5 Smart Pet Gadgets Every Pet Owner Should Know About In 2025: Must-Haves

Nick
Jun 2
5 min read

Updated: Aug 9

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I know what you're probably wondering right now: “What smart pet tech do I actually need?” Maybe you just brought home a new puppy or adopted a curious cat. Maybe your pet’s been around for a while, and now you want to level up from chew toys to smarter, stress-saving alternatives.

Wherever you are on your journey, I get it. I’ve been there, surrounded by boxes of gadgets, wondering which ones would help, and which were just gimmicks.

Years ago, I started exploring pet tech out of necessity. Bruno was developing separation anxiety, and Rex had a knack for sneaking into the pantry. I wanted to be a better pet parent, but I also wanted help. Real help. That’s when I dove deep into smart feeders, GPS collars, cameras, and beyond.

Over time, I’ve tested, tinkered, and talked to hundreds of pet owners, and today, I’m here to give you the lowdown: the smart gadgets that better your life, the kind that save time, and bring you closer to your favorite pet.

Check how you can help save more paws here.

1. Smart Pet Feeder

Picture Mealtime Without the Mayhem.

Now, let’s start with the holy grail of modern pet parenting: the automatic smart feeder.

Like me, you could be working late or just enjoy sleeping in on weekends (guilty). A smart feeder will make sure your pet gets fed on schedule with perfect portions every time. Life has never been better, friends.

Quickly, here's why you need It:

Ensures consistent mealtimes (essential for digestion and mood)
Helps with portion control for weight management
Some models allow feeding via app, voice control, and video confirmation

Top Performer in this category: PETLIBRO Automatic Feeder, or an upgraded version.

With this top performer, you get:

App-controlled schedules (5G WI-FI)
5L pack to keep food fresh (Various sizes available)
Two-way audio
1080p HD Camera with night vision
Dual power backup for outages

I once had to leave town unexpectedly and relied solely on my smart feeder for three days. Came home, and Bruno had been fed like clockwork. His tail wag told me everything I needed to know.

2. Pet Camera

You do miss them when you’re away (I do too).

I used to wonder what Rex did all day when I was gone. One day, I installed a pet cam, and let’s just say, he spent most of his time judging squirrels from the window.

A smart pet camera is more than for surveillance. It is that which connects you to your pet emotionally. You can see them, talk to them, even toss a treat if they’re having a ruff day.

These are the must-have features you go for:

1080p HD video (or higher)
Two-way audio (to say hello and hear back)
Night vision
Treat dispenser (for reward or redirection)
Motion/bark alerts

Our reliable pick here is Furbo Dog Camera. With this one, you get:

Tosses treats on command
AI-powered bark detection
Sends real-time alerts to your phone
2-way audio and night vision
360° rotating wide-angle view

When Rex was recovering from surgery, I used Furbo to talk to him during lunch breaks. It helped us both feel less alone.

3. GPS Dog Fence

No digging, no wires, no worries.

Modern GPS dog fences have been designed to let your pet roam in a virtual boundary that you define, right from your phone. We all want this.

Perfect for yards, farms, or even vacations, these systems give your dog the freedom they crave without the danger of wandering off.

In case you're new and are wondering what it does:

Creates custom safe zones via GPS
Warns and corrects when your pet approaches the boundary
Tracks location in real-time
Includes training tools and activity logs

Fan Favorite: PetSafe Original Wireless Fence and SpotOn GPS Fence.

Here's why, among other things:

Walk your boundary with the app to set it up
Highly accurate, even over large acreage (min. 1/2 acre)
Works anywhere with a GPS signal; no need for Wi-Fi
Extended battery life (25+ hours of runtime or 35+ hours if you activate Extended Battery Life Mode).
Track and recall option

We used SpotOn when camping, and I could relax knowing Bruno wouldn't chase every raccoon into the woods.

4. Activity Tracker

Dogs deserve fitness goals, too (at least mine did).

Your dog needs exercise— lots of it, and not just a backyard sprint. Just like humans, their health depends on consistent activity and sleep quality.

The good news is that smart collars with built-in activity tracking help you monitor your pet's movement, rest cycles, and calorie burn. Right, in case you didn't know.

Activity trackers are excellent for:

Older pets with mobility issues
Puppies with boundless energy
Managing obesity or post-op recovery

Our smart Choice (which is also top-rated) is the Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 3. This one is well-known for:

Tracking steps, movement, and sleep
Durability and waterproofing features
GPS location with lost-dog alerts
Battery life up to 3 months (yes, months)

5. Interactive Toys

Bored pets are destructive pets. We know this like the back of our hands. You want to keep them busy most of the time. But how can you do that?

Pets need mental stimulation as much as physical. And while chew toys are fine, smart interactive toys take engagement to a new level. These are what you should try out.

These gadgets are especially helpful for high-energy dogs or indoor cats who get bored easily, and bored pets find creative (read: destructive) ways to entertain themselves.

So, you need to watch for:

Motion-reactive or remote-controlled features
Timed play sessions
Durable design that survives more than 2 hours of tail-chasing

Try This: Wickedbone Smart Bone

Auto-play and app-controlled modes
Reacts to your dog’s touch or bark
Made from pet-safe, chew-resistant material

Rex used to chew shoes. Now he chases a robot bone. We’re all happier. Life's good.

Bonus: Smart Pet Thermometers, Doors & Water Fountains, Litter boxes

If you want to geek out (no judgment—I do it too), explore these:

Smart Water Fountains – Keep water flowing and filtered, encourage hydration.
Microchip Pet Doors – Only unlocks for your pet’s chip—keeps raccoons out.
Smart Thermometers – Track health and send alerts for abnormal vitals.
Litter Boxes- These help a lot with hygiene

A quick reminder: These gadgets may feel like luxuries now, but they often become essentials when you realize how much stress they save down the line.

Final Thoughts From Your Pet Tech Sensei

There’s a quote I love: “Technology is best when it brings people together.” I’d argue—it’s even better when it brings you and your pet closer.

Every gadget I’ve shared here is more than a tool. It’s a way to know, care for, and enjoy your pet on a deeper level. It’s freedom for you, confidence for them, and a life with fewer worries.

So, whether you just brought a new pup home or want to upgrade your existing setup, remember: smart pet parenting is choosing the right stuff—the tools that support love, trust, and tail-wagging joy.

This far, you’re not just a pet owner anymore. You’re a PetTech Sensei in the making.

Now go treat yourself and your pet.

Friend, if you like what you sniffed out here, join Heart for Paws to help us save pet lives.