Wearable technology is also for pets
We’re wearing stylish smartbands and smartwatches to track our own health and fitness, and now we’re buying the same sort of gadgets for our dogs and cats.
Convenience is what these devices have to offer. Technology makes it easier for travelers to keep in touch with their furry friends while they’re away on vacation, and we can keep tabs on a pet’s whereabouts when if it suddenly strays from home.
Dr. Richard Killough of Long Animal Hospital in Charlotte believes technology can also help owners deal with problems such as separation anxiety. Cameras that provide voice communication can help calm anxious dogs by letting them hear their owner’s voice.
“I’ve seen everything from electronic fences to GPS trackers for your dog to e-collars that can train your dog to come back,” Killough said.
Here are options for people who want their pets to be as tech savvy as they are.
SocialPet
Petsafe’s SocialPet is a camera and treat-dispensing system that lets you see, share and treat your pet from anywhere. You and your approved Facebook friends can also watch a live video of your “best friend,” take snapshots, share photos and dispense kibble or other treats. Your computer or smartphone gives you access to all of this. The wireless camera has 300-degree horizontal by 120-degree vertical pan/tilt to capture everything your pet does. It also has infrared night vision at a range of up to 25 feet, for watching those nocturnal animals. $200, https://socialpet.petsafe.net.
PetCube
Petcube is a 4-inch cube with a wireless video-streaming camera and a laser. The wide-angle, high-resolution fixed camera doesn’t tilt or pan, but it does offer a great view of a room from certain distances (the further away, the more pixilated it becomes). Speakers allow you to talk to your pet while you see it (which can cause confusion on the pet’s end, unfortunately.) PetCube’s low-powered red laser is entertainment for a cat. Use the free mobile app to control the laser, and watch as dogs ignore it and cats go crazy for the red dot. $200, https://petcube.com.
Fitbark
Shaped like a miniature dog bone and available in five colors, this clip-on gadget attaches to your dog’s collar and tracks its activity. (The algorythms are designed for dogs, so it won’t be as accurate on cats.) When synced with the Fitbark Wi-Fi Base Station ($80) or a smartphone, the device uploads data on your pet’s activity to a Web server. (The WiFi Base Station is optional but worth the price if you want to track activity and won’t have a smartphone in the middle of the yard.) The site offers comparison data, in BarkPoints, based on breed, which offers a gauge on how your dog’s activity, or lack thereof, compares to others. You can link your own smartband to Fitbark, too. The best thing about this device is that there are no additional monthly charges for data service. $100 plus $80 for the WiFi Base Station, www.fitbark.com.
Gibi
The Gibi pet locator is a waterproof, lightweight GPS tracking device. It attaches to a collar and syncs with Gibi’s app via a mobile device or computer to instantly locate your four-legged friend on Google maps. The app allows you to create safe zones. If your dog leaves those borders you’ll be alerted by email and/or text. $130 plus $10 monthly charge or $100 annual charge, http://getgibi.com.
Tagg GPS Plus
Think of the Tagg GPS Plus as a FitBit for animals. The $100 bundle comes with the Tagg tracker and a collar clip, as well as a docking station for software updates and charging (one charge will last about 30 days). The price includes 90 days of tracking, and then the company charges you $9.95 per month. Using the built-in motion sensor, the device assigns numbers called Tagg Points to activities such as walking, fetching and climbing stairs. Those points help you calculate your dog’s daily activity, and a guide advises how many points each breed should earn to stay fit. This gadget also includes a temperature sensor that notifies you if your pet is in danger of overheating or freezing outside. $120 plus $9.95 monthly charge, www.tagg.com.
Voyce
Voyce takes a different approach to tracking pet health, giving you insight into how your dogs are feeling, acting, thinking and behaving. The device tracks heart and respiratory rates, activity, rest and calories burned. Voyce then matches the data with articles and information from pet authorities to allow owners to better understand what a dog is experiencing. It’s the closest thing to having a bark translator. $300 plus $10 monthly subscription or $100 annual subscription, www.MyDogsVoyce.com.
Pet tech basics
▪ If your pet’s not active, there’s no reason to invest in an activity tracker.
▪ If you do travel often or spend lots of time away from your pets, investing in a camera could give you peace of mind.
▪ Investing in an activity tracker “gamifies” fitness. So picking one up to track your pet could give you an incentive to go for walks and become more active.
This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 5:03 PM.