New gadgets for dogs

With the fitness tracker you wear on your wrist, you know that walking your dog is a great way to hit your daily step goal. But what about your dog? Have you ever dreamed of a dog technology with which you could assess your pet’s fitness level? You may or may not be surprised to know such technology exists, and it’s just one of many new pet technology trends designed to make pet care as easy as counting your steps.

Dog Technology Trends

In the age of smart homes, robots, and self-driving cars, it’s no surprise that pet care is also becoming high-tech. Here are a few major trends in pet technology.

Fitness monitors. Given the prevalence of fitness monitoring devices, it’s no surprise that dog fitness trackers are gaining popularity. Usually worn on a pet’s collar, these gadgets sync with your smartphone, allowing you to track your dog’s activity and fitness levels, set goals and track their progress. With the appropriate apps, you can connect to social networks where you can compare your pet’s performance with other dogs.

Devices and applications for tracking. Tracking apps and wearable electronic devices are a significant trend in dog technology. Wearable GPS devices allow you to track your dog’s location using your computer or smartphone so it doesn’t get lost, and some of the devices can even alert you if your dog trespasses. As Daily Treat reports, one such gadget, still in development for commercial production, tracks not only the location of the animal, but also its body temperature and warns you if the pet is in danger of heat stroke. It can monitor water levels for dogs that don’t swim very well, as well as monitor your pet’s mood and let you know if she feels unwell.

Another technology that is not so new to the human world but is only gaining popularity in the pet world is facial recognition. FindingRover.com is a facial recognition app that you can download to your phone. First, you take a picture of your dog in case he ever gets lost. Then, if you report it as lost, the app contacts a number of relevant organizations across the country. If the person who found your dog has the Finding Rover app installed on their phone, they can take a photo and the app will use facial recognition technology to match the two photos and help you reunite with your lost canine friend.

Video surveillance of pets. Are you wondering what your dog does all day long while you are at work? Thanks to pet surveillance technology, this is no longer a mystery! These gadgets are more than just cameras that let you spy on your pet. They provide a two-way interaction that will allow you to “talk” to your dog. Some devices allow you to videoconference with your dog, monitor it with a webcam attached to the collar, and give out treats. These devices can be a great way to ease feelings of separation, or just keep your dog from getting too bored without you (or you without her) during a long day at work.

Dispensers for food and water. Another highly anticipated advancement in pet technology for very busy owners is automatic food and water dispensers. This food dispenser can be connected to your smartphone so you can feed your dog anytime, anywhere in the world – no more rushing home for your pet’s designated mealtime. Animals that spend a lot of time outdoors will especially benefit from the motion-activated fountain, which turns on when the dog approaches and turns off when the dog is drunk and leaves.

High tech toys for dogs. Of course, one of the main advantages of living in the age of technology is the entertainment offered to us, and fun for dogs is no exception. High-tech toys that will drive your pet crazy include automatic tennis ball launchers, illuminated balls for playing at night, interactive puzzle toys and treat-yielding video games.

The Future of Pet Technology

While canine technology that makes basic pet care easier is certainly admirable, one of the most significant changes in pet technology is its impact on the veterinary field. In the future, phone apps and wearable devices should improve communication between veterinarians and pet owners, help veterinarians monitor their patients in real time, and even enable virtual examinations and diagnostics from a distance, according to qSample.com.

Hill’s is proud of its innovation in this area, Hill’s SmartCare powered by VetraxTM. With this device, you no longer have to wait for your next visit to the veterinary clinic to find out about the effectiveness of Hill’s Prescription Diet dog food prescribed by your veterinarian. If your dog is on a special diet for weight management, arthritis or other mobility issues, or skin and dermatological conditions, Hill’s SmartCare will not only allow you to monitor his progress in each of these areas in real time, but also give your veterinarian the ability to monitor her health status to adjust the treatment plan accordingly, if necessary.

The easy-to-use device connects to your pet’s collar and syncs with your smartphone to record metrics such as activity level, walking and running, scratching and head movement, sleep quality and how much your dog rests. The app has a journaling feature that will allow you to take notes on your dog’s condition or progress, as well as set goals and track their progress. You can also use the app to ask your veterinarian questions and send photos or videos about your dog’s behavior. All of these features allow you and your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s response to treatment on a daily basis.

Unlike other pet health monitoring gadgets, Hill’s SmartCare technology is specifically designed to work with Hill’s clinically proven Prescription Diet to improve your dog’s health and quality of life. It is also quite affordable.

And if a dog may not be aware of the impact technology has on its life and health, then for a person to be the owner of a pet in such an era is very exciting. With constant technological advances, providing quality pet care is easier than ever.