For once, 2017’s most share-worthy gadgets weren’t for humans at all—they were for the four-legged family members who dominate our camera rolls. From lunchtime treat-tossers to selfie-ready chew toys, pet tech exploded across Instagram feeds and Facebook timelines, racking up millions of views in the process. Some of the items looked like pure sci-fi, others just made us slap our foreheads and wonder why no one had built them sooner. All of them tapped into a universal truth: we’ll do almost anything to make our pets happier (and keep them off the couch). Here are the seven stand-outs.
When the Internet Went Barking Mad: 2017’s Pet-Product Boom
For once, 2017’s most share-worthy gadgets weren’t for humans at all, they were for the four-legged family members who dominate our camera rolls. From lunchtime treat-tossers to selfie-ready chew toys, pet tech exploded across Instagram feeds and Facebook timelines, racking up millions of views in the process. Some of the items looked like pure sci-fi, others just made us slap our foreheads and wonder why no one had built them sooner. All of them tapped into a universal truth: we’ll do almost anything to make our pets happier (and keep them off the couch). Here are the seven stand-outs.
Furbo Dog Camera: Toss Treats From The Office
It started with a single viral video: a golden retriever hearing the rustle of kibble from a glowing white cylinder, then looking up to a grinning owner on a phone screen. Furbo’s Wi-Fi camera let anxious parents spy on pups in 1080p, talk through a two-way microphone and, most important, fling treats on command. Office workers everywhere scheduled ‘treat o’clock’ reminders; conference rooms echoed with sudden squeaks as kibble launched at home. Amazon reviews piled up faster than tennis balls, and #FurboMoments trended on TikTok long before TikTok was cool. Remote pet interaction had finally gone mainstream.
Licki Brush: The Weirdest, Sweetest Bonding Tool
Few products split the internet like the neon-pink Licki Brush, essentially a giant silicone tongue you hold in your mouth to ‘lick’ your cat. Critics called it ridiculous; cat lovers quietly hit “buy now.” The idea was rooted in science: grooming releases endorphins and builds trust among felines. Early adopters posted slow-motion videos of perplexed tabbies melting into purrs, racking up thousands of retweets. Whether you saw genius or pure meme material, the Licki Brush sparked conversations about interspecies communication, and sold out its first two production runs within weeks. Awkward? Absolutely. Effective? Just ask the newly bonded cats.
PetCube Play: Laser-Tag For Lonely Pets
In 2017, PetCube upgraded its already beloved pet cam with a built-in, app-controlled laser pointer, solving the age-old problem of mid-meeting guilt. Now, cat owners (and surprisingly many dog owners) could entertain cabin-fevered companions with fingertip swipes, watching the chaos live on their phones. The Play model added 1080p video, night vision and motion alerts, yes, it texted you when Whiskers scaled the curtains. Viral compilations of cats somersaulting after the red dot flooded YouTube, cementing PetCube as part nanny cam, part arcade. The device proved that interactivity, not just observation, is the secret sauce of successful pet tech.
Whistle GPS Tracker: Because Hide-and-Seek Isn’t Fun At 2 AM
No more stapling ‘lost dog’ flyers around the neighborhood. The whistle-sized Whistle 3 clipped onto any collar and used nationwide cellular networks to pinpoint a pet’s location within seconds. Push notifications arrived if Fido wandered beyond a virtual fence, and a detailed activity log doubled as a canine Fitbit. After a single story of a runaway beagle rescued from a storm drain went viral, sales skyrocketed. Veterinarians praised the health insights; city dwellers loved the peace of mind. By summer 2017, Whistle had partnered with shelters to send trackers home with newly adopted pets.
GoDogGo Fetch Machine: The Endless Game, Automated
Every dog dreams of an owner with a pitching arm that never tires; GoDogGo made that fantasy a reality. The electric launcher could hurl tennis balls up to 45 feet, and its bucket reload design let fetch-addicted pups play solo. Viral clips showed border collies developing assembly-line efficiency, drop, wait, chase, repeat. Skeptics worried about overexercise, but built-in rest timers and remote controls kept sessions humane. The device became a backyard status symbol and saved many an owner from sore shoulders. For high-energy breeds cooped up in apartments, it was nothing short of wizardry.
Drinkwell Fountain: Hydration That Actually Entices
Simple physics made the Drinkwell Platinum Fountain an overnight sensation. Cats, notorious for snubbing stagnant bowls, couldn’t resist the continuously filtering cascade that mimicked running tap water. Owners filmed mesmerized felines pawing at streams and lapping twice their usual amount, vets cheered the urinary-tract benefits. Filters lasted weeks, the reservoir held over a gallon, and dishwasher-safe parts kept maintenance easy. Social media loved the gentle waterfall ASMR; some users even added floating rubber ducks for flair. By year’s end, the fountain was a fixture in pet-friendly apartments from Tokyo to Toronto.
BarkBox: Monthly Surprises Tailored To Tail-Waggers
Subscription boxes for humans were old news; BarkBox made the concept bark-worthy. Each month in 2017, themed packages, ‘Garden Party,’ ‘Knights of the Hound Table,’ even a ‘Chewrassic Park’, arrived filled with USA-made treats and quirky toys. Unboxing videos featuring corgis losing their minds over squeaky tacos quickly amassed millions of views. A built-in allergy option and a ‘destroyer’ upgrade for power chewers showed serious product insight. BarkBox didn’t just deliver items, it delivered Instagram-ready moments, turning every dog into an influencer for at least five minutes. The company ended 2017 shipping more than 50 million toys and treats.
