The market for smart gadgets for pets is growing every year. Owners are ready to invest in the health, comfort and safety of their dogs and cats just as much as in their own fitness trackers or smartwatches. And although technology for pets covers many areas – from nutrition to activity monitoring - in everyday life, the usual vacuum cleaner often comes first. Stationary, manual or robotic, it has long become a necessary piece of equipment, of course, unless you have a hairless breed. But cleaning is just one of the daily tasks of a pet guardian. Next, let's talk about safety, nutrition and remote control – and this is where gadgets come into play, taking some of the worries and simplifying the owners' lives a little.
I already use several of these devices, without which it is difficult to imagine everyday life with a dog or cat: a GPS tracker and two surveillance cameras. I am also looking into other devices: a water fountain, a feeder and an automatic tray. In this article, I will talk about five devices that, in my opinion, make life with pets the most easier.
GPS tracker
A lost pet is the worst nightmare of any guardian. That is why a GPS tracker has long been no longer a toy for many, but a security tool. Compared to other similar devices, the Tractive tracker is quite large in size. It works via GPS satellites and LTE mobile networks, which provides positioning accuracy of up to several meters. Thanks to this, the device is independent of Bluetooth and allows you to track an animal almost anywhere there is coverage. This distinguishes it from other trackers, in particular from the popular AirTag, which has a limited range, and Apple itself does not recommend using it for animals.
Such features really helped us out during walks in the Carpathians: the device accurately showed the dog's location, and not on the other side of the mountain, as happened with some devices. A similar situation occurs near bodies of water with less accurate trackers, when the application displays that the dog is currently swimming in the middle of the Dnieper.
The device requires a subscription to a mobile plan that provides data transfer. A two-year subscription cost me about 4,000 hryvnias. I bought the tracker itself three years ago on Black Friday with a 50% discount, and then I "accidentally" added additional discounted cases to my cart.
Even though my model is three years old, it still works as well as the day I bought it. The battery easily lasts 14 days or more, including the power-saving zone, which you can set in the app so that the tracker doesn't track you in it.
The main changes in the modern version concern the appearance and the device line: Tractive now offers three sizes for dogs and one model with limited functionality for cats. Another novelty is the USB-C charging cable, which makes it much easier to replace compared to older models with proprietary cables.
The main advantage of this gadget is the extraordinary accuracy of real-time tracking. An equally interesting feature is the "route history": the map displays the path your pet has taken, and the places where it has been staying longer are highlighted in warmer shades.
The device also acts as a fitness tracker for dogs: it counts activity levels and calories, allows you to set daily goals and even compare results with averages for dogs of similar weight and breed. This is important for active dogs. For safety, a "virtual fence" option is available - you can outline a yard or other area on the map, and the application will immediately notify you if the dog leaves it.
Practical details include the "light and sound" mode, which helps you quickly find the tracker in the dark or in tall grass, as well as energy-saving zones, which significantly extend battery life. There is also a sleep tracking function, but I personally did not use it, because at home I always remove all the ammunition from my dog.
Additional conveniences, which are also no less important. For example, the ability to share access to the tracker with other family members. And thanks to the user community, you can see marked dangerous areas in the application - places with scattered food or broken glass.
The only major drawback is that Tractive is not officially available in Ukraine – it can only be purchased through Amazon and intermediaries. The manufacturer also reports the lack of support in our country (previously it was only for certain territories). Despite this, in practice the device worked and works stably.
Surveillance camera
If the tracker is responsible for the animal's safety outside, then at home another device takes on this role – a surveillance camera. We bought the first Petcube quite by accident: used, at a sale for a donation, so that we could check if everything was okay with the cat if there were any flights nearby. The second one appeared for a different reason – to help the dog cope with separation anxiety.
By the way, Petcube is a Ukrainian brand that started in 2013 with a Kickstarter campaign, where it raised $251,000. Since then, the company has entered the global market and gained recognition as a manufacturer of innovative devices for pet owners. I am always especially pleased to support Ukrainian businesses that make a competitive product on par with global players.
Our first camera is the Petcube Play, which has already been discontinued. The camera was released in 2016 and, although the image quality is not the best, it copes with the main task: you can check if the cat is in the room. Another advertised function in such cameras - playing with the cat using a laser through the application - in my opinion, is quite dubious. Playing with a laser can provoke destructive behavior: cats try to "catch" prey, but physically cannot do this, which often leads to stress or irritation, so it is better to use laser entertainment with caution.
Our second camera – Petcube 360 – as the name suggests, it can rotate around its axis. Like the previous model, it supports all the basic functions: video, sound, and microphone, but the image and audio quality are much better, which is quite logical for a 2023 model. The cost is about 2,500 hryvnias.
Although both camera models support night vision, the Petcube 360's infrared sensors allow you to see up to 9 meters away even in complete darkness and guarantee clear HD video 24/7.
In addition to the standard features, Petcube offers an additional paid feature called Petcube Care – a cloud service with video recording, event recognition, and intelligent notifications about animal actions (barking, meowing) or people. The subscription costs from 330 UAH per month, although I personally do not use this feature. It is very convenient that both of my cameras are displayed in one application, so you can easily switch between them.
The only thing that made me unhappy and even had to contact support was that for a while the device would reboot itself every day at 9 am. The reboot was accompanied by a characteristic scrolling around the axis, and of course, when the camera starts moving without your knowledge, it can be a bit of a concern. Fortunately, this problem has now disappeared.
Drinking water fountain
I don't have a water fountain yet, but it's the first thing on my list of future purchases. Cats are naturally much more likely to drink running water than standing water, as it seems fresher and safer to them. In addition, many animals don't like water touching their whiskers, and special fountain designs help to avoid this discomfort.
Since I like the idea of integrating new devices with an existing digital ecosystem, I chose the Petcube Fountain. This device combines modern design with smart features, but is currently only available in the US and some European countries.
Its tank is designed for 1.7 liters, which is usually enough for almost a week. Inside, a four-level filtration system with a carbon filter and UV-C light works, which destroys bacteria and makes the water as safe as possible. Unlike many competitors, the fountain can operate autonomously for up to 20 days thanks to the built-in battery, so a constant connection to the outlet is not required. And for recharging, the manufacturer even provided a special chew-proof cable that is resistant to dog and cat teeth.
Another advantage is the motion sensor: the jet is activated only when the animal approaches the waterer. This saves water, energy and makes the fountain convenient even for a home with several pets. In addition, the device operates very quietly (volume less than 30 dB), so it will not disturb you even at night.
The fountain is available in two versions: with a ceramic bowl for $100 (ceramic is more hygienic and doesn't retain odors) or with a stainless steel bowl for $80 (steel is durable and scratch-resistant). And through the app, you can receive notifications when it's time to refill the water or replace the filter.
Automatic feeder
I'm also looking at an automatic feeder, because our cat is convinced that the bowl is completely empty if the bottom is even slightly visible. I'm leaning towards the Petkit Fresh Element Solo model, as I've already had a positive experience with this brand's products – I used the Petkit Breezy Cat Carrier before. Although it doesn't belong to the category of smart gadgets, the quality of the plastic, the ergonomic back and the well-thought-out ventilation made a great impression on me, so I have confidence in this brand.
Animals, as is known, prefer fresh, unweathered food – and this gadget provides this. The food is stored hermetically thanks to the Duo-lock system in food-grade plastic. Portions are easy to dose, and feeding can be controlled via an application that sends a notification that the pet has eaten and shows how much food he has eaten per day. A desiccant is provided to maintain freshness. The feeder is powered by the mains, and in case of power outages it has a backup power supply of up to 7 days from five AAA batteries, which is activated automatically when the power goes out and returns the device to normal mode after it is restored. Holds up to 3 kg of food.
There are three versions of feeders in the Petkit line: the most basic one in question costs $70 (approximately 4,000 hryvnias in Ukraine), the model with a camera, speaker, and microphone costs $140, and the most complete version, which serves two types of food and has all the functions of the previous one, costs $160.
Automatic cat toilet
And the last gadget in this selection is the PuraMax 2 Automatic Cat Litter Box from Petkit. As "happy" owners of a cat that has high demands on cleanliness, we know well what constant cleaning is: the animal refuses to use the tray if it is even slightly dirty. That is why such a device would greatly simplify our lives. The only significant minus is its cost, which reaches about 20,000 hryvnias.
The tray is quite large, but its dimensions are fully justified by its functionality. It combines effective cleaning, thoughtful design and convenient integration with a mobile application. The tray has a hermetic design that prevents leaks and a spacious compartment designed for cats weighing up to 10 kg.
The main advantage is automatic cleaning: sensors separate lumps from clean sand and move them into a waste bag. In addition, the tray is compatible with any type of filler, which is especially important for picky cats.
The system operates quietly, emitting only 35 dB of noise, so even at night the process does not cause discomfort. The three-level odor removal technology effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors and maintains a feeling of freshness in the home. In addition, the tray is equipped with a capacious 7-liter waste container, so the manufacturer assures that this is enough for an average of 15 days without additional cleaning.
The app provides real-time notifications about the pet's weight, as well as the time and frequency of toilet visits. In addition, you can set up an individual cleaning and fragrance schedule.
As with the fountain of the same brand, there are also more advanced models in the line. For example, the Purobot Max Pro 2, priced at UAH 26,000, offers an improved cleaning mechanism, additional safety sensors, and is also equipped with an AI camera for recognizing multiple cats and a built-in audio system. The premium version, the Purobot Ultra, priced at UAH 37,000, features an increased space and waste container, and also has a microphone, a contactless automatic garbage packaging system, and even a waste analysis function that helps to timely notice possible problems with the health of the cat's intestines or urinary tract.
Instead of conclusions
And although there are already many really useful devices for animals on the market, competition is only beneficial – it forces manufacturers to constantly improve their products. At the same time, there are also questionable devices: for example, the FurWaker 5-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit, which is essentially a hair dryer, or the AirSalon Max Pet Dryer Box, which can scare your pet if it is not used to it. In any case, it is important to remember: to avoid stress, the animal should be gradually and without force accustomed to new manipulations.
And ultimately, no gadget can replace live communication – the perfect toy that a cat or dog will never get bored with has not yet been invented. So the main role remains with the owners – to give their pets attention, care, and entertainment.