Pet product companies are creating smart feeders with pet authentication
Trend - Brands in the pet product space have created smart feeders that go beyond timed automatic food release. These feeders use RFID sensors that read microchips either embedded in a pet collar or a pet itself. These feeders prevent pets from stealing each other's food in multi-pet households.
Insight - More individuals have pets now than they did five years ago, largely due to the pandemic leading to an influx in "Covid puppies." As a result, many households are now home to multiple pets, such as a cat and a dog, or two pets of different ages with dietary restrictions. Additionally, these consumers are not always able to separate pets to ensure they do not steal each other's food. Pet-authenticating feeders solve this problem by only allowing the intended pet to access its food.
Insight - More individuals have pets now than they did five years ago, largely due to the pandemic leading to an influx in "Covid puppies." As a result, many households are now home to multiple pets, such as a cat and a dog, or two pets of different ages with dietary restrictions. Additionally, these consumers are not always able to separate pets to ensure they do not steal each other's food. Pet-authenticating feeders solve this problem by only allowing the intended pet to access its food.
Workshop Question - How has your brand adapted to changes in consumer lifestyles caused by the pandemic?
Trend Themes
1. RFID Sensing - Pet product companies are using RFID sensors to authenticate pets and prevent feeding errors.
2. Multi-pet Households - Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in multi-pet households sparking the need for smarter feeders.
3. Smart Technology - Smart technology in pet products is becoming more sophisticated and intuitive, with features like weight detection and health monitoring.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Products - For pet owners, smart pet-feeding solutions are becoming more important to ensure the health and wellbeing of their pets.
2. Iot - The smart RFID sensing technology used in pet feeders is part of the growing Internet of Things industry.
3. Consumer Electronics - Pet feeders with smart technology features fit seamlessly into the consumer electronics industry and can become a staple of smart homes.
