Category: Gadgets
Dog poo bags
Sometimes we fail to see the humor in the dirty work of dog duty. Anything that makes us smile while tending to the poop and scoop routine we see as a bonus. That's why we like these 100% biodegradable poop bags. Billed as hygienic and environmentally friendly, we're more impressed with the marketing campaign "shit happens" and fancy packaging. And wouldn't you know it, these spiffy bags were dreamed up by a Berlin-based graphic design agency. Cuno, the agency's dog was responsible for inspiring this product. Now if we could just get equally inspired by our dog's poop we'd be in business!
Flushable poop bags
Poop happens. The well-mannered dog owner is always prepared with a scoop and a disposal bag. But the sight of all those nasty plastic bags stuffed into garbage cans makes us cringe. We try to live as green as possible (save the earth for our fur babies) so we're always on the hunt for ideas that are gentler to Mother Nature. Flush Puppies fit the bill. These poop bags are 100% biodegradable. Since they are water-soluble they can be flushed down the toilet without harming the pipes. A simple pull of the the toilet trigger can go a long way towards eliminating waste from our landfills.
Bone-shaped dog pill carrier
Back in 2007, slender dogs everywhere were stunned when the FDA approved Slentrol, a weight-loss pill for canines. Heartworm pills, cardiotonic pills, dare we say it, birth control pills for doggies; where will it all end? Well, fact is, sometimes, the vet prescribes what the vet prescribes. And when she does, you can help the barking, sniffing, tale-wagging love of your life stay in optimum health by organizing those doggy pills in the Dog Bone Pill Carrier from Solutions. The item has a 1,001 Dalmatians design, along with pop-up, snap-tite lids for each day of the week. The pill carrier even has brail on the daily snap lids. And here's a tropical hint for your pampered pooch; if she resists taking her vet-prescribed pills, try hiding them in macadamia nut butter.
Sunlight simulator for pets
Remember how good it feels to recline on a chaise lounge and soak in the sun by a pool? For us, it does wonders for the spirit. Well, dogs can benefit from the same type of sun exposure. The Sunspa is a canine tanning booth of sorts that simulates sunlight shining through a window. The result: A happier pup. Apparently, like us, dogs find light soothing (that's why they always find a ray of sunshine to take their siestas). If you live in a rain-soaked area or battle long, gray winters this could be better than therapy to get your dog bouncing around.
GPS for lost dogs
Zoombak is the word on dogs' lips these days, because when you accidentally stray from the hand that feeds you, the hand that spoils you rotten, you want to return to it as rapidly as is caninely possible. Zoombak fits on your collar; it is an electronic information center that relates information regarding your whereabouts to your beloved human whenever you stray out of a pre-programmed comfort zone. No more wondering whether to get home, you have to go North, South, East or West. With Zoombak, your person will come running to get you, no matter where you are. The product is recommended for dogs over 15lbs, so if you weigh less than that, start pigging out now. Our best advice is for you not to stray from home in the first place, but if you do, you could do worse than to have a Zoombak around your neck.
Entertain your pet while you're away
Have you ever wished for a machine that would throw food-filled toys around the house for your dog to enjoy at intervals when you are away? Dogopolis is answering your wish with KongTime. A video on the site makes clear how the dog trained to behave with the thing behaved with it. We actually wish somebody would develop one of these to hurl chocolate at us humans when we're least expecting it. There is some amount of fuss attached to loading the thing. Customers are advised by the company to "apply a little Kong Stuff'N paste to the back of the toy (where it takes longer for the dog to get it out), fill with your dog's regular food, and then plug the hole with a Kong Stuff'N snap." Still, with Kong, your dog won't be monkeying around.
Pet ear thermometer
The doctor will see you now! Waiting for a doctor's appointment is grueling when we think there is something wrong with our dog. This nifty medical device--the Pet-Temp--takes some of the guesswork out of diagnosis. Thanks to this ear thermometer, we can take our dog's temperature without having to endure the waiting room or deal with a messy rectal thermometer. According to Pet-Temp, in one second a read out will give a reliable count of the dog's core temperature (should be between 100.0 and 103.0 F) letting us know if there is a serious illness before we call the vet.
Better way to clean up dog poop
Are you a business person? More importantly, is your dog a business dog? Whenever those big deals are coming up, it's time for Business Bags, available through Planet Dog (our favorite planet in the whole universe). Business Bags, actually, are for a million-dollar-word, excrement! Better yet, the bags are made from biodegradable materials that last long enough for the excrement to dry up and go where it goes, but not long enough to hang around polluting landfills like certain chemically based plastics we can think of. Be sure to give a moment's peep at the packaging of these Business Bags; We LOVE it. Gorgeous design!
USB dog tag
If you saw a red envelope, would you assume it was a Valentine's Day card? RedEnvelope dot Com is here with a kissee kissee love item for our dogs; a USB ID Top Tag. This electronic gizmo can be programmed to contain oodles of essential information about your K-9 companion such as how he likes his filet mignon done and his minimum thread count for the sheets on his bed. The pre-formatted pages in the gizmo have seven main categories and 14 sub-categories of dog care information. The ID device works with XP, Vista, 2000 or Millenium operating systems. A durable waterproof case is provided. Intriguingly enough, the company says that the ID Tag "Also can be used as a great tool to teach children the responsibility of pet ownership before acquiring one." They must be referencing other people's children. Ours were and are impeccably responsible about their dogs without needing to be given any direction or instructions whatsoever.
Gold and diamonds MP3 player for dogs
We were totally over the moon when we learned through BoingBoingGadgets about the JooZoo gold and diamonds MP3 player for dogs, and then more than a little nonplussed to find out that the product is currently available on the Korean market only. Didn't they know that this difficult situation would affect us and our dogs right into the depths of our Seoul? The golden MP3 player is heart-shaped and looks perfectly stunning against coats of all colors, for those days when your doggie goes au naturel. It looks equally dazzling, though, when placed against a designer dress, whether by Wooflink or Oscar de la Barka. Nothing quite says that your dog has arrived like the JooZoo gold and diamonds MP3 player. Until the accessory is available throughout the world, though, what it actually tends to say is that your dog has arrived in Korea.
Doggie IQ kit
You've probably heard parents like us before...we've got the cutest, smartest, most well behaved dog, etc. Now we've got the goods to back up at least one of our claims. Thanks to the The Pooch IQ Kit we can confirm the power of our pup's brain. The kit's 15 IQ tests are a hoot for the whole family (but the science is real) to watch. Tests involve fun doggie toys meant to ferret out the four-legged Einsteins from the crowd. Thanks to an easy-to-use score key we were able to get immediate gratification about our pup's smarts and back up our bragging with a bit of scientific evidence.
Safety flashlight for dogs
Zooming cars can scare the daylight out of us on our evening walks. But getting that last burst of energy out of our pups before bedtime is imperative. So we were understandably hesitant to cut back on our pm potty strolls. Now things are a little safer with the Puplight. When switched on, this flashlight will make your dog visible from 1/4 mile away. For pet parents, you won't risk twisted ankles as the light can help identify ditches and potholes (and maybe even help avoid stepping in dog poop).
SNIF tag system for dogs
We've found something that is nothing to sniff at, at the same time it really IS something to sniff at, with a twitching inquisitive wet nose. It's the SNIF tag system, that via the internet can help you know what your doggy is up to when you aren't home. Is she relaxing on the velours cushion in her luxurious bed? Is she perhaps lapping up doggy vitamin water? Or could she just perhaps be barking the bark that means "I want you to come home to me"? With the SNIF tag system, you'll know. The company web site has full details on this intriguing product, which will be available beginning in November, 2007. If you happen to live near Boston or New York, they are offering free trials. There's something that makes us want to WOOF!, roll over, and shake!
Pedometer for dogs
Watching your weight is never fun. For us it's trips to the gym and regular yoga classes, but how can we keep our dogs in tip-top shape? This handy doggie pedometer is one simple way to make sure your furry pal is getting ample exercise. Developed by a clever Japanese company, this pedometer fits around a dog's neck to provide detailed fitness feedback. We think it is fashionable and functional. Available in pale blue and petal pink, the pedometer provides a read out on steps taken and total workout time. Now all you have to do is hook up the lead and go!
Dog treat vending machines
Who doesn't love a bubble gum machine? We have fond memories of sticking in our change to receive a handful of chewy treats. That's the same idea behind Street Treats. These delightful vending machines deliver gourmet dog treats the old fashioned way. Dogs love the liver and biscotti flavored snacks and we love the quaint look of this treat dispenser. The machines are currently located on the streets of New York City--allowing hungry dogs to get their snacks on the go. We bet these snack machines have been a boon to business and hope to see them in more neighborhoods soon.
