If there’s a pet owner on your list who treats their precious pup or cute kitty as a member of the family, chances are there’s a stocking for the pet hung on the mantle. They might even wrap a few gifts under the tree for their furry friend, too. Why not add to the fun by getting them a gift for their favourite pet?
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2
A great way to keep tabs on a dog or cat that tends to roam, the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is the latest version of the company’s tracker. It’s designed to be used with valuables, like a gym bag, briefcase, headphones case, keys, and more. But you can attach one to your pet’s collar, too. A new Compass View feature provides arrows to indicate the direction and distance of the tag in relation to you as you search for it, or rather, your runaway pet. This mode is available on any UWB-supported Galaxy smartphone, such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra2. The SmartThings Find app has also been upgraded with a full screen map view and more intuitive interface, making the experience more seamless. Along with longer battery life, there’s also a new power saving mode, which allows the battery to last for up to 700 days, more than twice as long as previous Galaxy SmartTag models. In normal mode, meanwhile, the battery life has been extended to 500 days, which marks a 50% increase compared to the previous generation models. With a new compact size and ring-shaped design, the large loop enhances product durability by using metal on the inside of the ring for greater resilience that can support accessories like clips and keyrings, as well as dog and cat collars. It’s IP67 water- and dust-resistant, so even if your pup is lost in the rain, you can find them. The maximum Bluetooth range is 120 meters, more than enough to find your kitty in the neighbour’s yard, too. You can find one for about $40.
Petcube 360 Cam
A new camera in the growing Petcube line, the Petcube 360 Cam offers full 360° pan-tilt rotation, which can cover more ground for pets that move around a lot. At US$42, there’s also a new privacy mode that will rotate the camera all the way down to shut off view. Trigger it from anywhere using the app, without needing to manually unplug the camera. It captures 1,080p video, two-way audio, and night vision, and can distinguish between pets and humans. The wide-angle camera, meanwhile, captures more footage in the screen at any given time.
Levoit EverestAir Smart Air Purifier
Pets mean pet dander and especially for owners with allergies, it’s important to help clean the air in the home of this allergen. An air purifier is the perfect gift in this respect, and the Levoit EverestAir smart air purifier is a cool, high-tech option. It has an advanced three-channel laser dust sensor with PM1.0 PM2.5, and PM10 readings, adjustable vent angles, and smart controls. The three-stage filtration processor helps clean the air of particles like dust, smoke, pollen, and, of course pet dander, as well as odours, fumes, smoke, and VOCs. It works in rooms up to 558 square feet in size and runs quietly thanks to QuietKEAP technology that keeps noise levels as low as 24dB. Use the free VeSync app to control settings, check the filter life, receive real-time air quality updates, and more. You can even connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control it by voice. Selling for US$500, a pet owner will love this gift more than you know.
Petcube Play 2
This adorable device is both a camera and an electronic toy is available for US$80. What is it? A controllable laser toy to keep pets like cats fully entertained when you aren’t home. This is a re-launch since the product was previously available and is now making a return to the line. Get a 110° field-of-view of your pet while you’re away at the office and also talk to them. Help ease separation anxiety by using the laser toy to play with them remotely as well. It offers a wide-angle view, two-way audio, and even has the option to connect to licensed veterinarians through the app. Get real-time alerts about events, including barking or meowing, and enjoy seeing what your pet is up to via motion alerts. You can save 30-second clips of your pet in the cloud, protected by 256-bi AES encryption. The cube design fits just about anywhere, and it’s made of aluminum and hard plastic. Get it on sale for about US$80.
Tavo Maeve Travel System
For pet parents who travel with their furry friends, the Tavo Maeve is a 3-in-1 travel system that benchmarks against the latest United Nations ECE child restraint standards. It uses R129 velocity and performance criteria as a testing model in dynamic crash testing facilities. Featuring tech memory foam, the pet carrier absorbs and disperses energy, which creates a comfortable and secure space for the pet while you travel. It comes in both small and medium sizes, with the medium size featuring rigid handles so it’s easy to carry while housing heavy pets. It comes in five colour options as well: Onyx, Fawn, Merle, Sable, and Brindle. Want a stroller, too? You can colour-co-ordinate with the same finishes, accented with vegan leather in black, cognac, or chocolate. MSRP is US$700 to US $1,100 depending on the model chosen.
Tractive CAT Mini GPS Tracker for Cats
Some people let their cats roam around the neighbourhood, confident they know their way home and will remain safe, especially if it’s a low-traffic residential street. Sometimes, cats also get out and love to run. For those with outdoor cats, the Tractive CAT Mini GPS tracker, which sells for US$70, allows pet owners to watch their kitties in real time using the live mode. Set up virtual fences and receive a notification if the cat wanders outside of a specified area. The location feature is also fun so you can see a history of where the cat has been. Plus, you can monitor your cat’s sleep (really!) and activity to determine if they are getting enough exercise. Your cat will even get an overall wellness score. The waterproof device, which attaches to the cat collar, is a lightweight 25g and fits any adult cat, works with an app for iOS and Android devices. It does require a subscription. The basic subscription is US$10/mo., billed at US$120 annually or lock in for two years to save and pay US$7/mo. or US$168 every 24 months.
SimpliSafe Smart Lock
The SimpliSafe Smart Lock is a great option to have in your home, in general. But for pet owners, it’s a useful way to allow remote entry to people like a dog walker or someone who’s house sitting and caring for your cat while you’re away. At US$120, you can easily lock and unlock your home remotely. You can also create unique access codes for certain people, like the dog walker. The lock has a numeric PIN pad and can even be set to lock on a timer in case you forget to do so after leaving the house to head out on vacation. If someone enters the wrong PIN, it will automatically lock for 30 minutes after 15 failed attempts. If you opt for a monitoring plan, you’ll also be notified and police can be dispatched if necessary. You’ll also receive alerts every time someone locks or unlocks the door. In addition to the PN pad, the door can also be unlocked using a key fob or the smartphone app, and even by voice if you sync it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Whimzees Winter Shapes All Natural Daily Dental Treats for Dogs
OK, so these treats have nothing to do with tech, but they are far too adorable not to include as a cool gift idea for pet owners. Designed for dogs, they are holiday-shaped, all-natural daily dental treats. They are shaped like snowmen and Christmas trees that will put your pup in the holiday spirit while also rewarding them and cleaning their teeth at the same time. Help your furry friend reduce plaque and tartar as they chew and get much better smelling breath for those holiday smooches. Each treat is made of a mix of potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose, lecithin, dried yeast, malt extract, sweet lupin meal, and paprika extract. There are small and medium sized treats, and they are suitable for dogs nine months of age and older and at least 5 pounds in weight.
DeluPet Dog Training Collar
Not everyone approves of shock collars for dogs, but for some, they are a viable option for training, especially larger, wilder dogs that could potentially cause harm to innocent bystanders. The DeluPet Dog Training Collar comes with a remote that works from up to 1,600 feet away and the collar itself is rechargeable. There are three training modes – beep, vibrate, and shock – and a security lock. The receiver is waterproof and the collar is comfortable to wear for all sizes and breeds of dogs, thanks to the adjustable design. It has an up to35-day standby time after a two-hour charge, while the remote lasts for about 45 days.
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Robot Vacuum and Wet Mop
Selling for $1,800, the 2-in-1 cleaning robot comes with the self-emptying bin and vacuums like all the top-end smart models in the line. But it also adds SmartScrub to mop back and forth with consistent pressure and deep scrubbing to get rid of stubborn messes. You can store up to 60 days worth of debris in the CleanBase and refill liquids for up to 30 days so cleaning is virtually effortless. How do you do both at the same time? The auto-retract mopping system lifts itself when it senses dry carpeting then comes back down for wet mopping on floors. Plus, it intelligently navigates around obstacles, for stray cables to your kids’ socks, cat’s litter box, and even pet poop. In fact, iRobot makes its P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner’s Official Promise) guarantees that will send you a replacement if it ever sweeps over accidental pet messes.