Pets Go High-Tech with IoT

IoT isn’t just for humans. Our four-legged friends can benefit as well.

Activity Monitoring

Just as humans use wearables to monitor sleep patterns and heart rate, pet health can be monitored with smart devices. Wearables can monitor body temperature, calories burnt through activity, respiratory rate and additional factors. Health goals can also be set and monitored, like weight loss for an obese pet. Alerts are sent to pet owners in the event of abnormal results, aiding in early disease detection.

Pet Cameras

Pet cameras often connect to smart phones and allow owners to look in on their pets. Some have bark detection and will alert owners so they can see what troubles their dog during the day. Many also have microphones, so owners can talk to their pets through their phones. Some also have treat dispensers. Interaction between pets and owners can be comforting for both parties and can lessen separation anxiety in troubled pets.

Smart Toys

Smart toys function similarly to pet cameras but with an extra play element. Owners can see their pets through a camera and talk with them through a microphone, but smart toys also have lasers, treat dispensers or balls that enable play. Some toys are robotic, allowing pet owners to remotely operate the toy. Smart toys offer the same benefits of pet cameras while offering additional activity for pets.

Smart Feeders

IoT feeders allow owners to remotely feed their pets. Through a smart phone app, pet owners can manually dispense a pre-set amount of food for their animals. Smart feeders can also be set on an automatic schedule, allowing for hands-off feeding. They can even recommend a feeding schedule and amount based on animal age, weight and activity level. These devices can be useful to keep pets fed on a regular schedule and track how much a pet is eating or control diet or weight.

GPS Tracking

Outdoor pets are at risk for getting lost or stolen. Even indoor pets can sometimes escape from home. GPS tracking collars allow owners to check in on their pet’s location at any time. A geofence can also be programmed so owners are alerted if a pet ventures outside the designated area. If a pet is known for wandering, GPS trackers can record a pet’s location over 24 hours so owners can see where they travel most frequently.

IoT devices help keep pets safe, healthy and stimulated and ease the minds of owners.