SALTZMAN: Latest pet tech for our furry friends is fur-real

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Instead of treating yourself to a new gadget this summer, perhaps you’ll fetch a tech toy for your beloved dog or cat?

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In fact, there are several gizmos that can help you pamper, protect or entertain your favourite feline, canine or bird. From a camera that dispenses treats and an “invisible fence” collar to self-cleaning kitty litter and a light-up leash, here are a few paw-fect picks to suit varying needs and budgets.

TREATS ON DEMAND

Keep an eye on your pet while away from home, and even dispense treats whenever you like.

After you connect the Furbo ($108) to your Wi-Fi network and install the app on your smartphone or tablet, place this high-definition camera against a wall and go about your daily routine.

Now, wherever life takes you, launch the app, and once your dog or cat hears the familiar chime, they’ll likely run to the camera, so you can talk to your pet, snap a pic from your phone (and upload it to social media), and dispense a small dog treat or cat snack from the patented treat launcher.

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FUN WITH LASERS

From PetSafe, the same folks who once brought us the Automatic Ball Launcher ($228) to keep a dog entertained for hours, comes another playful gadget – but this time it’s for cats.

Stimulating its natural instincts to chase, stalk and pounce, the Bolt Laser Cat Toy ($39) could be a fun way to keep your cat active and engaged with a random laser display. Placed on a flat surface or hung from, say, a doorknob, the toy has two play options: one that turns on for 15 minutes and another that turns on for 15-minute intervals every two hours (say, if you’re leaving for the day).

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The company says this is a Certified Class 1 laser, which is safe for your cat. Three AAA batteries are required, but not included.

WALK THIS WAY

Be seen while walking your dog in the dark – that’s the premise behind the NiteDog Rechargeable LED Leash ($29) from Nite Ize.

Available in blue or lime green, these five-foot leashes have two embedded ultra-bright LEDs, which send light through an integrated optical fiber, for up to 6.5 hours between charges. When it’s time to juice up the leash, simply insert a micro-USB cable (not included) and plug the leash into a computer, AC wall socket or power strip.

This eye-catching and water-resistant leash has a soft grip, durable cable and can be used in either constant glow or flash mode.

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AVOID A CAT-ASTROPHE

Just like a Roomba can vacuum your floors for you, there’s an automatic litter box that doesn’t require scooping, cleaning or refilling for weeks at a time.

The second-generation ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box ($229) from PetSafe uses disposable trays pre-filled with crystal litter, which is said to quickly absorb urine and dehydrate solid waste to provide fewer odours than regular clumping litter. An automatic rake sweeps solid waste into the waste trap 20 minutes after your cat uses the litter box, so you never have to see or touch it. If your cat re-enters the box before the cleaning cycle starts, detection sensors automatically reset the rake timer.

Every few weeks, you remove the litter tray, cover with the lid and dispose of it in the trash.

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A health counter keeps track of how many times your favourite feline uses the box.

TO SERVE AND PROTECT

The Halo Collar 3 ($599 USD, plus subscription plan) is a high-tech dog collar and wireless fence designed to protect your precious pooch.

Endorsed by Cesar “The Dog Whisperer” Millan, Halo 3 lets you create virtual fences wherever you may be (such as at a park) by walking the perimeter with your collar or by using the app; if your dog approaches the boundary, customizable notifications (such as a tone or vibration) instruct the dog to turn around. Training video tutorials by Cesar are part of the package. If your dog breaches the fence, you’re immediately notified on the Halo app and can track your pet’s whereabouts via its GPS chip in the collar.

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Recommended for dogs over 20 pounds (and with neck sizes 11 inches and bigger), you can create up to 20 virtual fences.

An accompanying Halo plan (starting at about $4.50 USD/month) is required to enable data storage for virtual fences, GPS location services, activity tracking, and more.

GRUB HUB

How many times have you been enjoying yourself with friends but must leave to get home to a hungry pet?

The aptly named Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder ($249) holds up to 24 cups of dog or cat food, and then you can schedule, monitor and adjust your pet’s feeding schedule remotely with a free smartphone app. PetSafe says the food conveyor dispenses most shapes and sizes of dry and semi-moist food.

You use this Wi-Fi-enabled feeder in one of three ways: schedule times for it to dispense food when you want, up to 12 times a day; opt for the “Slow Feed” setting that dispenses meals in small amounts over 15 minutes (ideal for pets who tend to eat too quickly); and a “Feed Now” option lets you serve a meal on demand any time with the push of a (pet-proof!) button on the feeder, via the app, or even with a compatible smart speaker (example: “Alexa, feed the dog”).

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TWEET ABOUT THIS

Bird lovers, you need not feel left out of the fun.

Bird Buddy: A Smart Bird Feeder (from $199) is an ideal outdoor gadget for bird aficionados.

This weatherproof bird feeder has an integrated camera and microphone to take up-close photos of airborne visitors, plus it features artificial intelligence (AI) that can recognize bird species based both on image and sound.

A companion app keeps a real-time log for you and automatically organizes species for you into collections.

The battery-powered device should last up to 30 days, the company says, at which time you’ll pull out a detachable module and bring into the home to charge up with a USB-C cable (included). A solar model is also for sale for $70 more.

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