Best Pet Cameras for Dog Owners
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There are so many pet cameras on the market, so The Good Kennel Guide has conducted our own research and here are our answers to some of your most commonly asked questions.
Why do I need a pet camera?
Pet cameras are a great way of keeping an eye on your pet when you are not around, either if you are at work, or if you just want to keep an eye on their behaviour when you are not around and to engage with them so that they don't feel too lonely whilst you are away. It is possible that your pet may be suffering with Separation anxiety, even if they don't show outward signs of stress and using a pet camera can be a good way of making sure they are not missing you too much. Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety could be confused with other things or be assumed to be bad behaviour (such as toileting indoors or destructive behaviour), meaning that the problem cannot be addressed and is likely to become worse over time. Being able to monitor your pets behaviour is a great way to stop you stressing as well as your pet, there are many different and cost effective cameras out there to choose from. Many cameras now also include the ability to talk to your pet (to reassure them or tell them off if they start to chew on your favourite pair of slippers!), receive alerts (when they move or bark) or even to dispense a treat to let them know that you are thinking about them. Having a pet camera monitor your dog can also be a good way of keeping tabs on your dog's general health and stimulation needs too.
What's the best place to put a pet camera?
It's best to place the camera at or above your dog's eye level so that you can get a good view of what they are doing without obstructions. Experiment with the best place to locate your pet camera, or consider a camera with additional tilt, pan and zoom functionality for the best monitoring of your dog. Some features such as laser pointers work best closer to the ground, and check that your video quality isnt being disrupted by windows or lamps. With treat dispensers some of these will fire treats higher or lower, and some will allow you to adjust where they go, but bear this in mind when placing your pet camera so as not to waste food or scare your dog unexpectedly when they first use it.
Is there a difference between a pet camera for dogs and a pet camera for cats?
Features will differ depending upon whether the camera is focused on dogs or cats. Cameras made specifically for cats tend to have laser games and pointers more suitable for cats (though your dog may also like to play too). Whereas cameras with bark sensors and treat dispensers tend to be more aimed at dogs. Either way think about what your pets specific needs and interests are when choosing which type of pet camera to buy.
What are the key things to look for in a pet camera?
The things that you should look for as a bare minimum are 2 way audio communication and a good enough quality camera to see what your pet is up to, you might also look for a camera that will notify you (through alerts) if your pet does certain things, such as moving in a particular area of the house or barking. This can be achieved through cameras that aren't specifically for pet monitoring (i.e normal home security cameras or cameras that could be used as baby monitors too) however you might need to go with a particular type of camera if you want to access specific features such as treat dispensing, alerts, and linking to Alexa/social media/apps.
How can I train my dog to come towards my pet camera?
Introduce your dog to the camera slowly and reward them with treats when they pay attention to, sniff at or show an interest in the camera. Experiment with the ring tones and treat dispenser (if your chosen camera has these features) and see which ones work best whilst you are still around. Try using the two way audio to call your dog towards the camera when you are only in the other room and see what works for them. You could also ask another family member to do the same thing when you are not at home.
Here is The Good Kennel Guide's Best Pet Cameras for Dog Owners
Furbo Dog Camera (Best all rounder)
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We have named the Furbo Dog Camera as our best all rounder due to it having pretty much all of the features that you could want, whilst also have an attractive design and being a very good quality unit generally. The only downside of the Furbo is that you need to pay for a (monthly or annual) subscription " Furbo Dog Nanny" in order to access most of the best features such as cloud storage to maintain a record of your dog's activities and more. Set up is quick and easy though and once you are up and running there is really nothing else you could want or need from a pet camera.
Basic features include a 2 way chat feature, 160 degree wide angle, high quality camera, sweet dispenser, motion detection, night vision and audio alerts.
Each Furbo Pet Camera comes with a 30 day free "Furbo Pet Nanny" subscription which allows you access to additional features such as cloud storage, dog selfie alert, doggie diary, dog activity alert, person alert, home emergency alert, continuous barking alert and dog howling alert. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time and is optional. Cost of subscription packages may vary.
YI Dome Camera (Best value)
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The YI Dome Camera is our best value pet camera offering really good coverage with its' 360 degree pan, tilt and zoom functionality and high definition 1080p HD lens. The YI Dome also has all of the basic features you would expect such as 2 way communication , activity alerts when motion is detected which will record a 6 second video, understated design, night vision. The YI Dome also offers a basic free unlimited plan for cloud storage to keep all of your videos safe.
The YI Dome is compatible with Alexa Show and you can link up these devices to allow you to give voice commands or for live streaming from your YI Dome Camera.
Reolink Pet Camera
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The Tooge Pet Camera offers some of the good basic features that you will need such as 2 way audio communication, motion alerts when activity is detected, pan, tilt and zoom and real time alerts. The Tooge Pet Camera is also easy to set up and the picture quality is good. Whereas this isn't the cheapest camera on the market, it isn't the most expensive either but it does offer good value for money compared to other cameras.
Pawbo Plus Interactive Pet Camera (Best for fun)
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The Pawbo Plus Interactive Pet Camera is our favourite for fun as it has laser functionality that your dog (and cat) will love and also some different ringtone sounds (meow, squeak etc) which are really fun ways to get your dog's attention. The app can also be used by up to 8 different people so that you can share images and videos on social media. It also has 2 way talk and video function, 130 degree viewing angle and 4 x zoom function (to see your dog close up). It also dispenses treats and has audio alerts as well as small, neat design.
The downside to the Pawbo Plus Interactive Pet Camera is that its video quality and definition is very average quality and this can make for slight patchiness when streaming and can create a bit of a lag on the motion detection feature.
Petzi Treat Cam (Best for convenience)
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The Petzi Treat Cam has a 2 way speaker but only one way audio so your dog will be able to hear you, but you cannot hear your dog. There is no motion detection or audio alerts. Whereas some of the more basic features are lacking, the Petzi Treat Cam does offer lots of additional extras that other cameras don't, such as night vision, treat dispenser, live streaming, access for friends and family and taking photos. The fact that the Petzi automatically reorders treats when you are running low means that it is our best camera for convenience.
Petcube Interactive Wi-Fi Pet Camera (Best app)
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The Petcube Interactive Wi-Fi Pet Camera has the best app of all of of the cameras that we tested as it allows so much interconnectivity (using Alexa) to your smartphone. This allows you to adjust your aim when dispensing treats using your smartphone, and also to plat music, use your voice to dispense treats and play laser games with your dog.
The Petcube Interactive Wi-Fi Pet Camera also has good quality 1080p HD video. 180 degree view with 4 x zoom, 2 way audio communication, alerts for sound and motion detection, night vision and easy set up.
Where the Petcube Interactive Wi-Fi Pet Camera falls down slightly is that you have to pay a monthly sunscription to access some of the other features such as filters, making 30 second video clips, keeping video history (up to 3 days) and smart alerts. The unit is also quite large compared to some others but has a pleasing brushed metal session (however, this your dog will pleased about all of the internal space it has for storing their favourity treats).
Skymee 8L (Best for feeding)
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The Skymee 8L has the ability to dispense a full meal via a small door that opens and pushes dry food into a large feeding tray at the front at a designated time for your dog to access. The Skymee 8L also has a nice back up feature where it can take batteries just in case there is a power cut, you can rest assured that your pet will still be fed whilst you are away. It also notifies you when food is running low.
As well as this additional functionality the Skymee 8L also has many standard features that you would want such as dispensing treats, 2 way speaker, motion detection, night vision and audio alerts.
What are the best general purpose indoor security cameras that can be used as pet cameras?
Arlo Wireless Camera
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Due to its' weatherproof design the Arlo Wireless Camera can be used both indoor and outdoors and can be controled with an Alexa smart speaker. It can also receive alerts when motion is detected and you can customise alerts to detect people and places (so that you only receive the information that you find most useful) and it also includes free cloud storage to view and access activity recorded on the device.
Blink Indoor Camera
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The Blink Indoor Camera has a 2 year battery life and can be voice controlled via its compatibility with Alexa. The Blink Indoor Camera also offers HD live video streaming and free cloud storage to access and review your videos.
Google Nest indoor (Best general camera)
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The Google Nest indoor is our best general camera which could be used as a pet camera as it has many special features (available through its Nest subscription) which would be useful for dog owners. These include audio alerts (which is useful if you are concerned about your dog barking alot) and facial recognition. You can also control the motion alerts and tailor them to specific areas (such as the sofa). Nest subscription can be taken out on a monthly or annual subscription and subscription charges may vary.
The Google Nest indoor also has 2 way speaker system, motion detection, night vision, audio alerts, excellent quality (4k) camera, HD resolution and automatic zoom which allows for excellent quality visuals.
See also:
Separation anxiety: Leaving your dog at home after lockdown
What do I need to buy for my new dog?
What are the best vacuums and hoovers for dog hair?
Best Dog Cameras
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