Research: Does your pet have an app?
There’s an app for just about anything man can conceive. Did I say man? I meant furry friends, too.
April is National Pet Month.
Pet ownership is on the rise, with all the accompanying accoutrements. According to the 2019-2020 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet. That’s up from 56 percent in 1988, the first year the survey was conducted.
Things were simpler then. Pets were lucky if they got brand-name treats or specialty toys. These days, pets have their own memory-foam beds, play towers, delivery services and in some cases — rooms.
Next we’ll see paw-pressable cellphones for dogs (cats would refuse on principle). After all, they already have a digital platform with specially designed apps.
According to a March story by Bold Wire, pet-centric technology or “pet tech” is on the rise with dozens of new apps. While that includes other pets, dog-owners have the lion’s share of 2018’s $500 million in American venture capital funding for dog technology. That’s up from $300 million the year before.
There’s an app for:
Tracking. Thanks to GPS, keeping track of Fido and Fluffy is easier. The Tagg Tracker system and Whistle are two examples of apps that bing you when they (or their collars) are outside a “safe” zone.
Spending. Especially useful for owners whose pets have gear bags, wardrobes and birthday parties is the Spending on My Dog app for Android users.
Scheduling. PetMinder (in trial phase) and Doglog are examples of reminder apps for walks, appointments, flea treatments and the like.
Training. Go Dogo is more sophisticated. An interactive, audio-video system developed in Copenhagen, it can work like a babysitter when owners aren’t home. Dogs interact with a screen, are captured on camera, and — get this — rewarded with an automated treat dispenser.
Health. Some apps protect pets by educating owners, such as PupTox which warns against toxic plants and foods. Pet First Aid, from the American Red Cross, is a diagnostic and resource tool to help identify symptom seriousness and care.
Supplies. Choice can be dizzying, so Pawp narrows it down with advice and personalized recommendations for nutrition supplements and supplies for dental and hygiene needs. Then they deliver the selections. Other online pet supply delivery services have store apps-plus, such as Chewy and 1-800-Pet-Meds.
Note: Some online stores specialize further, such as Bullymake — tough toys for strong chewers.
Traveling. BringFido lists pet friendly hotels and restaurants, when we can be on the go again.
That’s just a taste of the growing cornucopia in pet tech.
Think this is all too much? You’re probably not a young adult.
Millennials are the fastest-growing segment of pet owners in the country, comprising more than 35 percent of all pet owners according to a 2018 Ameritrade report “Millennials and their Fur Babies.” Seven in 10 Millennials have a pet (and say they’d take time off work for a sick one) and spend an average $1,285 on their dogs annually, despite having less average income than older segments.
Adults under 40 are certainly technological savvy and probably responsible for much of new app development, so we’re not even close to too much pet tech. Yet.
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network and cat-lover who somehow manages with pen and paper. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.