Pets Go Hi-tech

Whether or not they could be considered necessities depends on your point of view, and your pocket book.

Many of us worry that our pets will be lonely while we're away. That's why Canadian Cameron Robb invented the PetCell, a cell phone for dogs that is produced by PetsMobility. The idea came to him when he saw his friend call home so his dogs could hear his voice. The friend's wife held the receiver down so the dogs could listen. That started Robb thinking about a cell phone for dogs. Here are the points the PetCell has to offer.

1) PetCells are rugged and waterproof. No one has to be home to answer the phone for your dog. You dial the number and punch in a code and after one ring, the phone answers automatically. Through a speaker in the dog's collar your pet can hear your voice. Just don't overdo it, or you might get on Fido's do-not-call list.

2) In case your pet wanders off, there is a button labeled "call owner" which, if pressed, will notify you. Also in the collar is a global positioning system so you can track your pets coordinates from a web-enabled device or a voice-enabled call center.

3) PetCells also have an option called GeoFence, which alerts owners when the pet goes beyond a specified parameter, and notifies the owners if the dog is too hot or too cold.

PetCells are too large for cats, but maybe in the future.

Here are some pictures of the cell phone.

The downside: Besides the fact that PetCells cost $350 to $400, some vets say they'd rather see dogs microchipped, since microchips are not removable.
A Crystal Ball for Your Pet's Thoughts?

If you're like most pet owners, you've wished at times that you could read your pet's mind, to find out what they are thinking or what made them do something. A Japanese toymaking firm, Takara, believes it can get in the mind of your dog, by speaking Bowlingual. A radio microphone that attaches to the dog collar translates his barks, whines, and yelps into phrases people understand, like "I'm lonely," or "let's play catch."

Much less expensive than PetCells, these translators cost about $100, but so far, they are only available in Japan.
Shush!

And if your dog is a habitual barker, you might want to try a citronella collar. Cornell University has tested it and claims it is effective on 90 percent of dogs, twice as effective as electronic shock collars, and several times more effective than sonic bark collars.

It is endorsed by veterinarians, dog trainers, pet stores, and dog owners.

Here's how it works: When your dog barks, the collar releases a gentle, harmless burst of citronella spray that interrupts the barking. Your dog hears it, sees it, smells it, and feels it. It's a scent dogs don't usually encounter so it distracts them from what they were doing. One size fits dogs from 6-160 pounds.

By: Marc Dean

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Marc Dean is a freelance writer who writes for Preferred Consumer. He has done significant research online on animals such as pets,keeping them in homes and apartments.