IoT products can help puppies and their owners live happier, easier lives. Owning a dog comes with a plethora of often time-consuming responsibilities. More and more, pet owners are focused on going above and beyond the bare necessities to ensure that their dog lives an enriching, happy, and fulfilling life. As with any task or process in the age of automation, we now have an expansive market of pet products that help pet owners capture more data and help automate or supplement parts of their daily pet routines using technology. Here are a few broken down by category:
Location, Health, and Activity Monitoring
One important thing to understand when evaluating smart collars for your dog is what position source(s) the collar uses. Collars without GPS have a major downfall, which I go into more depth about in this article, but there is one special exception that I’ve included below.
Fi Smart Dog Collar
Fi has created one of the most robust and feature-full smart dog collars on the market. The collar determines your dog’s location primarily via GPS, but can also save the address of designated WiFi networks so that it can recognize when your dog is at home. In addition to location tracking, the Fi mobile app allows owners to view real-time and historical data on their pet’s activity and sleep patterns, which can be key indicators of pet health. You can also compare your dog’s activity levels with other dogs based on breed or geographic region and set daily activity goals to make sure your pup is getting the exercise that they need. Other fun features include a waterproof casing, a remotely controllable LED that you can use to find your dog in the dark, and an online marketplace for makers to sell unique band attachments.
Check out more details on the Fi collar and app on their website.
Apple AirTags
While I’m typically not a fan of pet trackers that do not have GPS and cellular or satellite connectivity, which I go into more depth about in this article, there are two main reasons I think the Apple AirTags might still be a solid choice for you and your dog. First, while the Apple AirTags are proximity-based, they just need to be in the proximity of an iPhone. This aspect is particularly useful if you live in a city, where there is naturally going to be a higher density of iPhone users. The second reason is that they’re a lot cheaper and widely available than specialized dog collars. The AirTag is currently priced right around $30 and available at major stores and there are a ton of dog collar adaptors available on websites like Amazon and Etsy.
Check out more details on AirTags on their website.
Remote Monitoring & Care
Furbo Dog Camera + Dog Nanny
The Furbo camera itself comes with HD video with wide-angle views and infrared night vision, two-way audio, and a treat dispenser. With their Dog Nanny add-on, dog owners can also receive smart alerts to their phones for fun and serious events and see a daily dog diary of all the highlights from your dog’s day. This camera is a great option for those that worry about their dog being home alone or want to test out giving their dog a little bit more freedom when they leave while still being able to catch them before they eat a hole in your mattress.
Check out more information on their website.
WOpet Smart Feeder
With the WOpet WiFi-enabled smart feeder, you can choose to automate your dog’s meals for certain times or release food manually through their app. The manual dispensing option can be used as a training aid to reward your dog when they perform a certain behavior or trick that you are working on. If you have a dog that eats too quickly, you can also configure this feeder to split your dog’s meal into as many as 39 portions to control their intake. Similar to the Furbo, this smart feeder comes with a camera and two-way audio so that you can interact with your pet remotely. However, this camera doesn’t offer alert/event notifications that you would find in the Furbo.
Check out more information on their website.
Wayzn Smart Pet Door
The Wayzn smart pet door turns any sliding door into a smart, automatic door for your dog. There are a few different ways that the door can be opened – either using the motion sensor to detect your dog’s movement near the door, manually through the Wayzn app, or via voice/video control via integration with an Alexa or compatible camera. One of the most attractive features of this doggie door is that, unlike traditional doggy doors, it is extremely easy to install and requires no permanent alteration or damage to your door. It’s also extremely easy to flip the device up and out of the way for quick, manual access to the door.
Check out more information on their website.
Training & Enrichment
PupPod Feeder & Rocker
The PupPod feeder has some similar remote monitoring and treat dispensing features mentioned for the Furbo and WOPet products above, but its main differentiator is the accompanying rocker. The rocker requires your dog to perform certain behaviors, such as touching the rocker when a sound is made, in order to get a treat. As your dog catches on, they level up and are required to employ impulse control and discrimination skills in order to get the reward. This kind of mental focus and stimulation is great because it helps mentally drain them and distract them from unwanted behaviors like chewing.
Check out more information on their website.
CleverPet Hub
With any puzzle toy, it’s important to keep your dog guessing and learning as they go, so having multiple puzzle toys around the house that you rotate through is a great way to keep your dog excited and engaged. For more skittish dogs or new puppies exploring the world, the CleverPet Hub starts out by just allowing the dog to eat their normal meals from the dispenser to build the dog’s confidence and ensure that they have a positive connection with the device. After that, your dog can engage in a number of different games involving touch, sounds, light, color, and sequences to keep them engaged all day.
Check out more information on their website
Cheerble Wikedbone
For high drive, working breed dogs, having something that combines physical and mental stimulation can be a godsend when it comes to managing your dog’s energy levels. The Wikedbone gets your dog running around in random, unexpected directions to chase after the moving toy. You can use it in person or remotely to play with your dog throughout the day or lure them into specific areas (and maybe away from your new leather dress shoes). The edges, or tires, of the toy are also replaceable if you have a chewer on your hands.
Check out more information on their website.
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