Pet Tech Boom: Smart Appliances for Pets Are Flying Off Shelves

New York, Oct. 12 (Reuters) — As more U.S. households welcome pets into their families, the market for pet - focused smart appliances is experiencing explosive growth, with sales of items like automated feeders, self - cleaning litter boxes, and pet - safe air purifiers jumping by 40% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to a new report from market research firm NPD Group.

“Pet owners today see their furry friends as full family members, so they’re willing to invest in products that make their pets’ lives more comfortable and their own lives easier,” said Sarah Johnson, a consumer trends analyst at NPD Group. “Smart pet appliances check both boxes — they offer convenience through connectivity and peace of mind through real - time monitoring.”

Leading retailers like Amazon and Petco have expanded their pet tech sections to keep up with demand. Amazon’s best - selling pet smart appliance, the Wi - Fi - enabled automatic feeder, allows owners to schedule meals and adjust portions from their phones. It has sold over 500,000 units this year, up from 320,000 in 2023.

Startups are also joining the fray. Litter - Robot, a company specializing in self - cleaning litter boxes, recently launched its latest model with built - in odor control and app notifications that alert owners when the litter needs to be refilled. The product generated $120 million in revenue in the first six months of 2024, a 55% increase year - over - year.

While the price tag for some pet smart appliances can be steep — top - tier self - cleaning litter boxes cost around $500, and high - end pet cameras with treat dispensers go for $300 — consumers say the investment is worth it. “I travel for work a lot, and my pet camera lets me talk to my dog and give her treats when I’m away,” said Lisa Martinez, a dog owner in Chicago. “It makes me feel less guilty about being gone, and that’s priceless.”

Industry experts predict the growth will continue, with the U.S. pet smart appliance market expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2026, up from $1.8 billion in 2023.