Top Gadgets For Pet Lovers

Credit: Jay Wennington (Unsplash)

Owning a pet in the 21st century has many perks and one of those is the amount of fun and interesting pet gadgets that are now available. Whether these gadgets are providing us with entertainment or helping us to support our companions to live healthier lives; pet gadgets are an exciting addition to our homes.

At Canagan, we’re not only grain-free pet experts but we all share our homes with our own companions and many of us come from a background of working in pet shops. With this experience in mind, we thought we would share our favourite pet gadgets with you all; so, you could try them for yourselves – enjoy!

HOME DOG CAMERA

Ever wondered what your dog gets up to when you’re not home? Well, thanks to modern technology we can now check in on our favourite companions whenever the time suits.

These nifty cameras come in useful if you have health concerns for your pets and want to keep an eye on them when you’re not able to be home or have popped out; some cameras even allow you to interact with your friends, even going so far as to throw them a treat.

Whether you’re thinking about purchasing a camera for health reasons or to find the culprit behind the great mystery that is the de-potting of your favourite flowers, this gadget is every nosey dog owner’s friend.

Advantages

• Health and behavioural monitoring
• Interaction to help with anxiety and your own amusement (of course)
• Good for frequent travellers or if you’re away a lot
• It’s fun and a comfort to children

Disadvantages

• Could be more distressing for your hound if they can’t find your voice. If you notice this behaviour, we advise not using the interactive benefit

By Vivint

PET WATER FOUNTAIN

Enticing our companions to drink more can be an exhausting experience, and a worrying one too if our pets are falling ill to their dehydration. Cats especially love running water, which is why you may find them enjoying a sip from the tap.

This fondness is beneficial when it comes to their drinking habits; if your feline doesn’t drink enough – we certainly recommend trialling a water fountain in your home.

Advantages

• Cooler, fresher water encourages your pet to drink more
• The water circulation can help prevent bacteria build-up, unlike bowls
• Water fountains will keep the water temperature down slightly, encourage our friends to drink
• The filtration helps to remove impurities from tap water which can improve the taste and smell, once again encouraging drinking
• Our pets may enjoy the height that the fountain can provide, rather than drinking from a low bowl
• Purrfect for pets who suffer urinary tract issues
• Water fountains can typically hold more water than our bowl

Disadvantages

• Some cats may not enjoy the sound of the fountain, so look for a quieter version if you’re concerned
• Ceramic or steel bowls tend to attract less bacteria, so do keep your fountain clean. Be sure to pick one that can come apart easily for your convenience

ANXIETY JACKET

Created for dogs who suffer from anxieties due to their surroundings. Fireworks, busy places, and even the postman are just a few reasons why our companions might get anxious. Symptoms can include shaking, barking even through to aggressive behaviour, which can make our friends very unhappy and worse, ill.

Anxiety jackets have grown in popularity across the world, working with the very simple solution of applying gentle-pressure and providing the feeling of a ‘hug’ which calms an anxious pet’s nervous system. If this works for your pet, it could make a huge difference to both of your lives.

Advantages

• It’s natural – no drugs are required with this method of calming
• You should be able to find the right fit for your dog as these jackets come in different sizes and makes
• It may not be cheap to buy, but it is a one-time purchase and if it works, that’s priceless!
• These jackets are easy to wash and to put onto your dog (even in a hurry)

Disadvantages

• On the rare occasion, the jacket could cause rubbing and discomfort to your friend. If it does, contact the supplier to check for advice
• It may not work straight away; it could take time and with that a little training and encouragement – don’t give up at the first hurdle. Go slow, and allow your friend time to adjust to it
• Your dog could get too hot, it will require good owner practise to ensure the health of your companion when they’re wearing their jacket

By Thundershirt

MINI DOG SHOWER (PORTABLE)

If your dog has a fear of bath-time or you find washing your dog a misery, then a dog shower may be the answer to all your fears. Perfect to take with you on the go or prepped in your garden; dog showers come in all different shapes and sizes to suit. We personally love the handiness of a pet shower after muddy walkies!

Advantages

• Easy peasy cleaning for our dogs, to use in our garden or for portable use after walkies at the car
• Use warm or cold water and even mix in your shampoo or a pre-made solution by your chosen dog shower’s company
• If you have a disability or physical limitation, this may help rather than leaning over the bathtub
• Could lower your water bills, by using less water than your hose pipe
• Helps to keep your furniture clean and your house in tip-top condition

Disadvantages

• May not suit every dog and could cause anxiety or fear, so please watch their behaviour and don’t force your dog to do something that makes them frightened
• Some showers might not suit your dog’s coat, size or breed - it’s worth doing your research first
• Not all shower systems are created equal. Our advice? read the reviews!

CAT SHELF

It’s no secret that cats enjoy exploring, jumping and seeking out heights. A simple solution to your cat’s thrill-seeking ways is to install a shelf (or two). Your cat may find joy out of sitting up high whilst peering out of the window, or perhaps it will provide a safe place to snooze from the dogs and the kids. Either way, your cat will thank you for it!

Advantages

• Rather simple to construct and to include into your home’s décor
• Enjoyable and anxiety reducing past time for your feline, especially if you’re residing in a flat or apartment

Disadvantages

• Always take care when putting up shelves, and ensure that your wall is strong enough to hold the shelf’s weight and that of your cat
• So much fun, your cat may demand more shelves!

We hope that you have enjoyed learning about our favourite products that are currently on the market. Please be aware that our pets are individuals and whilst one product might work successfully for one pet owner, it may not for another so always keep an open mind when trying something new.

These views and recommendations are our own.