Study uncovers desire among pet owners for technological advancements enabling verbal communication with their pets, as 40% express this wish.
In a recent survey conducted by Pet Drugs Online, a leading UK supplier of veterinary medication and animal care products, 2,000 pet parents shared their hopes for future pet products. The survey revealed a significant interest in technological innovations designed to improve pet care, comfort, and communication.
The top desired innovations include:
- Devices that automatically pick up pet waste (34%)
- Technology to reduce pets’ anxiety (29%)
- Pet beds that change temperature according to how the pet feels (26%)
- Technology that translates barks and meows to human language, with 40% expressing a desire for this breakthrough
Additional hopes include the ability to ask pets about their physical health (20%) and happiness (17%).
Sarah Page-Jones, the head of veterinary compliance at Pet Drugs Online, emphasised the potential for these advancements. She pointed out that existing technologies like automatic feeders, cameras, and DNA testing kits have already made a significant impact, but pet owners are eager for further innovations that prioritise communication, health monitoring, and comfort for their pets.
Sarah Page-Jones also suggested that the focus on pets' mental health may increase among pet owners, mirroring trends in human health. She highlighted the growing interest in more innovation, particularly for pet health and everyday convenience.
An intriguing prospect raised by Sarah Page-Jones is the potential for AI pet-sitters in the future. This could revolutionise pet care, offering round-the-clock monitoring and care for pets when their owners are unavailable.
Furthermore, 14% of respondents expressed a desire for smart home appliances that can be controlled by barks and meows. Even more interestingly, 13% of the surveyed pet owners hope for AI animals to serve as companions for their pets.
This survey underscores the growing demand for smart, empathetic, and automated pet care technologies that improve both pet wellbeing and owner convenience over the coming decades in the UK. As technology continues to evolve, it's clear that pet care is set to benefit significantly.
[1] Pet Drugs Online Survey, 2022 [2] Sarah Page-Jones, interview, 2022
- In the future, pet owners hope for AI pet-sitters that could provide round-the-clock monitoring and care for their pets when they are unavailable.
- Sarah Page-Jones, the head of veterinary compliance at Pet Drugs Online, believes that the focus on pets' mental health may increase among pet owners, mirroring trends in human health.
- An intriguing prospect raised by Sarah Page-Jones is the potential for smart home appliances that can be controlled by pets' barks and meows.
- The survey conducted by Pet Drugs Online revealed a significant interest in technological innovations that prioritise communication, health monitoring, and comfort for pets.
- The top desired innovation in the survey was devices that automatically pick up pet waste, followed by technology to reduce pets’ anxiety.
- In the survey, 40% of pet parents expressed a desire for technology that translates barks and meows to human language, and 20% hoped for the ability to ask their pets about their physical health.
