No matter how much I love my kitties, I can’t be home with them all of the time. Obviously, I need to leave my home once in a while! (The most important reason being: to photograph all the dogs and cats of Toronto…)

But how amazing would it be to have at least some idea of what’s going on with our pets while we’re away? I imagine Panda and Bentley having a grand adventure together – Panda trying teaching him all the ways to open closed doors and sneaking all the snacks, while Bentley, as the teenage boy he is, doesn’t listen and tries things his own way.

While your dog or cat will definitely enjoy it better if you are home with them, for the times that you cannot, there is now all kinds of ways to keep tabs. Check out these fun techy solutions for pet parents that have both form and function.

1. See what your dog is up to.

Indoor cameras are amazing for checking up on your furry family member. Maybe you are looking for all of their cute adorableness when they sleep, or you are trying to determine if their anxiousness is subsiding…a well-placed camera can give you lots of information. And it doesn’t have to be complicated! There are lots of indoor camera options, but if you want to go super simple, set up your iPad (or any other tablet/phone) to record video. When you come home, you can review and delete the recording.

2. Give rewards.

Think of all the great benefits of having a camera plus treat-tossing! The Furbo has tons of marketing showing dogs staring at it because it doles out treats. But the camera can do more than that – if you’re dealing with dog challenges like excessive barking or howling, you’ll probably benefit from the Furbo Dog Nanny because it will alert you to the behavior. As a result, Furbo has been known to save lives when the dog’s barking alerted the pet parents to a fire in the house while they were away.

While it was designed for dogs, Furbo’s basic features work for cat parents who want to check in on their feline friend, too.

3. See what they see – day or night.

Ever wonder what adventures your cats are getting into all day long? Me too! Bentley is the new guy around here and while he is learning manners when we are around, I’d love to see what he actually gets up to with Panda when we are not.

GlowTrack cat camera is super lightweight and after a gentle introduction of a few minutes per day, collar-tolerant cats can wear it when you need to know what they are getting up to. It captures clear video…even at night. Although it’s designed for cats, I think dog parents can have fun with this, too!

4. Track your dog or cat in real time.

Ever lost – or thought you lost – your pet? Remember that anguish? Not just for lost keys anymore, The Tile Pro can help you find him or her faster. This tracker isn’t made for pets, but it’s still easy to put on your pet’s collar! Great for when you’re traveling or even to track a cat that plays hide-n-seek inside your home…for hours.

5. NextGen playtime.

Who hasn’t daydreamed about being at home and playing with their pet instead of grocery shopping, sitting in boring meetings? When you cannot actually be home, PlayDate is the next best thing. It’s an interactive ball toy that you can control remotely via an app. There is a camera inside the ball. You can see your dog or cat’s adorableness in real-time and they can hear your voice via the two-way audio!

These techy gadgets are ways to enhance your pet’s life, especially while you’re out. But they’ll never replace human contact, of course.  Consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter to be with your pet if they’re going to be alone for long periods of time.

Know of any other cool tech out there for pets? Tell me here.