3. Clever Pet Gadgets That Make Life Easier
Our pets have an extraordinary ability to organise our lives, and a few clever pet gadgets can help us cope much better.
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They know exactly when dinner should be served, when the water bowl isn’t quite up to standard and, apparently, when you’ve just sat down with a cup of tea and therefore urgently need to get up again.
And while I wouldn’t swap any of that for the world, there are days when life gets busy. You get home later than expected, you’re trying to do six things at once, or you simply find yourself wondering what on earth they’re getting up to while you’re out.
That’s where a few clever pet gadgets can genuinely be useful.
Not gadgets for the sake of gadgets, and certainly nothing intended to replace the attention and care our pets need. These are simply three practical bits of technology that can make everyday pet routines a little easier.
And if they save us from one accusing stare across an empty food bowl, so much the better.
1. You’re Running Late — But Dinner Isn’t
There are clocks, atomic clocks… and then there is a pet’s stomach.
You may think dinner is at approximately 5pm.
Your cat or dog knows it is at 5pm precisely, and at 5:02 you’ve clearly abandoned them to a terrible fate.
An automatic pet feeder can be surprisingly useful for keeping feeding times consistent, particularly on those days when work, appointments or traffic interfere with your plans.
The 8L Automatic Cat & Dog Feeder with Timer we’ve chosen allows dry food to be dispensed on a schedule, so meals don’t necessarily have to depend on somebody being beside the food bowl at exactly the right moment.
Why I like the idea
For me, the attraction isn’t about feeding a pet and disappearing for days.
It’s about routine.
If your pet expects breakfast ridiculously early, needs meals at regular times, or you’re occasionally delayed getting home, an automatic feeder can take some of the pressure off.
It may also help remove one of those daily negotiations in which your pet insists nobody has fed them despite several witnesses confirming otherwise.
Cats, in particular, appear to have legal training in this area.
One important proviso
An automatic feeder is a convenience tool, not an automatic pet sitter.
If you’re away from home for an extended period, pets still need appropriate human care, company, exercise and someone checking that everything is working as it should.
Think of the feeder as a helpful extra pair of hands — not your replacement.
2. The Water Bowl Problem
You fill the water bowl with lovely fresh water.
Your pet takes one look at your offering and walks away as though you’ve presented them with something dredged from a swamp.
Five minutes later, they’re attempting to drink from somewhere considerably less appealing.
Sound familiar?
Some cats and dogs prefer moving water, which is one reason pet drinking fountains have become so popular.
Our second gadget is a 7L stainless-steel pet water fountain, designed to provide a large-capacity source of circulating drinking water.
Why it could be useful
The generous capacity is one of the things that caught my eye, particularly for larger pets or multi-pet households.
I also like stainless steel for something that’s going to be sitting in the kitchen or utility room every day. It looks smart and, importantly, the parts that come into contact with the water need to be straightforward to keep clean.
A fountain still needs regular cleaning, fresh water and whatever filter maintenance the manufacturer recommends — this isn’t another fill it once and forget about it gadget.
But for pets that seem much more interested in moving water than the bowl you’ve lovingly provided, it’s an interesting option.
And anything that encourages good access to drinking water earns a place on my useful-pet-gadget list.
3. What ARE They Doing While You’re Out?
This is the dangerous one.
Not dangerous for the pet.
Dangerous for you.
Because once you’ve discovered that you can check what they’re doing while you’re away from home, you may find it remarkably difficult not to look.
I always imagine pets spending our absence gazing mournfully at the front door, counting the minutes until their beloved human returns.
The reality is probably rather different.
They’re asleep.
Or they’re upside down on the sofa.
And gleefully sitting somewhere they’re absolutely not allowed to.
They’re staring directly into the camera with an expression that suggests they know perfectly well you’re watching.
For this job, we’ve chosen the Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen).
Although it’s an indoor security camera rather than a dedicated pet camera, its Live View and two-way talk features make it useful for checking what’s happening at home — pets included.
Why I particularly like this one
It’s a gadget that doesn’t have to be only about the pet.
You can use an indoor camera as part of your general home setup while also being able to have a quick look at your furry family member when you’re away.
The two-way talk feature is interesting too, although I’d use that with a little common sense. Some pets may find a disembodied human voice perfectly normal; others may wonder why you’ve apparently become trapped inside a small plastic box.
The Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) also has a manual privacy cover, which I particularly like for an indoor camera. When you want privacy, you can physically cover the camera and microphone.
Some additional Ring features require a subscription, so I’d always check exactly what’s included before buying rather than assuming every advertised feature works without one.
Do We Really Need More Pet Technology?
No.
Our pets managed perfectly well before Wi-Fi entered their lives.
But that’s not really the point.
The best clever pet gadgets aren’t there to turn pet ownership into an automated process. They’re there to solve small, everyday problems.
An automatic feeder can help maintain a routine.
A water fountain can provide another way for pets to access fresh drinking water.
An indoor camera can give you a window into what’s happening at home while you’re elsewhere.
None replaces feeding, walking, playing, cuddling, cleaning, caring or simply being there.
They’re helpers.
And that’s exactly the sort of gadget I like — something that earns its place by making ordinary life just that little bit easier.
Which Would I Choose First?
If I were choosing purely on everyday usefulness, I’d think about the problem I actually wanted to solve.
Frequently late at feeding time? The automatic feeder would be my starting point.
A pet who’s decidedly unimpressed by their water bowl? I’d investigate the fountain.
Spend time away from home wondering what they’re doing? The indoor camera is probably going to tempt you.
Although be warned.
You may buy the camera to check on the dog…
…and discover you’ve actually purchased a very expensive livestream of someone sleeping for six hours.
Still, at least you’ll know they’re comfortable.
Tips on keeping your pets comfortable during warmer weather – how-to-keep-your-dog-cool in warm weather
Vet approved ways to stop your pet from overheating https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/summer-hazards-for-pets
