Pet Gizmos

A digital camera for dogs!

By Mike Hanlon

October 10, 2004 An interesting trend in high tech pet care seems to be developing. In recent times Gizmo has reported on the cat toilet training seat and the Bow-Lingual dog translation device. Now this week we have two new high tech products for pets - a cell phone and a digital camera. The 0.3 MPX Tomy Wonderful Shot camera straps on under the collar and at 38grams in weight and 55x52x12mm in size, is light enough to suit even the smallest pooch and perhaps even larger cats. Read More

Cats Allowed, but No Dogs

By Mike Hanlon

A cafe exclusively for cats and their owners opened on Fifth Avenue in new York recently offering cats - and the humans who think they own them - food, toys, games and Meow Mix merchandise for sale in a gift shop.

The Meow Mix Company, the maker of dry cat food, opened the temporary Meow Mix Cafe in Midtown Manhattan to promote the company's first foray into the wet category of the cat-food market.

The menu is centred on the new wet food, which comes in seven flavours and the snacks for the owners (beef, chicken and seafood dishes) correspond to the wet food flavours. Read More

Toilet training for cats

By Mike Hanlon

Yes folks, you saw it here first (unless you read the Red Ferret Journal or Engadget). The Catseat weans your cat off expensive litter then fits to your toilet seat and converts from toilet to litter tray at the press of a button. At US$110, the Catseat offers a compelling Return on Investment. Owners often spend thousands of dollars on litter over the lifetime of their beloved companions. Using kitty litter can be an expensive and unpleasant business, and one of the most vulnerable areas in a home's health regime. Cats need to step in the litter to use the litter tray and often track portions of the contents when they have finished, Then there's the changing and disposing of the contents regularly. Read More

Peppot Pet-Camera allows remote monitoring

By Mike Hanlon

For those among us who are very attached to their pet here's a great (and VERY expensive) way to check in on your cat/dog/budgie when you're not at home. The Matsushita Electric Works Peppot Pet-Camera has a built-in motion sensor which detects when your pet is within shot and can take pictures automatically and send them to your mobile phone. The pictures are only 100,000 pixels which is just as well, cause the wireless data costs will soon dwarf the Peppot's JPY 12,000 (AUD$150) price tag. Read More

Doggles provide dog protection, add style

By Mike Hanlon

October 4, 2004 They don't just look cool - Doggles are sunglasses for dogs who, like their human companions, can benefit from protection against foreign objects like bugs or grass seeds, wind and UV light. Ideal for dogs that like to get out and about, as well as those with eye disorders that may cause sensitivity to light, Doggles include shatterproof, anti-fog lenses with 100% of UV protection and two adjustable elastic straps to keep them secure during any activity. Doggles also feature foam padding for comfort and fit, a wrap-around design for full eye protection and are available in three sizes and six different designs to suit all canine shapes and tastes at a cost of around US$24.95 Read More

Pet webcam keeps an eye on dinnertime

By Mike Hanlon

September 29, 2003 iSeePet is a remote communication device that allows animal-lovers to see, interact and even feed their pets via the Internet. A CCD video camera with a 130-degree angle of view is built-in to the feeding unit and images can be accessed through a dedicated website.

In case Fido isn't paying attention, there's also a "dinner bell" - an electronic sound that can be activated to signal that food is on offer.

Designed to cater for anxious situations where owners are unexpectedly delayed, the feed function is also controlled through the web interface and can supply the required quantity of dry pet food to your pet.

iSeePet is currently available in Japan. Read More

Fresh cat food and a de rigueur doghouse

By Mike Hanlon

Part of the Great Expectations British design showcase now on show in Melbourne, the Magis Dog House by Michael Young uses rotation moulded polyethylene to achieve its catching contemporary shape... Read More