As an animal behaviorist with over a decade of experience, I’ve had the pleasure of working with all types of pets and seeing the latest gadgets that make being a pet parent easier. With so many products out there claiming to be innovative, it can be tricky to discern what’s useful. That’s why I wanted to share 5 pet gadgets that I’ve found to be absolute game-changers—things I wish all pet owners knew about.
Smart Feeders
As a cat owner myself, I know firsthand how annoying a meowing feline begging for food can be at 3 AM. Smart pet feeders have been an incredible solution that benefits both me and my cats. These WiFi-enabled feeders can be programmed to automatically dispense food at scheduled times, even when you’re not home. I love that I can ensure my cats are fed on time without having to wake up to hungry cats attacking my face in the middle of the night.
I’ve been using the PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder for the past year and find it extremely user-friendly. The app allows me to customize each feeding time and portion size for my two cats who eat different diets. I can even record a personal voice message to play during feedings, almost like I’m right there with them!
The airtight containers keep food fresh too. Being able to feed my cats from anywhere via the app gives me great peace of mind when I travel. I haven’t woken up to 3 AM begging since getting this feeder!
Interactive Laser Toys
I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve had with destructive cats that act out when bored. As predators, cats need a healthy outlet for their energy. Hunting-simulating toys that make cats “work” for playtime has proven incredibly beneficial for behavior, weight management, and bonding.
The PETGEEK Automatic Rotating Laser Toy is my favorite interactive laser toy that keeps cats entertained for hours. I love watching them chase after the random laser patterns. The automatic rotating function gives them a challenge to “catch” the unpredictable laser beam.
It’s hysterical to watch and a fantastic exercise. The toy has multiple speed/timing settings to keep things interesting and prevent boredom. I also appreciate that it has a motion sensor to turn on when my cats are nearby but powers down after 10 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy. As a cat owner and animal expert, interactive laser toys are my highest recommendation for keeping cats happy and healthy.
Smart Litter Boxes
As much as I love my two cats, cleaning litter boxes is one chore I could live without. Thankfully, self-cleaning litter boxes now exist and they’ve made my life so much easier. These innovative litter boxes have special sensors to detect when a cat enters and exits. Then, an automated rake mechanism will sift and remove waste a few minutes after your cat does its business.
I was skeptical at first about the self-cleaning mechanism working well enough. But after trying the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, I was seriously impressed with how effectively it removed all waste clumps without leaving a mess behind.
The mobile app also tracks my cats’ litter box usage, helping me monitor their health and make sure they are using it properly. I never thought I’d be so excited about a litter box, but not having to scoop for weeks at a time is a total game changer as a multi-cat owner. It’s worth every penny in my opinion.
Fitness Trackers
As an animal behavior expert, keeping pets active and enriched is something I’m extremely passionate about. That’s why I’ve come to love using fitness trackers to monitor my cats’ activity levels and ensure they meet their exercise needs. Pet fitness trackers typically attach to your pet’s collar to track steps, distance covered, calories burned, and even sleep patterns.
I’ve been testing the Whistle GO Explore for the past few months and have total peace of mind knowing exactly how active (or lazy) my cats are each day. The Health Report feature shows me their daily activity goals and if they’ve reached them.
I love that it gives healthy targets to motivate playtime and exercise. It’s been an incredibly useful tool for preventing obesity and anxiety in my cats as I can see when their activity levels drop and intervene with more interactive play sessions. And as a bonus, the tracker even lets me locate them when they sneak outside!
Pet Monitoring Cameras
Working with animals for a living, I’m always eager to test the latest pet tech innovations. Pet monitoring cameras have quickly become one of my most beloved gadgets, and I now recommend them to all my clients. These home security cameras are designed to monitor pets when you can’t physically be there.
Features like two-way audio, motion alerts, night vision, and treat tossing make them incredibly useful for pet owners. I’ve been thrilled with the Eufy Pet Camera over the past 6 months. The treat tossing feature has proven extremely helpful for positive reinforcement training with my new pandemic kitten.
I use the camera’s two-way audio whenever I’m away from home to talk to my pets and help them feel less stressed. And I love getting notifications on my phone alerting me that my cats are playing. Being able to check on them from anywhere and make sure they’re happy gives me such peace of mind that I don’t know how I function without it!
While fancy toys and gadgets certainly aren’t necessary for good pet care, they can be useful tools that make being a pet parent much more enjoyable. I hope this list of my favorite game-changing pet gadgets helps other animal lovers discover products that benefit their pets’ health and happiness! Let me know in the comments if you and your pets love any other mind-blowing gadgets I should test out!
For more insights on pet care and the latest in pet hacks, check out our The Ultimate Guide to Pet Hacks- 15 Tricks Every Pet Owner Should Know.
Katayoun is the founder, author and admin of Pawssomedaily.com, a leading resource for pet enthusiasts and caregivers. With over a decade of experience in pet care and animal behavior, Katayoun has established herself as a trusted authority in the field. Her insights, drawn from 10 years of hands-on experience and research, have earned her a respected voice among pet lovers. Follow her for the latest updates and expert advice on Instagram at @_katayoun.
