Does your dog really stay off the couch when you're not home?  Is your cat getting on the counter the minute you walk out the door?

More than half of US households have a pet in the home, and to many of us, they’re part of the family.  It’s natural that we should be curious about their secret lives when we aren’t around.  And now, technology is making it easier than ever to keep an eye on them, and make sure they're safe.

Cameras

Did you know you can access your home camera from your smartphone, watching a live feed of your pets?  Solve the mystery of who got into the trash, why there's dog hair on the chair the dog is not allowed on, or where your socks are going. And you’ll have an endless source of videos to meet the internet’s appetite for animal antics.

Pet Doors

Automated or electronic pet doors can be set up to let your pets – and nothing else – in or out of the house, even when you’re away.  A simple key attaches to the collar, and they can come and go as they please, without you having to worry about squirrels, raccoons, or other non-domestics gaining entry.

Door Sensors

Want to know if the backyard gate has been opened?  Or get a notification when your pet goes in or out.  Smart door sensors can send alerts every time they’re opened.  You can even set up the locks to your house on your phone, and unlock it for the pet sitter remotely.

Automation

Setting up automated lights and thermostat can help save money while keeping things comfortable for your pets.  Animals don’t cool as efficiently as humans, so helping them keep cool in hot weather is a genuine safety concern.  Turn up the AC when temperature spikes, and let fur take care of things again when it cools off.

Temperature and water sensors are even more important for fish owners, alerting you to leaks, sudden changes in environment, and anything else you need to keep your fish swimming happy.

It doesn’t stop here.  As the Internet of Things becomes capable of more, the number of ways we can make our houses take care of us (and our pets) will only be limited by our creativity.