IF SHADOW, Kyle Crawford’s cat, could talk, the 12-year-old domestic short hair might say: “I may ignore you when you’re here, but when you leave, I panic: I stress eat.” The new, high-tech feeder Mr. Crawford, 36, recently bought—designed to dole out Shadow’s food on a timed schedule—makes his occasional three-day business trips away from Chicago less angsty for the cat, he said: “The robot feeder allows him to eat slowly over time rather than one big meal, which is what happens when someone stops in and feeds him.”

While cats would always prefer being catered to by a human, new smart pet gear is designed to keep your tabby comfortable flying solo during the weekend beach trips and office commutes many of us have resumed. Robots can ensure the most fastidious pet has a clean litter box, and even a way to hear your voice (ignoring it as she chooses) when you’re away.

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