The love of a pet is one of things that keeps Canadians warm during the coldest of winters, so it’s no surprise that we’re willing to do just about anything to make our dogs and cats happy. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some great gear and tail-wagging tech to keep Fluffy and Fido entertained, secure and well ahead of the pack.
1. FroliCat POUNCE
US$31, petsafe.com
Even the most laid-back cats will enjoy the spontaneity of Marshall Maus as he plays hide and seek around the circular track of POUNCE. The mouse zips forward and back between hiding spots, providing your cat(s) with the thrill of the hunt. Choose from four speeds with an automatic shut-off after ten fur-flying minutes.
2. Whistle Activity Monitor
US$130, whistle.com
Want to know what your dog’s been up to all day? Simply clip the 1.5″ Whistle onto your pet’s collar and it sends data based on Spot’s movements to your smartphone. Gain insight into your dog’s routine and share these moments with friends and family, or even your vet if something out of the norm occurs.
3. Double Wave Cat Shelf
From $225, cloud9cattrees.com
Crafted in Maple, Ont., the Double Wave can be mounted on a wall or to the side of a window to provide multiple cats with cozy curves to snuggle in or watch the world go by. Single-cat owners can opt for the Single Wave, and ambitious cat owners may want to check out Cloud 9 Cat Tree’s gallery of Fantasy Trees for that Lord of the Rings effect.
4. EYENIMAL Pet Video Camera
US $100, dogtek.com
Want to see the world through your pet’s eyes? The EYENIMAL pet video camera – the first specifically designed to be worn on pet collars – captures up to 2.5 hours of what your dog or cat experiences. Featuring an autofocus CMOS sensor with automatic light adjustment, a built-in microphone and 640 x 480 image resolution, your YouTube channel will never be the same. A night-vision version is also available.
5. The Best Automatic Cat Litter Box
US$400, hammacher.com
Leave it to the gang at the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute to find a way to make cleaning the litter box cool and hands-free! Shaped like a spaceship, the Best Automatic Cat Litter Box starts to work within seven minutes of Mittens using the loo, and deploys a pet-safe system to deposit waste and spent litter into the base of the unit for easy disposal.
6. Passport Pet Door
From US$230, petsafe.com
Enjoy the convenience of a doggy (or kitty) door with the peace of mind of a secure, monitored entryway. The Passport™ Pet Door is unlocked by a radio-frequency ID tag worn on your pet’s collar – and then locks once your pet is out of range – to prevent other pets, wild animals or strays from entering your home. Program the door for up to 20 pets, and use the 5-button LCD panel to customize each pet’s access.
7. PiP My Pet App
Free, iPhone
A new way to speed up the return of a lost pet, the PiP My Pet App combines a photographic database and facial-recognition technology to help identify lost and found pets. Once a pet is registered in the PiP system, the pet’s features and photos are stored for easy retrieval. Images of found pets can be uploaded to the system and analyzed by the team, and if a match is found the owner is immediately notified. The app can also be used to issue a Pet Amber Alert to local animal rescue agencies, veterinarians, social-media outlets and other app subscribers within the area.