When Korey Post decided to invest in a remote pet camera a couple years ago she admits she did it in part for her own desire to stay connected to her pet.
“If I do have to leave my dog at home I like to connect with him,” she says. “Before cameras came along dogs would just lay around for eight hours while you were gone. That wasn’t the end of the world. But as people, we want to have more of a connection with our animals.”
The pet camera allows Korey to have just that. She can press a call button on her phone to invite her dog to approach the camera and then she dispenses a low-calorie treat for him to enjoy while she is away. This has been a fun way for her to stay connected to her pooch, all through the convenience of a simple mobile device.
As smartphone usage has increased, Korey, owner of Allie’s Pet Corner in Rochester, New York, has seen a growing number of pet cameras and pet technology products hit the market.
Remote treat dispensers, fitness and training tools, such as Fitbit and interactive games, and GPS-equipped collars allow pet owners to engage and keep an eye on their animals while they’re away. According to Jodi Aman, psychotherapist and author of the book “You 1, Anxiety 0,” this is positive for pet owners.
“Pets are members of your family,” Aman says. “They are part of your tribe. And humans, who are social beings, need this (connection) for emotional, physical and social survival.”
Aman says that while some people have jobs that allow them to bring their pets with them to work each day, those who can’t might take advantage of these mobile applications and remote devices, which often give them peace of mind while they’re away from home.
“This relationship (between pets and humans) is beautiful and so healing,” Aman says. “Pets calm a person’s anxiety, lower blood pressure and keep a person mindful and distracted.”
While a connection to one’s pet can have a healing effect, some veterinarians do caution pet owners to use wisdom in how often they utilize remote devices such as treat dispensers.
“It’s important for a pet and their person to develop a bond,” Veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Rushing says. “Treats offered face to face can encourage that bond and relationship. This way, you can also avoid over-treating and help maintain a healthy diet for your beloved pet.”
Aman also offers a word of advice to pet owners when it comes to being overly anxious about their animals.
“The problem is when people have anxiety about being away from their pet,” she says. “This is not about the relationship, but about a person not trusting if they can handle something bad happening. I see this when someone has lost a pet. They develop a misconception that says ‘if I am vigilant I can prevent the worst from happening.’”
While most can sympathize with the fear of losing a pet, Aman says the anxiety can create unhealthy disruptions in a person’s day and other relationships.
“(Anxiety) can be intense enough to cause suffering; and if it does, they have to figure out how to reduce their worries and stress,” she says.
As with all technological advancements, lessons are learned through trial and error. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian to determine if these mobile applications are appropriate for their pets.
