Leaving your pet behind when going on vacation, can be very stressful. Fortunately, there are now some great Smart Home Pet products to take care of you pet family member, when you are away. We all want a wonderful, expansive experience, without that stress. Worried? What if the pet sitter doesn’t feed your pet on time, or the litter box doesn’t get cleaned, or Sparky has to go but can’t get let out and now your carpet has become a bathroom?
There are many factors to consider when leaving for a longer trip as a pet owner, but it doesn’t have to cause such tension while you’re supposed to be relaxing it away. Setting your home up with smart products for pets can make sure your fur babies are taken care of when you’re away. Even if you’ve got someone checking in regularly, these products will give you peace of mind.
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Petcube Cam Wi-Fi Pet Camera
One of the best things you can do to feel good about your pet’s security while you’re away is to get a camera designed specifically to watch your pet. There are some features to look out for in a pet camera that, if you already have a camera from Nest, Ring, or a similar brand, you might already have and can repurpose.
Here are those features:
- Video Quality: The Petcube Cam is an HD camera designed for keeping an eye on your pet while you’re away. The camera provides 1080p live stream video with a 110-degree wide-angle view and an 8x zoom feature so you can see tiny details up close.
- Two-Way Audio: Whether you miss your pet or need to quickly communicate to the pet sitter, two-way audio is a good feature to have on a camera for your pet (or any camera for your home). The PetCube Cam has two-way audio, giving you 24/7 pet coverage and voice access to love on your pets and keep them out of mischief.
- Night Vision and Motion Alerts: In dark conditions, without night vision it can be impossible to see. Infrared technology provides clear visibility in low-light and dark conditions, while motion detection can send you alerts of when your pet is detected moving (day or night). The PetCube Cam has night vision for up to 30-feet and instant sound and motion alerts that are sent straight to your phone.
- Easy Setup: You’ll want a camera that is no-fuss to set up. The PetCube Cam can be set up in as little as one minute, and it works with Alexa. The camera is only compatible over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, not 5GHz, so keep that in mind.
- Pet Perks: This is why you’d want to go with a camera designed specifically for pets rather than your standard indoor security camera from Ring, Nest, or others. The Petcube Cam offers 24/7 online access to veterinarian consultations, and the company provides an emergency fund to cover up to 6 months of pets’ vet bills. That’s $29/mo. The subscription, Petcube Care, allows video replay of up to 90 days of activity, ability to save your favorite moments, smart alerts for bark, meow, pet, or human, and access the web interface. There’s even a trial available!
You can get the Petcube Camera for less than $50 on Amazon, with options to get packs of two or three to place all around the house.
2 .PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder
The PetSafe Smart Feed automatic dog and cat feeder is an absolute must-have—on vacation, and any time in between. Pets have an impeccable internal clock for knowing when it’s feeding time or asking for it an hour early (every day).
Consider these factors when searching for your automatic dog or cat feeder:
- Feeder Type: Electric or Gravity? That is the first question. Electric have a higher asking price, but offer scheduling and precise portion control. Gravity feeders dispense food using the force of gravity, and don’t have as precise portion control. The PetSafe Smart Feed automatic dog and cat feeder is electric, has scheduling and portion control, and is controlled via an app.
- Food Capacity: How much food can the feeder hold? Is the capacity large enough for your pet’s appetite? A large dog or a hungry hungry hippo pet who would eat the world if you let them will require a feeder with a larger food capacity. The PetSafe Smart Feed holds 24 cups of dry food.
- Portion Control: It’s best to get an automatic feeder that does have portion control options so that your pet gets the right amount of food. There are feeders that offer customizable control over portion size, while others dispense a set amount of food at each feeding. The PetSafe Smart Feed allows you to by choose the portion size, from 1/8 cup to 4 cups. It also has a Slow Feed setting to dispense food in 15-minute increments, which helps prevent tummy problems. If you have a snarfer, you’ll love this setting.
- Scheduled Feedings: This is a must for pet parents who are going on vacation, or if you’ve got a busy schedule. Cats in particular should be fed 12 hours apart—if they go longer without a feeding, then digestive upset can occur. Electric pet feeders often allow you to schedule multiple feedings throughout the day. Via the PetSafe, app you can schedule up to 12 meals at a time.
- Food Type: Make sure the feeder is compatible with the type of food your pet eats. Some feeders are designed to dispense dry food, while others can handle wet food or both. The PetSafe is designed for dry food.
- Ease of Cleaning and Use: A good automatic feeder will be easy to clean, and dishwasher safe, so you can prevent bacterial growth and keep your pet healthy. The PetSafe Smart Feed is an indoor feeder, made of dishwasher safe, BFA-free plastic and stainless steel.
- Connectivity and Backup Power: What happens if the Wi-Fi goes out, or the power? You want a feeder that has a backup plan. The PetSafe Smart Feed connects over Wi-Fi, but if the connection drops, there is an optional battery backup (requires 4 D cell alkaline batteries) to make sure your furry friend is all set in the food department, no matter what. It works with iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android smartphones.
When you go on vacation, make sure you do have someone checking in on your pet periodically, especially to make sure their water needs are being met and refreshed.
You can get the PetSafe Smart Feed automatic dog and cat feeder for less than $149.99 on Amazon.
3. 2023 Petree Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
The litter box. This is nobody’s favorite part of having cats, and a sitter’s least favorite part of the job to scoop it. Automatic litter boxes have been popping up on the market more and more over recent years, but the best experience will always be one you can control from your smartphone.
When looking to buy your automatic kitty litter system, there are several important features to consider:
- Self-Cleaning Mechanism: A serious time saver, and helps keep your kitty’s box sanitary, leading to a healthier life. The self-cleaning mechanism kicks on after your cat has used the litter box to clean itself so you don’t have to. The Petree automatic smart litter box automatically sifts your kitty’s deposits into another compartment that is sealed.
- Odor Control: Self-cleaning is great, but it does you no good if the litter box doesn’t have an odor control system in place. Look for one that has a carbon filter or deodorizer. This Petree litter box has a built-in deodorizer that works to eliminate any lingering scents.
- Size and capacity: Make sure the litter box you choose is large enough for your cat to use comfortably and that it can hold enough litter to last for several days. The Petree’s max weight range is 44lbs, including litter, and the max cat litter quantity is 8.8 lbs.
- Ease of Use: You’ll want an automatic litter box that’s easy to maintain. That’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Less work for you. That box should have an easy-to-remove waste receptacle and simple cleaning cycle controls. The waste drawer will need to be cleaned manually (it’s easy to disassemble and set up again), and that depends on how many cats you have. Petree’s recommendation is for three to four cats per Petree litter box, which equates to a drawer cleaning every 1-2 days. For two cats, that’s 3-4 days, and for one cat, a once per week cleaning will do.
- Durability and Reliability: A well-built litter box is a must, so you can be sure it will withstand regular use without breaking down or malfunctioning. Always check out professional reviews if possible, or customer reviews. When looking at customer reviews, use your best judgement when you come across and mix of positive and negative reviews. Trust your gut.
- Intelligence: How’s the app? If you’re going with a smart automatic litter box, you’ll want to check out the app’s features. The Petree app tells you when your cat last used the litter box, when it’s time to change the litter, and when to clean the compartments of the Petree.
This litter box makes things easy on the pet sitter. You’ll still need one to check on your pet, maybe empty the tray depending on how many cats you have and how long you’re gone, and refill kitty’s water, once you get all those other products you’ve been introduced to. Oh, and if your kitty is shy, you can also get add on privacy curtains with cute designs on them.
You can get the Petree automatic smart litter box for $399.99 on Petree’s website.
4. Petcube Play 2 Play Wi-Fi Pet Camera
The PetCube Play 2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera is another pet monitoring device that allows you to check on your pet and play with them remotely. Its sleek, compact design that fits in with many styles of home décor.
When looking for a pet camera with a laser pointer feature, look for:
- Laser Control: The whole point of having a laser pointer on a camera is that it should work remotely. If it doesn’t, then look elsewhere. The PetCube Play2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera has a built-in laser toy you can control via the PetCube mobile app, moving the laser to keep your cat entertained while you’re away. It’s a great way to stay connected when you’re missing your fur baby.
- The Camera: Camera resolution and viewing angle is important to take into consideration. High resolution and a wide angle will give you the best results. The PetCube has a 1080p resolution camera has a 160º wide-angle view to keep an eye on your pet’s activity. It also has night vision, which switches on automatically in low-light conditions.
- Two-Way Audio: Being able to talk to your pet is comforting for both of you. You can also redirect behavior if they’re being naughty. The PetCube Play2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera has two-way audio, so no worries if doggo starts chewing on the remote—say your command and he’s sure to perk his ears up.
- The App: The PetCube Play 2 mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices, and comes with real-time alerts for barking, meowing, and other pet sounds, and has video and photo sharing capabilities.
- Pet Perks: Like the PetCube Cam, this is another that has perks which make it more useful than a typical indoor security camera when it comes to pets. This camera has Vet Chat built-in, allowing you to chat live with veterinarians, share photos and videos of your pets that were taken with your phone or via the camera itself. There is also PetCube Care subscription service, which gives you more features and is optional.
You can get the PetCube Play 2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera for less than $199.99 on Amazon. This camera is obviously more of an investment than the first PetCube camera featured in this article, and you can get several of those for the same price as one of these. For cat owners, I would say this one has the most appeal, but if you’re looking for quantity, you might favor the first camera option.
5 .Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair
When it comes to vacuuming and pets, a regular vacuum typically won’t cut it. You’ve got to weigh features that those without pets do not.
Here are some things to think about when selecting a robot vacuum for your home when you have pets:
- A Vacuum Specifically for Pet Hair: Pet hair has this unique and amazing ability to latch itself inside the fibers of carpet and couches, clinging for dear life as vacuums fiercely try—and fail—to suck them from their grasp. If you’ve ever had an experience like this, you know that when it comes to selecting a vacuum, it is imperative that it is equipped to handle pet hair. The Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum for pet hair is not only designed for it, it takes the most of the effort out of cleaning your home, since you know how often you have to vacuum to keep the house from getting a coat of its own.
- Home Mapping: The more advanced robot vacuums will be able to map your home to clean more efficiently. The Shark uses precision home mapping and Matrix Clean Navigation to creates a defined matrix grid and multi-pass over your floors for deep cleaning.
- Capacity and Disposal: How much gunk can the vacuum hold, and how easy is it to dispose of? That’s something that you’ll want to know, especially if you’re looking to offload some of the effort to a robot. Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum is able to hold up to 30 days of pet hair, dirt, debris, and it empties by itself.
- Scheduling: Set it and forget it is the name of the game when it comes to home automation. Why not for your vacuum, too? You can set a cleaning schedule or activate on-demand cleaning and let the Shark vacuum run for up to 120 minutes.
- App and AI Control: What’s important to you? Do you need it to work with your voice assistant, or is an app enough? The Shark works with the Shark app, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Now that’s a smart vacuum.
You can get the Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum $549.99 on Amazon.
Pet Peace of Mind
Gone are the days when you had to rely solely on the neighborhood kid, family member or pet sitter to take care of your fur baby when you’re away. With these 5 must-have pet smart products for when you’re on vacation, you can use your smart phone to manage the necessities of pet care on your own. For longer trips, have your human helpers check in and take care of anything extra you or your pets may need! Now that’s smart vacationing.
