High Tech Pet Gadgets to Promote Better Health

by Jean Mansen

It’s true, there is a revolution in pet care! Human-grade medicines, technology, health care practices and products, and medical devices are available to improve the quality of life for your four-legged friends. Let’s take a look at what has our pets’ tails wagging.

Oh boy, time for bed again!

The advances in dog beds rival advances in human mattress technology. If your pooch is not lying in the lap of luxury just yet, she (and you) have lots of wonderful beds from which to choose.

Arthritic or older dogs often benefit from an orthopedic, warming, massaging bed such as the heated wellness bed from BonzoDogBeds.com. This orthopedic dog bed provides soothing heat and and gentle vibration for your pet’s aching joints (cats love them, too). The supple three-inch thick, orthopedic foam core gently supports your pet while delivering heat and a mild vibrating massage. The controls allow you to adjust the bed to your pet’s desire: orthopedic bed, heat only, vibration only, or heat and massage.

The Super Orthopedic Lounger bed for dogs and cats is elevated by seven-inch-thick double sided, medical grade convoluted foam that disperses and reduces pressure on your pet. With treated fabric on all sides this luxury orthopedic bed is waterproof so accidents will not leak through to the foam. It’s also from BonzoDogbeds.com.

Better than the hood of a car!

The Thermal Cat Cushion works without wires or batteries. An innovative thermal core actually reflects your cat’s body heat back to him. Great for kittens, aging cats, arthritic cats, or in fact any cat. They’ll seek it out immediately, as you can seek it out on EntirelyPets.com.

Chill, baby

Dogs can quickly overheat thus need to be protected from the sun. PetBrella From Molor.com, a tie-out and umbrella in one, provides a cool, shady spot for Spot anywhere. It is lightweight, portable, has a built-in tilt mechanism allowing you to adjust the umbrella as the sun moves across the sky. It is great for camping or an afternoon in the park, and your dog’s leash won’t get tangled in it.

For dogs who are warm or hot in the summer or year around, there’s SoothSoft.com’s Canine Cooler. It provides a cool, comfortable place for your pet to lie down, helps to ease joint pains, and keeps younger active pets cool. The fluid enhanced design offers a dry, lasting cooling effect combined with cushioning support. No refrigeration is necessary. ‘SoothSoft Comfort Technology’ works at room temperature and is nontoxic.

To the park, Jeeves

Many pet suppliers carry doggie stairs to help dogs into bed or onto the sofa and special ramps to ease getting into and out of cars and SUVs.

In addition, doggie carrying bags help those with weak rear ends get where they need to go, and special doggie flotation kits aid in water related activities. Support harnesses, tailored for rear, middle, or front assistance are available at SeniorPetProducts.com.

Ty-Lift Enterprises (TyLift.com) makes a variety of animal transportation units on wheels. Founder Theresa Miale named the Ty-Lift after her beloved companion Ty, a beautiful 116-pound Alaskan Malamute/black timber wolf hybrid. One day Ty simply couldn’t get up and certainly couldn’t walk. Ty was required to be at the veterinary hospital to be examined. After this experience, Miale invented the lift to facilitate easy transportation of large dogs and other animals. The units are nonelectrical, lightweight, easy to store and maneuver, and can accommodate pets up to 300 pounds.

Elevated pet feeders and waters are available from many sources and provide increased comfort for dogs with stiff or achy joints.

Shake a leg

Is exercise just what the doctor ordered? Jog A Dog (JogADog.com) offers a canine treadmill, the result of 30 years of research. This device provides low impact exercise in a climate-controlled setting and is thus a viable alternative to other forms of canine exercise.

If weight bearing exercise is a problem try out Aqua Paws, a canine underwater treadmill designed for aquatic therapy, rehabilitation, and general conditioning. This treadmill system often allows dogs to begin rehab much earlier thus leading potentially to a quicker transition to land-based therapy. The company (FERNO Veterinary Systems) also manufactures canine whirlpools and swim tanks.

I can’t even spell Lab Tech and now I are one

Anyone who has had a diabetic dog or cat can tell you the difficulty of monitoring and regulating an animal’s blood-sugar levels. TheGlucoPet Glucometer allows for home monitoring of blood glucose levels in cats and dogs using a patented nano-sample technology designed to measure blood samples the size of a pinhead. This means users can obtain a blood sample with no pumping, squeezing or milking.

Scientific Professional Cat Liter contains an illness indicator. Changes in color warn of possible illness and may provide data about the progression of an illness. Both the Cat Liter and Glucometer are from petgadgets.com where you can also find instant ear thermometers, pet eye drops, and other products sure to help you and your pet. Most pet owners should have pet-specific first aid kits handy. Medi+Pet makes a kit packed with over 40 veterinarian-recommended items, including triple antibacterial ointment, vet wrap, an emergency blanket to treat shock, and an instructional guide (gadgetslab.com).

When hiking and camping this summer, I packed several packages of Pet Swabs. These innovative cotton swabs contain pre-portioned solutions for cleaning eyes, ears, teeth, and minor wounds. The hollow plastic shafts are filled with solutions to treat a variety of pet problems. These come in handy travel-size packages: tear stain remover, eye cleaner, styptic sticks, ear relief wash, dental fresh, first aid, and catnip therapy.

Fun notwithstanding, most of these devices are not just gadgets but proven, scientific ways to help your special pet be healthier, more comfortable, and happier. And we all know the rewards pet owners gain from providing their pets with love and the best possible care, so we wish you and your pet good techno-hunting.