The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how we care for our pets. As a pet owner, I am excited about the new generation of connected pet care devices that allow me to monitor the health and wellbeing of my furry friends, even when I am away from home. In this article, I will provide an overview of the latest IoT innovations for pet owners and how they can make pet care easier.
Monitoring Pet Activity and Location
One of the most useful applications of IoT for pets is activity and location tracking. Here are some of the connected devices I can use to keep an eye on my pets:
Pet Activity Monitors
-
Fitbark – This is a smart collar that goes around your dog’s neck to track its everyday activities. It monitors parameters like sleep, play, walk time, calorie intake etc. and gives you insights into your dog’s health and behavior.
-
Tractive GPS – This lightweight GPS tracker attaches to your dog’s collar and allows you to track their location in real-time. I can even set up virtual fences and get alerts when my dog leaves a designated area.
-
Whistle – This smart collar device combines activity tracking and location monitoring. I get a wealth of data on my dog’s daily behaviors and can track their location via cellular and GPS.
Cat Activity Trackers
-
PetPace – This smart collar for cats monitors important health indicators like respiratory rate, activity levels, and rest patterns. It gives me data-driven insights into my cat’s wellbeing.
-
Pod Trackers – These tiny devices attach to my cat’s collar to track their activity levels, sleep patterns, and location, giving me peace of mind when they are outdoors.
Pet Health Monitoring
IoT-enabled pet health monitoring devices allow me to keep tabs on key health metrics for my pets. This means I can detect any abnormalities and get veterinary help in a timely fashion.
Real-time Vital Signs Monitoring
-
PetPace Smart Collar – This clever cat and dog collar monitors vital signs like respiratory and heart rate, temperature, sleep quality and activity levels. I get notifications on my phone if anything seems abnormal.
-
AskVet Smart Thermometer – This connected thermometer for dogs and cats allows me to check their temperature remotely via my smartphone. I can monitor for fever spikes associated with illnesses.
At-home Health Testing
-
Petnostics Urine Test Kits – These easy-to-use kits allow me to test my pet’s urine for signs of UTIs, diabetes, and other conditions without visiting the vet. I simply scan the results into an app.
-
PetDx Telehealth Service – This company provides at-home health testing kits for conditions like thyroid disorders and heartworm. I can get samples from home, submit to their lab, and discuss results with a veterinarian remotely.
Wearable Diagnostic Sensors
-
PitPat Dog Activity Monitor – This lightweight device straps onto my dog’s collar to monitor not just activity but also heart rate variability, an indicator of health and stress levels.
-
Medical Pet Shirt by Voyce – This smart shirt for dogs has built-in sensors to continuously monitor heart and respiratory rates. I get mobile medical alerts if anything seems off.
Feeding and Training
IoT pet care devices help me optimize my pets’ nutrition and enable positive reinforcement training.
Automated Pet Feeders
-
Petnet Smartfeeder – This automated feeder allows me to portion and schedule my cat or dog’s meals via an app. It dispenses the right food at the right time, even when I’m not home.
-
Arf Pets Automatic Feeder – With a built-in camera and two-way audio, this smart feeder lets me see, speak to and portion food for my pet remotely via an app.
Interactive Treat Dispensers
-
Furbo Dog Camera – This gadget lets me fling treats to my dog and see/speak to them remotely via live video. It keeps my dog entertained when I’m not home.
-
Petzi Treat Cam – Via this device I can activate a remote treat dispenser and camera to interact with pets from my smartphone. The two-way video lets me train and praise them.
Pet Home Monitoring
I can leverage home security cameras and other IoT sensors to keep an eye on my pets when I’m away from home.
Pet Cameras
-
Pawbo Pet Camera – This AI powered camera lets me see, talk to, photograph and even give treats to my pets from my phone. It detects and alerts me about unusual activity.
-
Petcube Cameras – These home cameras allow live video streaming, two-way audio, remote treat flinging and built-in laser games to interact with my pets remotely.
Smart Pet Doors
-
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door – This pet door unlocks with my pets’ unique RFID microchip and prevents access to strays. I can set curfews and lock/unlock it remotely via an app.
-
PetSafe Smart Door – This app-controlled door only unlocks for pets wearing a special collar tag. I can choose which pets get access and set a schedule for the door.
Smart Collars + Home Hubs
- Link AKC Smart Collar + Hub – This system lets me monitor my dog’s activity and location. The Link hub also has sensors to detect temperature, humidity, sound and air quality at home.
The Future of IoT Pet Care
As IoT pet care technology improves, I expect even more intuitive ways to monitor my pets’ wellbeing, whether I’m home or away. With the latest developments in wearable sensors, computer vision, biometrics and AI, the possibilities are exciting! I look forward to the next generation of smart devices that provide deeper insights into my pets’ health while also enriching their lives. For any pet owner, IoT promises greater peace of mind and stronger bonds with our furry companions.
