Once again, the holiday season is upon us. It's a special time of year when we gather together with friends and family to celebrate our love for each other, and to give thanks. Oddly enough, it's also the time of year when we buy gifts for our pets even though they have no idea what's going on.

When it comes to buying your pet a gift for the holidays (or any time of the year, really), you could go the traditional route with a lame sweater or a boring bag of treats. Or you could go the extra mile and get the special fur ball in your life a high-tech gadget that will make them the envy of all the other animals on Instagram (what, your pets aren't on social media?).

And even if Fido doesn't appreciate one of these great gifts, we're pretty sure you'll at least get a kick out of them.

Pupple: The All-in-1 Smart Pet Gadget

Pupple is an AI-enabled smart pet system designed to keep you engaged with your pets while you're away. Not only are you able to keep tabs on your pets and dispense treats with the push of a button, but you can play with them from anywhere in the world. That's because the Pupple system includes a small remote-controlled ball with a camera built in. Simply download the Pupple app and set up your account, and you'll have a front row seat from the toy's point of view, complete with audio. And if you're too busy to control the toy yourself, it can be placed in auto-play mode, which provides hours of autonomous fun for your pet.

The Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor

The Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor certainly falls on the more practical side of the gift-giving spectrum. But considering the heartache that comes with losing a beloved family pet, practical is a good thing in this situation. The device works as a tracking device that attaches to your pets collar. It connects to the Whistle app, and provides you with your pet's real-time GPS coordinates anywhere in the country. The Whistle 3 can also send location alerts via text or email, and provide fun, detailed reports of your pets daily activities and routines.

Embark Dog DNA Test Kit

While technology can certainly be used to improve the quality of your pet's life, it can also be used to solve some of life's little mysteries, especially if your pet is a mixed breed. With the Embark dog DNA test, a simple cheek swab will provide information about your dog's breed, ancestry, health, relatives, and more. The test uses a research-grade DNA genotyping platform to search your dog's DNA for 250 breeds and more than 175 genetic conditions and traits. Embark also allows users to discover and connect with their dog's K9 cousins via Embark's unique canine relative finder, the only dog database of its kind.

Wayzn - Automatic Sliding Pet Door Opener

Pet ownership is a wonderful experience, but it's not without its challenges. This is especially true for anyone who commutes to work, and is forced to leave their pet home alone on a daily basis. Aside from subjecting pets to separation anxiety and boredom, the more practical matter of bathroom breaks can be a logistical nightmare. Luckily, the Wayzn is here to help. In a manner of minutes, the Wayzn converts any sliding glass door into an automatic, app-controlled pet door without the need for any permanent changes to your home. Wayzn provides a reliable way to let your pet in or out of your house anytime, anywhere, and it doubles as an app controlled backup should you ever forget your keys. The device also features an automatic mode so your pet can come and go as it pleases. Best of all, it integrates seamlessly with Alexa, smart cameras, and other smart home devices, so you can be there for your pet even when you're away.

Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.