Looking around recently for some cool pet gadgets, I started finding more and more “independent” activity toys for dogs (and cats). A cool as they are, I’m beginning to wonder if these types of toys are making us lazy pet owners.

Just for you lackadaisical pet owners, comes a slew of tricked-out automated pet toys. Here is a small selection of my favorite ones.

For the dog owner:

Autofetch Motion Pet Ball

This fancy dog toy keeps your pup entertained for hours, without you actually having to be involved but for a second. You just put a small treat in the slot, and turn on the power. And like a Bumble Ball did for kids and pets alike, the ball takes off in erratic patterns, with your dog in tow, only the AutoFetch occasionally dispenses a treat. I find this snippet form the product description humorous: "This motion powerball is both a joy for your pet as well as for you. Your pet will enjoy chasing the ball around to try to get at the treat you placed inside, while you get the joy of seeing your best animal friend play with this animated pet toy."...while you sit inside, drink a beer and watch TV in your favorite chair. They must have forgotten that part.

Petcare Robot

Ok, so this geeky gadget isn't quit a "lazy" owner's toy, it's actually a really cool pet gadget. It has a touch pad remote control that let's you control where the robot roves and the ball rolls. You can also see what the robot sees from its camera lens "eyeballs" via the little screen. All this of course can be viewed via the interwebs too. The Petcare Robot really acts as a pet babysitter, given you can watch your pet in action, whether it is playing with the included ball or just roving the house. I guess it can be classified not only as geey cool but as a little lazy given you don't actually have to be near the dog or the toy. I'm still trying to find out if it's actually for sale or just in concept phase (or just some geeky kid's science project). I'm pretty sure however, if my dog was left alone with the robot alien thing, he might just spend time nibbling on the eyes or barking at it when it moved, I doubt he'd find play value in the ball part.

For the Cat Owner:

Frolicat Bolt

Put down your cool laser pointer keychain or pen, there's a new toy in town. The Frolicat Bolt is a high tech...ah, who am I kidding, it's a laser pointer in a bigger, sleeker case. Only, with the Frolicat, you need not move a finger or wrist, this crazy laser toy does it all on its own. Turn on the power and the Frolicat projects an erratic laser that will drive your cat nuts...I mean entertain your cat for hours (well, 15 minutes anyway...it shuts off after that). So, if you are as aloof as most cats, you will love this cat toy; it requires no involvement with others!

For the Standoff Sitter:

Water Orb

Forget entertaining those rugrats, let them entertain themselves! Just take them to a pond (as seen above), fill up the Orb water toy, and let 'em go! How much trouble can they get into? I seriously cannot tell if the girl in the photo is terrified and trying to get help from the camera guy, or if she is genuinely having fun. Who knows?! But, I do know this would be a great "toy" to carry in your babysitting brats arsenal. Sadly, it would probably take 10 years of babysitting wages to save up for the darn thing.

I only joke that these pet toys are only for lazy people...normal and active pet owners can find supreme entertainment value in the toys too! Maybe I'm just a little jealous that I never thought to invent some cool dog toys like these.