Overview
- Jump To Details
Furbo 360 Cat Camera
Best for Cats - Jump To Details
Furbo 360 Dog Camera
Best for Dogs - Jump To Details
Petcube Bites 2 Lite
Best Affordable Treat-Tossing Camera - Jump To Details
Petcube Bites 2
Best for Built-In Alexa - Jump To Details
Eufy Indoor Cam E220
Best for Remote Commands - Jump To Details
Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120
Best Affordable Camera
Pet cameras are fairly new, but we've been reviewing traditional security cameras for nearly two decades, and we've covered pet-specific models since they first hit the market. We test these cameras in our own homes, with our own cats and dogs, to determine whether they are furbaby-approved and worth recommending. Our two favorites, the Furbo 360 Cat Camera and Furbo 360 Dog Camera, offer a sharp view of your pet, dispense treats, and send alerts so you always stay in the know, wherever you are. That said, we have a range of options on this list at different prices, including traditional security cameras that offer pet alerts, so you can find the best dog or cat camera for your needs.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Furbo 360 Cat Camera
Best for CatsWhy We Picked It
The Furbo 360 Cat Camera is almost identical to the Furbo 360 Dog Camera, except that it has a dangly little cat toy, makes chirping sounds instead of squeaky toy sounds when it throws treats, and can send alerts when it detects meowing. Both have 1080p video with color night vision and can pan a full 360 degrees, and those are features you want for a pet camera, whether you have a dog or a cat.
Who It's For
This is for cat owners who want to keep an eye on their pet and give it treats when they're away from home. It's physically the same as Furbo's dog camera, and they've both earned Editors' Choice awards because they're very good at what they do. The Furbo 360 Cat Camera is sleek enough to fit with your home decor, easy to set up, and reliable both for watching your pet and getting its attention with food.
Pros
- Bright, sharp video
- 360-degree panning
- Dispenses treats
- Built-in toy
Cons
- Ads in app
- Treat reservoir lid isn't super secure
- Video colors are overly cool
Learn MoreFurbo 360 Cat Camera ReviewFurbo 360 Dog Camera
Best for DogsWhy We Picked It
The original Furbo earned high marks for its treat-tossing technology and sharp 1080p video with night vision. The Furbo 360 builds on its predecessor with 360-degree panning abilities and color night vision. We're glad that Furbo doesn't require a subscription for barking alerts, one of the product's most useful features. Our two main complaints are that you need to pay extra to access event recordings and that the lens doesn't tilt up and down like it can on some indoor security cameras. Those minor quibbles aside, the Furbo 360 is still the best device we've tested for remotely tossing treats.
Who It's For
If you want to monitor or reward your dog while you aren't home, the Furbo 360 is worth checking out. With its panning ability, this model is a nice upgrade over the original, particularly if you have a large space to monitor or an active pet who doesn't stay in the frame.
Pros
- 360-degree views with silent panning
- Automatic dog tracking
- Color night vision
- Quieter, more adjustable treat tosser
- Free barking alerts
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Attractive design
Cons
- Doesn't tilt vertically
- No local storage option
- Some features require a subscription
- Lacks Google Assistant support
Learn MoreFurbo 360 Dog Camera ReviewPetcube Bites 2 Lite
Best Affordable Treat-Tossing CameraWhy We Picked It
It can't pan from side to side, but the Petcube Bites 2 Lite offers a similar treat-tossing feature as the Furbo 360 for less money. In testing, it delivered quality 1080p video throughout the day and night and reliably dispensed treats upon command. We also like that it can notify you of motion and sound events, and then automatically start recording (if you pay for a premium subscription). The main drawback is that it sometimes takes much longer than competing Furbo models to connect with its companion app and show a live view of your home.
Who It's For
You should consider the Bites 2 Lite if the Furbo 360 isn't within your budget. One nice bonus is that you can mount it on the wall, which is helpful if your playful pup tends to knock things over.
Pros
- Reliably dispenses treats
- Good night vision
- Two-way audio
- Wall-mountable design
- Works with Amazon Alexa
Cons
- Occasional delay connecting to app
- Easily tipped over when placed on a table or shelf
- Video history, smart alert features require a subscription
Learn MorePetcube Bites 2 Lite ReviewPetcube Bites 2
Best for Built-In AlexaWhy We Picked It
The Petcube Bites 2 offers a few additional perks compared with the more affordable Lite edition, including stronger build quality and a 5GHz Wi-Fi radio. It also includes four microphones (vs. one in the Lite) so you can better hear your dog when you use the two-way audio feature. Both models work with Alexa voice commands, but the Bites 2 has Alexa built in, which means you can use it to ask for general information, set timers, and control compatible smart home devices.
Who It's For
If your pet likes to play rough, this camera's durable design alone might justify its extra cost over the Lite version. 5GHz Wi-Fi support for faster, smoother streams and built-in Alexa integration simply add value.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Reliably dispenses treats
- Two-way audio
- Works as a smart speaker with Amazon Alexa
Cons
- Camera isn't particularly sharp
- Requires subscription plan to track activities for more than four hours or capture 30-second video clips
- Expensive
- No laser
Learn MorePetcube Bites 2 ReviewEufy Indoor Cam E220
Best for Remote CommandsWhy We Picked It
It lacks some perks of pet-specific models, but the affordable Eufy E220 Indoor Cam supports features such as remote pan and tilt movements, 2K video capture, automatic motion tracking, and intelligent motion and sound detection. You can configure it to recognize human and animal movements, too. And there's also a unique Pet Command feature that can automatically play prerecorded messages. For instance, you can easily program it to say “Get off the couch!” in your voice whenever the camera spots your dog up on the sofa.
Who It's For
If you can do without remote treat-tossing abilities, the Eufy E220 Indoor Cam is worth a look for its affordability, high-resolution recordings, and dependable animal alerts. It has a narrower field of view than the pet-specific models on this list, but it can tilt up and down as well as pan from side to side.
Pros
- Affordable
- Sharp 2K video
- Automatic motion tracking
- Sound and motion detection
- Local and cloud storage
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
Cons
- Doesn't support IFTTT
- Some features not available in HomeKit
Learn MoreEufy Indoor Cam E220 ReviewTapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120
Best Affordable CameraWhy We Picked It
Though not designed specifically for pets, the TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 is highly affordable and gives you everything you could want from a basic security camera. It offers 2K video, color night vision, intelligent alerts, and built-in spotlights. You can control it with your voice through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and store footage locally or in the cloud with a $3.49 per month subscription. It’s even weatherproof, so you can mount it to watch your dog’s play area in your backyard.
Who It’s For
The TP-Link C120 doesn’t have much in the way of pet-specific features, but it has motion alerts that differentiate between animals and humans. If that’s all you need for peace of mind, you can save a lot of money by picking up this simple but competent option.
Pros
- Sharp 2K video
- Weatherproof design
- Built-in spotlights
- Intelligent motion detection
- Color night vision
- Local and cloud storage options
- Supports voice control
Cons
- Doesn't support HomeKit
- Didn't work with IFTTT in testing
Buying Guide: The Best Pet Cameras for 2024
Pet Cameras vs. Home Security Cameras
If you want a camera primarily to keep tabs on your pet, a general-purpose indoor home security camera might serve you just fine—and save you some money. We've included some on this list, all of which offer intelligent alerts that differentiate between animals and people.
All of the cameras we've selected also offer night vision, so you can see your pet in the dark, and two-way audio, so you can listen for and respond to barks, howls, and meows.
Pet-specific cameras take things a step further. They let you not just see, hear, and talk to your animals, but remotely play with them and toss treats. And beyond just alerting you when your cat or dog is moving around, pet-specific cameras can tell you when they're making noise. The Furbo 360 Cams even alerts you when your dog or cat is looking directly at the camera (which it calls a selfie), has been barking or meowing for over one minute, or is crying or howling. It also notifies you when it detects a person, or if your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off. That makes it useful as both a home security camera and a dog nanny.
The Best Pet Cameras for Tossing Treats
One of the hallmark features of Furbo and Petcube Bites models is their ability to toss treats on command. When setting up the Furbo, for instance, its companion app walks you through the process of properly introducing the device to your pet to foster a positive association. Treats don't typically motivate my dog, but he still got the hang of it right away and eats all the treats I toss out using the camera.
To get your pet's attention, the Furbo 360 Dog Camera makes a barking sound when it's about to dispense a treat. Furbo recommends using this feature as a distraction when your dog is anxious, pacing, licking, or barking. You can also use it as a reward when it stops any of those behaviors. The Cat version makes a chirping noise for the same effect.
Which Pet Cameras Offer Virtual Vet Visits?
As pet parents, we often worry about potential health issues, but not every one requires a trip to the vet. Petcube models, including the affordable Petcube Cam 360, offer a televet feature that can help you determine if an in-person visit is necessary. If you capture any concerning activity on camera, you can chat live with a licensed veterinarian via its companion app, as well as share photos and videos of your pet. Petcube's Premium Care subscription costs $16.99 per month and includes 24/7 online vet chats along with 90 days of video history and unlimited video downloads. You can also subscribe to Petcube’s online vet service without investing in the company's camera for $19.99 per month.
How Much Should You Spend on a Pet Camera?
As you can see from our picks, the top-rated pet security cameras can cost around $200. If you have a large home, you must factor in the cost of buying several of them.
Keep in mind that some devices in this category require an additional fee to store video recordings in the cloud. We break down any extra fees in our reviews, so it's worth reading each of those closely.
The good news is that prices are coming down. If you're not looking to spend a lot, you can get a general-purpose home security camera like the TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 for around $40, or a pet-specific one like the Petcube Cam 360 for around $50.
More Tech for Your Pampered Pooch
Once you find the right camera, consider investing in a pet tracker or GPS collar for additional peace of mind. We've rounded up our favorite wearable trackers and collars that can monitor your pet's location and activity to help make sure it's safe and healthy.
And to help you stay on top of shedding, be sure to check out our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair.
Finally, if you're the proud owner of a mutt, but are curious to know just what its background is, check out the best dog DNA kits we've tested.
