Two experts pick out the best of the latest gadgets that will improve the lives of your animal companions.
Are you working the digital cable, iPod and TiVo all at once, while poor Fluffy is stuck with that raggedy catch-and-fetch? For shame. It’s time to bring your pets into the 21st century with fab tech products created just for them. To find the best pet gadgets, we asked a pair of experts: contributing editor Steve Dale, who’s also host of Pet Central on WGN Radio in Chicago; and Maggie Gallant, host of Pet Trends with Maggie Gallant on AnimalPlanet.com. Here are products they like:
Gazillion Fetch-A-Bubble
Cost: Gazillion Fetch-A-Bubble Machine, $9.99; Jumbo Gazillion Fetch-A-Bubble Machine, $19.99; Bubble Solution, $2.99
Where to buy: Funrise Consumer Service, 800-882-3808; in stores sometime this year
Remember the scene in “Willy Wonka” and the Chocolate Factory where the visitors walk into the room where everything is candy? Well, if they make a “Willy Wonka” for dogs, the Gazillion surely will get great product placement. It’s a machine that creates a frenzy of bacon-, chicken- or beef-scented bubbles. Just place a bottle of the non-toxic bubble solution in the holder, turn the switch and watch as Fido goes crazy chasing bubbles that are created by rotating wands. “Ever seen the look on a dog’s face when bubbles are floating around? Their faces light up — like mine does at a Marc Jacobs sample sale,” Gallant says.
AquaVista 500 Wall-Mounted Aquarium 
Cost: $299.99
Where to buy: aquavistainc.com, the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog and the SkyMall catalog
Ditch the family photos: The AquaVista 500 is a wall-mounted aquarium for freshwater tropical fish that looks like a framed picture. The 4.2-inch-thick aquarium has an LCD display panel for easy care and lets you match your décor with different frames and backgrounds. Best of all, there’s no assembly required. “This ever-changing masterpiece adds life to any living room,” Gallant says.
Visiglo glowing dog collars and leashes
Safety goes stylish with glowing dog collars.
Cost: lighted dog leashes, $24.99; lighted dog collars, $19.99
Where to buy: Pet supply stores and online at Visiglo.com
Why should you get to wear fancy clothes while your dog wears a drab cloth collar and leash? Get your style vibes in sync, and keep your pet and yourself safe with Visiglo glowing safety dog collars and leashes. The illuminated leashes are available in nine super-bright colors and come equipped with padded handles and batteries. “Remember mood rings? These collars and leashes have hues to match the many moods of your dog,” Gallant says. “And, of course, safety is always in style.”
QuickFinder
Cost: $29.99
Where to buy: Available soon at pet supply stores and PetGadgets.com
Trim your pet’s nails without the trauma.
If you’ve ever cut too close when trimming the nails of a dog, cat or bird, you know that it’s traumatic to your pet. “Keeping nails trimmed is important,” Dale says. “But dealing with a squirming, screaming pet isn’t easy, so some people just stop cutting the nails altogether.” He likes MiracleCorp’s QuickFinder, clippers with a sensor that flashes green when it’s OK to cut.
PetSafe Micro I.D. Rescue Collar
Cost: $39.99
Where to buy: petco.com
Pet tags — how old school. The new PetSafe Micro I.D. Collar has a flash drive built into the collar that stores your pet’s vet records, owner contact information, medical history, personality profile and even pet photos. And you can easily change the information when necessary. “Gadget junkies will drool over this,” Gallant says.
CatGenie
Cost: $329
Where to buy: Catgenie.com
A self-flushing, self-washing cat box
Tired of scooping litter? We don’t blame you. So toss those old boxes and get a CatGenie –a self-flushing, self-washing cat box. The CatGenie is filled with washable granules that feel like regular litter to your cat. Just hook it up to water and power supplies, and push a button to automatically scoop and liquefy solids, drain liquids, flush the waste out of the home, wash and sanitize the box, and even dry the granules for Kitty’s comfort. “While it’s possible to train a cat to straddle the toilet, this litter box is an easier and more efficient option,” Dale says.
Source: USAWeekend.com
