3 apps that let you play with your pets even when you’re away

September 4, 2017

By Kim Komando

All pet owners know that painful feeling of having to leave your furry friend at home while you go to work or even out for just an hour or two.

Although we like to talk about how much our pets miss us when we’re gone, the truth is that we miss them just as much, if not more.

If you’ve ever been sitting at work wishing you could call up your companion to see how they’re doing, these three apps are perfect for you and your furry best friend.

1. Furbo Dog Camera

The Furbo Dog Camera is a smart camera that works with both iPhones and Android phones. It has several features that let you keep tabs on your dogs and interact with them when you’re not home.

Created by Tomofun, Furbo’s HD camera with night vision mode lets you check in on and talk to your dog any time from your phone. It also features a bark alert that lets you know when your dog is making a lot of noise, so you can reach out and calm him or her down.

Furbo also has a treat dispenser, so you can give your dog a snack during the day or keep up with training your pet even when you’re not home. You can also record video from the device, so you can capture any especially noteworthy moments and share them on social media.

The Furbo app is available as a free download for both Apple and Android users. However, you will need to purchase the camera for it to work. The camera will be officially released in September, but you can pre-order yours now for $200. That’s $50 less than the price it will be once it hits shelves.

2. Petnet

In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to keep track of whether you’re giving your pets the right amount of food to keep them happy and healthy. Petnet’s smart solutions keep track of that for you and can even take over feeding responsibilities.

If you need to feed your pet at certain times each day, the SmartFeeder (Amazon, $119) is the solution for you. It can hold up to seven pounds of food that it dispenses throughout the day based on your pet’s weight, age, activity level and feeding schedule. It will even send you alerts every time your pet gets fed.

If your pet is more of a grazer, check out the SmartBowl (Amazon, $50). You simply fill up the bowl, and it will alert you when food is getting low. It’s also an easy way to keep track of how much your pet is eating. Plus, both the SmartFeeder and SmartBowl integrate with other smart home products like Amazon’s Alexa or Nest.

3. Dog Monitor App

If you want to check in with your pet when you’re away without purchasing an expensive smart camera, try the Dog Monitor app (Apple, $5.99 | Android, $5.99). All you have to do is download the app on your phone and then use a tablet, laptop or another device as the monitor.

Dog Monitor lets you view live video of your dog, talk to your dog from your phone and record commands you can play for your pet without actually having to talk into your phone. It also alerts you when there’s a lot of loud noise and lets multiple users view the feed at the same time.

This app has a lot of the same features as many of the smart pet monitors but offers a more affordable option by allowing you to use the devices you already have as the camera.

Tip within a tip: Want to have some more fun with your dog? Click here for some smart gadgets all pets and pet owners will love. 

Bonus: Whistle

The Whistle tracking device and app (Apple, Free | Android, Free) allows you to keep tabs on what your pets are up to when you’re not around. Just attach the device to your pet’s collar, connect it to Wi-Fi, download the app and start tracking.

With the Whistle app, you can see your dog’s location at all times. It also allows you to set “safe places” and will alert you any time your pet leaves those areas. That way, you’ll be notified as soon as your pet escapes from the yard.

The device also tracks your pet’s activity throughout the day. Based on that information, as well as their age, weight and breed, the app will provide you with recommendations for how long of a walk you should give them.

Note: It’s free to download the Whistle app, but you will need to buy the collar attachment. Click here to get the Whistle Tracker for $65.00 on Amazon.

Nobody likes to leave their pets home alone. Thanks to modern technology, you can do so with more peace of mind, check in with them throughout the day and feel more connected to your pet, no matter where you are.

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