Bonus: My three cats are enjoying the spring sunshine.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
With huge advances in everyday technology, we now have the tools and products at our fingertips to build the smartest systems we've ever seen, from our cars to our homes. .
And in a market heavily saturated with home technology essentials like the Amazon Echo Show and Google's Nest system, the options for customizing your home may seem endless. Plus, you no longer need to remove your furry friend from your smart home plan.
Also: How to turn your old Android smartphone into a pet camera or security camera
From robot vacuums and mops to smart pet cameras and automatic feeders, there is a wide range of innovative products available for your pet. At ZDNET, we love pets like family, and our experts have tested numerous pet-centric technologies, including self-cleaning boxes. Whether you have a dog, cat, or even an exotic pet, here's a one-stop guide to everything you need to create a smart setup for your pet in your home.
robot vacuum cleaner/mop
Robot vacuums are a game-changer for most households, but especially those with a pet (or pets). If you have a dog or cat that sheds, you know how much pet hair can quickly accumulate on your floors, and how difficult it can be to keep them clean (this is not a judgment call). My kitchen floor is littered with hair (cat hair). The robot vacuum market has exploded over the past few years, and now robot vacuum and mop combo models with dual cleaning capabilities make cleaning even muddy footprints a breeze. became.
The Roomba j7+ is one of ZDNET's Beth Moder's favorite robot vacuums and can be used anywhere around the house, including on carpets, tiles, and rugs. Because after the first few runs, j7+ can map the layout of your house. “One of the reasons this product is so loved in our house is because it gets rid of all the pet hair on the floor, whether it's been a day or a few days since you last used it. Because we can,” Moder says.
review: Roomba j7+ review: The robot vacuum that will change your life
how? That's because the robot automatically empties the trash can as soon as it's full, instead of waiting until it's done like other robot vacuums. According to Moder, during peak shedding season, it's common for the J7+ to empty itself four or five times during a single session, but it leaves no pet hair behind.
The j7+ also comes with a POOP warranty. This is the manufacturer's innovative promise that robot vacuums will avoid pet waste instead of causing accidental stains, or replace the robot at no additional cost.
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Bluetooth tracker or GPS tag
We've all had the experience of chasing our furry friend down the street or frantically searching for him at home. Pets can be a lot of fun, but thanks to cutting-edge technology, you can use Bluetooth trackers to reduce stress and worry about your pet's whereabouts, especially if your pet doesn't have a microchip. can.
The Petcube GPS tracker is a location device that allows users to monitor their dog's location. The tracker fits in a silicone case that attaches to your dog's collar, and the device is also waterproof, with an LED light and buzzer that can be controlled through the Petcube app.
This GPS tracker also features activity monitoring that tracks your pet's calories burned, active time, and walking distance, all with historical data. When ZDNET's Maria Diaz tested her Petcube tracker on her own furry friends, she loved its innovation.
Also: Petcube is the most advanced GPS dog tracker I've tested
“I love that I always know exactly where my dog is, and that I can safely track my dog's footprints with Lost Pet Mode, a highly sensitive tracking mode that can be activated when I think my dog is lost. Your dog,” Diaz wrote in his review.
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automatic pet feeder
Whether you're always at home and can't feed your pet right away, or if you're away for a short period of time, or if you're like me and have a pet who doesn't know when to stop feeding for their own good. (My pet cat is a certified member of the chunky cat club), an automatic pet feeder is a smart upgrade that lets you get the most out of your smart pet setup and tackle several different problems at once. is.
You can program your Voluas cat feeder to feed the dish as many times as you have programmed, from 1 to 4 times a day. It also has an LED screen that displays the time and desired settings. The treats are dispensed into a stainless steel bowl, and the device can be plugged into an electrical outlet or run off-grid using three AA batteries.
Also: This automatic feeder is my cat's best friend
It also has another useful feature. You can record a voice calling out to your kitten to let him or her know that a treat has been dispensed. Additionally, the 6L size food (or treat) hopper holds 25.2 cups of grain, so it will last you a while if you use it as a food bowl on vacation.
When ZDNET's Jack Warren tested the pet feeder last year, he said his cat Oni “raised two legs.”
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pet camera
Whether you want to check on your pet while you're out, keep an eye on your pet's daily activities, or even play with your pet, there are plenty of top-rated pet cameras on the market that you can add. to your setup. Some of these interactive pet cameras even allow you to toss treats and talk to your pet while you're out and about.
Rocki is an interactive pet camera with a laser pointer, feather toy, camera, and treat dispenser. You can control it virtually via the free app to move it around the house and track your pet to keep it interested and entertained. Like an off-road vehicle, it handles rug-to-tile transitions and tile-to-cat scratching poles, allowing you to easily navigate a variety of surfaces.
review: Introducing Rocki, your robot companion
Other features include two-way audio that allows pets to track their owner's voice, night vision, and 8 hours of continuous battery life on a single charge.
When Moder tested Rocki, she and her cat loved it. “The app is easy to use, the robot moves around the house without a problem, and the attachments are fun and engaging for her furry friends,” she wrote.
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You may also need:
Listen, being a pet parent is a tough job, and depending on your furry friend, your lifestyle, and the needs of you and your pet, everyone can decide on a smart pet setup. It may look a little different. Here are some other items you might need when building your dream smart pet setup (we've tested them all and recommend them too).
