Dog owners will go to crazy lengths to make sure that their fur-babies are entertained during the long, boring workday. I’ve frozen wet dog food in red rubber Kongs[1], or stuffed them full of peanut butter. I’ve hired dog walkers and pet sitters. I’ve turned on DogTV on my Roku[2]. But my dogs were bred to herd cattle or sheep all day, and they still get bored. It’s not like they can read a magazine.
While cameras with two-way microphones, like the Nest IQ, are good at freaking out your dog[3], the Furbo is built specifically to let you check in on your pets when you’re gone. When you set up the camera and download the companion app, you can enjoy a wide array of pet-friendly features.
You can speak to your pups, watch a live feed, or toss them treats. With a Premium account, you can also save video footage, take pet selfies, set barking alerts, and keep an eye on any humans coming and going.
Nowadays, I work from home and have two young kids, so arguably my dogs now have a little too much stimulation. But if I didn’t, I would love the Furbo. It offers a very high level of remote doggy interaction.
Pretty Paw-lease
The Furbo is a gorgeous device. It’s smooth and white, a little under nine inches tall, and wouldn’t look out of place in a much better-decorated home than mine.
Finding a good place for it did take a little thought. It has to be plugged in—there's no way to use it with a battery—and in a spot with a strong Wi-Fi signal. The Furbo has to be set low...