Data rain for dogs and cats

The wearable technology trend, of wireless watch-like devices that monitor a person's health and sleep patterns, has gone to the dogs. And the cats.

It got there through PetPace, a wireless tech collar for dogs and cats that monitors an animal's vital signs, activity and well being 24 hours a day. Tampa-based BluePearl Veterinary Partners, a $100 million specialty veterinary firm, conducted clinical trials for PetPace, available now in Florida and Massachusetts in a test run.

“This is a product that is going to revolutionize veterinary medicine, as well as enhancing a pet owner's ability to recognize that their pet is becoming ill before they start showing physical signs,” says BluePearl Science Director Dr. Teresa Lightfoot in a release. “The ability to have real-time, continuous access to pets' vitals is undoubtedly going to save pets' lives.”

Burlington, Mass.-based PetPace developed and manufactured the smart collar, which it says can also facilitate early detection of diseases and behavioral problems. The PetPace works through non-invasive miniature sensors placed in the collar. Veterinary professionals then sort and analyze the data.

The PetPace costs $150 and there's a monthly $15 fee for analyzing the data. Pet owners, according to the company, can compare data with other dog and cat owners on a private social network. Owners can also set up activity goals for their pets, including calories burned.