Chatterbowl: the talking dish for spoiled pets

We're not sure about this whole pet anxiety thing (our cats seem to do just fine without us, thanks), but apparently dogs are a different beast. With that in mind, an Arizona inventor has just announced the "Chatterbowl," a regular dog dish bowl (not at all like this one) that will let you record a message to comfort your dog (up to 10 seconds) every time he or she comes to grab a snack or get some water. The $20 bowl has been advertised on cable TV in Dallas and Houston for a few days now, but it will reportedly hit other markets across the US in the coming weeks. We're sure that once the MAKE folks get a hold of the Chatterbowl's electronics, they'll come up with something even more ridiculous.

[Via Gizmag]

[Brennan @ Dec 14th 2006 12:47PM]

my dog would freak, my steel bowl is fine thx....

[shon Dempsey @ Dec 14th 2006 12:58PM]

screw the doggie bowl,
wheres my damned engadget podcast???

[Ken @ Dec 14th 2006 1:30PM]

Grreeeat... how better to encourage codependent pets than to have the dish talk to them when they're using the food trough?

Where's the Talking Plate for Wayward Spouses? "Honey, you look great today!" and "This food is delicious! I *must* get the recipe!" as they put their snout to the trough.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 14th 2006 1:38PM]

Ken, that all just a matter of re-packaging and marketing.

[rawr @ Dec 14th 2006 3:32PM]

Did they actually test this on any dogs? My dog is already scared of his bowl when it makes scraping noises on the pavement...if it starts talking to him he'll wet himself.

[Metal4Evah @ Dec 14th 2006 3:39PM]

dudes, the pet industry is like a 5 BILLION a year bonanza. It seems that people (me included) love to spend money on their pets, especially if the pet is the bestest doggie in the whole wide world (like mine).

[Eric @ Dec 14th 2006 3:58PM]

"We're not sure about this whole pet anxiety thing (our cats seem to do just fine without us, thanks), but apparently dogs are a different beast."

That's because dogs are insecure, dependent creatures and need constant reminders that they are loved. Cats on the other hand are self-sufficient, and will give and receive love when they want to.

Cats > Dogs

[madbaghagsap @ Dec 14th 2006 7:55PM]

Talking to dogs doesn't help train them. They aren't humans, don't treat them like humans! Treat them with respect. Don't be surprised when your pampered pet constantly misbehaves.

[The Top Ramen @ Dec 15th 2006 5:05PM]

This is the most useless product ever. Most dog owners, including myself when I fill my dog's bowl or put it down with food in it, my dog eats all of it in one swipe. So having it speak to keep the pet from going lonely is ridiculous.

[Debbie @ Jul 31st 2007 1:09PM]

Don't people realize that when it comes to their pets they become complete idiots. They will sell millions for that reason alone!