In Engadget’s Slack room, our pets top the list of things we talk about — right behind work-related tech stuff, crazy current events, video games, and food. We’ve bought a lot of high- and low-tech stuff to keep our furry friends fed, occupied, safe, and happy, and we’ve rounded up the best of what we’ve tried here.
Maybe you’re shopping for your very own good boy or girl, or maybe you have a conscientious pet parent on your list — either way, the gadgets collected here would make great gifts according to the enthusiastic tail wagging (or isolated meowing) of our own furry babies.
Berkshire Blanket Classic VelvetLoft Solid Throw Blanket
It’s fair to say that my cat’s favorite place in the house is the place closest to a Berkshire Throw Blanket. Luckily for him, I have a stash of these things I’ve collected over the years, so he has many favorite places. Blankets from the VelvetLoft line are extremely soft and feel like velvet in your hand, and they have a slight sheen that makes them quite luxurious.
In the fall and winter, I have these everywhere in my house – on the couch, bed, chairs – and I know that if I can’t find my cat, I usually have to go to every Berkshire and find him lying on one of them. They also come in so many colors that you’ll easily be able to pick one out to suit your gift recipient’s style. But be careful – you may end up keeping this gift for yourself, or buying an extra gift in a different size once you see how warm and cozy it is.
Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy
My family recently got a new puppy, and like many dogs his age, his cuteness is only matched by his excessive energy. In our puppy class, the instructor recommended the Bob A Lot treat dispenser to give us humans a moment of peace while also keeping the animal’s mind and body occupied.
I fill it with normal kibble, but any pellet-sized dry treat will work. It’s shaped like a large nesting doll and wobbles with a weighted base. (Like the Weeble, it doesn’t fall down.) As the dog pushes it and paws at it, one or two treats fall out of the base at a time. This can keep my puppy captivated for anywhere from a few minutes to twenty minutes. Just ask your giftee to keep an eye on the dispenser so the dog doesn’t start using it as a chew toy.
Petlibro App Monitoring Cat Water Fountain
It took me a long time to buy this smart water fountain for my cat. I previously had a gravity fountain that she was never very interested in, but this one got the job done. However, when I took the risk to buy it, it felt like a whole new level of hydration opened up for my cat. Suddenly, she was drinking more water than ever before — and I could clearly track it thanks to the fountain’s app connectivity.
This might sound silly, but it comes in handy during the toughest times — like when my cat was sick. Thanks to the fountain, I knew exactly how long it had been since she last drank water, and how much water she had drunk in that time, so I could keep up with the rest of her routine.
I also appreciate that the mobile app will send you alerts when the fountain’s filter needs to be changed and when the whole thing needs to be cleaned. If you have someone in your life who loves their feline friend a lot (or maybe that someone is you), this could be a great gift that will make them and their cat happy.
Apple AirTag
AirTags can keep track of a lot more than just keys. Although Apple doesn’t officially recommend its Bluetooth trackers for cats and dogs, it’s still a popular use. And of all the trackers I’ve tested, these are the closest to working trackers for moving objects. GPS tags offer more accurate location monitoring, but they’re more expensive and require a subscription, two factors that make them less-than-ideal gifts.
Although AirTags rely on Bluetooth, the range is impressive and triangulation between the tag and any nearby iPhone is very accurate, getting you within yards of a lost tag. Then ultra-wideband (UWB) directions will get you to within a few feet. A friend of mine is the director of an animal shelter and they have four AirTag-rigged collars that they put on “flight risk” dogs during foster transfers, just in case.