Whether your pet is a whiz at Fruit Ninja or a master pianist, there are few things more entertaining than watching your furry friend go nuts over a digital mouse. Friskies offers a number of free iPad apps designed just for cats, including Cat Fishing, Happy Wings and You vs. Cat.
We also love Cat Piano Concerto, for the feline virtuoso. Don’t worry, their claws are not harmful to the iPad’s glass screen, although they can damage plastic screen protectors.
Fido can get in on the fun, too, with Game For Dogs and iSqueek.
Is your dog a fitness buff? Is Princess getting a little too plump? If you have the money but no extra time, DogTread keeps Rover in shape. Treadmills come in three different sizes for small, medium and large dogs. Buy your dog his very own fitness vest so he can work out in style.
When you first bring your puppy home from the pound, she may have trouble adjusting to the new environment. Sleepy Bunny is a cuddly plush toy designed specifically for dogs; it has an interior pouch where you can insert Puppy Pulse, a heart-shaped device that mimics a mother’s heartbeat to comfort your companion. A motion sensor activates the device whenever your puppy approaches.
This plastic ball is touch-activated and emits light at erratic intervals, which is sure to keep your pet chasing it for hours. The Glimmer Ball is best used at night, or you can draw the shades for daytime fun.
Petcube allows you to monitor, talk and play with your pet through your smartphone. The sleek metal cube contains a wide-angle camera, low-intensity laser, microphone and speakers, and it’s activated by a mobile app.
Tease your kitten with the laser, and then watch the results in HD video. You’ll never have to cruise for cat videos on YouTube again!
Support Petcube on Kickstarter by pre-ordering within the next month.
Hedgehog Hop is an adorable plush hedgehog that bumbles and bounces with unpredictable movements to baffle your dog. It's activated by a simple On/Off switch.
Similarly, Fox Call emits realistic fox sounds that will trigger Fido’s hunter instincts. Plus, it’s super cute!
This touch-activated bird toy teaches your bird to chat. The device contains a mirror for your preening parakeet, plus four buttons that Polly can easily press with her beak. Each button activates a phrase, including “I love you” and “Hello?” Your bird will be singing in no time.
Now that dogs have their very own TV channel, the world's cats and hamsters are turning positively green with envy. Fortunately, there are techie toys for pets of all stripes (and spots, too).
We’ve already introduced you to a few high-tech gadgets for the geeky and discerning pet owner, including Puppy Tweets, the Remote Fetch Machine and the Pet Laser.
See also: 10 Must-Have Apps for Dog Owners
If you're still looking for more, you're in luck. We’ve rounded up seven additional ways to keep Rover, Missy or your cockatoo Charles entertained for hours. Soothe an anxious puppy with Sleepy Bunny, play with your kitten remotely using Petcube, or let your furry friend geek out with a handful of iPad apps designed specifically for pets.
Did we leave out your pet's favorite gadget? Let us know in the comments.
Image: Flickr, Byron Chin