If your needs are more general home security, you might be interested in taking a look at our list of the best home security cameras. Curious whether a pet cam can be hacked? Find out if that’s really an issue in our explainer. Without further ado, read on to see the best pet cameras to buy. Additionally, the two-way microphone allows communication from both parent and pet, so you can talk and listen to hear what your pet is up to and how it responds to the sound of your voice. The Furbo does require an Internet connection via Wi-Fi and allows for “bark alerts” by sending a push notification to your smartphone when it detects a pet making noise. The treat toss itself is easy to set up and works with just about any treat of your choosing. Furbo does recommend non-crushable treats between a half-inch to one-inch in length. The TOOGE Pet Camera doesn’t have the ability to release treats while you’re away or send you notifications every time your dog barks, but it does let you watch your pet while you’re away, communicate with them via the two-way audio feature, and get motion detection alerts. It also offers night vision, 360-degree swivel and the ability for multiple people to watch the stream at the same time. If you’re just looking for a way to check in with your pet while you’re away (or make sure they aren’t getting into any trouble), the TOOGE Pet Camera is a good option. Note that while the TOOGE app does work with iPhones, it is not compatible with Mac computers. Additionally, the smartphone app allows for instant sharing of pictures and video clips to friends and family or social networks. Petcube even offers a subscription (cloud-based) service that allows for rewinding and playback of either 10 or 30 days of video history. The two-way audio allows pet parents to conveniently and, if necessary, secretly talk to their pets and let them know you’re on the way home. The secure Petcube network is encrypted and secured through 128-bit encryption and other security protocols adding to your piece of mind. While it lacks a treat dispenser, the Petcube is attractive, functional and sets the bar for pet cameras. There is one big downside: the camera doesn’t have night vision. That might be a dealbreaker if you need the ability to monitor your pet 24/7, but won’t matter if you only plan to use the camera when you’re away during the day. Since it’s both an indoor and outdoor camera, you can even add an additional waterproof camera to the system (sold separately) to monitor your yard to see if your pet is playing nicely outdoors while you’re away. With optimal placement around seven feet above floor level and an ideal range of motion detection from around five to 20 feet, there’s more than enough room to place the camera in a large area and see absolutely everything your pet is doing. With both motion and temperature sensors, the Blink introduces peace of mind that goes well beyond pet monitoring since it can double as a home-protective service as well. As soon as the Blink system detects your pet’s movement in front of the camera, the video starts recording and an alert is sent to any connected devices, so you can instantly discover what your pet is doing. Blink owners can quickly expand the camera system with the purchase of additional camera units (sold separately) and cover every aspect of their home as needed. Without any monthly fees, the Blink offers free cloud storage for up to two hours of video clips. Since the Cam doesn’t have any interactive features, on its own it’s just a home security cam with a paywall. It really shines in homes with other Petcube products. Petcube Care is an optional subscription that allows users to save longer video clips, store recording history, and receive smart alerts (like distinguishing between pets and people). Petcube owners should consider the Cam if they want to keep an eye on more rooms in their house.
What to Look for in a Pet Camera
Interaction - It’s important to think about what you hope to get out of a pet camera before you buy it. Many people simply like observing their dog or cat while they’re away from home, while others are concerned about safety or want to make sure their furniture isn’t being destroyed. If your issue is the latter, is having voice chat or the ability to remotely play with your pet important? Do you want to be able to hear your pet respond to your assurances? These are all things to be on the lookout for. Security - It may seem ridiculous, but there are actually people out there who hack home cameras. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the camera you have is secure. Does the manufacturer offer regular firmware updates? Is it easy to change the default login information for the camera? Keeping an eye out for security features will give you some peace of mind. Cloud services - Most home security cameras offer cloud services, but do you need cloud storage services for your pet camera? Of course, that’s up to you, but it’s worth deciding whether you need it — and if so, how much extra you’re willing to shell out for it.
