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.

 

Here is The Good Kennel Guide's Best Pet Cameras for Dog Owners

1. Furbo 360° Dog Camera - Best Overall Pet Camera

Overview: The Furbo 360° Dog Camera stands out as a top-tier pet monitoring device, designed to provide a full 360-degree view for comprehensive room coverage. Equipped with AI-powered bark alerts, color night vision, a built-in treat dispenser, and two-way audio, it’s perfect for keeping an eye on your furry friend from anywhere. The intuitive app integration allows for seamless real-time interaction, making it ideal for dog owners who want to stay connected even when away.

• AI-powered bark alerts and color night vision

• 360° rotation for full-room coverage

• Treat dispenser for interactive play

• Two-way audio for real-time communication

• Compatible with Alexa and app control

Key Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p HD

• Field of View: 360° rotation

• Treat Dispenser: Yes

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)

• Night Vision: Color

• Subscription Required: Optional (for premium features)

• Price: Approximately £149

Pros	Cons
Advanced features like AI bark alerts and colour night vision	Higher price point
Comprehensive room coverage with 360° rotation	Some features require a subscription
High-quality two-way audio for clear communication

Product Link: View on Amazon UK

Customer Testimonials:

• "Love this camera!! As a new dog mum it helps ease my mind that pup's safe at home. A must purchase for any pet owner and the quality of Furbo's camera is outstanding!"

• "Excellent device, gives peace of mind in terms of letting us see what our dog is getting up to when we're away. Customer support is exemplary."

2. LUSIMPO Pet Camera with Treat Dispenser – Best Budget Treat Dispenser in the UK

Overview: The LUSIMPO Pet Camera is a budget-friendly option that combines essential features for pet monitoring. It offers 1080p HD live video, two-way audio, and a built-in treat dispenser, allowing you to interact with your pet remotely. The device supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connections and provides night vision capabilities, ensuring clear footage even in low-light conditions. Its user-friendly design makes it an excellent choice for pet owners seeking affordability without compromising on functionality.

• 1080p HD live video for clear monitoring

• Two-way audio for real-time communication

• Built-in treat dispenser for interactive play

• Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connections

• Night vision for low-light environments

Key Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p HD

• Field of View: Wide-angle lens

• Treat Dispenser: Yes

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

• Night Vision: Yes

• Subscription Required: No

• Price: Approximately £45.99

Pros	Cons
Affordable price point	No pan/tilt functionality
Easy setup and user-friendly app	Limited to indoor use
Interactive treat dispenser	No advanced AI features

Product Link: View on Amazon UK

Customer Testimonials:

• "Great value for the price. The treat dispenser works well, and the video quality is impressive."

• "Easy to set up and use. My cat loves getting treats while I'm away."

 

3. Petcube Bites 2 Lite - Best for Treat Tossing

Overview: The Petcube Bites 2 Lite is an interactive pet camera that allows you to monitor and engage with your pet remotely. It features a 1080p HD camera with a wide-angle lens, two-way audio, and a treat dispenser. The device is compatible with Alexa, enabling voice-controlled interactions. This is an excellent choice for pet owners who want to keep their furry friends entertained with treat tossing.

• 1080p HD video for high-quality streaming

• Wide-angle lens for full-room coverage

• Built-in treat dispenser

• Two-way audio for live communication

• Alexa-compatible for hands-free operation

Key Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p HD

• Field of View: Wide-angle

• Treat Dispenser: Yes

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)

• Night Vision: Yes

• Subscription Required: Optional

• Price: Approximately £90

Pros	Cons
High-quality build and clear video	No pan/tilt functionality
Alexa compatibility for easy control	Subscription required for some features
Reliable treat dispensing mechanism

Product Link: View on Amazon UK

Customer Testimonials:

• "Built with quality materials and easy to set up."

 

4. Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) - Best for Simple Home Monitoring

Overview: The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) is a compact security camera that offers 1080p HD video, two-way talk, and motion detection. It's designed for easy integration into the Ring ecosystem, providing real-time notifications and live view through the Ring app. The camera also includes a manual privacy cover for added security, making it a simple yet effective choice for home monitoring.

• 1080p HD video for crisp detail

• Two-way talk for real-time interaction

• Motion detection with instant alerts

• Seamless integration with Ring ecosystem

• Compact design for easy placement

Key Specifications:

• Resolution: 1080p HD

• Field of View: 140°

• Treat Dispenser: No

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

• Night Vision: Yes

• Subscription Required: Optional (for cloud storage)

• Price: Approximately £55

Pros	Cons
Compact design for flexible placement	No treat dispenser
Seamless integration with Ring ecosystem	Limited to indoor use
Reliable motion alerts and two-way talk	Subscription required for full functionality

Product Link: View on Amazon UK

Customer Testimonials:

• "Picture quality is excellent and if you choose not to mount them on a wall, you can move the cameras to different rooms as and when it's appropriate."

 

Camera	Treat Dispenser	Pan/Tilt	AI Tracking	Subscription Required	Price (Approx.)
Furbo 360 Dog Camera	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	£149
Tkenpro 2K Treat Dispenser	Yes	Yes	No	No	£56
Petcube Bites 2 Lite	Yes	No	No	Optional	£90
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)	No	No	No	Optional	£55
IMOU Rex 3D	No	Yes	Yes	Optional	£50
Skymee Owl Robot	Yes	Yes	No	No	£100
Wyze Cam Pan v3	No	Yes	No	Optional	£40
Petcube Cam 360	No	Yes	No	Optional	£38
Toucan Wireless S4	No	No	No	No	£60
TP-Link Tapo C200	No	Yes	No	No	£30

 

 

What are the best general purpose indoor security cameras that can be used as pet cameras?

Arlo Wireless Camera

Arlo Essential Spotlight Outdoor Security Camera, Wireless CCTV, 1 Cam, Direct to WiFi, 1080p, Colour Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, 6-Month Battery, 90-Day Free Trial Arlo Secure Plan, White £126.76

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

Blink Indoor Home Security Camera System £80.07

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)

Google Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera £79.99

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.

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. 

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?

 

 

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Best Dog Cameras