Ever miss your pet when you’re at work? Can’t leave the house without wondering what your fur babies are up to and whether they’re safe? You might want to consider a pet camera.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options on the market that let you monitor the inside of your home—and any pets within view—from your phone. But the best ones in this segment allow you to do more, including throw a treat to your cat or dog and get alerts when they make lots of noise.
Below are the best pet cameras we’ve tested, as well as some traditional security cameras that also work as pet monitors. Make sure to read to the end for additional advice to keep in mind during your search for the perfect pet companion device.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Furbo 360 Dog Camera
Best Pet Camera Overall
Why We Picked It
The original Furbo earned high marks for its treat-tossing technology and sharp 1080p video with night vision. The company’s latest model, the Furbo 360, builds on its predecessor with 360-degree panning abilities and color night vision. We’re glad that Furbo doesn’t require a subscription for barking alerts, one of the product’s most useful features. Our two main complaints are that you need to pay extra to access event recordings and that the lens doesn’t tilt up and down like it can on some indoor security cameras. Those minor quibbles aside, the Furbo 360 is still the best device we’ve tested for remotely tossing treats.
Who It’s For
If you want to monitor or reward your dog while you aren’t home, the Furbo 360 is a worthwhile purchase. With its new panning ability, this model is a nice upgrade over the original, particularly if you have a large space to monitor or an active pet who doesn’t stay in the frame. We haven’t specifically tested its movement-tracking technology with cats, but it should work for them as well.
PROS
- 360-degree views with silent panning
- Automatic dog tracking
- Color night vision
- Quieter, more adjustable treat tosser
- Free barking alerts
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Attractive design
CONS
- Doesn’t tilt vertically
- No local storage option
- Some features require a subscription
- Lacks Google Assistant support
Learn More
Petcube Bites 2 Lite
Best Affordable Treat-Tossing Camera
Why We Picked It
It can’t pan from side to side, but the Petcube Bites 2 Lite offers a similar treat-tossing feature as the Furbo 360 for less money. In testing, it delivered quality 1080p video throughout the day and night and reliably dispensed treats upon command. We also like that it can notify you of motion and sound events, and then automatically start recording (if you pay for a premium subscription). The main drawback is that it sometimes takes much longer than competing Furbo models to connect to its companion app and show a live view of your home.
Who It’s For
You should consider the Bites 2 Lite if the Furbo 360 isn’t within your budget. One nice bonus is that you can mount this device on the wall, helpful if your playful pup tends to knock things over.
PROS
- Reliably dispenses treats
- Good night vision
- Two-way audio
- Wall-mountable design
- Works with Amazon Alexa
CONS
- Occasional delay connecting to app
- Easily tipped over when placed on a table or shelf
- Video history, smart alert features require a subscription
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Petcube Bites 2
Best for Built-In Alexa
Why We Picked It
The Petcube Bites 2 offers a few additional perks compared with the more affordable Lite edition, including stronger build quality and a 5GHz Wi-Fi radio. It also includes four microphones (vs. one in the Lite), so you can better hear your dog when you use the two-way audio feature. Both models work with Alexa voice commands, but the Bites 2 has the virtual assistant built in, which means you can use it to ask for general information, set timers, and control compatible smart home devices.
Who It’s For
If your pet likes to play rough, this device’s durable design alone might justify its extra cost over the Lite version. 5GHz Wi-Fi support for faster, smoother streams and built-in Alexa integration also add value.
PROS
- Easy to set up
- Reliably dispenses treats
- Two-way audio
- Works as a smart speaker with Amazon Alexa
CONS
- Camera isn’t particularly sharp
- Requires subscription plan to track activities for more than four hours or capture 30-second video clips
- Expensive
- No laser
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Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24
Best for Remote Commands
Why We Picked It
It lacks some perks of pet-specific models, but the affordable Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24 supports high-end features such as remote pan and tilt movements, 2K video capture, automatic motion tracking, and intelligent motion and sound detection. You can configure it to recognize human and animal movements, too. Finally, there’s also a unique Pet Command feature that can automatically play prerecorded messages. For instance, you can easily program it to say “Get off the couch!” in your voice whenever the camera spots your dog up on the sofa.
Who It’s For
If you can do without remote treat-tossing abilities, this Eufy camera is worth a look for its affordability, high-resolution recording, and dependable animal alerts. It has a narrower field of view than the pet-specific models on this list, but it can tilt up and down as well as pan from side to side.
PROS
- Affordable
- Sharp 2K video
- Automatic motion tracking
- Sound and motion detection
- Local and cloud storage
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
CONS
- Doesn’t support IFTTT
- Some features not available in HomeKit
Learn More
Wyze Cam OG
Best for Penny-Pinching Pet Parents
Why We Picked It
For around $20, the Wyze Cam OG is the most affordable camera on this list. It offers 1080p video with support for color night vision and two-way audio, so you can see, hear, and talk to your pet from afar. If you subscribe to a Cam Plus subscription, you can even get alerts whenever your cat or dog starts to move around.
Who It’s For
If you simply want to spy on your pooch when you’re out, a budget-friendly security camera like the Wyze Cam OG works just fine. You don’t get 2K video like you do with the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24, but its 1080p recordings still look clean.
PROS
- Affordable
- Sharp 1080p video
- Color night vision
- Built-in spotlight
- Picture-in-picture mode
- Supports voice controls and lots of third-party integrations
- Local and cloud storage options
CONS
- Outdoor power adapter costs extra
- Some features require a subscription
- Lacks HomeKit support
Learn More
Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera
Best for Arlo Users
Why We Picked It
Arlo’s Essential Indoor Security Camera is another attractive option that lets you see and hear your pet from afar. It captures 1080p video with a 130-degree field of view, plus it offers 12x digital zoom. It’s a snap to install and provides crisp video and accurate alerts. Motion detection features work well too, and it does a great job of differentiating pets from people. There’s also a convenient privacy shield you can activate from the app that prevents video capture.
Who It’s For
Other options on this list might offer a bit more bang for your buck, but this Arlo cam is an excellent option for pet parents who need HomeKit support and already use other security products from the company. You just need to be willing to pay for a monthly subscription to get access to video recordings and intelligent alerts, among other features.
PROS
- More affordable than Arlo Pro models
- Intelligent alerts
- Sharp 1080p video
- Works with numerous third-party devices
- Voice control
CONS
- Many features require paid subscription
- Hub required for HomeKit support
Learn More
Buying Guide: The Best Pet Cameras for 2023
Pet Cameras vs. Home Security Cameras
If you want a camera primarily to keep tabs on your pet, a general-purpose indoor home security camera might serve you just fine—and save you some money. We’ve included some on this list, all of which offer intelligent alerts that differentiate between animals and people.
All of the cameras we’ve selected also offer night vision, so you can see your pet in the dark, and two-way audio, so you can listen for and respond to barks, howls, and meows.
Capture from Furbo 360
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Pet-specific cameras take things a step further. They let you not just see, hear, and talk to your animals, but remotely play with them and toss treats. And beyond just alerting you when your cat or dog is moving around, pet-specific cameras can tell you when they’re making noise. The Furbo 360 even alerts you when your dog is looking directly at the camera (which it calls a selfie), has been barking for over one minute, or is crying or howling. It also notifies you when it detects a person, or if your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off. That makes it useful as both a home security camera and a dog nanny.
The Best Pet Cameras for Tossing Treats
One of the hallmark features of Furbo and Petcube Bites models is their ability to toss treats on command. When setting up the Furbo, for instance, its companion app walks you through the process of properly introducing the device to your dog to foster a positive association. Treats don’t typically motivate my dog, but he still got the hang of it right away and eats all the treats I toss out using the camera.
Furbo 360 treat receptacle
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
To get your pet’s attention, the Furbo makes a barking sound when it’s about to dispense a treat. Furbo recommends using this feature as a distraction when your dog is anxious, pacing, licking, or barking. You can also use it as a reward when it stops any of those behaviors.
The Best Pet Cameras for Virtual Vet Visits
As pet parents, we often worry about potential health issues, but not every one requires a trip to the vet. Petcube models, including the affordable Petcube Cam(Opens in a new window), offer a televet feature that can help you determine if an in-person visit is necessary. If you capture any concerning activity on camera, you can chat live with a licensed veterinarian via its companion app, as well as share photos and videos of your pet. You get one free consultation with the camera, after which you need to pay for a $4.99-per-month subscription.
Petcube Cam live vet chat
(Credit: Petcube)
How Much Should You Spend on a Pet Camera?
As you can see from our picks, the top-rated pet security cameras can cost around $200. If you have a large home, you must factor in the cost of buying several of them.
Petcube Bites 2 Lite
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Keep in mind that some devices in this category require an additional fee to store video recordings in the cloud. We break down any extra fees in our reviews, so it’s worth reading each of those closely.
The good news is that prices are coming down. If you’re not looking to spend a lot, you can get a quality general-purpose home security camera like the Wyze Cam OG for around $20, or a pet-specific one like the Petcube Cam for around $50.
Recommended by Our Editors
More Tech for Your Pampered Pooch
Once you find the right camera, consider investing in a pet tracker or GPS collar for additional peace of mind. We’ve rounded up our favorite wearable trackers and collars that can monitor your pet’s location and activity to help make sure it’s safe and healthy.
And to help you stay on top of shedding, be sure to check out our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
Finally, if you’re the proud owner of a mutt, but are curious to know just what its background is, check out the best dog DNA kits we’ve tested.
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