Pet Tech Glossary: Key Terms Explained
Quick answer: This is a reference page, not a buying guide — a plain-language definition for each piece of jargon that shows up across this site (RFID, IP rating, geofencing, VCPR, Matter, and more), with a link to the specific article that covers it in real depth. Use it to look up a term you've hit in another guide, not as a standalone recommendation.
This site uses a fair amount of technical shorthand across its guides — this page collects the recurring terms in one place, with a plain-language definition and a link to whichever article actually covers the term in depth. Look something up here, then follow the link if you want the full picture.
Identification and connectivity
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) — a wireless identification technology used in two forms in pet tech: a small external collar tag, or (see Microchip, below) an implanted chip. A feeder, door, or fountain with an RFID reader only responds to a tag or chip it recognizes. See our multi-pet RFID feeder guide.
Microchip — a rice-grain-sized RFID chip implanted under a pet’s skin by a vet, readable by any compatible scanner. Distinct from an RFID collar tag in that there’s nothing external to fall off, but it depends on being registered correctly with a specific registry — see our microchip registry interoperability guide for why “which registry” is a real, non-obvious question.
NFC (Near-Field Communication) — a short-range wireless technology used in flat pet ID tags, read by tapping a smartphone against the tag rather than scanning with dedicated hardware. See our NFC/QR ID tag guide.
Geofencing — a virtual boundary set on a map, paired with a GPS tracker, that triggers an alert when a pet crosses it. See our geofencing setup guide for how to configure one so it actually catches real escapes.
Matter — a cross-brand smart-home standard meant to let devices from different manufacturers work under one app (Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home). Most pet tech doesn’t meaningfully support it yet — see our Matter/Alexa/Google Home explainer.
Ratings and specs
IP rating (e.g., IP66, IP67) — a two-digit code for dust and water resistance: the first digit covers dust/particles (0-6), the second covers water (0-9). IP67 means dust-tight and protected against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes — a specific, tested condition, not a general “waterproof” guarantee. See our warranty-void checklist.
Wh (watt-hours) — the unit airlines and the FAA use to regulate lithium batteries in baggage; small trackers under 2.7Wh (and 0.3g lithium metal) are permitted in checked baggage without declaration. See our air travel cargo rules guide.
dB (decibels) — the unit for measuring noise level; under ~40dB is generally considered bedroom/shared-wall safe for a device like a feeder or litter box. See our noise-level breakdown.
Health, care, and legal terms
VCPR (Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship) — the clinical/legal relationship a vet must establish, often via an exam or a qualifying video consult, before they can legally prescribe medication. This is why some telehealth platforms can prescribe directly and others can only recommend. See our vet telehealth app comparison.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) — the technical standard courts commonly reference for digital accessibility compliance, including for mobile apps. See our app accessibility guide.
VoiceOver / TalkBack — the built-in screen readers on iOS and Android respectively, used to test whether an app is actually navigable without sight.
How devices actually work
On-device vs. cloud-based AI — whether a camera’s “smart” detection (person, pet, bark) runs locally on the camera itself or is processed on a remote server. Cloud-based processing (common, including Furbo’s) means detection depends on your internet connection staying up. See our AI-powered camera explainer.
P2P (peer-to-peer) — a connection method some cameras use to stream video directly between your phone and the device rather than through a central server; a documented source of “ID-guessing” vulnerabilities on poorly secured platforms. See our livestreaming and social-sharing privacy guide.
ESPHome / Home Assistant — open-source tools a small community uses to replace a device’s stock firmware with local-only control, removing cloud dependency entirely. See our DIY open-source firmware guide.
Bottom line
This page exists to be looked up, not read start to finish — if a term in another guide isn’t clear, it’s probably defined here with a link to the article that covers it properly. It’ll grow as new terms show up across the site’s coverage.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between RFID and a microchip for pet identification?
Both use radio-frequency identification technology, but they're deployed differently. An RFID collar tag is a small external tag attached to a collar, read by a feeder or door's sensor. A microchip is implanted under a pet's skin by a vet and read the same way, but with nothing external to fall off or forget. See our multi-pet RFID feeder guide and microchip registry guide for how each is actually used.
What does an IP rating like IP66 or IP67 actually mean?
Two digits with separate meanings: the first is dust/particle resistance (0-6 scale), the second is water resistance (0-9 scale). IP67 means dust-tight and protected against temporary submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes — not indefinite submersion or active swimming. See our warranty-void checklist for how exceeding a device's actual rated limits, not just the word "waterproof," is a common cause of denied claims.
What is a VCPR, and why does it matter for online vet care?
Vet-client-patient relationship — a legal/clinical relationship a vet must establish (often via examination or, for telehealth, a qualifying video consult) before they can legally prescribe medication. This is why some telehealth platforms can prescribe directly and others can only give advice — see our on-demand vet video app comparison for how this plays out across specific platforms.
What's the difference between Matter and Wi-Fi for a smart pet device?
Wi-Fi is how a device connects to the internet; Matter is a separate, newer standard meant to let devices from different brands work together under one smart-home app (Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home) regardless of maker. Most pet tech still doesn't support Matter in any meaningful way — see our Matter/Alexa/Google Home explainer for what "works with Alexa" actually delivers today.