## 1 Introduction
This paradigm, related to the IoT, proposes the use of sensors and smart objects to support pet care management. Some cases of the use of these devices are cameras used for monitoring the activities carried out by pets [22]. Another common example is the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) integrated in collars that aim to geolocate pets in case of loss in the street [23]. Finally, another relevant case of the use of the Internet of Pets proposes the creation of water and food dispensers to keep pets hydrated and well fed when their owners are at home or away [24; 25]. For the above reasons, this paper proposes to carry out a systematic review of the literature to provide an updated view of the state of the art regarding the influence of IoT technologies in the care of pets in smart homes. The study seeks to answer the following research question: what is the contribution of the IoT in practical terms in the care, protection, and welfare of pets in the context of the home? This will determine the current trends and prospects of the IoT to support families in the care of their pets, whether they live indoors or in the outdoor yards of their homes, or in similar scenarios. The systematic literature review followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) [26] as well as the methodology proposed by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [27]. A scientific search protocol was developed based on this methodology and applied to databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, Scielo, Dialnet, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), ProQuest, Google Scholar, and general Google searches. The application of the research protocol made it possible to select a total of 81 scientific studies of the journal article and conference article types. From the exhaustive analysis of these selected studies, the five research questions formulated in this study were answered. These five questions are related to the research question posed above and to be answered in this study. The results underscore the impact of the Internet of Things for Pets (IoP) on animal welfare, highlighting its role in developing technological solutions for monitoring and caring for pets, particularly in Asian countries. These solutions focus on key aspects such as feeding, health, and safety, enhancing the bond between owners and pets. While most IoP devices are designed for home use, some cater to other settings like veterinary clinics or pet transportation. With the growing number of pet-owning households, the IoP has become a relevant tool, offering not only automatic care and remote monitoring but also emotional support for pets left alone. Through IoT devices, the IoP helps to alleviate loneliness and maintain the human-animal connection, ensuring that pets feel accompanied. This paper is organized in four sections. Section 2 describes the methodology used to conduct the systematic literature review. Section 3 presents the key findings of the review, including current trends, prospects, and practical contributions of the IoT in pet care. In Section 4 the implications of these findings are discussed. Finally, Section 5 presents the main conclusions and discusses future research lines.