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Veterinary Technology: Finding, Feeding and Playing With Pets

Posted by Amber Kingsley | Wed, Oct 12, 2016 @ 01:00 PM

Using GPS to locate missing pets, helping cats maintain proper diet and exercise, and even dogs “calling” loved ones are all part of today’s reality. Looking beyond social media, big business or the newest gaming craze, the tech industry now offers pet owners affordable ways of finding, feeding and nurturing companion animals. These advancements provide veterinarians with the tools to help pet owners solve everyday problems related to the safety of their animals as veterinary technology catches up to the 21st Century. More inventions are certainly on the way.

veterinary technologyLocating Pets with GPS

In the recent past, microchips were one of the few technological choices when it came to locating a missing pet. While pet microchips still serve a purpose, using them to locate lost or stolen animals doesn’t offer much in the way of real-time tracking. The pets could be wandering around encountering dangerous creatures like venomous snakes or in the hands of a criminal looking to sell them for a quick buck online.

It’s now possible to find a pet’s precise location using GPS technology, and there are even cameras and apps that allow people to see where four-legged friends are travelling in real time.

High-tech collars come equipped with GPS devices that allow users to sign up for a monthly monitoring fee and see their pet’s exact location or track their habits when they’re outdoors. GPS also ensures that if a pet owner hires a caregiver like a walking service, the provider is actually performing the service they’re selling. Some vendors offer caregivers a similar report to confirm they’re delivering services as requested.

Feeding & Exercise Options

Exacerbated by busy human lifestyles, the growing obesity epidemic facing many pets underlines the importance of recommended portion control and proper exercise. From automated feeders to exercise machines, there are plenty of ways for animals to be fed and kept active while pet owners are away. Basically these tech tools have a “set it and forget it” type of mentality. Owners need to load feeders, set timers and controls, or activate exercise machines, but the machines and animals do the rest.

PetChatz makes an innovative product line that allows pet owners to call, chat and share treats with their cats and dogs via HD cameras, microphones, full-color LCD displays, and web and mobile apps. Add-on accessories include PawCall, enabling pets to literally contact their loved ones via a push button.

Using Veterinary Technology Apps and Automation

There is a plethora of apps on the market that help care for critters beyond playtime, feeding and tracking. Owners can listen to podcasts about pet care, schedule appointments for their care, or hire exercise options via online platforms that can perform these types of services. 

There are also apps that help pet owners connect with other animal lovers to share tips, offer information on dog parks, and hook up for play dates as well as other ways to share cat and dog-related information. Given the importance of social media in today’s culture, this allows wet nose-to-nose interaction in our technologically drenched society.

Furthermore, automated devices can clean up after pets with little intervention from owners: self-cleaning litter boxes for cats and programmable cleaning devices that vacuum and mop while ridding homes of pet hair and the debris they leave behind.

All of these solutions are designed to keep animals healthy and happy while pet owners are gone. Veterinary technology has come a long way, and pet owners as well as veterinarians can expect an even greater number of services and devices going forward. The tech industry has turned its attention to the demands of hard-working pet owners who take comfort in knowing their beloved fur babies are safe.

Similarly, CrossCheck designed its Multiple Check program to help veterinary professionals offer their clients innovative payment options beyond credit cards and CareCredit. Pet owners simply write up to four checks that the veterinary office deposits over a 30-day period on a mutually beneficial schedule. Pets receive urgent care without delay while the veterinary practice receives instant payments as guaranteed by CrossCheck. Learn more by downloading our free guide.

Multiple Check Insider's Guide

Travel junkie Amber Kingsley is a freelance writer living in Santa Monica, Calif. Her art history background helps her hone in on topics that are of interest to readers. She is a dog enthusiast and loves spending time with her Pomeranian, Agatha.

Topics: Technology, Veterinarians

Written by Amber Kingsley

Travel junkie Amber Kingsley is a freelance writer living in Santa Monica, Calif. Her art history background helps her hone in on topics that are of interest to readers. She is a dog enthusiast and loves spending time with her Pomeranian, Agatha.