ScienceBiology

19 Adorable Animals Using Technology Adorably

Some say that pets start to take after their owners, but to what extent? Will Socks start bogarting the remote? Are you going to have to pry the iPad out of Buster’s paws? Actually, uhm, yeah; looks that way. It also looks adorable. Iggy hones his hunting skills with a tablet Source: rautiocination Parrot on … Continued

Tech News

Roomba Shaming. This Is a Thing, Right?

Roomba has some problems with the apartment. Roomba does not like my dining room table. Roomba has trouble with the Swiffer, which he (?) mounts and then cannot free himself from—like a copulating wolf. (Wolves do that, right?) Today Roomba must have cleaned up a puddle of bourbon (it happens), because he’s having some trouble … Continued

Tech News

Fetching Gifts for Loyal Dog Owners

Let’s face it, cats are assholes. Thank your canine companion for all the thankless chores it undertakes around the house (hey, that dropped food won’t eat itself) this holiday season Hey there! You might notice our gift guides look a little different this year. That’s because we’re hoping to get you more involved in them. … Continued

Tech News

Your Genetic Future: Horse-Dogs, Plantimals and Mini-Rhino Pets

Maybe you’ve heard the internet meme-ish question: would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses. Well, I’ve got a new one for you: would your rather own a kitty-cat sized-rhino or a rhino-sized kitty-cat? Because children of the 1980s were told that in the future they might just get such a … Continued

Tech News

Frisky Gifts for Cat Nuts

Everyone knows at least one cat owner who is a little bit crazy, a little bit intense, and a little bit covered in cat fur. Hanging out at this friend’s house might be a disgusting chore. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve presents! Hey there! You might notice our gift guides look a little … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

These Incredibly Lifelike Robotic Fish Will Never Go Belly Up

Great news if your aquarium goes through fish faster than a fish n’ chips restaurant. Takara Tomy has created these robotic alternatives that will swim around your tank in an incredibly lifelike fashion. But they never need to be fed, and more importantly, will never dirty the tank. The robot fish run on a set … Continued

Tech News

All Chemistry Classes Should Be Taught by Adorable Dogs (Updated)

Matthew Hartings is a chemistry professor at American University, and will most likely go down in history for coming up with the absolute best way to teach chemistry concepts to non-college types: using his dogs. Matthew’s hobby is actually training Paige and Dexter, and what better way to make complex ideas like chemical bonds easy … Continued

Tech News

Spiked Bowl Stops Your Dog From Eating Like an Animal

Remember your parents telling you to slow down and thoroughly chew your food at dinner? Not only does it help prevent choking, it also aids digestion. And that doesn’t just go for little kids. Dogs can also benefit from a more leisurely approach to dining, and that’s why this bizarre bowl is covered in tiny … Continued

ScienceBiology

How Many Pets Would You Need To Power Your Home In an Emergency?

If you’re wondering why the crazy cat lady down the street still has power after hurricane Sandy and you don’t, maybe it’s because she’s putting all her pets to work. You can never be too prepared if you find yourself in the path of a terrible storm, and instead of buying a backup generator next … Continued

io9

People believe tortoiseshell cats are “aloof” and “intolerant,” study finds

There are a lot of urban legends and folk tales about black cats, but apparently there’s nothing worse than a tortoiseshell. A group of psychology researchers have just published a study about people’s beliefs when it comes to cats — and it turns out that even cat people judge felines by their colors, rather than … Continued

io9

Why cloning is a terrible way to bring your pet dog back from the dead

This weekend, Frankenweenie is teaching children about the wonders of brining your beloved pooch back from the dead. We may not have perfected doggie resurrections by electroshock, but some folks have tried to bring their dogs back from the dead (or at least create a genetic facsimile), through cloning. But in addition to the scientific … Continued

Tech News

How Not to Open Your New iPhone

There are ways and ways of unpacking your new iPhone 5. This is probably one you want to try and avoid. The image originally surfaced on Reddit a few hours ago, and the comments are well worth reading. Among my favorites: “Put it in a bowl of rice”, “Try and reset it to factory defaults”, … Continued

Tech News

Everything You Need To Completely and Utterly Humiliate Your Pet

Your pet gives you nothing but undying love and affection from the crack of dawn until they curl up by your feet at night. So why not repay their selfless admiration with toys and accessories that make them look and feel like nothing but a sight gag? Here’s everything you need to completely and utterly … Continued

Tech NewsPrivacy & Security

Pet-Tracking Security Camera Follows Fido’s Antics Around the Room

Most homeowners install surveillance cameras to keep an eye out for intruders. But Maspro’s new system is designed to keep an eye on those already inside—your pets. And it’s able to automatically track and follow them as they move about a room. It might seem a touch overkill, but pet owners are always ready and … Continued

Tech News

Prepare For the Apocalypse, Furby Pre-Orders Start at Walmart

Thought to have been banished to the pits of hell sometime in the early 2000s, the ferociously annoying cyber-creature known as “Furby” as reared its ugly head again. Now it’s available for pre-order, so you better brace for impact. Having gained LED eyes, and the ability to interface with a number of ubiquitous iDevices, the … Continued

io9

Why Did Dog Thefts Jump 32% Last Year?

From the ASPCA, we received this piece of alarming news: Pet theft is on the rise. The American Kennel Club, which has been tracking pet thefts since 2007, reported a 32% increase in dog thefts last year. While some animals are snatched from their yards or during home invasions, opportunistic thieves most commonly steal dogs … Continued

ScienceSpace & Spaceflight

The Space Station’s New Aquarium Prepares Astronauts For a Puppy Some Day

Thanks to JAXA—the Japanese Space Agency—the astronauts aboard the International Space Station have some new pets to keep them company. A small school of Medaka fish that will be used to study the impacts of radiation, muscle atrophy, and bone degradation in space. The AQH Aquatic Habitat (because fish tank sounds too low-tech) features a … Continued

ScienceBiology

Under Chair Cat Hammock Keeps Fluffy off the Damn Furniture

If you have pets you’ve already accepted the fact that your home will be perpetually covered in a layer of fur. Visitors, though? Probably not as keen. So this tiny hammock lets your cat still use your furniture without leaving it covered in hair. It’s just $30—available for pre-order now—and straps to the legs of … Continued

ScienceBiology

This Dog-Shaped Scratching Post Is Sure To Fuel the Dogs vs. Cats Debate

If there’s one thing that can divide the nation greater than the Coke vs. Pepsi debate, it’s the question of what makes the better housepet. Dog and cat supporters are fervent in their belief that their respective companions are the superior pet, and this dog-shaped scratching post doesn’t help calm that debate. It’s almost like … Continued

Tech News

Will This Caged Ball Toy Stimulate a Dog’s Brain or Just Drive It Insane?

Pet owners will do anything they can for their companions, including buying every kind of toy that promises to improve their lives. But instead of stimulating a dog’s brain, this chew toy looks like it’s only going to stimulate frustration and rage. You can actually put anything inside this $15 Cagey Cube rubber prison—tennis balls, … Continued