They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean when we get older our bodies are expected to keep up with our excitable furry friends. If you struggle with mobility, you might be fine with the daily walks, but could constantly needing to entertain your pooch, or repeatedly having to get up from the sofa to let the cat in or out is a different matter.
But since none of us wants to have to part with our fur babies, there are plenty of gadgets and pet products to help those with pets, that can’t get around as much as they used to.
Pet doors
Possibly the most taxing part of having a pet is the constant need to be opening doors and letting them out to use the toilet or jump on the mailman or mailwoman. All of this means that if you struggle with mobility already, your joints will be taking a beating from all the getting up and down from your seat. Installing a dog door with sensor attached to their collar means you can sit back and relax while they let themselves in and out. The door slides open whenever they’re near, so that you can keep the door closed without restricting them.
Automatic pet feeders
Rather than crouching down to put food down for your pet two to three times a day, an automatic pet feeder can be filled to the brim then controlled by an app on your smartphone. Then, when it’s dinner time, the feeder will release the right amount of food for your furry friend, without you having to move. It also works while you’re not at home, too, so that you can keep to your pet’s mealtime routine, even when you’re not around.
Mechanical ball thrower
For most dogs, if it could play fetch all day, it could. And while they might not get tired, throwing a ball for hours on end in the back garden can be exhausting – and doesn’t leave you much time to do anything else.
A mechanical ball thrower will automatically throw the ball over and over so you don’t have to. And machines can certainly out-play even the most excitable puppies. Your dog will drop the ball back onto the thrower and the game of fetch can start all over again.
Self-cleaning litter trays
Emptying the litter tray is nobody’s favorite part of having a cat – which is why self-cleaning litter trays are one of the best pet inventions. The litter tray will continuously sift litter so that your cat can go to the bathroom in clean conditions every time, and you don’t have to fuss with messy incidents on the regular.
With a few investments, you and your pet can grow old together in perfect harmony. While you sit and relax, your pet can play, use the bathroom and roam the house freely. And once they’re done, they’ll be more than excited to curl up with their best human friend on the sofa.
