How pet tech can improve your pet care

Once a novelty, smart tech is now offering enhanced control and convenience in all aspects of life – even pet care! With the global pet tech market valued at around US$20 billion (about AU$28 billion) and expected to more than double by 2034¹, it’s no passing fad.

Bunnings pets buyer Jess Roche believes pet owners are leaning into these products with the goal of deeper reassurance and personalised care for their animals. “From health trackers to interactive toys, this new technology helps owners stay more engaged with their pets’ daily lives, while offering extra peace of mind,” she says.

At a glance: What is pet tech and how can it help?

Pet tech is technology integrated into every day pet items like collars, trackers and security doors to help you learn more about your pet’s behaviours and allows you to monitor them when you’re out of the house. Examples of popular pet tech includes:

• Smart feeders
• GPS tracking
• Health monitoring
• Security doors
• Self-cleaning litter
• Robot companions

Here's a rundown of each type of pet tech and how it can be used.

Smart feeder: When to use a pet smart feeder

If you’re on the go and can’t commit to regular feeding times, smart feeders can schedule meals, control portions and allow you to visually monitor your pets through an integrated, interactive camera while you are away.

GPS trackers: How far can a GPS pet tracker track?

Trackers that attach to your pet’s collar are now accurate to within a few metres, thanks to multi-satellite systems and better signal reliability. They can send alerts to your phone if your pet wanders from designated safe zones and some models even integrate with smart-home systems – activating doors and lights in response to your pet’s movements.

Pet health tracker: Health monitoring gives you vital stats on health information

Beyond checking their whereabouts, more advanced trackers are able to build a detailed health profile of your pet. Devices like the Tractive ‘Dog’ and ‘Cat’ series will track and analyse your pet’s behaviour – alerting you to disruptions like increased barking or changes in their sleep. The rise of this newer tech reflects a growing interest in preventive care and data-driven insights for our pets – helping owners pick up any irregularities early.

Automatic pet doors

Sick of hosting every roaming cat in the neighbourhood? When combined with an ultrasonic collar, automatic pet doors will only open for your furry family. You can even get models that respond to their microchip.

Automatic self-cleaning litter box

It’s every cat owner’s least-favourite job, but you no longer need to hold your nose. These automatic litter boxes sense when your cat has used the tray and scoop the poop into a separate sealed container. Some models even connect to an app that tells you when to refill the litter.

Pet robot companion: Keep your pet entertained while you’re away

Designed to alleviate boredom and loneliness, these interactive robots can throw balls, offer basic obedience training and activate smart feeders while you’re away – letting you record and watch it all from your phone.

Keep in mind…

No toy is indestructible – always supervise your pet with new toys, inspect toys regularly and remove if they become damaged or unsafe.

Need ideas to keep your pet safe when you’re out?

Check out our article on how to dog and cat-proof your home.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock. 

[disclaimers]
Not all items are available in all states and territories.
Pet products are not available in WA, except Bayswater, Cannington, Armadale, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury stores.
Source: ¹Fortune Business Insights - Pet Tech