PitPat Dog Activity Monitor Review
Reviewed by Nina Chester
Our family consists of us grownups, children and dogs. We love each and every one of them and try our best to keep them all happy and healthy. These days you hear so much about childhood obesity and lack of exercise causing health problems that last year we decided to invest in fitness monitors for us all, and with the weather improving its time to get out and enjoy the sun. We have had lots of fun with them and it really has made a difference to us. So Imagine my delight when I realised that PitPat did an activity monitor for Xanthe, our golden retriever. We still call her the puppy in spite of the fact that she is ten in November, nobody tell her she’s not a puppy she wouldn’t believe you anyway. She is active still enjoying long walks, bouncing around like a toddler on blue cake and long relaxing wallows in the mud or a quick dip in the river, stream or puddle. Xanthe doesn’t bother with a swim suit she just dives head long and comes up looking like a pint of Guinness; black with a cream head.
On Saturday morning we took delivery of the PitPat, a dog activity monitor or the “FitBit” for dogs, and straight away I knew we were going to enjoy it. It was packaged in a robust case with a small but funny disclaimer telling us *Dog not included.
With boys in the house I stood no chance of opening this technology, so I had to make myself happy using the website PitPat.com. So first problem, the dogs collar was too big to fit the slit in the monitor through. And what was that Velcro, so carefully packed in the box for anyway? Once I had explained to the boys that the adjustable Velcro goes on to the monitor and is then secured to the collar it was done and on in a jiffy. Well, that won’t stay on was the sulky reply. “You know what Xanthe’s like” whilst the dog looked bemused at all this attention, I quickly down loaded the app and waved as the dog was clipped on her lead and went for her second walk of the morning. There wasn’t a second problem, well not with PitPat and I won’t go into the supermarket shop later that afternoon.
Peace. No horrendous amount of unnecessary packing to throw away. I awaited their return. The muddy paws arrived home closely followed by the dog who was Bluetoothed whilst drinking, and her data analysed. I actually liked knowing how long she had run and how long she had walked and how long the husband had been to the pub.
What you don’t get immediately is a history because that obviously takes time. However, a week in I am enjoying knowing what Xanthe has been doing. When I leave her, I now know if she has been pottering (who knew that pottering was an actual thing) or if she’s been asleep. I also know how many calories she is using and as I know the calorific value of her food, I can accurately adjust her food intake to trim a couple of kilos from her waistline. I know if she’s been running pottering or playing.
So, my verdict. The PitPat dog monitor offers peace of mind. It’s watching over her when I am not there. It’s telling me how active she is and how well she sleeps. It sets a target based on breed and age and weight of your dog. It’s completely safe, secure and comfortable. It is fully dog, mud and waterproof.
The app is easy. If you have a dog walker I would say that the PitPat is essential, not because you don’t trust a walker, but because you can then adjust your own exercise with your dog so that you’re reaching optimal health for your canine companion.
Technical specifications:
| Dimensions | 34 x 32 x 15mm |
| Weight | 16 grammes |
| Replaceable battery included | CR2032 |
| Battery life | 1 year + |
| Accelerometer | 3-axis |
| Radio connectivity | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Attachment mechanism | Parachute grade VELCRO® |
| Ingress protection | IP67 waterproof and dust tight |
| Approvals | Pan-European CE marked |
| Design in | Cambridge |
| Manufactured in | UK |
| Warranty | Full 1 year |
| Fun factor | Unlimited |
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £39
For more information or to buy visit www.pitpat.com.
