There are so many new technologies these days to make pet ownership easier on us, keeping your pets safe or entertained. There are so many more on the market, but I wanted to keep my picks to under £200 so you won’t have to loosen the purse strings too far. Here are 5 of the best, clever pet products that will keep you and your pets happy.
1. Smart Cat Flaps
Cat flaps that are able to recognise your own cat’s microchip are the perfect piece of technology if you are worried about strange cats entering your home.
This Microchip Cat Flap from PetSafe® identifies the microchip of your cat using radio frequency technology so that only they may enter your house. Don’t worry if you have a number of cats either, as this cat flap allows you to sync the microchip data of up to 40 cats! It is even fitted with a night mode that only allows your cats to come in at night so they can stay safely inside your house until daylight. The PetSafe® Microchip Cat Flap comes in either white or brown, is easy to install into wood, PVC, uPVC, or metal doors and has a built-in draught excluder. It will also tell you when its batteries are low, although they will typically last for a year before they need replacing.
This cat flap is perfect for all you tech-lovers out there. The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap Connect uses modern technology to allow you to control your cat flap from anywhere, using an app on your smartphone. All you do is connect the fun shaped hub to a network port on your router and then the cat flap will send notifications to your phone whenever your cat leaves or re-enters your home so you can keep track of their whereabouts. If you’re out of the house and you’d rather your cat stays in, or out, you can lock the cat flap via the app. And of course, it has the microchip identifying technology as well to stop unwelcome visitors. This even allows you to set up the cat flap for different cats if you need to, so one cat can go out, but it will prevent another from doing so.
2. Pet Cooling Mat
On those summer days when we actually get some hot weather, it is important to keep your dog cool, especially after time outside. Many dogs can overheat (my Bedlington Whippet certainly does!) and it takes them a long time to cool down unaided. A cooling mat is a really good way to cool a hot dog and they can use it whenever they need to, they don’t even need to be refrigerated!
This Cooling Mat contains a non-toxic gel that works to absorb the body heat of your pet, which then evaporates from the uncovered parts of the mat. The PETIC Cooling Mat is easy to wipe clean with water and can be placed wherever you want, whether in a dog bed, crate, just on the floor, or outside the home.
Also containing a non-toxic gel the Scruffs® Cool Mat will stay 5-10˚C cooler than the temperature of the room and will keep your pet cool for up to an hour. After this time, the cool mat should be left for an hour, unused, to ‘reset’ itself. It comes in sizes ranging from Small to X-Large so is the perfect choice for any hot dog.
3. FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool
Prices start at around £15 (vary by size)
If you find yourself vacuuming daily just to get rid of pet hair, you should try the Undercoat deShedding Tool from FURminator. The comb is made of stainless steel to remove any loose hairs in the undercoat, while the skin guard and curved edges ensures comfort and protection to your pet. It is also easy to clean out, with the handy FURejector button, and will generally leave your pet looking beautiful. The deShedding Tool comes in various sizes depending on the size of your dog or cat and the length of their hair.
4. Tracking Devices
We all worry about our pets running off somewhere that we cannot find them, especially if they might be in danger. Tracking devices can put your mind at ease.
Tractive GPS Pet Tracker - £44.99 + subscription fees
The Tractive GPS Pet Tracker is available for both cats and dogs, you just need to attach it to your pet’s collar. Fully waterproof, this GPS tracker allows you to see the location of your pet, in relation to yours, and you can even live track your pet so you can see a trace of exactly where they have been. You can even set up a ‘safe area’ for your pet, and the app on your smartphone will alert you straight away if your pet leaves this space. Once you get your tracking device, you simply choose a subscription plan starting at £3.33 per month, and download the free app, then you are all ready to track your furry friend.
Tabcat is a tracker that uses radio frequency (RF) technology to track your cat. It doesn’t allow you to see a live location but it uses a light system to tell you when you are getting near your cat. This RF technology is even more accurate than GPS so you won’t be wondering around for hours heading in all directions just to find your cat. The pack comes with trackers for 2 cats and weighs only 6g so your cat will probably not even notice it on their collar. It also has a ‘recall’ button, although we all know how stubborn cats are, so this might not work for everyone!
5. PetSafe® FroliCat Laser Toys
We all know how much cats love to chase lasers around the room. Well, these laser toys from PetSafe® will keep your cats entertained for hours. They are super affordable and will keep your cat active, both physically and mentally. Fitted with built-in timers, these toys will turn off automatically after 10 to 15 minutes of play time to conserve battery, or if your cat wants to play for longer it can be used manually.
[All prices are correct as of date of publication, and all products are available from alternative retailers.]
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