Smart Home Lifestyle

July 28, 2007

Hi-tech gadgets for you and your pet

Hi-tech pet products are the cat’s meow this summer. So, whether you want your pet hipper and healthier, or you just need a hand, check out these gadgets sure to pamper and protect your pal paws down.

The scoop

Lamenting over kitty’s litter box? Look to ScoopFree, the automatic litter box cleaner. "ScoopFree is the future of kitty litter in America. It's a completely hands-free litter box for up to 30 days — no scooping, no cleaning, no emptying or refilling," said Alan Cook, President of Chicago-based Lucky Litter LLC. "With nothing to scoop or clean and nothing to refill, ScoopFree will change the way people think about and care for their cats."

The ScoopFree automatic litter box is totally automatic, maintenance-free and hands-off, except for a monthly cartridge change. An infrared beam starts a countdown timer after the cat leaves the box. The Fresh Step Crystals cat litter starts to lock in odor, absorb wetness and dry out solids. Then after 20 minutes, the ScoopFree rake moves the solids into a covered trap inside of the cartridge. Finally, the rake smoothes back out the litter for the next visit.

So, what if you have more than one cat? Cartridges will need to be changed out more often, like bi-monthly.

ScoopFree costs about $100 with replacement cartridges around $15.

Poochie or Gucci?

Fashion has gone to the dogs with Doggles protective and fashion eyewear. Doggles, which look like sports goggles, help protect your dog’s eyes from trauma, reduce glare and help with light sensitivity problems.

Doggles have 100% UV protection, shatterproof and anti-fog lenses and rubber frame. They come in five sizes to fit dogs from three to 250 pounds and have an adjustable elastic head and chin strap to keep them securely on your dog.

But Doggles aren’t just about keeping the sun out; they’re also for keeping debris out, especially for those hunting dogs. Doggles were even used in the aftermath of the World Trade Center tragedy. The ASPCA contacted Doggles directly for protective gear for the Search and Rescue Dogs.

Doggles come in 11 colors and cost $21. Doggles also offers matching sunglasses for owner and dog alike.

Hydro kitty

Forget drinking out of the toilet, cats like it better from the spigot. To keep kitties out of the sink, try Drinkwell Pet Fountain. The Drinkwell automatic watering bowl provides a free-falling stream of water. This 5-inch waterfall continually aerates your cat’s water with oxygen while a large charcoal filter takes out bad tastes and odor.

Ok, so he’s off the counter, but he’s still in the houseplants. The add-on Aqua Garden attaches to the fountain and grows organic wheat grass in a matter of days, no soil required. The wheat grass container sits right inside the bowl and is helpful for less hairballs and better digestion.

The Drinkwell starts at around $50 not including the Aqua Garden or replacement filters.

Hot diggity dog

The dog days of Summer are the hottest of the year, so make sure and keep Fido cool while traveling. Hotdog, a temperature monitor for inside your car makes sure he’s safe. If the heat rises too much, the Hotdog lowers two electric windows and activates car horn or lights. It can also send you a pager alert up to a mile away. And what if he makes a great escape? Global Pet Finder will track him down. Want to tell it to him like it is? Check out The Hear Now, the two-way pet communicator. Hear Now’s voice collar lets you walkie-talkie your pet and tell him to wag his tail home now.

These gadgets can be purchased at www.petgadgets.com and range from $200 to around $370.

Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec