Remotely train and entertain your pet with these devices

If books about the adorable Spot were written today, Spot would be living inside and probably sleeping in your bedroom.

BioTraka Aware

If books about the adorable Spot were written today, Spot would be living inside. He’d be sleeping in your bedroom, eating better than some humans and getting toys far better than a stick. Pet tech is on the rise and Australians are spoiled for choice when it comes to the right gadget for their stay-at-home companions.

Here are some top picks to help keep your pet — and your family for that matter — safe, protected and healthy. These devices are a mix of Wi-Fi-enabled hardware, and next generation toys that wouldn’t have been possible a few years ago.

The Pettecc Dogness Smart Cam Treater — $198

Pet tech: The Pettecc Dogness Smart Cam Treater - $198

This amazing little box monitors and feeds your pet treats. You can view a 160-degree full high-definition view from the box through your smartphone from anywhere in the world. The indoor camera alone is handy for seeing what your pets get up to when you’re not around. It can also record clips you can share on social media. You can speak to and listen to your pet through the phone too. Once you’ve instructed Spot to sit, roll over and bark twice you can remotely fire off a treat to reward him. Food can be dispensed on a schedule too, making it handy when you are travelling and don’t want to leave too much food out.

BioTraka Aware — $138

BioTraka Aware app

Whether it is the fireworks or an attractive postman, our pets are known to escape the yard. The BioTraka Aware is a handy accessory fitted to the collar that tells you their location. The device uses GPS to provide real-time tracking of your pet’s whereabouts. Battery life is close to a week which is handy if you see your dog often, but a real worry if you’re travelling or your pet goes missing with a low battery. The wearable doubles as a pet fitness tracker. Over time you’ll see a trend that might alert you to a possible health issue at an early stage. The BioTraka is best suited to larger dogs due to its size, which could frustrate smaller ­terriers.

Petcube Play 2 — $299

Pet tech: Petcube Play 2 - $299

Keeping your pets entertained while you’re away from home can be the difference between finding cushions ripped or a satisfied feline. The Petcube Play 2 is an excellent high-definition camera with two-way audio. Instead of dishing out treats, it has a laser pointer that you use to entertain your pet. You can control the laser with your smartphone and watch your cat chase it around the room. You can also set the device to trigger automatically. If you’re cooking and need to keep the cat entertained you can ask your Alexa smart home assistant to manage the Petcube and throw that pesky red dot around the room for you.

The Cheerble Wicked Ball — $79

Pet tech: The Cheerble Wicked Ball - $79

The Wicked Ball could be mistaken for a prettier version of a tennis ball. This ball has a mind of its own, and when left alone it will flash lights, roll around and even bounce to get your pet’s attention. With three modes from Gentle to Active, the Wicked Ball is designed to be chased, attacked, slobbered on and used all day. The ball does take breaks so that your pet can rest, have a drink and eat. The ball is stronger and more durable than we expected. We think it wouldn’t break easily if left with your rottweiler.

We found it to be smart enough to bounce off and away from obstacles so you hopefully won’t find it stuck or wedged between furniture when you come home. It’s the simplest way to keep your pet entertained, but with no app, no cameras or laser pointers, it essentially takes you out of the equation.

Geoff Quattromani is a technology commentator across radio, print, online and television. Check out his podcast “Technology Uncorked” for new information each week.