11 Genius Items for Working Pet Parents

If you're a working pet parent, then chances are that your four-legged family member spends the bulk of their weekdays alone. But what to do when you have a busy work week ahead and don't want to leave your furry companions bored at home? "Exercise is the best thing you can give your pets when you're away for long periods of time," says Christopher Spitzmiller, who hires a dog walker to take his two pooches, Fanny and Lion, out for strolls twice a day when he can't make it home. "Also," he adds, "a basket full of stuffed toys will always help keep them busy."

And thanks to all of the advancements in smart pet technology—think app-controlled dog cameras and wireless feeders—keeping your pets comfortable and entertained while you're away at work has never been easier. "When we can't bring our dog, Dux, to work we use a Canary cam at home," says Vicki Fulop, cofounder and CCO at Brooklinen. "It feeds into an app whenever it's triggered by motion so we can keep an eye on him while he's alone at home."

Searching for a way to keep your own animal amused the next time you work a long day? We searched the online marketplace to gather a variety of innovative items all designed to entertain your pet when you can't be there with them. From comforting pheromone collars to a cable channel for canines, we're sharing 11 must-have items for pet parents with busy work schedules. While nothing will replace quality time with you, these picks are a close second.

If you thought playing fetch with your dog when you're away from home was impossible, then think again. The Alexa-enabled Furbo dog camera comes equipped with two-way chat, livestream video, and treat-tossing capabilities. Opt into their new Furbo Dog Nanny service, and you will be alerted to emergencies in real-time.

Furbo Dog Camera, $199, amazon.com

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Pets have anxiety, too—especially when you're away at work for long periods of time. Luckily, Sentry has developed a line of pheromone-releasing collars for cats and dogs to help alleviate stress—and any problematic behaviors triggered by stress, like marking and scratching—while you're absent. 

Sentry Calming Collar for Cats, $14.39, petco.com

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Listening to music can be every bit as soothing for your dog as it is for you. The Pet Tunes Bluetooth Speaker comes preloaded with calming music specially developed by sound experts to help lower stress in dogs; all you have to do is turn it on before you leave for work.

Pet Tunes Bluetooth Speaker, $54.95, amazon.com

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Never underestimate the power of good chew toy, especially when you'll be gone all day. This adorable stuffed squirrel by Martha Stewart is made with soft but chewy corduroy to keep your canine occupied. The bonded interior means it can withstand rough play. Similarly, why buy a humdrum toy for your puppy when you can get one that promotes dental health instead? This 100-percent natural heavy-duty cotton rope dumbbell by Martha Stewart is specially designed for teething puppies and strong chewers. 

Martha Stewart Corduroy Squirrel Dog Toy, $7.99; Martha Stewart Rope Dog Toy Dumbbell, $6.99; amazon.com

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Looking for the perfect toy for your pooch when you're away at work? This motorized GoBone lets you control its speed and movements straight from your smartphone, so you can play with your dog remotely.

Wickedbone Smart Bone, $139.99, amazon.com

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The only thing better than a good pet toy is one with a built-in camera. The remote-controlled Pebby Smart Ball boasts a built-in camera and audio-and-mic system, so you can film and play with your cat or dog while you're at work, and even leave a pre-recorded message for them.

Pebby Smart Ball, $189, pebby.com

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Prefer to have Fido reach out to you when he's bored? The Petcube's app-controlled remote camera uses motion-activated sensors to make a video whenever your dog steps in front of it, and then automatically sends it to you. 

Petcube Activity Monitor Security Camera, $179.99, target.com

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Who knew there was a way to play fetch with your pup while you're at work? The iFetch is an automatic ball launcher that kicks on when your dog drops a ball in its chute—throwing a ball up to 30 feet every time it brings it back.

iFetch Interactive Ball Launcher, $105.99, amazon.com

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Searching for an affordable way to keep your canine entertained while you're at work? The PupPod uses sounds and lights to give your pooch puzzles to solve that you control from your smartphone. Did we mention it also distributes treats when your pup gets the problem right? 

PupPod, $69, pupppod.com

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Nothing upsets a pet more than getting its dinner late. Good news: the Petnet SmartFeeder 2.0 allows you to feed your four-legged friends through your smartphone, so you can work late without leaving them hungry. 

PetNet SmartFeeder 2.0, $179, amazon.com

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If you aren't already hip to Dog TV then now's the time to smarten up. The 24/7 cable channel features exclusive content designed by animal behavior experts to help calm dogs and keep them occupied when they're left alone, including videos of dogs riding in cars and playing Frisbee.

Dog TV, $49.99 (for 6 months), dogtv.com

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