds? The PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Automatic Dog Feeder can help you with that. This highly customizable gadget comes with a slow feed option that keeps your dog from eating too quickly.

If you have more than one dog, pickpocketing each other’s meals is often a problem—but it’s nothing the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Can’t Handle. This intelligent feeder contains digital keys that recognize your individual dog’s microchips, dispensing for only one tag at a time.

High-Tech Pet Toys

Some dogs are fans of fetch and frisbee. Others enjoy more complex puzzle-centric toys. Whatever the case, many high-tech pet toys do an excellent job of keeping your restless dog entertained while you cater to errands or household chores.

If you have the space for it, the iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher will enchant dogs with an affinity for tennis balls. You can program it to throw tennis balls at three different distances—10, 20, and 30 feet.

Is your dog an avid chewer? The Bluetooth-enabled and hands-free Wickedbone High-Tech Dog Toy will keep your dog on its toes all day—quite literally! On automatic mode, the Wickedbone functions at various speeds depending on your dog’s touch. If you prefer to hop in on the fun, you can put it on drive mode and control the toy via a mobile application.

Pet Cleaners

With a dog in the house, stray pet hairs are inevitable. Luckily, some gadgets can keep you from having to whip out the broom and dustpan every night.

Most long-haired dogs are double-coated. In short, they shed. A lot. Thus, having something like the iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum in your home can offer a great deal of assistance if you don’t have time to pick up after your pup. This advanced and remote robotic vacuum cleaner is equipped with sensors to guide it around and underneath furniture. It’s even self-charging!

If you prefer something more versatile, the Bissell BarkBath is a 2-in-1 portable washer and cleaner that you can use on your carpet, upholstery, or—yes—even your dog! This unique gadget comes with three customizable spray nozzles that allow water and shampoo to wash the skin thoroughly.  

While it isn’t what you might consider a “high-tech” tool, the Dexas MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner is something you need in your arsenal of pet-cleaning accessories. If you and your dog love to frequent the outdoors—or perhaps spend a lot of time in the garden—you’ll be familiar with the horrors of muddy paws all over your furniture. This product features thick and gentle bristles that can get your dog’s paws looking spotless in just a single swipe!

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, pet technology exists to make your life easier, enjoyable, and more efficient. Plus, your dog can only benefit from a pet-forward household.

If you’re already in the process of equipping your home with smart gadgets, why not throw some canine-forward products into the mix? After all, they are a part of the family, and a happy home makes for a happy dog.