New Trend Takes Your Pet High Tech
By: Megan Dobbs
Updated: September 11, 2011
It is no secret that we love our animals, and these days there are some prettycool new products on the market to keep those pets entertained and in touch.
Pet owner, Barbara Babikian, takes care of her animal like it was her own child.
"I don't have children so Lille is like a child, fur child," says Babikian.
Like real kids, Babikian's pets can be expensive.
"I spend usually about three to 500 a month," says Babikian.
That's right, 300-500 dollars, a month! Pet trend and lifestyle expert Charlotte Reed explains it's part of paying them back.
"They're someone who worships and adores you and that's a great feeling. You want to do anything you can," says Reed.
Reed has a run-through of some of the coolest products on the market for your pets these days, starting with something to soothe their stress.
" The world's first sound system for pets. It adjusts the levels for treble and bass, so it's a soothing for your pet," say Reed.
There's other high tech stuff, too.
"You might purchase an iPhone for your cat and he'll play with one of the phone apps called 'Cat Toy' or you'll see puppy tweets where your animals moving around and tweeting you during the day while you're at the office," adds Reed.
Aiming to fine-tune your animal's intelligence?
"There's a lot of games that promote spending time with your pet and bringing out his natural instincts. A lot of games where you'll hide a treat, great for intelligence but great for bringing out foraging instincts," says Reed.
Some will get them up and moving, which helps fight that obesity issue plaguing so many pets these days. There are products to help with that, too.
"Bowls which kind of regulate the feeding," says Reed.
Tired of throwing your cash into kitty litter? You can try to potty train your pet.
"There's a tray very similar to the surface of the litter box, so he'll jump on the seat and you'll gradually move the tray away," adds Reed.
It's eco-friendly, too, along with other options.
"We're seeing harnesses and sweaters and coats made out of plastic, recycled water bottles. We're seeing beds now that are actually made so that you can take old clothing and stuff them inside the shell for dog bed," says Reed.
The cool part about that?
"When you stick your clothes in here, more or less your dog will be able to smell you," says Reed.
A comfort for animals like Lille.
"It's nice to come home and get the comfort and relaxation from just a dog coming up and sitting on my lap and just comforting you, my own special therapy dog," concludes Babikian.
There are also several new products on the market to help with your home and eliminating stains and hair shedding. There's even a furniture line called "Slobproof" that claims to be impervious to stains and spills.
