Category: Pets

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Pets

Romeow woos your Julipet with smartphone scheduled feedings

Leaving a pet alone at home for a few days isn’t only taxing on the animal, but stressful for the owner too. Cats and dogs hate to be put in kennels and it can be expensive to have someone feed and take care of pets several times a day.

Romeow is a smartphone-powered device that can feed and provide water for pets over Wi-Fi. When away, owners can use the wide angle camera to check out the bowls. If empty, a tap of a button will dispense the desired amount of food and water. In addition, the owner can schedule all feedings with the app’s calendar, so pet feeding is never a chore. Romeow also comes equipped with a speaker so you can coo at your pet from afar.

Romeow joins scores of other similar products like the Kittyo and PetPal, though it claims to be the first. While it does have a camera and speaker, it doesn’t come equipped with a laser to actually interact with the pet like other products do, though this feature does seem bit superfluous. This product also offers water dispensing unlike others. The Italian Romeow’s design sets it apart too, opting to go more retro/industrial chic rather than the futuristic spaceship look. One Romeow system complete with two bowls can be had by backers for €249 (~$310) by September 2015, if the campaign can meet its €80,000 (~$99,600) goal on Indiegogo.

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Pets

Catzenpup feeds dog or cat wet food, can’t replace an owner’s love though

There are lots of automatic pet feeders out there that feed your cat or dog when you’re not at home. However, must focus on dry food or only serve either dogs or cats, but not always both.

Catzenpup is a new device that automatically feeds your dog or cat when you’re away, but with wet food. Wet food is better for pets. Not only does it provide more nutrients, but it keeps them better hydrated as well. If owner isn’t around to feed Fido, then how are they supposed to give him water as well? To use, either schedule up to four feeding times per day or set a timer to dispense food every so often. Catzenpup is battery-operated and has a low battery indicator.

While this is a great idea because many pet owners simply can’t stay home all day, there are some flaws to this design. Similar products, like the PetPal use an accompanying smartphone app to dispense food when the owner chooses. A schedule is probably better for the pet’s health, but it’s still nice for owners to have the option to use their smartphones. In addition, this product, as well as others like the Kittyo, come equipped to interact with dog or cat as well for some fun play time. Last and probably least, Catzenpup isn’t very stylish, look like bulky medical equipment much unlike the similar PETLY.

Catzenpup has a ways to go before it can compete with the scads of similar automatic pet feeders out there. For one, backers will have to donate $89 for estimated delivery in June 2015. This product is hoping to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter.

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Pets Wearables

Arden Collar combines LEDs, GPS and Bluetooth to help find and identify lost pets

Pets have the tendency to wander off, much like children. When they do, they have a much harder time finding their way home. Not only that, but they run the risk of getting hit by a car or snatched up by some Cruella de Vil type. Once pets are gone, pet owners must resort to flyers which usually produce no results.

The Arden Collar works to keep your pet safe at all times. This silicone collar features a GPS tracker which hooks up via Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi to an app so that you can see where your pet is. In addition, with the help of NFC, those near the lost pet will be alerted to its missing status. The collar will display the pet’s information on their phones, including name and address as well as the vet’s name and address. This makes it possible for others to easily help Fido find home.

This collar isn’t only useful in times of emergency. With Hi-LED lights that can be activated at the push of a button, owners can walk their dogs at night with maximum visibility. Also, the collar tracks the dog’s activity, temperature and other vitals and stores the data in the cloud. This way, owner and vet can make sure the pet is healthy. For maximum convenience, Arden has a detachable battery to make charging possible without removing the whole collar.

The Arden Collar has lots of cool features that will make it useful to lots of dog owners. It takes GPS tracking a step further by giving strangers the opportunity to help. In addition, it monitors the dog’s health like a FitBit does for humans. The one major drawback of this product, however, is that it may cost up to $45 each month for the services it provides. For those who don’t mind the monthly bill, one will cost $149 for estimated delivery in October 2015. Arden is looking to raise a ridiculous $400,000 on Indiegogo.

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Connected Objects Pets

Pip pings pooches, passes on perpetuating perennial payments

One of our biggest worries concerning our four-legged friends is the possibility of them getting lost. Microchips work only 50% of the time, while Bluetooth trackers only function in a very limited range. Pip is combining a Bluetooth-capable receiver with a GPS and a CDMA radio in order to keep tabs on your pet’s paws no matter where they may wander off to.

Pip relieves the dread that comes along with a pet’s disappearance by simply being attached to a collar. It’s combination of utility interfaces with the PIP companion app to show a pet’s location with an accuracy of five feet. It also tracks activity as well, keeping you in the loop on the benefits of your pooch’s tail-chasing session. The device boasts a three month battery life because of its low-power mode when in safe areas, and with Kickstarter backers enjoying no fees for the lifetime of the product, Pip provides peace of mind outside of pet protection. International folk are out of luck though, due to its CDMA radio. In any case, Pip is going for a hefty $179 and is expected on doorsteps by June of 2015. The campaign is trying to raise $50,000 by mid-December 2014.

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Connected Objects Pets

Mousr robotic mouse prepares cats to ignore robot apocalypse

The extent to which pet owners go out of their way to ensure their pet is comfortable and entertained in the face of eight or more hours of being alone at home is impressive. Every year, the industry innovates new toys and tech to keep tails wagging and paws pawing. Usually, though, dogs get all the fun stuff, like dispensers that challenge them with puzzles for treats. Cats haven’t had much luck, until now.

Mousr is exactly what a cat owner is looking for. The jury is still out on the cat itself, but from the videos posted on the campaign site, it looks like this miniature robotic mouse is nothing but a good time. Mousr has been engineered with the idea of reacting to a cat’s movements rather than forcing a cat to react, thereby engaging the feline’s predatory instincts. Most importantly, it constantly challenges the cat through its continuous learning, so no two hunting escapades are the same. Interchangeable tails give your feline friend different targets and keeps their interest piqued, and a Bluetooth LE compatible smartphone app will even let an owner get in on the furry fun, just make sure you don’t have a really thick carpet as Mousr probably won’t work too well when it’s stuck. The Mousr unit costs $140 with an estimated delivery date of October 2015. The campaign is looking for $100,000 to get this out to all those crazy cat owners everywhere.

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Home Pets

Feed-n-See Holder invites hummingbirds to stay, keeps ants away

Watching hummingbirds enjoy nectar from a feeder can be a great way to wake up if one is an early riser, or a wonderful way to relax as the day comes to a close. Though they usually prefer natural nectar, they can be drawn by a feeder such as the Feed-n-See Holder. Moats around the nectar keep ants away, and a plant below the feeder can catch any nectar that falls and also get the benefit of bird droppings to keep the plant fertilized. The feeder is made of UV resistant nylon plastic and can be attached to a post or tree using zip ties, or screwed to a house outside of the kitchen window for easy refilling and enjoyment of watching the hummingbirds come to visit.

Though this product offers the option of a single or double feeder, hummingbirds are usually territorial. So if the idea is to attract more than one bird, it’s best to have the feeders out of sight of one another. This campaign seeks to raise $125,000 by December 19, 2014. For $25, backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Pets

Automatic cat groomer puts a toy mouse to good clean work

Just as exercise is good for people, it’s also good for cats. And what better way to get them exercising than to get them wrapped up in a toy? The Automatic Kitty Groomer helps keep kitty healthy and pretty.  Pet lovers can give their furry friend the thrill of the hunt with a mouse toy and track that functions using magnets and a low voltage transformer, similar to what would power a child’s toy. This item does double duty because it also offers an automatic rotating brush that is ‘purrrfectly’ delightful when it’s time for kitty to settle down for another cat nap. The freestanding brush switches directions at pre-set intervals, and also has an automatic shut-off.

Most cats are independent enough that they will find their own forms of entertainment and relaxation, but this product may be especially helpful to busier pet owners. This campaign seeks to raise $120,000 by January 15, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $99 with an expected delivery of June 2015.

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Pets

All Ready Leash hides neatly in a collar, won’t walk dog for you

Does anyone know where the dog leash is? A leash can get misplaced almost as easily as car keys on those days when families are especially busy. But even on those days, Fido still needs to be able to get out of the house for a while. So in an effort to make life easier, All Ready Leash just combines a leash and collar into one item. All Ready Leash only weighs 1.75 ounces and expands up to five feet. It can be used as a regular non-choke collar or slip collar.

Though it only fits dogs that are 15 pounds and up right now, there is one in the works for smaller dogs. Backers interested in the newest inventions in leashes may also want to check out the LeashMate campaign and Watchdog light up leash campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $4,000 by December 2014. For $18, backers get one leash with an expected delivery of December 2014.

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Home Pets

Ecofarm puts your lazy fish to work creating aquaponic herbs

Fresh herbs make for some of the tastiest home cooked meals. There’s just a more robust flavor that comes from something that is home grown rather than something store bought.

While most herb gardens can seem like a lot of work, Ecofarm is introducing one that requires minimal work, as long as one doesn’t mind that fish excrement is the fertilizer keeping the herbs healthy and growing. Perhaps the concept isn’t much different than fertilizing a vegetable garden with manure. Just as the cows have to be fed, this herb garden requires the user to keep the fish fed. The tank is self-cleaning because the plants work as a natural filter and clean the water.

Besides herbs, Ecofarm is also able to grow mini tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries. The dimensions of the tank are not stated, but it is touted as being “minimalist” in its size; something that could easily fit on a kitchen counter. It doesn’t clearly indicate how many fish are ideal in the tank, and whether or not more fish are required for herb gardens with small veggies or not.

This product certainly has appeal to those who are concerned about GMO foods, and also those who see cooking as a hobby and enjoy gardening. While a great concept, Ecofarm joins scores of other similar mini eco-system fish tanks like the Avo. This campaign seeks to raise €30,000 (~$37,200) by December 25, 2014. For €60 (~$75), backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Pets

Zumby becomes a weapon in the war on dog breath

Dogs have bad breath, though research shows their mouths are cleaner than ours. Ew. Even so, dogs still get gum disease, just like humans do. Regular brushing can prevent this, but it’s unlikely that owners will get a chance to brush their dog’s teeth everyday. Playing around, however, is another matter. That’s why the folks at Zumby have created a toy that not only entertains your dog, but cleans their teeth as well. Using vague-sounding micro-current technology, harmful bacteria is killed all without the dog knowing.

According to the campaign, this technology works on humans as well. It begs the question: why aren’t the Zumby people making a human version? Still, this clever product is great for dog lovers who can’t bear to watch their pooches suffer. One Zumby will set backers back $50 for delivery in April 2015. This product is looking to met a $35,000 goal on Indiegogo.