The Complete Pet Owner’s Guide to Home Automation

We like the Nest Learning Thermostat for its combination of sensors and manual programming options. Built-in sensors monitor when you or your pets are in a room and automatically adjust the temperature to your usual preference. This means you can keep your furry friends comfortable as they move from room to room throughout the day. Even if you have pets that stay put in a cage or aquarium, you can remotely check on the temperature and manually adjust it on your mobile device to keep them safe and comfortable all day long. The Nest Learning Thermostat sells for $249.

A more affordable pick is the Ecobee3 lite, which starts at $169. One of the best things about this smart thermostat is how compatible it is with other smart devices. If you’re looking to integrate your home automation, this thermostat will work with almost every major smart hub. The ecobee3 also monitors local weather and makes auto adjustments to keep your pet comfortable if clouds unexpectedly roll in.

The Furbo Dog Camera not only lets you chat with your pooch, but also rewards their attention with a yummy treat. This camera includes bark notifications and night vision, which make it easy to check in after the sun goes down. Furbo sells for $199 and requires a solid Wi-Fi signal. One thing we don’t love is that sometimes your pet may end up with a mouthful of treats instead of just one.

We also love the Petcube Play 2 camera, priced at around $179. In addition to taking a peek at what your pet is up to, you can make sure they don’t put on extra pounds by engaging them with the ingenious laser toy. All you have to do is swipe your finger across your mobile device, and the laser responds at home to give your furry friend some much-needed exercise. The app also allows you to add friends and family so everyone can take a turn playing with your pet throughout the day.

Philips is a smart lighting leader, and its Hue Starter Kit is an affordable and easy way to upgrade your home’s lighting. For around $70, the kit includes two smart LED lightbulbs and a bridge that provides central control for your smart lighting setup. The bridge lets you access and control your lights through the free Philips Hue app, which can be used on any mobile device. If your pet is afraid of the dark, Hue will make sure they’re never nervous after sundown again.

Another option—which doesn’t require a hub or bridge—is C by GE lighting. All you need to control these lightbulbs is Bluetooth access. You can program them to follow the natural patterns of the sun. They’ll bathe your pets in warm, comforting light before bed and provide more vibrant, bright light to get them moving in the morning. You can get two bulbs for $24.95, and they’re rated to last up to twenty years.

If you want to keep your pets off certain furniture, the PetSafe Scat Mat is around $50 and the perfect training tool. This mat uses sensors to detect when your pet treads in a forbidden area, and notifies you of the intrusion even if you’re not at home. The mat emits a mild electric pulse to deter your pet from coming back. You have control of the strength of the pulse and can discontinue use as soon as your daily reports let you know your animal is staying away.

You won’t have to worry about your pet setting off false security alarms with the Bosch TriTech Motion Detector. This affordable motion sensor is under $35 and can be programmed to ignore your pets as they roam throughout the house. While installation is pretty simple, this sensor does need to connect to a central security control panel.

If you have only a few smart devices, like a thermostat and smartbulb, then you can start with the Amazon Echo dot. These smart speakers act as digital assistants, use voice control, and are great starter hubs for those just getting into home automation. The full size Amazon Echo, which can cover a larger area, is close to $100, or you can start smaller with the Echo Dot for just $50.

For those with a lot of smart devices, the Samsung SmartThings hub is one of the most versatile, affordable options. We’ve already reviewed this product, which can connect wirelessly to a wide variety of smart gadgets. It is budget friendly, too, at around $60. This hub is a great way to give your smart home a central brain that can keep you—and your pets—comfortable, safe, and pampered.