When it comes to being away from your pet all day it can get difficult. That’s when you might start thinking about a pet camera. These cameras are great for pet parents who want the option to look in on their pets throughout the day, and they’ll definitely make things easier when you’re gone.
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Pet and Dog Camera Buying Guide
If you’re thinking about buying a pet camera but you’re not quite sure which one to get, make sure you’re looking at this buying guide. We’ll help you out with a few important things you need to think about before buying.
Two-Way Audio
If you’re looking for a way to communicate with your dog you should look for a device that offers two-way audio. This will let you speak to your dog whenever you want and also allows your dog to ‘speak’ to you. This will also give you a better option for giving your pet treats or getting them to do tricks in order to get those treats. You’ll want to look at the type of two-way audio that’s provided, whether you’re getting a true chat option or just something that offers a ‘walkie-talkie’ mode where you can talk or listen but not both.
Video/Image Quality
The whole point of this type of device is so that you can see your dog. So, look for something that has high-quality images or video to get a really good view of your dog. This is even more important if you’re planning to use the camera as a security camera in your home or if you use it to take pictures or videos of your dog as the image quality on some devices is not enough to make out clearly what your dog is doing.
Camera Movement
Dogs don’t tend to sit in one space for very long and tend to like getting into a bit of mischief when no one is around. So, you might want a camera that allows you to move it around and get a better idea of the picture. This doesn’t mean that the camera physically moves, but it might angle to one direction or the other or provide you with remote access to fully rotate the camera whenever and wherever you want. The more rotation you can get the more area you can cover.
Pet and Dog Camera Reviews
There are plenty of different pet cameras out there but we’ve found a few that we think are going to be the best. So, make sure you take a look here before you decide on anything else.
1. Furbo Dog Camera
[amazon box=”B01FXC7JWQ“]
Keeping an eye on your dog isn’t the only thing that you’ll be able to do when it comes to this dog camera. It’s actually going to give you the opportunity to talk with your dog, see them, and even give them treats whenever you want to. That means you’re going to have something that’s truly going to make a difference in your relationship with your dog, even when you have to leave for an extended period of time or go to work.
With this system, you can use your Alexa device and your current WIFI to connect directly through your phone. You sign in whenever you want and you can see what’s going on in your home when you’re not there. Just make sure to set up the unit somewhere that your dog can get near the camera, that way you can see them and they can hear you. It has a full 1080p HD camera with night vision, a 160-degree angle, and a barking sensor.
Pros
· Treat toss whenever you want
· Barking sensor lets you know when your dog is barking
· Offers 160-degree camera
Cons
· 2-way talk is walkie talkie style not chat
· Can take a while for the camera to load
2. WYZE Cam v3
[amazon box=”B08R59YH7W“]
Sometimes you don’t need to go with a product that is strictly designed for dogs. Instead, look for a camera that will allow you to check in whenever you want but also use it for other purposes as well. That’s where the WYZE camera comes in. It offers a 1080p HD camera that works indoors and offers night vision so you can always see what’s going on. Plus, it works with Google Assistant and Alexa so you can use voice controls.
This camera lets you stream what’s happening in your home from absolutely anywhere and has motion and sound recording with free storage. It also lets you share access with anyone you want (which means others in your home or others who are checking in on your dog whenever you need them to). It offers two-way audio so you and your dog can ‘talk’ during the day (or night) and because it’s accessed from your device you can check-in at any time. It uses its own LED lights to see up to 30’ in complete darkness, so there’s no need to turn the lights on.
Pros
· See up to 30’ in complete darkness
· Sends notifications for motion detection
· Auto-saves videos for 14 days
Cons
· Walkie talkie style communication rather than true chat
· Recorded alerts are too short
3. Yi Smart Dome Security Camera
[amazon box=”B01CW4AZDS“]
This small device is great for keeping an eye on your dog and your home because it’s easy to put wherever you need. It works with your Alexa or Google devices to make it voice-activated and offers options for 24/7 emergency response and surveillance. On your own, however, it can tell the difference between a human and a pet, which means you don’t get alerts for your dog moving around the house.
You’ll even get sound detection that notifies you of abnormal noises, and there’s a two-way audio feature that lets you ‘talk’ with your dog whenever you want. You can record time-lapse videos, switch the camera to privacy mode, and set up this camera to get plenty of distance. That’s because it can rotate 340 degrees as well as tilting to 95 degrees. That gives you a whole lot of coverage with a single camera, so you can always see what your dog is doing.
Pros
· Large camera range
· Offers short stored clips for motion detection
· High quality Wide Dynamic Range images
Cons
· High sensitivity to small movements
· Video recording is very short
4. WOpet Smart Pet Camera
[amazon box=”B07QFZKJ21“]
If you’re interested in giving your dog treats during the day and checking in to make sure that they’re doing well at the same time then you’re going to love this system. It’s small enough to put out of the way but large enough to hold treats and make sure that you can see your dog easily through the camera. You’ll get an HD camera with night vision and the option to live stream whenever you want so you can check in anytime you’re not at home.
You can have audio ‘conversations’ with your dog whenever you want and give them treats at any time. The device is compatible with your iOS or Android device and all you have to do is plug it in and you can be set up in no time at all. You can even put this system on the wall. While you’re talking with your dog or checking in you also have the option to take pictures, record videos, and a whole lot more.
Pros
· Offers photo-taking and recording during viewing
· Tosses treats to your dog whenever you want
· Easy to use app
Cons
· Tosses several treats at once
· Camera is not movable for different directions
5. Lorex Smart Indoor Camera
[amazon box=”B07NBMH7T3“]
This small camera is actually intended as a security camera, but it’s great for checking in on your pets as well. Because it’s so small, your pets, or anyone else, won’t even know that it’s there, which means you can catch all those things you didn’t know about (like a dog on the sofa). All you have to do is set it where you want it and the fixed lens will give you a full view of any room in your house in 1080p HD quality.
This security camera works with Alexa and offers a 115-degree field of view. It can be viewed directly through the app and even works during the night with high quality up to 33 feet so you can see anything that’s going on. You’ll also have two-way audio included so you can listen in (or join in) on conversations in your home. Because it’s small all you have to do is tuck it out of the way, especially since it has a magnetic base and a motion detector that gives you notifications every time it detects someone.
Pros
· Good quality images and video
· Magnetic base offers more mounting options
· Easy to use application for phones
Cons
· No offsite storage for videos
· Motion trigger can be too sensitive
Pet and Dog Camera FAQs
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions when people are looking to buy a pet or dog camera for their home and their furry friends.
Should I get a camera that offers treats?
This is going to be up to your personal preference. After all, you might like the idea of talking with your dog throughout the day (or whenever you’re gone) and be able to give them treats just like if you were there. For some people, this is a bonding experience for their dog and gives them another way to connect. Others might prefer a camera that allows them to check in but not communicate or offer treats.
The important thing is to consider how you’re going to interact with your dog and whether you want the option to give them a treat or not. These treat cameras are generally a little more expensive so you may not want to get one if that’s not something that’s important to you.
How do I know what apps are the best?
There are plenty of ways to check out the apps that come with the different cameras you’re looking at. The best thing is to check out the app store for your mobile device and check the reviews for the camera that you want. This will give you a good idea of what’s available as well as what features people tend to like or not like.
You may also want to play around with the apps to see which you like best. You can download most of these apps without having a camera and see what the layout is, though you will not be able to get access to a camera or see overall video quality.
Do I need motion detection?
If you’re going to use your device as a security camera you may want something that includes motion detection. If you’re only using it for your dog, however, this might actually cause you more problems than anything. After all, your dog is going to move around frequently throughout the day and motion detection could get a little annoying if it’s going off every time your dog moves past.
Some cameras can also be set to only go off with specific types of motion or to recognize the difference between animal movement and human movement. These types of cameras may be slightly more expensive but can also be a good investment if you’re looking for something that will keep your home secure and let you check in with your dog whenever you like.
Find the Pet and Dog Camera That’s Right for You
You want to make sure that you can check in on your pet however and whenever you want. And you definitely want to make sure that you’re picking something that fits your needs. Hopefully one of the ones below is going to be your new favorite and the best pick for your dog.
