Tech Talk: 4 Smart Devices to Make Pet Care a Breeze
Connect your pets to the Internet to help you monitor, feed, and care for them when you can’t be there.
Smart home devices let you check in on your home when you’re not there, giving you peace of mind that everything is okay. But did you know they can help you look after your pets?
With two-way talk video cameras, GPS-enabled tracking devices, and Internet-connected feeding bowls, make sure your pet is happy, healthy, and at home—even when you aren’t.
Watch our video to see these devices in action, and read on to learn more about each product's features.
1. Watch Your Pet With a WiFi Camera
Check in on your pet throughout the day with a WiFi camera like the Nest Cam IQ.
Courtesy of Nest
Drop in and chat to Fido or Fluffy while you’re away from home with a two-way, audio-enabled WiFi camera. A web connection lets you see and talk to your pet through your smartphone over a live video feed of the action in your home. You can also record video and share it later on his Instagram page.
There are a lot of WiFi cameras that can do this, but we like the Nest Cam IQ (indoor) because its wide-angle, high-definition video, and night vision, which show more of your home and let you see it clearly any time of day. Plus, the Nest’s two-way audio is very good, so it's easier to have a chat with your furry friend.
Ring’s battery powered spotlight camera can be installed anywhere and has the option of a solar panel to keep it charged.
Photo: Ring
To see what’s going on outside, Ring’s battery-powered Spotlight camera is good option. No power cables mean you can install it anywhere your pet likes to roam (within WiFi range). Set up motion alerts in the Ring App, and get a notification when they go outside. You can then view a live feed through the Ring app and talk to them too.
A built-in, motion-activated LED spotlight is a great feature, especially for those middle-of-the-night potty trips.
Petcube Bites lets you send treats to your pet remotely, as well as watch them through a built-in camera.
Courtesy of PetCube
For more interaction with your pet, the Petcube Bites camera will fling treats for you, either on a schedule or whenever you fancy through an Angry Birds-style app interface. It makes a noise when the treat is about to dispense, which the dog or cat quickly comes to learn, making them come running, so you can be sure they'll be in view of the camera.
Press the treat icon in the app and fling the treat higher and father depending on how hard you press. You can also use voice commands through Alexa to treat your pet hands-free. Plus, an Amazon Dash Replenishment service will automatically reorder treats for you when they're low.
2. Keep Tabs on Your Pup With a Pet Tracker
Whistle is a lightweight, waterproof activity and location tracker for your pet.
Courtesy of Whistle
Every pet parent’s worst nightmare is losing track of their companion. Attach a GPS tracker to their collar, and you have a much better chance of finding them if they do disappear.
The Whistle pet tracker can do this, plus it sends an alert to your phone if your pet moves outside of his or her safe zone so you know as soon as they’re on the lamb and can track them in real time.
Whistle also doubles as an activity tracker, showing you how many calories they’ve burned, distance they’ve run, and hours they’ve slept through its smartphone app.
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Petcube Bites
See, talk, toss treats, and reward your pet remotely. From the app on your phone, see your pet in clear HD and night vision, fling treats, say hello using two-way talk, and get motion and sound alerts. Have peace of mind that your furkid & home are safe. Stylish and durable, this cam will look good in any interior, comes with a high capacity two-pound container. Also works with Amazon Alexa. Just ask Alexa to treat your pet, go hands-free. Free basic video cloud storage plan is included. Tasty and healthy Wellness brand Dog Treats are included. Photo Courtesy of Petcube
ShopWhistle Go Explore
Know and adventure more with Whistle go explore. Always know where they are—and how they are. Whistle go explore monitors your pet’s location and health for total peace of mind. Just attach it to your pet’s collar, and customize the Whistle app to send alerts and insights to key people in your pack. Pinpoint your pet’s location with live tracking. Monitor behaviors that may point to potential health issues. Plus, know where your pet went and with whom. You can even set fitness goals based on age, weight, and breed, and review weekly reports that break down your pet’s latest stats. With a built-in light for visibility and a battery that lasts up to 20 days, Whistle go explore is the ultimate pet tracker. Wi-Fi - Only 2.4 GHz networks are supported
ShopPetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Automatic Pet Feeder
Your smartphone is always at arm’s reach. Now, so is the ability to feed your pet. The PetSafe Smart Feeder is a convenient pet feeding solution for the modern pet parent. No matter if you’re at the office or simply busy doing work around the house, the power to feed your pet is in the palm of your hands. The Wi-Fi enabled feeder connects to your home's wireless router (2.4GHz) to work with your Android or Apple smartphone, allowing you to feed and monitor your pet’s meals anytime, anywhere. Use the app to customize and schedule up to 12 meals a day with portions ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups to fit your pet's feeding needs. The feeder will dispense your pet’s food into a stainless steel bowl with a 5 cup capacity. Ideal for cats and small to medium dogs.
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3. Dish Up Dinner From Anywhere With a Smart Feeder
Feed your pet remotely from your phone with the PetSafe Smart Feed.
Courtesy of PetSafe
Feeding time is a source of much stress in many pet households ("Did I feed the dog? Did you feed the dog? Dog, have you been fed?!"). With a connected pet feeder like the PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder, you can make sure your critter is served on time every day, and eats the right amount.
Set a schedule in the app and choose the portion you want delivered, then get a notification when your pet has been fed. No more dashing home just to fill your pup’s bowl. Want to give your pet a snack? Use the app to drop some extra food into the bowl from wherever you are.
4. Let The Dog Sitter In With a Smart Door Lock
A smart door lock will tell you if the dog sit arrived on time.
Courtesy of Nest
Replacing your door lock with an Internet-connected lock gives you an extra layer of control over access to your home—handy when you have people coming to look after your pet.
The Nest x Yale door lock is a good option if you have a regular pet sitter because it uses pin codes. They don't need to have an app on their phone to get in your house, just give them their own code.
An Internet connection means you'll be notified on your phone when they use their code, so you know your pet has been cared for. You can also lock and unlock the door remotely, in case you need to let someone in in an emergency.
It also works with Google Assistant voice control, so you can lock your door with your voice when you and your pup are safely snuggled up on the couch at night.
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Ring Spotlight Cam Solar
HD camera with two-way talk and spotlights, connected to a Solar Panel for non-stop power. You only need a few hours of sunlight everyday to keep your Cam charged around the clock. And it also comes with a rechargeable battery pack, so you’ll always have backup power just in case. Photo Courtesy of Ring
ShopRing Video Doorbell 2
Next-gen Video Doorbell with enhanced video resolution and quick-release battery. The Next Generation of Video Doorbells Watch over your home in crystal-clear 1080HD video, and see, hear and speak to visitors from anywhere. With instant mobile alerts and two-way talk, you can answer the door from your smartphone, tablet and PC. Monitor Your Home From Anywhere Ring lets you adjust your motion sensors so you can find the ideal setting for your home. You’ll get instant alerts when motion is detected, allowing you to protect your property from the comfort of your smartphone. Smart Security for Every Home Video Doorbell 2 works on any home and includes a quick-release rechargeable battery, so you can charge your Doorbell without removing the device. Get an extra battery pack, and you'll never worry about power. Photo Courtesy of Ring
ShopGoogle Nest Cam IQ Indoor
Nest Cam IQ is a sharper way to look after your home, with Supersight and intelligent algorithms that can tell a person from a thing. And the built-in Google Assistant helps manage tasks and answer questions. Photo Courtesy of Nest
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