The pandemic has taken pet parenting to a whole new level. With stress heightened and fewer things to spend on, people are splurging on their pets. Playing into this space, Ben & Jerry’s has launched a range of frozen desserts for dogs, joining a line of brands with animal-friendly human treats.

Animals have become a key part of Australian families, and they’re reaping the benefits. As Australian pet-owners, especially Gen Yers and Zers, embrace the array of new options in the pet-care space, how can brands support pet parents in ensuring their animals are happy and healthy?

Not all tech breeds loneliness. A fluffy, hamster-esque animal robot that could be mistaken for a plush toy grabbed attention at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show. It’s designed to provide comfort and care, with the ability to differentiate between people and understand their emotions.

For a new generation of pet owners, spurred on by the pandemic, the emotional health of their animals is more important than ever before. Petpuls’ AI-powered dog collar promises to deepen the pet-owner relationship and provide emotional transparency by giving dogs a voice.