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The Best Pet Camera

Last updated on January 16, 2024
Best Pet Camera

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One of the great things about owning a pet is the reaction you get when you walk in the door. After a long day, it’s good to get slobbery, yappy proof that your dog missed you.

The flip side of that is knowing your pup is home alone much of the time; you may also be wondering what mischief they’re up to. Well, it’s modern technology to the rescue as usual. A good pet camera can not only let you keep tabs on your fur baby, but also interact with them, too.

Pretty much any remotely controlled camera can let you supervise your favorite guard dog or cat, and video quality can vary a lot among the more basic models. 720p is a good baseline resolution, though most cams have some HD video capability. If you want a better view of your pet’s antics (or maybe clearer evidence of little “accidents” they may cause), maybe consider a sharper 1080p picture. Some upscale pet cameras even include the option for two-way video, allowing your dog or cat to see you while you look in on them.

Stationary cameras are easy to install and use, but they’re not as common these days. And since even the laziest cats won’t stay put for an entire day, it’s best to invest in a cam with some range of motion. Modern pet or security cameras allow you to pan left or right, giving you a field of vision that can stretch up to 360 degrees. Most will also tilt up or down to a lesser degree.

For especially active animals, our home improvement expert Vicki Liston recommends considering a camera with motion sensors and tracking capabilities: “Instead of checking in and wasting time when nothing is happening, some models will send you an alert if it senses motion or noise, like barking. Once you receive this alert, you’ll be able to check the video and see what the commotion is all about (and whether or not your neighbor was telling the truth about your dog barking all day),” she says.

Want to hear what your pet has to say during the day? Audio feeds are a common capability on pet cams, and some even have a speaker built in so that the two of you can have a conversation. Again, barking is a concern for pet owners in densely populated areas. Some cameras might include audio detection tech, ranging from the ability to send alerts in case of loud noises to algorithms that can distinguish the sound of a yapping dog. In either case, they can provide a double dose of security, letting you know when your pup is upset and if there might be an intruder around the house.

Those are the most common features, but there are a ton of others. The latest puppy cams can let you play simple games remotely with your dog, and spit out treats to award good behavior. Cat-centric cams might have a laser pointer that you can control with an app, allowing you to amuse and/or confound your favorite feline. There are even cameras that use spritzes of aromatherapy to soothe excitable dogs. The makers of these pet cameras know there’s little we won’t do for our furry friends, so the sky’s the limit.

Our Picks For The Top Pet Camera

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Two-Way Audio

YI Wireless Indoor Security Surveillance System

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

YI

Wireless Indoor Security Surveillance System

This pet camera is extremely easy to set up and pair to most any device. The multiple mounting options make it simple to set up almost anywhere on any surface. The 2-way audio is a great option, enhanced by effective noise filtering.

Overall Take

Mount AnywhereThis pet camera is simple to set up and has versatile mounting options.

  All the Bells and Whistles

Furbo Pet Camera

Furbo

Pet Camera

This pet camera boasts an elegant design, but the beauty is hardly skin-deep. Its camera can discern between a person or dog, and the sensor can send alerts when it hears your dog barking. The ability to play with your pet remotely via a treat dispenser is a great touch.

For many people, dogs are an important part of the family. They are there to...

Overall Take

Tons of OptionsGet push alerts when your pet is barking and interact remotely with a playful treat dispenser with this pet camera.

  Best Bang for Your Buck

Faleemi Wireless Network Camera

Faleemi

Wireless Network Camera

This pet camera provides a ton of features, especially for a budget camera. You can stream to a range of devices, and tilt the camera up, down or side to side. Horizontally, it has a wide range of view and images transmit in impressive HD. The lifetime support package adds an extra dose of security.

Overall Take

Economical and HandyThis pet camera is a budget camera that doesn't skimp on features.

Our Expert Consultant

Vicki Liston 
Home Improvement Expert

Vicki Liston writes, produces, and narrates “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement and DIY show of unique project tutorials for the casual DIY’er.

Home improvement and all things DIY have been Liston’s passion since she bought her first house in 2007 and she started making video blogs in 2014. She’s performed hundreds of DIY projects, from small ones to major, wall-smashing renovations and can teach you how to make a trendy DIY barn door for cheap. The proceeds earned from “On The Fly…DIY” are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations.

What to Look For

  • To get the most out of your pet camera, place it in an area where it will do the most good. For most rooms, that’s going to be relatively high up in a corner (provided they can be mounted that way). This allows even stationary cameras to cover a wide swath. You might need to mount them closer to the ground if they include interactive games or treat dispensers, but Liston urges caution there, too: “For those with problem-solving pets, it’s best to place or wall-mount treat-dispensing pet cameras just out of reach. The camera may be chewed on, knocked over and pummeled over and over in an attempt to get at the entire cache of deliciousness inside,” she says.
  • Most pet cameras will trumpet their hi-res video as a big selling point, but more pixels isn’t always a plus. Keep in mind that constantly streaming super-HD video can put a strain on your Wi-Fi. Do you really need to see every whisker on your cat for the entire eight-hour workday? If your wireless capability isn’t the best, you might want to consider a more modest camera resolution.

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