We're a pet-loving staff here at Engadget, with diverse distribution of cat people, dog people, other-small-fuzzy-creature people, bird feeder enjoyers and so on (at press time, I'm unsure if we have a rat person, but I'd be surprised if we didn't). And, of course, we love getting new gadgets of all sorts for our pets as much as for ourselves. This list, with gifts as low-tech as a blanket and as high-tech as the best $30 two-way camera you'll ever use, is for the pet lover in your life — whether that's you or another favorite human. Every entry comes waggingly approved by at least one fuzzy friend.
People these days are adopting more and more pets, sometimes more than their homes can accommodate. Dogs might have no problems staying in outdoor doghouses, but domesticated felines tend to prefer indoor accommodations. Of course, there’s no shortage of furniture for cats, ranging from litter boxes to scratching posts to climbing trees. The problem is that the majority of them are all designed to take up space on the floor, which leaves less room for human furniture. Just like how humans realize they have plenty of unused vertical space, this cat furniture concept grows upward rather than sideways to let you comfortably accommodate one or more furry felines, even if you don’t have much space for yourself either.
Vertical furniture is definitely becoming a trend as we realize how precious little floor space we actually have. Unfortunately, that’s only part of the solution, because just like floor space, the vertical situation in our homes can change as well. Unlike regular furniture, however, vertical designs often have a fixed height and configuration, preventing us from easily rearranging these pieces of furniture.
FROHZ Cat Castle is a design concept that solves both those problems with a simple modular design. The furniture system is made of five pieces that can be freely rearranged as needed. Of course, they have certain limits given their fixed shapes, but you can, in theory, combine them in many ways without permanently committing to a particular configuration.
The largest part of the modular furniture system is the cat litter box, a tall cabinet with two doors at the top, one of which has an oval opening for the cat to crawl into. A “Play/Rest” box has a slightly similar design, except it’s a simpler and smaller box designed only to be a resting spot. An even simpler version of this is an arched structure with openings at the front and the back. There’s also an L-shaped scratching “post” and a simple storage box to keep kitty toys and accessories.
Arranging these pieces is as simple as stacking them on top of each other or putting them side by side, with some connectors to keep them from easily falling apart from the cat’s movement. The open-ended design even allows for more than one piece of each type to accommodate more than one feline in the house. And should the number of pets you own increase or decrease, you can quickly add or remove modules as needed. You might even be able to challenge yourself to come up with a creative design, one that would truly make your cat feel like a king or queen in its own castle.
Tired of choosing between your home’s decor and a comfortable space for your pet? The Luxe Cabin from Rawry is here to change that, offering a perfect blend of style and coziness that satisfies both your aesthetic and your pet’s need for comfort. It’s more than just a pet bed—it’s a beautifully designed, handcrafted piece of furniture that enhances any room while providing a serene retreat for your pet.
Designed with small dogs and cats in mind, the Luxe Cabin addresses one of the most common challenges pet owners face: anxiety in animals. For pets who are shy, anxious, or particularly picky about their lounging spots, this cabin offers the perfect solution. Its enclosed design provides a secure, calming environment that makes pets feel safe and protected. Whether your furry friend loves hiding away or simply needs a quiet space to unwind, the Luxe Cabin is their new go-to spot.
What sets the Luxe Cabin apart from other pet beds is the quality of its craftsmanship. Each piece is handmade in small batches, ensuring attention to detail and durability. Unlike cheap, flimsy cardboard or scatter-board alternatives that wear out quickly, the Luxe Cabin is made from high-quality, AA furniture-grade plywood. The use of natural, water-based stains and a woolen felt roof not only gives it an elegant finish but also makes it a sustainable, environmentally friendly choice. This pet house is built to last a lifetime, offering long-term comfort for your pet while enhancing your home’s interior.
Assembly is a breeze with the Luxe Cabin. Thanks to its interlocking design, no tools or adhesives are needed to set it up. It takes just a few minutes to assemble, and the sturdy construction ensures it stays secure. Maintenance is equally simple: wipe down the plywood with a damp cloth when needed, spot-clean the woolen felt roof, and toss the cotton slip-cover cushion in the washing machine for an easy refresh.
The Luxe Cabin comes in two sizes (medium, and XL), designed to accommodate most cats and small dogs under 20 pounds. With five chic color options (cream, light grey, maroon, delicate blue, and tickled pink) it seamlessly blends into any room, serving as both a functional pet house and a stylish decor accent.
The Luxe Cabin isn’t just another pet bed; it’s a lifestyle choice for pet lovers who value both aesthetics and quality. It’s more than a cozy corner for your pet, it’s an accent piece that elevates the style of any room. So why settle for less? Give your pet the luxurious retreat they deserve with the Luxe Cabin by Rawry.
Most of us probably think of robots as industrial arms that assemble cars, rolling discs that clean up floors, or menacing skeletal figures out to destroy humanity. Of course, there are also a growing number of robots that would normally be classified as toys but can actually behave like mechanical pets, down to their adorable and sometimes mischievous behaviors as well. Robot dogs like Sony’s Aibo have made headlines before, and there are some like robot cats recently as well. This particular furry robot, however, eschews typical animal forms to offer a simpler but cuddlier robot that can’t really do much other than make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Truth be told, not everyone will find Moflin cute and cuddly. It’s definitely a furry critter, one that’s like a very fat and big hairy caterpillar with two beady eyes or a rodent so fat you can’t even see its legs, which could trigger some people. It even wiggles and curls around like a worm. On the upside, it won’t be going around and tripping up like a dog or cat, so maintenance is simpler as well.
Unlike robot dogs and cats that try to mimic their flesh and blood counterparts, Moflin is meant to just provide joy and comfort with the feeling of something (subjectively) cute and furry cuddling up to you and seemingly responding to your love and care. It’s pretty much similar to having a stuffed toy, except it’s more dynamic and feels a bit more alive, which could actually make some people feel a bit uneasy.
Of course, Moflin has a smidgen of everyone’s favorite AI, and each robot is supposed to have its own unique personality developed through your daily interactions. It also has the semblance of emotions expressed through movement and sounds, such as trembling when stressed or whistling when happy. That said, the actual emotions the robot is “feeling” can only be read through the companion smartphone app. For the sake of immersion, Moflin’s charger isn’t just some cable or wireless charging pad but an oval bowl that looks like a bed made especially for it.
Moflin actually went on crowdfunding back in 2020, but Casio is now making it more generally available for around $400. The catch is that, at least for now, it’s only available in Japan, and there is no word yet on whether it will be wiggling its way into people’s arms globally.
For any pet parent, bath time is often the beginning of chaos. Unless you have a pet who obediently sits through their bath, the real challenge kicks in when your dripping wet cat or small dog dashes through the house, leaving a trail of wet paw prints and soaked furniture in their wake. You might have a towel ready, but drying hyperactive pets can feel like a battle beyond the bathing activity. Now sure, you could bust out a hairdryer and groom your little furry one (unless the sound of the hairdryer terrifies them), but the folks at PetSnowy may have designed a better alternative – the SMILE Dryer Box. Instead of struggling to keep your home dry and your pet calm, this unique dryer box offers a solution that promises to make bath time smoother for everyone involved. Imagine your pet comfortably seated in a cozy, transparent box, drying off without the high heat or noise of a traditional blow dryer. No more chasing them around the house. Just a calm, controlled drying experience that leaves your pet fluffier than ever, and your living room, blissfully dry.
The PetSnowy SMILE is essentially a small, enclosed drying box designed specifically for pets. Created to be highly efficient, safe, and comfortable, the PetSnowy SMILE uses a sophisticated drying system along with outlets to dry your pet while keeping the entire box ventilated throughout the process. Once your pet is placed inside, the Dual Brushless Crossflow Drying System circulates air from the bottom, creating a steady, gentle airflow that dries their fur without the need for harsh, high heat. Unlike traditional drying methods that can stress pets out, the SMILE dryer uses controlled airflow to keep your pet comfortable, reducing drying time while also preventing tangles and discomfort. A transparent glass casing allows your pet to stay aware of their surroundings, reducing anxiety, and the entire process is closely monitored by built-in LCD screens that display drying progress, temperature, and wind speed. With its compact size and thoughtful design, it’s like having a personal drying station that’s safer and more efficient than conventional alternatives. The entire system is designed to be shock-proof, and without the upper hood, the PetSnowy SMILE’s base transforms into a cat’s nest, allowing them to get acclimatized to it and feel relaxed while sitting in it.
Visually, the PetSnowy SMILE dryer looks almost like a pet kennel, albeit with a transparent exterior. This might seem like a small detail, but if you’ve ever tried to put a cat in an enclosed space, you’ll know how much they hate not being able to see what’s happening around them. With the clear tempered glass design, your pet can see their surroundings, allowing them to feel more at ease. The choice of material here is also incredibly practical. The glass is durable and scratch-resistant, so even the feistiest pets won’t cause damage. On top of that, the outer housing is designed with ample airflow to ensure your pet stays safe and comfortable while they dry, with no suffocating, stuffy enclosure to worry about.
The device comes built with a robust design that’s practically pet-proof. The high-quality tempered glass is scratch-resistant and made to last, while being unbreakable and generally safe for pets and you. The design also emphasizes safety, with a non-electrified upper housing that removes the risk of electric shock, so your pet stays safe no matter what… And if you’re the kind of person who values easy maintenance, you’ll appreciate the modular design that makes cleaning and upkeep a breeze. It’s easy to disassemble and clean, ensuring a hygienic environment for your pet every time they step in for a dry-off.
Powering the dryer is the Dual Brushless Crossflow Drying System (located at the bottom of the dryer), ensuring your pet dries quickly without the need for high heat, which can be uncomfortable or even harmful. High-velocity airflow circulates around your pet, cutting down drying time dramatically, making it particularly helpful for long-haired breeds that take forever to dry. And because this system doesn’t rely on extreme heat, it’s gentle enough for all coat types, keeping your pet cozy rather than stressed. Plus, no more soggy towels piling up or fur-filled blow dryers overheating—this setup gets the job done without the usual hassle.
More than simply drying, the SMILE box dryer creates a spa-like experience for your pet. Advanced Negative Ion Technology fluffs their fur up while reducing shedding. If your pet sheds like crazy (and most do), the negative ions help to separate and smooth each strand of fur, making it softer, fluffier, and much less likely to end up all over your floors and furniture. So, not only will your pet look and feel their best, but you’ll also find yourself doing less vacuuming and lint-brushing. In a way, it’s almost like sending your pet to a groomer, but in the comfort of your own home, and without the hefty price tag.
The PetSnowy SMILE box dryer is packed with features designed to make life easier for you, the pet parent. The dual LCD screens give you real-time updates on temperature, wind speed, and the drying stage, so you’re never in the dark about how things are going. If that wasn’t enough, the dryer even offers app support, allowing you to control settings remotely from your smartphone. You could step away to attend a meeting or quickly grab a snack while keeping an eye on your pet’s drying progress from another room (while also avoiding your pet trying to steal your snack!) When the cycle is done, you’ll get a notification on your phone.
Your pet may seem reticent at first, but with enough use, they’ll come to love the pampering experience… while also letting go of their post-bath stress, so to speak! Your pet gets a first-class grooming session, while you on the other hand, don’t have to deal with dripping pets tearing through your living room, or even endless fur-shedding. It’s a win-win if you ask me!
The pet industry is evolving as pets become cherished members of families, leading to a rise in services like pet passports and travel arrangements. Today, many pet owners want to offer their pets the same comfort and care they enjoy, even on flights. The Batsy Cat Shelter and Transportation Unit is a cutting-edge solution that addresses the challenge of feline comfort during travel. As pet ownership surges and the “pet parenting” trend grows, Batsy meets the demand for innovation, sustainability, and animal welfare. It offers a product that aligns perfectly with the modern consumer’s desire to provide the very best for their pets, ensuring they travel in comfort and style.
The pet industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the online pet market nearly quadrupling since 2013. This expansion was further fueled by the pandemic, which saw a spike in pet adoption rates as people sought companionship during lockdowns. The result is a booming market where pet owners are more willing than ever to invest in high-quality products that enhance the well-being of their furry friends.
Traveling with cats has always been a challenging experience. Studies show that 70% of cat owners find it difficult to transport their cats, especially when going on trips or visiting the vet. Cats, being inherently stress-prone animals, often associate carriers with negative experiences, such as vet visits, which leads to resistance and anxiety.
This cat shelter addresses these mobility challenges by transforming the traditional carrier into a safe and familiar space for cats. The product is designed to serve as both a cozy shelter at home and a convenient carrying case when needed. By making the carrier a regular part of the cat’s environment, Batsy helps reduce the stress associated with travel, making it easier for owners to transport their pets.
Batsy is a multifunctional unit designed with both the cat and the owner in mind. At home, it serves as a warm, secure space where cats can relax, complete with a built-in heater that meets their desire for warmth even when their owner is away. The heater, combined with pheromone pads that emit calming scents, helps strengthen the cat’s bond with the product, making it a familiar and comforting presence.
When it’s time to travel, Batsy easily transforms into a carrying case. The design allows for quick adjustments, such as moving the hangers to the desired length and covering the top of the bed, ensuring a seamless transition from home to transport. This adaptability makes it an ideal solution for emergency scenarios, vet visits, or any other situation where mobility is required.
In line with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, Batsy is designed with sustainability in mind. The product’s modular design allows for parts to be repaired or replaced over time, extending its lifespan and reducing waste. Additionally, the four main bodies of the product are symmetrical and can be produced using just two molds, minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing.
Batsy also offers customization options, allowing users to add different functions, such as pheromone pads or playground creation parts, and choose from various colors. This versatility ensures that the shelter can meet cat owners’ diverse needs and preferences while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.
Anyone who has owned a cat will know the truth about who is really the master and who is the pet. Although they can definitely be cuddly and sentimental, furry felines are also known to be temperamental and territorial. And by that, it usually means that any place in the house can be their territory. All kidding aside, cats tend to love squeezing into tight spaces, even when you’ve already provided a lush, comfy, and unfortunately very open bed. Embracing the behavior of cats and how they can be central to owners’ lives, these concept designs envision furniture for humans that cats will appreciate, or rather, cat furniture that just happens to be usable by humans.
For reasons unfathomable to all except their regal kind, cats love to squeeze into cramped spaces. Of course, they’ll still enjoy plush beds, but give them a box or a tube and their natural instincts kick in. So why not just design sleeping furniture that appeals to this behavior directly instead? Bonus points if it can also be used by their human owners, potentially letting them bond even better when resting in the same place.
That may be the thinking behind this rather unusual set of cat-friendly furniture design concepts. Or perhaps they’re human-friendly cat furniture designs. Either way, these chairs will be enjoyable to both parties, though their maintenance will probably be less so for humans. The common theme these chairs have are the armrests that act like dark tunnels, enticing cats to go inside to nap. There’s ample space for a cat or even two, so it’s not exactly a cramped and uncomfortable space at all.
Two variants of these armchair designs exist. Perhaps the more interesting one of the two has an armrest that goes around the back of the chair, creating a single tunnel that cats can walk through from end to end. There is also a more modest version where the armrests swap out tunnels for shelves, allowing owners to put other things on the side that won’t be used by the cat, presuming the cat doesn’t claim that space and pushes the vase off the shelf.
There is even a stool design where the very low backrest curves inward, creating that same tunnel shape where the cat can lie inside behind you. Truth be told, the seats don’t look too comfortable, especially with the backrests so low. They might have been unintentionally designed with feline comfort as the priority, showing who the real master of the house is. That said, they are indeed interesting designs and, to some extent, quite feasible, though the question of how to clean up after the cat inside those armrests still remains.
There used to be a time when most pet-oriented brands would design products mostly for puppies and dogs. But now that there are a lot of feline fur parents out there too, we’re seeing more brands get into the game of creating products that will appeal to this market. Even brands that usually don’t have anything to do with pets are also conceptualizing toys for cats.
Yamaha is known more for their musical instruments and vehicles but now they’re exploring design studies for cat-related products while still keeping the design values of the company. What they came up with are three design concepts for things that felines might enjoy if they ever get made into actual products although there are no plans to commercialize it for now.
Neko-Yama is a cat playground but built in the “Yamaha style”. It lets the felines have a platform where they can explore all the tight spaces, crevices, and holes that they usually want to play around in. You will also be able to enjoy looking at them challenge themselves by playing around in the various places they can stick themselves in since it has a transparent design. The Strumming Box meanwhile is a scratching post where different colors will appear in the underside as they create their own patterns. Eventually it will look like a worn-out guitar but with the cat’s claws and scratches creating the unique surface.
Lastly, the Cat Music Box lets your feline friends create their own music by walking around in a wheel. Think of it as a hamster wheel but for cats and it is able to create notes through the rotation of the double wheels as it walks or runs around on the inner ring. The tempo also depends on how fast or slow they move. They can also walk backwards which might create a different kind of music.
Monday is National Dog Day, and Lyft seized the opportunity to catch up on a feature equivalent to one Uber has had for about five years. When heading somewhere with a furry companion, Lyft’s new Pet Mode lets you designate that you’ll bring them along, ensuring you’ll get a driver to accommodate your dog or cat.
Like Uber Pet, Lyft’s Pet Mode adds a surcharge — in this case, $4 plus tax. The company says the fee goes directly to the driver.
The new Pet Mode could’ve come in handy a year ago during the saga of Tux the Cat, who was being taken to the vet by her owner Palash Pandey. A Lyft driver in Austin, TX, was accused of speeding off with Tux (inside a carrier) still in the car’s backseat, ignoring Pandey’s pleas as he banged on the window. The driver responded to Pandey’s in-app messages, claiming not to have the feline.
Days passed as Pandey made desperate calls to the Austin Police Department and viral postings on Reddit and X (Twitter). Eventually, media outlets picked up the story, and Lyft’s PR team went into crisis mode. CEO David Risher even got involved.
Tux was finally located under a stairwell about a mile from the drop-off point. It was a momentarily viral fiasco with a feel-good ending, but a feature that ensured passengers got matched with pet-friendly drivers would have likely prevented it. “[The driver] told me that if he’d known I’d had a cat, he wouldn’t have picked me up,” The Washington Postreported Pandey as saying. “He said he was allergic to cats and would have canceled the ride. My drop-off location was a pet hospital, and I was holding a pet carrier, so it’s hard to figure that one out.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyfts-belated-pet-mode-matches-drivers-to-those-traveling-with-their-furry-friends-100021294.html?src=rss
Dogs are more than just pets, they’re beloved members of the family. As such, their health and happiness are just as important as that of any human family member. In today’s tech-savvy world, keeping an eye on your furry friend’s well-being has become easier and more efficient, thanks to innovative products like the Cotons AI LifeTrack Collar for Dogs.
Imagine being able to monitor your dog’s health metrics in real time, right from your smartphone. The Cotons AI LifeTrack Collar is designed to do just that. Think of it as a smartwatch for your dog but with features specifically tailored to their unique needs. This smart collar tracks vital signs such as heart rate, respiration, temperature, and activity levels, providing a comprehensive understanding of your dog’s health at any given moment.
One of the standout features of this collar is its ability to monitor a wide range of vital signs. By tracking your dog’s heart rate, respiration, and temperature, the collar can alert you to any potential health issues before they become serious. Whether it’s an elevated heart rate indicating stress or unusual temperature readings suggesting illness, you’ll have the information you need to take proactive steps to ensure your dog’s well-being.
In addition to monitoring health metrics, the Cotons AI LifeTrack Collar comes equipped with a GPS tracker. This feature ensures you always know your dog’s location, providing peace of mind whether you’re at home or out on an adventure. If your dog ever wanders off, the GPS tracker makes it easy to locate them quickly and safely.
Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. This collar records your dog’s activity levels throughout the day, helping you manage their daily exercise routines and overall fitness. This data is invaluable for ensuring that your dog stays in shape, preventing obesity and related health problems that can arise from a sedentary lifestyle.
While the technology behind the Cotons AI LifeTrack Collar is impressive, the design is equally thoughtful. The tracker is attached to the collar using a screw-like attachment that secures it firmly from both sides, ensuring it won’t fall off or break easily. This design feature is crucial in maintaining the collar’s functionality and durability.
Moreover, the screw has a flat, foldable handle, which is a small but significant detail. This ensures that the attachment is not only secure but also comfortable for your dog, eliminating any discomfort or irritation. After all, a product designed for your dog’s well-being should never compromise on comfort.
The Cotons AI LifeTrack Collar is a smart investment in your dog’s health and happiness. By providing you with real-time data on your dog’s vital signs and activity levels, it empowers you to make informed decisions about their care. Whether you’re concerned about their health, need to track their location, or simply want to ensure they’re getting enough exercise, this smart collar is the perfect tool to help you keep your furry friend safe, healthy, and happy.
