How to Make Your Home Pet Friendly

We love pets!  ASPCA studied that, around 45 percent of American households have a dog, and 35 percent have at least one cat. And that is not counting the countless birds, small mammals, reptiles and fish with whom we share our homes.

With the development of smart-home systems such as Constellation Connect, an explosion of pet technology gadgets has hit the market, from virtual toys and the best automatic pet feeders to wearable technology for pets--all of which can be controlled through your home's compatible smart hub. Now you can be sure that leaving the dog alone while at work will not be an issue!

Check in on your pets from any location with smart video cameras.

Leaving a dog at home while at work can be worrying, especially if you're wondering what your pet is up to whenever you are outside of the house. Home security automation makes it possible to watch your pets from work so you can check on them (and enjoy their antics). Use a doorbell camera to watch your backyard for outside pets, or inside cameras if they are indoor pets.

Not security systems rely, and include video monitoring on motion detectors that are sensitive . If a motion sensor detects an unusual movement, the system sends a notification to your cell phone.

You can use this tech to track pets while away from the home so you always know where in the house your pet is. If you don't need a constant stream of security alarms originating with your pet, pet-immune sensors can be set to alert you only to motion suggesting human activity.

Unlock your home door and provide access to a dog walker or sitter.

Keeping track of your house keys can be a hassle, especially when it comes to giving copies. With smart locks, however, you can provide access to your house for pet sitters and dog walkers without needing to give anyone a physical key. Wise locks will also alert you to when pet sitters arrive, so you will know your pets are getting the attention they need.

Manage and track all wise technology with harmonious smart-home hubs.

Products meant for humans work as technology for pets. You can easily use smart thermostats, motion-detecting lights and other home automation ideas by linking these products to a home automation hub such as Constellation Connect. Controlling your energy intake and appliances helps you save on energy costs--you will have more cash left over for cat toys!

Set the optimal home temperature to your pets with smart thermostats.

Keeping your home at the ideal home temperature will keep your pets cool and comfy. This is particularly important in hot climates, as most pets don't have sweat glands like humans. Dogs pant to stay cool, while cats sweat through their paws. Simply turning ceiling fans won't keep your pets cool. Instead, set smart thermostats to keep your home comfortable for pets while you're away.

Keep your pets happy and fed with the best automatic pet feeders.

Of all the pet tech products on the market, automatic feeders are possibly the most useful. The best automatic pet feeder will feed your pets in time, dispensing enough food to keep them happy and healthy. Many come with features to make sure pets do not eat too quickly. Automatic feeders are available for dogs, cats, birds and even fish.

For the best automatic pet feeders, look for features that allow you to program dispensing times and food portions. Ensure the feeder is pet-proof to keep food secure and prevent break-ins, and ensure that the feeder has battery backup in the event of a power outage. Some models will even send alerts to your smartphone so that you monitor your pet's feeding from any location.

Much like automatic feeders, pet technology products provide your pet with fresh water on demand. Automated water dispensers replenish water dishes when you are not home, pulling water out of an attached water reservoir so that you don't need to attach the water dispenser to your pipes. Great for pets that aren't motivated to drink enough, automatic dispensers often utilize fountains to stimulate pets to drink more and stay hydrated.

If cat litter isn't kept clean, your kitty may develop behavioral problems in protest. Among the greatest pet gadgets ever invented (if you're a cat lover) is the self-cleaning litter box. Fantastic for busy pet owners, self-cleaning litter boxes also help safeguard pregnant women from Toxoplasma gondii (commonly known as toxoplasmosis), a cat-borne parasite that can cause neurological damage in unborn children.

Pet doors have always been problematic. Your pet can enter and exit the house freely, but the door creates energy-consuming air leaks and provides a possible entry point for human or animal home invaders (coming home to a raccoon in the living room is less fun than it sounds). A smart energy-efficient pet door provides better insulation than a simple door flap and works with wearable technologies for pets so that only your pet can use the door.