Pet Health & Wellness

Pet Health & Wellness

Make Life Easier on You— and Your Furry Friends

BY BRIA ROSE MCKOUEN

137

Million

Total # of pets cared for by U.S. households: dogs, cats, horses, birds, etc.

SOURCE: AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOC.

Adding a new member to the family is exciting, no matter how furry or scaly they may be. Those who have made the commitment know that it can add new levels of responsibility and risk to an already chaotic

lifestyle. Pet owners who want to care for their pets as best as they can often turn to innovative technologies proven to increase satisfaction for both themselves and their pets.

In its pet ownership and demographics sourcebook, the American Veterinary Medical Association stated that 38.4 percent of U.S. households have at least one dog and 25.4 percent have one or more cats roaming around. Maintaining the health of all 137 Million U.S. companion animals (i.e., dogs, cats, horses) with affordable care and more is imperative.

After taking a deep dive into what it means to take care of pets—from emergency health services and proper nutrition to smart-tracking collars—the following products were evaluated for how well they help maintain or improve quality of life for pets and their owners. The products fell into four categories: Telemedicine, Smart Trackers, Nutrition and Fun Apps & Devices.

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Telemedicine

Airvet.com

Airvet is focused on pet care emergencies but can connect pet owners with their veterinarians if those doctors are already “in network.” In emergency situations, users can reach licensed and trained professionals 24/7 after having filled out pet profiles. Multiple profiles can be set (one for each pet) and users can switch between a general doctor and emergency care provider quickly.

As a telemedicine provider, pet insurance may not cover Airvet charges: A $30 flat fee is applied to every virtual session, though there is said to be no limit on call time, number of questions asked, etc. The app seemed to have an extensive network and did offer a follow-up window of up to three days but, typical for this sort of thing, gave no assurance of outcomes.

• Airvet Howls Back: CEO & Founder Brandon Werber said, “We’re available to every single pet owner in the U.S. 24/7 regardless

of whether or not you have a vet or your vet uses Airvet. Plus we work with both veterinary hospitals and pet parents (so we) get to be the glue between the two.” Save physicals, blood draws and surgery for real life, he advised—but aim for better instant advice than Google offers: “With over 4,000 reviews and 4.9 out of 5 stars in the (iOS) App Store, we’ve helped thousands of pet parents save money and gain peace of mind.”

TeleVet.com Televet has made a business of connecting pet owners with their existing veterinarians to solve pet health problems virtually. After entering the preferred health care provider’s info via Televet’s intuitive interface, a user can set up appointments or video chat with their selected veterinarian to then evaluate the pet’s health needs together.

Real-time costs and availability are also displayed, making pet care as

simple as pressing a button. Unfortunately, this app is only for users whose veterinarians are already providing service within its network. The interface is not equipped to connect users with new health care providers. Nor does it let them browse local clinics and launch new pet health relationships.

“

With over 4,000 reviews and 4.9 out of 5 stars in the (iOS) App Store, we’ve helped thousands of pet parents save money and gain peace of mind.

”

– Brandon Werber, CEO & Founder of Airvet DigitalUnicornMag.com | 43

Smart Trackers

TryFi.com Fi has relied on satellite GPS systems and AT&T’s LTE-M network to pinpoint pet location within or outside dedicated safe zones: Bluetooth range of a pet owner’s phone, proximity to collar base, proximity to “trusted” phones, etc. When a pet has left one of those zones, the owner is notified. Other benefits are built in. Fi collars are waterproof tested for 30-min. full immersion.

Its armored aluminum faceplate is said to resist dirt, its reinforced internal metal “armor” deters bites. The Fi app is used to: track pets’ walking distance, help pet owners connect and adjust the collar’s LED light for night visibility. A standard tracking collar can be bought for $15 while a Fi collar costs about $150. App feature access is then added at $99 per year. Some have reported a rough app interface and concerns over pedometer accuracy.

• Fi Howls Back: Sydney Cooper, PR manager for Fi, said: “Because our collar keeps track of your dog’s location no matter where they are, you can be sure your pup is safe—and where they are supposed to be—whether they are with the dog walker, at the dog sitter,

at the vet or in the backyard.” Cooper added that, “though there are other smart collars out there, we’re by far the smartest.” The evidence? He cited long battery life, durable hardware, accurate tracking and precise location data.

Whistle.com

This lightweight, shock-proof dog tracker and activity monitor is billed as suitable for any pet 8 lbs. or more. The device can be attached to up to 1-in. collars and is appropriate for a range of activity levels given its waterproof casing and trim design. Also reliant on AT&T networks, Whistle has set up broad range communication within the U.S. Using the Whistle app, pet owners have accessed their pets’ current locations and location histories.

Overall, lightweight trackers have shared one glaring disadvantage: battery life. Some trackers have boasted battery life of up to three months. Whistle’s clocked in at lasting three to seven days between charges. The device itself costs $100 (MSRP) but sales have been spotted offering it at $60. A subscription is required to access app features: $7/mo. for 24 mos. to $10/mo. for 12 mos.

Nutrition

ThinkJinx.com As times have changed, so have dogs. Jinx’s formulas are said to offer the superfoods, protein and calories needed by today’s lovable pups. The startup has advertised itself as providing “holistic nutrition, functional ingredients, easy access and a whole lot of love”—its dog kibble striking a balance between healthy-but-pricey fresh options and cheap-but-nutrition-deficient dry chow.

The downside to any deliciously nutritious kibble is price. Though typical bulk dog kibble purchased at a grocery store is cheaper than the roughly $1.00 per cup Jinx variety, it makes up for the difference by being easy to store, easy to serve and easy to buy as well as nutrient-rich. Overall, it could be a hugely impactful switch where dog health is concerned.

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Fun Apps & Devices

Chewy.com

Chewy has emerged as a one-stop shop: With more than 1,600 brands, there is truly something for every pet. From the Chewy app or website, customers have browsed food, treats, toys, crates and other supplies for their pets—including alpacas! Besides carrying top-performing pet nutrition brands, Chewy set up an online pharmacy to help with heartworms, fleas, allergies, etc.

Chewy is known for its great customer service, product range and pricing but its employees may be left craving a few treats. With 1,686 reviews posted to Indeed.com prior to EOY 2020, current and former team members gave Chewy an average 2.7 out of 5 rating due to: low wages, short breaks, poor management, high turnover, etc. (Between you and me, let’s hope it’s not true.)

MeowTalk at Akvelon.com

Ever wondered what your meowing feline is trying to say? The MeowTalk app records cat sounds and translates them to interpret: anger, happiness, hunger or something in between. The app is meant to blend user inputs with A.I. technology to help generate an understanding of how cats communicate. Though still in development, it has been rolled out for use on both iOS and Android devices.

Furbo.com

Hate leaving furry companions alone? Furbo has made it fun to monitor pets and give them treats right from a smartphone. Furbo— essentially a camera equipped with HD night vision, a speaker and a microphone—keeps tabs on things as a visual baby monitor would. Plus

34.8%

Percent of U.S. HH with at least (1) canine

25.4%

Percent of U.S. HH with at least (1) feline

SOURCE: AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOC.

it sends users bark alerts, person alerts and activity alerts. If something goes awry, the incident is recorded and the pet owner is notified. The device is said to have saved 510 dogs from intruders, house fires and more so far. A built-in treat dispenser, launched with one tap of the app, is likely a perk for pets.

BarkBox.com Do the dogs in your home get bored easily or tear their toys apart quickly? BarkBox may have found a solution! On a subscription basis, BarkBox sends out monthly, themed boxes of dog toys and treats right to pet owners’ doors. The toys are developed for dogs and said to be tested extensively in-house. A box of extra durable “Super Chewer” goodies might be best for rough-playing pets. Subscriptions currently start at $23 per month and promise a whole lot of fun.

While wild cats and dogs once dominated the food chain, these beautiful creatures now bring joy to families everywhere by chasing lights and loving their humans unconditionally. It is the duty of every pet owner to care for their four-legged family members to the best of their ability. Here’s hoping the brands you choose increase your pets’ health, happiness and well-being—in addition to your own! •

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