Today, technology can talk to your pet while you are at work; set up a regular feeding schedule (unless the power goes out); and even entertain.
But do your dog and cat need a robot or do they need you?
It should not come as a surprise that animals are being ignored in favor of technology.
After all, human couples are ignoring each other for technology. A survey conducted in 2014 by Pennsylvania State University found that more than 60 percent of women said that technology interfered with time spent with their partner.
Humans are ignoring their own children in favor of technology. In a 2016 study by AVG Technologies, more than 50 percent of children reported that their parents were on the phone too much.
It's not a leap to guess that pets are missing a ton of eye contact, belly rubs, and attentive walks — all because of smartphones.
Maybe the pets are fighting back.
According to Square Trade, smartphones are regularly a target of dogs. About 28 million people found their smartphones chewed on.
Jealousy might be the reason for the smartphone attacks since 25 percent of pet owners say they were using their smartphone at the time their pet damaged it.
Pets don't stop at smartphones, either. About 12 percent of all damaged tech devices were game controllers but the biggest damage was to power cords, at 41 percent.
If you are ignoring your pet for technology, you might find the pet becomes depressed. Symptoms include not eating, or weight gain, misbehaving, long nails, and sleeping all the time.
The remedy is simple. Get up and get out with your pet. Play a game. Take a walk. Give some joy.
