Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

I know there’s a lot of hype surrounding them, but if you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner I can’t recommend the Dyson models enough. Their upright ‘Animal’ model has particularly impressed me when it comes to battling a golden retriever who seems to shed and regrow his coat every 4 to 6 hours. Unfortunately though the upright model isn’t incredibly portable, and if you’re battling pet hair in your house, there’s a good chance you’re waging the same war in your car which is why Dyson has also introduced an ‘Animal’ version of their handheld DC16 line. (Also known as the Root 6 in North America.)

What sets the Animal version apart from the other Root 6 models is a motorized brushbar attachment that basically ’scrubs’ the pet hair off of fabrics and other upholstery. But like with the other handheld Dyson vacuums, the amazing suction power means you only get about 6 minutes of battery life. However, they do apparently recharge up to 3 times faster than their competitor’s models, which is great because I don’t anyone who can’t wait to clean. The Root 6 Animal is available directly from Dyson for $199.99.

[ Dyson DC16 Animal Handheld ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By Andrew Liszewski

One of the things I like about dogs is that they do their ‘business’ outside, instead of in a small box in the corner of your laundry room like other pets. But without the ability to operate a deadbolt or a door knob on their own, they’re pretty much reliant on you to let them outside. And if you forget to do so, things could get messy, so installing this pet sensing doorbell will ensure you always know when they’re ready for you know what.

The unit mounts to the wall near a door in your house and relies on a smart key attached to your pet’s collar to know when the animal is in the vicinity of the door, and presumably wants to go outside. The range can be adjusted from 6 inches to 3 feet, and when your pet does approach the doorbell it will ring a tone for about 7 seconds, every 5-10 seconds, until you get up and let them out. The volume can also be adjusted with 4 different settings that go as loud as 101 decibels. The Pet Sensing Doorbell ’starter kit’ comes with one of the smart tags and will set you back $79.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer. But it can actually be used with up to 5 different pets at once and additional smart tags are $29.95 each.

[ Pet Sensing Doorbell ]

By Luke Anderson

Have you ever gone to feed your dog, only to watch them devour it in a matter of minutes? Well apparently it’s just as bad for dogs to wolf down their food as it is for humans. To slow your pooch down you could always slowly give them more food, but that’s extra work for you. A better option might be this DogPause bowl.

This bowl has “SlowZones” which are simply raised areas of the bowl that intend to slow your pup down. According to the information, it can slow down consumption by up to 50%. If you’re concerned about the way your dog eats, then this $18 investment might be what you need.

[ DogPauseBowl ] VIA [ RedFerret ]

By Luke Anderson

I have a small black cat which I love very much, however, over the last month or so she has been driving me nuts. No, she’s not in heat, she’s just turning into a spaz. Seriously, she attacks everything that moves (and quite a few things that don’t). This of course includes my feet while I’m running up the stairs, which has nearly caused me to fall and break my leg a few times. Perhaps I need to invest in one of these Fling-Ama-String contraptions.

Essentially what you have here is a device that dangles a ribbon in front of your cat, which they will no doubt go crazy for. Just pop in 3 AA batteries and hang it from any door knob. You can select high or low, then watch your cat bat at it for a while. The only issue is that most cats aren’t entertained by a single object for more than a few minutes, so it’s a toss-up whether or not they’ll actually play with this $30 gadget any more than your shoelaces.

[ SkyMall ] VIA [ RGS ]

By Luke Anderson

How smart is your dog? I can bet that you really don’t have to think about that question. If you do have a dog, it’s pretty easy to tell if they’re something of a genius, or if it would have taken the short bus. However, if you’re unsure as to the intellect of your pooch and simply must know, you can purchase a Dog IQ Test.

This kit features 12 different tests that cover problem solving, ability and memory. Of course, I have to wonder at the IQ of someone who spends money on a product that will net them nothing more than the ability to say “my dog is smarter than your dog.” At least it’ll only set you back $10.

[ IWantOneOfThose ] VIA [ Red Ferret ]

By Luke Anderson

I’m something of an animal lover. No, not the “save the whales” or “carry my dog in a purse” kind of guy (or a guy that carries anything in a purse for that matter), but the kind that enjoys seeing animals and loves his pets. That being said, I’m completely creeped out by this digital picture frame. Why? Because it holds the ashes of your dead pet.

I get that some people really love their animals, but holding onto their ashes is just a bit weird in my eyes. Then to take things a step further and enclose the remains in a digital frame is just too much for me. For those interested, you’ll be able to hold 256MB worth of pictures (I’m sure you’ll have no problem filling it up) and view them on a 7-inch screen. The price is a bit salty at $249, but who cares? Nothing but the best for your pet, right?

[ Pet-Urns ] VIA [ UberGizmo ]

By Andrew Liszewski

My parents often wonder what their dog does while he’s home alone. I’ve suggested they set up a digital camera to take some time-lapse photos while they’re away, but I think something like that might be a bit beyond their gadget comfort level. But if you’re the type who lets their pet wander the neighborhood all day, and have wondered where they go and what they do, this Pet’s Eye View Camera will document their wacky misadventures.

The built-in intervalometer can be set to automatically take photos at intervals of 1, 5 or 15 minutes, but even with a crappy resolution of just 640×480 (which they claim is fine for 4×6 prints) the camera only has enough memory to store about 35 shots. So if you set the timer for a 1 minute interval, it’ll run out of space in about 35 minutes. The camera includes a 4-foot USB cable for transferring the photos to your PC or recharging, and the ABS plastic housing is water-resistant so as long as your pet stays out of the local ponds or lakes, it should survive.

You can get it from Discover This for $47.95.

[ Pet's Eye View Camera ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Got a problem with nuisance animals in your backyard or garden? Why turn the hose on them when you can reach for this contraption instead. The Mega-Sonic Scatter-Cat Repeller looks like a megaphone because it actually is one. To use the Scatter-Cat you just point it at the cat, bird, dog, squirrel or other non-human intruder on your property and pull the trigger. An ultrasonic signal that’s undetectable to the human ear will scare off the varmint from up to 65 feet away. It may take a few blasts before the animal stops coming back, but they’ll eventually get the picture.

To ensure the signal is being aimed in the right direction, the Mega-Sonic Scatter-Cat even includes a laser sight that’s activated when you pull the trigger. And while the ultrasonic signal won’t disturb your neighbors, it can also be switched to a sonic signal that can be heard by humans, presumably if you’re trying to scare off a group of toddlers or small children who are tearing up your garden.

You can get the Mega-Sonic Scatter-Cat Repeller from Selections.com for about $30.

[ Mega-Sonic Scatter-Cat Repeller ] VIA [ Crave ]

By Luke Anderson

I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to house train a dog, but it can be a difficult task. However, this strange little brick is supposed to make it about as easy as it gets.

There isn’t much information on how this works exactly, but the Potty Training Brick is supposed to have a unique scent that makes dogs want to pee on it. Will it work? Who knows, but at $20, it would be well worth it if it did.

[ TaylorGifts ] VIA [ RGS ]