Technology is revolutionizing everything – even the way we look after our pets. There now exists a number of gadgets for dog owners that can provide additional safety, comfort and stimulation for your canine companion. From LED collars to electric ball launchers, let’s take a look at some of the diverse dog tech currently on the market.
LED collars
As the days get shorter in winter, many of us are finding those early morning walks getting increasingly darker. LED collars are great safety devices for making sure that your dog is visible during those low light walks. These illuminated collars can help to alert drivers, cyclists and pedestrians from a distance. Many of them come with different light settings (such as a steady glow or flashing lights), and they typically have a USB point for recharging them.
GPS collars
Another hi-tech dog collar option to consider is a GPS collar. These use an integrated Global Positioning System to track the location of your pet using an app. If your dog has a habit of going walkabouts, this could be a much needed device for monitoring them and making sure that they don’t get into danger. Alongside GPS collars, there are also simpler and cheaper options like bluetooth collars – however these don’t have the same long-range tracking abilities.
Wireless fences
Wireless fences can be set up with GPS collars to further control where your dog wanders. Also known as virtual fences or hidden fences, these are not actual physical fences – instead a central transmitter creates an invisible virtual boundary that alerts you if your dog ventures beyond it. This prevents you from having to constantly watch their location on an app. Many of these products allow you to adjust the range to match the size of your estate. Read reviews to find the most reliable wireless fence technology.
Electronic dog door
Catflaps for dogs – known as ‘dog doors’ – are becoming increasingly popular. But how do you stop other unwanted animals climbing in? One option is to install an electronic dog door. Such dog doors can contain sensors that pick up a chip on your dog’s collar, only opening when this chip is in range. It’s a similar technology to how contactless cards or key fobs work. Compare these gadgets online to find the best quality solution (reviews will tell you just how effective each door is).
Wearable cameras
Ever wanted to know what the world looks like from the perspective of your dog? By buying a wearable camera for your dog, you can capture video footage from their point of view. These cameras can be strapped to collars or body harnesses. They’re designed to be robust and weatherproof, so that if your dog rolls or runs through a puddle, the camera won’t get damaged. Some of these cameras allow you to livestream the footage directly on an app, while others require you to plug the camera into another device after you have recorded the footage in order to view it.
Heated dog coats
Some dogs have very short coats and can get very cold on winter walks. Dog coats exist to help keep these dogs warm. However, it’s possible to provide added comfort by investing in a heated dog coat. As the name suggests, these coats have battery-powered elements inside that heat up. Such coats can provide added safety beyond regular coats for dogs being taken out for extended walks in the cold. The heat may also help to ease inflammation and pain for dogs with arthritis or dogs that are recovering from surgery.
Heated dog beds
Dog coats aren’t the only heated canine gadget that you can buy. It’s also possible to buy heated dog beds that can help to keep your dog warm and toasty on a cold winter’s night. Most of these dog beds are designed for indoor use, but you can also buy heated dog beds for outdoor use. It’s worth noting that some of these dog beds are powered by a cable, however these cables are usually designed to be chew-proof. Compare different models and choose one with a high safety rating.
Smart feeders
You can also integrate gadgets into feeding time. Smart feeders are automated appliances that dispense a precise portion of food into your dog’s bowl – which can be useful for instances where your dog may need strict weight management. These devices can be remote-controlled with a smartphone app, or triggered to dispense food at scheduled times. Such feeders should only be used for dry food.
Smart treat dispensers
Smart treat dispensers work slightly differently. Many are designed to be enrichment tools, involving simple puzzles that your dog has to solve in order for the toy to dispense a treat. Others allow you to remotely dispense a treat using a smartphone app. There are also treat dispensers with cameras which react to your dog doing certain motions or tricks. You can explore different types of these toys online.
Electric ball launchers
Electric ball launchers provide a futuristic way of playing fetch with your dog. Instead of throwing the ball yourself, these launchers toss the ball in the air for you. Some of these come with settings to adjust the distance and angle. They’re great tools for seniors or those with disabilities who may find throwing a ball too strenuous. They can also be fun tools for your dog to play with that may help to vary up games of fetch – and perhaps even be used to train your dog to become a better catcher.
Explore more gadgets online…
These are just some of the pieces of technology that dog owners can get their hands on. By searching online, you’ll find all kinds of other niche gadgets. When buying any gadget, make sure to check reviews online to make sure that you’re getting something that actually works – there are lots of scam products out there. Take the time to also compare the cost of similar gadgets, as there may be cheaper versions from lesser known brands.
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