We love our pets and their endearing quirks. But we also worry about their safety while we are at work or when they have to be left home alone all day. We want to know how they spend their time when we are out, where they nap, whether they eat, and even if they are tearing up our sofa cushions. Thanks to pet cameras, we can do all that. Pet cameras help us observe our beloved fur babies and discover just what they are doing when we are away.
In this guide, we will discuss a few tips on how to select the best dog cameras for keeping an eye on your pet and also review the good ones available in the market.
How to select a pet camera for cats and dogs
A pet camera is usually an inexpensive security monitor that you can easily install on your own. It can give you instant access to view your home, pet, and property via your Smartphone, tablet or computer. You can check it anytime you want to and that can really ensure peace of mind when you are away from your pet for a long time. These days, you can even buy dog camera collars or dog camera treat dispensers. Camera collars are installed on the pet’s collar and they can be programmed to even click photos at intervals. Such cameras let you view the world as your pet views it. Collar cameras are especially beneficial for cats and dogs having a tendency to roam. This way, you can know where your pet is, at all times. You can also use dog camera collars for monitoring pets that have to be kept in dog hostels or in pet boarding facilities while you are traveling.
Most home cameras are connected through Wi-Fi and allow you to see and hear the live stream. Many are equipped with high-quality night-vision and high-quality audio. Some devices are also equipped with a siren, motion-sensor alarms, and recording features. And some even let you ‘speak’ to your pet. When installing your pet camera, it is important to ensure that the alarm system is not triggered accidentally by your pet. These days you can also buy special pet cameras that can differentiate between pet motion and human movements.
Your budget should be an important factor when considering investing in pet cameras. Note that some of the state-of-the-art systems can be quite expensive; so you may want to ensure that a system is affordable for you. Naturally, you should not compromise and base your selection on price alone. After all; pets are family and we want the best for them. We certainly don’t want cheap systems that don’t work the way we want them to. So get the best pet camera system by asking around; you can speak to your friends or family if they have one installed.
Best pet camera reviews
Pawbo pet camera
Pawbo Life pet camera is one of the best-selling dog camera treat dispensers that come with Wi-Fi, HD video, 2-way audio and even a laser game (which cats enjoy). You can listen and talk to your pet and also reward him with a treat. You can control your Pawbo via Smartphone, tablet, and computer. (For use with a computer, you might have to download Android Emulator from BlueStacks). A single Pawbo life pet camera can be connected to 8 devices, but too many devices/users could slow down the connection.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Good picture quality
- Detects motion
Cons
- Tech support needs improvement
- Night vision quality isn’t too good
- Audio/speaker quality is mediocre
Furbo pet camera
Furbo dog camera is one of the best selling pet cameras that is compatible with Alexa. This full HD 1080p camera is equipped with night vision and 2-way audio. Special sensors can alert you to your dog’s barking and send you alerts to your Smartphone. (You can choose to stop receiving barking alerts if your pet barks all the time!). The treat dispensing mechanism will ensure that your pet never feels anxious. You can fill it up with your pet’s favorite treats and use it to play a game of catch with your fur baby.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- 5-star rated motion-detection, night vision, and picture quality
- Suitable for pets with separation anxiety
Cons
- Cats can easily destroy the Furbo
- Furbo charges for many of the premium functions
- The app tends to freeze and many users have reported connectivity issues
- Expensive dog camera.
Tooge pet camera
Tooge pet camera or dog camera is one of the bestselling pet cameras from top online retailers. You can quickly install and set up a Wi-Fi connection with the camera and install Tooge app on the phone to access it from anywhere. Tooge pet camera provides high-quality audio-visual transmission, day or night. There is a motion-detection facility which can trigger an alarm if it senses any abnormality. Perhaps the best feature of Tooge dog camera is the fact that it allows multiple views with its pan/zoom/and tilt functionality. The company also ensures the safety of your shared and stored data (photos and recordings).
Pros
- Very high-quality night vision
- Can charge and record at the same time, so you need not worry about the camera discharging
- Detects motion
- Good quality material
- Affordable dog camera under $50
Cons
- Some users had trouble connecting the pet camera to the Wi-Fi.
- The system is susceptible to malware
Dog camera collar from GoPro
Dog camera collars or harness cameras help you capture the world from your pet’s point of view. Any GoPro camera can be mounted on the back or stomach using the harness and it can fit different varieties of dog breeds. There is padding underneath the camera attachment, so your pet remains comfortable. These harnesses are washable and can be used even while swimming or splashing in the puddles.
Pros
- Good quality material
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Comfortable.
Cons
- Some users lost the camera when the dogs went hunting or ran too fast.
- Not suitable for very large breeds or for dogs that chew everything up.
Conclusion
Pet cameras are a great way to know what your pet is doing when you are away from him. The units with 2-way audio also help you reassure a pet that suffers from separation anxiety. Some dog cameras also come with treat-dispensing units which can help you treat your fur baby. Then there are dog camera collars that help you record the ‘world’ through your pet’s eyes. You can use these to make fantastic videos from the footage captured by your dog and entertain your friends and family.
We hope the above reviews of best selling dog cameras help you make an informed choice.
