One of the most stressful parts of having a pet can be not knowing what they are up to when you aren’t home, and a pet monitor can successfully fix this issue.
Whether your pet has separation anxiety issues or is known for being revengeful when you leave them home alone, setting up a camera can help you better deal with the problem. As one of the most convenient technologies in the pet world, its popularity is on the rise.
Keep reading to discover which model would be the best fit for your needs and your budget. In the following paragraphs, you will find out about different cameras and their advantages and disadvantages.
Best Pet Monitor Options for 2022
Blink Mini Compact Indoor Smart Security Camera
Price from $64.99
Pros
- Loud sound and good-quality picture
- Effortless to install
- Affordable
Cons
- No constant view option
- No memory card capability
That is a plug-in security camera with motion detection and two-way audio that allows you to monitor the inside of your home, day and night.
You can set up customized motion detection zones so you can see what matters most. This dog and cat monitor also alerts you whenever a motion is detected.
Using this device, you can hear, see, and even communicate to the people or pets in your home, thanks to its live view option and two-way audio features. Furthermore, it works with Alexa.
You can stream live video, play recorded video clips, and even arm and disarm your camera just by using your voice.
Video Quality
The video quality is excellent — 1080p HD.
Installation
To set up the pet monitor, you have to plug the camera, connect it to Wi-Fi, and add it to your Blink app.
Subscription Plan
A Blink Subscription Plan allows you to save the videos on a cloud for up to 60 days. Still, you will have to subscribe and pay for this option. It will cost you $3 monthly per camera or $10 monthly for an unlimited number of devices. You get a 30-day free trial.
Pricing
This model is quite affordable, with a price starting at $34.99. You get a discount buying two cameras for $64.99 and three for $84.99.
Furbo Dog Camera
Price from $167.00
Pros
- Excellent if you spend a lot of time outside the house
- Easy-to-use app
- Outstanding image quality, both regular and night vision
Cons
- Requires subscription for all additional features
- A strong and stable Wi-Fi connection is necessary
This camera features live stream video to monitor your pet on your phone with a 160-degree-wide angle view, day and night, and a barking sensor. Whenever your dog barks, it sends push notifications to your smartphone.
You can use the app to talk to your pets via the two-way audio feature. This camera allows you to toss a treat to your dogs using a simple and free Furbo iOS and Android app. This feature is what places this model on the best pet monitor list.
All you have to do is fill the dispenser with your dog’s favorite treats, and you are ready to play a game of catch, even when you aren’t around. You can schedule tossing time, as well.
There is also a person alert, notifying you when someone comes into the camera view. The app allows you to choose to turn on or off each notification according to your needs. This dog monitor camera is compatible with Alexa.
Video Quality
This camera features a 160 degree wide-angle with a 4x zoom. The quality of the video, even the night vision, is excellent quality at 1080p. Furbo even detects when your dog is facing the camera and takes the most adorable selfies.
Installation
The installation is straightforward in three easy steps. All you need to do is plug the camera, download the Furbo pet monitor app, and connect it to your home Wi-Fi.
Subscription Plan
Unfortunately, many functions are a part of the Premium membership. For instance, you’ll be charged for all the real-time intelligent alerts, including the person, barking, and selfie alert.
Furthermore, the app has a feature called “Doggie Diary,” which presents the highlight of your pet’s day in a minute. The price of the subscription is $9.99 monthly. Still, you will get a 90-day free trial.
Pricing
Because of all the additional features, these pet monitoring systems are a little pricier than the basic models — $167.
Wansview Wireless Security Camera
Price from $29.99
Pros
- Affordable price
- Wide-angle lens feature
- Crisp and clear images and videos
- Micro SD card support
Cons
- No audio-detection alert, only motion-detection
- Not entirely user-friendly
This model has a built-in microphone and a speaker that enables the communication between you and your furry friends. Among other benefits, the dog monitor allows you to remotely control the camera and observe every corner of your home in real-time. It works with 2.4G Wi-Fi but doesn’t work on 5G.
Thanks to the real-time motion detector, the app will notify you and even send you ten seconds of videos. It supports a Micro SD card with 128GB storage, but it doesn’t come with the package.
Furthermore, it is compatible with Alexa and allows multiple views. There are even two color options — black and white.
Video Quality
With 1080p HD resolution, this pet monitor camera displays a crystal clear, smooth live video. Additionally, it gives you a clear black and white picture in pitch dark up to five meters. It also features a 4x digital zoom to enlarge the video to see details.
It features 105 degrees wide-angle enhanced lens combined with 320 degrees horizontal and 80 degrees vertical rotation range. This way, it creates a complete 360-degrees coverage, paling it among the best pet camera models for cats and dogs.
Installation
The installation process isn’t complicated. You need to download the app and register your account. After that, you should turn on the camera, install a Wi-Fi antenna in it, and connect it to the network.
Subscription Plan
The monthly subscription price to their cloud starts at $6.66, and you will get a 39-days free trial. Their cloud storage is encrypted using Financial Encryption Technology that ensures that no one can access your files unless you permit them.
Still, if you want to store the videos from your camera in the cloud, you will have to purchase a monthly subscription for the price of $30.99.
Pricing
You can find this pet monitor for as low as $29.99.
Conico Camera for Pets
Price from $24.95
Pros
- SD card compatible
- Adjustable brightness, contrast, and other picture settings
- Adjustable level of sensitivity for motion detection
Cons
- The camera makes a high-pitch sound that might bother your pets
- 5G incompatible
The smart sound on this camera lets you know when your dog is barking. Also, motion tracking allows you to follow all your pet’s actions. Using a noise-canceling mic and a built-in speaker, you can communicate with your pet whenever you want.
You can even share your pet’s precious moments with your family and friends. This pet monitor is compatible with an SD card storage of up to 128 GB and Alexa.
Video Quality
This 1080p home security camera has a 350 degrees pan, 100 degrees tilt, and 8x zoom and delivers the whole picture of your home. The night vision goes up to 32 feet and can be seen clearly even in complete darkness.
Installation
You will set up this camera in a few minutes via 2.4G Wi-Fi.
Subscription Plan
The cloud storage for this puppy monitor ensures you won’t miss any data. The annual subscription to the Conico cloud costs $30.
Pricing
The price is a reasonable $24.95.
PetCube Cam
Price from $39.99
Pros
- A built-in Vet Chat
- 60 seconds set up
- Real-time sound and motion alerts
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Additional payment for the live video streaming option
- No support for 5G Wi-Fi
The manufacturer showed how much they cared about the human-pet connection when designing this camera, thus receiving Cnet’s best pet camera label.
Firstly, you can set up pet detection. It is an intelligent notification triggered by sound and motion to alert you when your pet is active. Moreover, you can adjust the camera sound. This product also features premium 2A audio with a noise-canceling microphone and high fidelity speaker.
The app that connects to the camera is handy and multifunctional. It has a video setting that allows you to rotate the video to different angles. You’ll also have access to video history, intelligent alerts, and pet care perks.
Many users labeled it the best pet camera due to its slick design, among its other benefits. The camera comes with a charger, installation guide, and wall-mount tools.
Video Quality
This camera features a 1080p HD video and 30-feet of night vision. You can pick up an automatic or an on-and-off feature. Using the app, you can freely rotate it and adjust the 110 degrees side-angle view. Furthermore, as one of the best pet monitor cameras, it features an 8x zoom.
Installation
At the bottom, there is a magnetic pad for mount function. Thanks to that, you can attach it to the included metal plate and adhesive, making it effortless to install. Since it has a magnetic pad, you won’t need to place the camera on a wall, instead, you can put it on any flat surface.
Before installing this camera, you will have to download the app to connect it to the product. Also, when you plug the charger into the dog video monitor, you will see the yellow light blinking. Next, you need to open the app and connect the cam.
Subscription Plan
If you want live video streaming, you can turn this feature on as well. However, this is a subscription service, and you will have to pay for it each month.
Probably the best feature is the Vet Chat, placing it among the best pet monitoring system options. The app allows you to call or chat with your vet if your dog is experiencing any health issues.
When you click the chat, the automatic beta system will give you some options, and you can choose any related topic. However, this feature is also a subscription that will cost you $4.99 each month.
Still, the price is pretty reasonable, especially if your pet is ageing or has particular health issues. What’s more, a monthly subscription with the first chat is free.
Pricing
One of the factors that put this model on the best dog camera list is its affordability, and you can find it for as low as $39.99.
PetCube Bites 2 Wi-Fi Camera with Treat Dispenser
Price from $249.00
Pros
- Excellent video quality
- Different treat inserts for pets of all sizes
- Sharing access to the camera option
- User-friendly associate app
Cons
- The treats get out in an aggressive way that some pets might find upsetting
- High price
With this pet activity monitor, you can see, talk to, and even treat your pets using only your phone. The motion and sound detection enhance the user experience. The speaker is located at the bottom, and there’s a two-way microphone to communicate with your pets.
The treat dispenser on this monitor can hold about 1.5 pounds of treats. You can choose the times when it will fling the treat. A small yellow insert lets you determine how many treats your pet will get in one fling and how long the distance will be.
Still, when buying treats for this interactive pet monitor, make sure they are one inch or less in diameter and not bigger than that.
There are three available “sizes” — small, large, and medium, and it is straightforward to refill the treats. All you have to do is remove the lid from the top, and you will even get a sample pack of wellness treats.
When you want to release a tray from the base, you’ll see two squeezed tabs on both sides of the unit. Gently press them, and you should be able to remove the tray from the base. On the side, there is a charging port with a USBC entrance.
These pet monitors are compatible with Alexa. They also provide 24/7 customer support and a year-long warranty.
Video Quality
On the bottom left, you will find a 180 degree 1080p camera with 4x digital zoom. It also features an automatic night vision. Another great thing is that you can share the videos with your loved ones.
Installation
Installation is effortless — plug it in, and you will notice a green light that notifies you that the camera is on.
There are even two hanging hooks on the back of the video pet monitor. So, if you don’t want to place the camera on furniture, you can hang it off a wall. They even included the screws in the package.
You will need to download a Petcube app, and pairing to the device is very straightforward and fast.
Subscription Plan
The monthly price of their subscription service starts at $5.99. It allows up to ten downloads a month and intelligent alerts that differentiate sounds, such as barks, meowing, or human voice.
Pricing
This model costs $249.00.
Why You Need a Pet Camera
Having a camera on your pet while you are out of the house can be very practical, not to mention, it can also be highly entertaining. Furthermore, observing your pet allows you to be objective about how comfortable they are with being left home alone.
It is actually an important safety issue as well. Still, you should try to find the best pet monitoring camera for your needs considering their features.
When to Use the Camera
Even though pet cameras can be both beneficial and fun, there are a couple of cases where you absolutely need one.
Separation Anxiety
Pet cameras are essential, especially for pets with separation anxiety. Namely, pets with such conditions should not be left home alone or separated from you longer than they can currently tolerate. Having a dog monitoring system on them can let you know how much they can handle.
Excessive Barking
Another reason to buy a camera is if your dog is constantly barking when you are not around. It can be an issue for people living in apartment buildings, and it can be a way to avoid a noise complaint from your neighbors.
Furthermore, having a camera on your dog allows you to interrupt the barking and communicate with them, as some of the best pet monitors have built-in microphones and speakers.
If you get a notification every time your dog barks, you can tell how often it happens. In that case, you will have a clear picture of how loud your dog is. Even better, if the camera has a treat dispenser, that is an excellent way to train your dog to stop barking excessively when you’re gone.
People Also Ask
Are pet cameras worth it?
Pet cameras are incredibly convenient if your pet suffers from separation anxiety or if you spend a lot of time outside your home. It can help you feel sure your dog is safe and having a good time at home.
Cameras with a two-way microphone and a speaker are excellent when you want to communicate with your pets while you are out.
Which dog camera is best?
A lot of models are beneficial and functional. Still, we recommend some newer models, such as PetCube Bites 2 or Furbo camera, that allows communication between you and your pet.
Namely, these models will enable you to take care of your pet remotely, using only your smartphone. Still, if you are on a tight budget, regular cameras such as PetCube Cam or Conico camera will also do a fantastic job.
Can I use my iPad as a pet monitor?
An app called VIGI connects to your iPad, iPad mini, iPod touch, and even iPhone. However, it only supports devices running iOS 9 or a later version. When you purchase the app, you can install it on up to five different devices with no problem.
There is also a sharing option for up to six family members. The monthly subscription to this monitor pet app will cost you $4.99. It also has a motion and sound detection feature that notifies you when your pet is barking, howling, or meowing.
Furthermore, there is a video chat option you can use to talk to them. It also supports Apple Watch so that you can get notifications on it. There is a night light and the zoom-in option on the live video.
How can I spy on my dog?
There are different ways to keep track of your pet’s behavior when you are outside your home, and one of them is to install a camera. By using it, you will be sure that your furry friends are safe without you. Furthermore, there are other options, such as a VIGI app. You can subscribe, install it on your old iPhone or iPad, and observe your pets’ behavior. However, this app doesn’t offer nearly as many functions as a regular pet monitor does.
