Revealed: The smart gadgets that help you take better care of your pets
Latest devices can track fitness, prevent dogs and cats from getting lost and keep an eye on animals while their owners are out of the house
A hard life was once commonly called “a dog’s life”, but today’s pets have changed that definition. And in Hong Kong, there are more young couples and small families who adopt pets and treat them as an important member of the household.
Vada Chung, owner of the local pet store Whiskers N Paws, says: “It is now common for families with toddlers and children to share how much the family pet means to their children, how special their relationships are and the positive effect it has on children and family as a whole.”
As pets become an integral part of the family, research firm Euromonitor International reports that there was a “humanisation” trend last year in which pet owners want their pooches to get products and services closely modelled after ones that they enjoy.
With the pet-care business booming, tech companies are now jumping in. Chung has seen a wide variety of innovations, from auto-feeders to self-cleaning cat litter trays. With smart technology becoming such an important part of our lives, why not let it help take care of our pets?
While these gadgets are not intended to replace humans in caring for animals, “most of them are aimed at improving a pet family’s lifestyle”, Chung says.
