A poll of 2,000 pet owners has found what technological advancements they would like to see developed specifically for their cats and dogs in the future
A survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners has thrown up some futuristic demands they have for their pets, including the desire for smart watches (20%) and automated teeth brushing devices (26%).
Gadgets like automatic pooper scoopers are a hit with 34%, while 13% wish AI pals to keep their furry friends company; meanwhile, solutions for anxiety and emotional support are eyed by 29%.
Fancy a pet bed that adjusts temperature judging on your pet’s comfort? That’s on the wishlist for 26%, while 14% hope for smart home devices responding to barks and meows, and another 13% are dreaming of dedicated public transport for pet owners and their companions.
When it comes down to what they’d ask their pets, 20% of owners are most eager to learn about their four-legged friend’s physical health, and 17% are desperate to gauge their pets’ happiness levels.
Commissioned by Pet Drugs Online in light of their milestone 20th anniversary, the research also highlighted that 29% would love to have doors that open with a paw print recognition system.
Trent Webb, a product sales data expert at Pet Drugs Online, commented: “Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen an increased trend of humanisation of pet care, particularly in the nutrition, dietary and health products that pet parents are purchasing.
“Dog parents’ approaches to purchasing pet supplements have evolved over the past ten years; while purchasing general multivitamins has decreased by 6%, sales of specific nutritional support supplements have increased by 231%. However, for cat parents, multivitamins prove the most popular of all supplements at 21%, but sales have reduced by 53% over the past decade.
“Supplements to help felines reduce their stress and anxiety are in the highest demand, rising by 1,703% in five years. Stress-reducing supplements remain the go-to for pet owners, but specific foods dedicated to supporting our four-legged friends are gaining ground.
“We’ve seen that owners who purchased stress relief diffusers between 2020 and 2023, are repurchasing refills, indicating that they really see the benefits of calming scents and products that are designed to reduce stress in the home.”
Reflecting on what’s changed since the online retailer launched, the research also found 76% of pet parents believe the standard of pet care products has improved in the past two decades.
A further 74% think the availability of expert-backed information for owners has increased and more than half (59%) also believe pets are generally living longer lives now compared to 20 years ago.
In the future, owners expect products to be more sustainable (29%), personalised (27%) and health-related (30%).
Pet owners are increasingly choosing smarter nutrition tailored to their furry friends’ specific needs, with supplements for joints and muscles (30%), multivitamins (24%), and stress and anxiety reduction (18%) topping the purchase charts.
Sarah Page-Jones, veterinary compliance chief at a leading UK online veterinary medication and care products supplier, commented: “This research paints an exciting picture of the future of pet care.
“We’ve come a long way already, with tech inventions such as automatic feeders, cameras and DNA testing kits, but there are still so many opportunities.
“It’s clear pet owners are eager for even more innovation, especially when it comes to the health of their pets and everyday convenience.
“We know that the focuses we have on human health always trickle down to the priorities pet owners have for their companions – seen through food and nutritional demand over the past decade.
“Looking ahead, pet’s mental health will likely become more important to owners, as it has for humans in recent years.”
The brand’s data also suggests a major shift in pet diets over the last 20 years from standard kibble to premium options like organic, raw, and speciality foods, including grain-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic choices.
Trent Webb observed: “Pet parents want variety, and we’ve seen them purchasing from 283% more food brands than they did ten years ago.”
A reassuring 69% of pet parents, in a poll conducted by OnePoll, express optimism about the future of pet care and ownership.
Adding to the discourse, Sarah Page-Jones commented: “Pets are so much more than furry companions. They are members of the family whom we prioritise and care for as much as we would any other relative.”
She also shared her enthusiasm: “We’re excited to see what the future holds for pet care, hopefully helping both pets and owners to spend more time together, understand one another and improve all areas of health and wellbeing.”
Here are the top 5 advancements pet owners are hoping for in the future when it comes to their beloved animal’s health:
- Advanced therapies to keep ageing pets active and pain-free
- Devices to help detect complex health issues early
- The ability to translate my pet’s noises (e.g. bark, meow, etc.) into English
- New medical technology that will extend my pet’s life
- Nutrition that adapts automatically to my pet’s needs
TOP 15 ADVANCEMENTS OWNERS WANT TO SEE FOR THEIR PET’S LIFE IN THE FUTURE:
- Devices that automatically pick up dog or cat poo
- Smart pet doors which open or close based on paw or facial recognition
- Litter trays that clean themselves
- Temperature-changing pet beds based on how they feel
- Self-cleaning pet beds
- Secure-fenced pet areas in public spaces
- Tech which can self-groom my pet e.g. cut and brush their hair
- Robots to help me when needed, e.g. to take them for a walk, entertain them
- Smart home appliances which are controlled by animals’ noises, e.g. a bark turns on a washing machine, a meow automatically opens the curtains
- AI-based pet sitters for holidays and trips away
- AI animals to be a ‘friend’ to my pet
- Public transport that’s purely for pet owners and their pets
- Life-sized holograms to speak to my pet when I’m not at home
- VR headsets for animals to keep them entertained while I’m not there
- Pet-only films and theatre shows