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A quality dog camera can allow you to do more than just monitor your canine companion while you’re away. Many can give you the option to feed and play with your little ones too, but there are a variety of other things that can make them a worthy investment for practically any dog owner. Jump to see best dog cameras with pros and cons!
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Tech aspects and features to consider before buying
With leaps and bounds in the tech industry, it’s no surprise that devices that are developed to look after our furry friends are getting more and more advanced as the years go by. Many pet cams now have a range of features and functions. To decide on which camera suits you and your pet best we suggest you pay attention to the technical aspects and features such as:
- Resolution, zoom, night vision, and angle width
- Wireless technologies
- Alexa compatibility
- Two-way audio
- Treat dispenser (or, alternatively, a dog feeder)
- Alerts and event triggered recording
- App capabilities and paid subscriptions
Resolution, zoom, night vision, and angle width
By far one of the most important things to consider when it comes to choosing the right type of pet camera for your needs is the resolution. The higher a camera’s res, the better quality the image will be. For instance, 144p is the lowest resolution typically available (no modern dog cameras are in this range though), while a 1080p camera will boast clarity the likes of which will impress the majority of viewers. With this in mind, it is worth noting that the higher the resolution the more expensive the camera might be, so a good alternative is to aim for 720p which offers very good clarity, without being as expensive as higher-end models.
Although plenty of people might be satisfied with an overall view of a particular room that their pet uses; there’s no denying that a zoom function within a camera can add an extra level of functionality to a device. Consider that you want to take a closer look at what your dog has left in their food bowl, or maybe you want to pan across a room to make sure that you locked your back door. A zoom feature is a great way to do the above and much more. It’s worth noting that different camera models will feature varying degrees of zoom capabilities. If you’re happy to spend more on a quality camera model, then a high zoom function paired with greater than average resolution (such as 1080p) could well be the way to go.
Gone are the days when night vision technology was restricted to the military, and many modern-day devices can offer this option to users. Although the tech is pretty advanced and relies on light control settings, enhancement features, and more – the bottom line is that you will be able to see clearly at night from the comfort of your phone screen or a laptop, wherever you are.
At first glance, you might not think about the angle functionality of your camera, but the truth is that the wider the area that you can see, the more reassured you’ll feel when it comes to monitoring your pet. Many modern camera models feature angle adjustment options – the majority of which can be controlled via remote, or by using an app on your phone. As long as you position your device in a good spot, having the option to pivot, observe, and pan across a room will undoubtedly be a major advantage.
Wireless technologies
In the past, surveillance cameras of all shapes and sizes would have shared one thing in common and that was a need to be connected to a network via an ethernet cable – if they even had network capabilities.
These days however, modern cameras (especially those that are used within pet food dispensers, or for general monitoring tasks) enjoy access to wireless technologies. As a result, many can be connected to a network via Wi-Fi in much the same way as your mobile phone, laptop, or smart TV; but keep in mind that some dog cameras won’t be compatible with 5G Wi-Fi.
As mentioned above, wireless options can be a fantastic way to enjoy a higher level of functionality when it comes to your monitoring device, but the term ‘wireless’ doesn’t just refer to Wi-Fi. It also relates to a camera’s potential to be used without needing to be plugged in to a main power outlet, which can be a huge advantage in some cases (e.g. outdoor use). Some security home cameras run via rechargeable batteries and might be an option in this case, and some of them offer options to switch between cable power and batteries, too.
Alexa compatibility
Amazon Alexa is commonly used in homes across the world to help with a wide range of activities; from playing music, to controlling lights. While not all pet cameras will be compatible with Alexa, there are several models that can be easily controlled through it, so look for Alexa compatibility in listed cam features if you are a fan of this technology.
Two-way audio
Many modern devices offer 2-way communication between the dog and their owner. This can allow you to talk to your furry friend (or your family members) even while you’re away, and we’re sure that they’ll appreciate the sound of your voice if they’re left home alone.
Treat dispenser or dog feeder
A common feature of most dog cams are treat dispensers – and these tend to give owners the chance to reward their little ones for good behavior, distract them if they’re barking or feeling upset, and interact with them when home alone.
Many cameras come ready-built into food dispensers, also referred to as automatic dog feeders. These devices can run on a timer and they work by dispensing food at specific times, so that your pet can enjoy a snack, or even a full meal. If you don’t have the time to control this manually, an automatic feeder paired with camera could be ideal.
Alerts and event triggered recording
Alert functionality can be a great feature for a multitude of reasons. Alerts can be triggered by barking, dog activity, human movement, or even your dog facing the camera (with an automatic selfie as a result). You can receive footage/pictures directly to your mobile phone whenever a specific activity happens.
For barking and movement, you can typically set the desired sensitivity level. From sounds and disturbances, right through to uninvited guests (and possibly in the near future fire detection and that of increased levels of CO2), you could be notified whenever an activity takes place that meets your criteria. These can be excellent for protecting your property from burglars while you’re away, keeping your pet and home safe at the same time.
If you like knowing what’s going on within your home, but you are not always able react to alerts on your phone, you might also enjoy the camera which can trigger a recording function whenever activity is recognized, or the dog barks. The built-in storage (or expandable memory) will kick into action and record everything that the camera sees.
App functionality and paid subscriptions
Although not all camera apps boast the same features, there are some that are far more common than others. For example, live stream videos, the possibility to take photos, easy sharing on social networks, shared accounts with family members, alert notifications, two-way audio, and more can often be found on a range of devices.
Some apps might charge for premium features, such as additional smart alerts, so be sure to check before buying if all the desired options are available to you for free, or if you will need to pay a subscription fee for some of them.
With fees in mind, some emergency alerts might be helpful to save your dog and house, so those may well pay for themselves in terms of peace of mind. Once Furbo has CO2 and fire alert capabilities, there’s a good chance that additional fees will be worthwhile, for the extra level of security that they can provide.
If you don’t like the idea of additional subscriptions however, plenty of cameras do have completely free apps that can be taken advantage of.
Our top picks for dog cameras
Furbo – this is a best seller all over the world, and is considered the most popular dog camera for today.
It has multiple great features, 1080p HD, and holds a very high quality overall. That being said, it is considered to be quite pricy, and some of the coolest features are only available with a subscription.
Skymee Petalk AI II – the Skymee was upgraded with a new design and now features a super wide-angle of 180° (you can rotate/change the view from the app), and the app is fully free.
It’s easy to set up and you can share the account across multiple family members. There is a wireless charging pad to charge your phone. As with the previous Skymee, there are no barking alerts (although you can still hear your dog barking if you turn on the two-way audio). There’s no selfie option or emergency alerts, but you do still get a motion alert, and for some owners that’s all they actually need.
Wopet dog camera – this is a good overall camera, with all important features and easy social sharing. Its resolution is 720p (opposed to the 1080p enjoyed by Furbo and Skymee), although you still get high quality images day and night.
If you are interested in cheaper treat-tossing dog cameras, you can take a look at Iseebiz Smart Pet Camera (which is also featured as an Amazon’s choice).
Just for fun…
For those of you that are looking for an even more unique way to monitor your pet, here is one more option that adds a little something extra to your dog’s life:
Skymee Owl Robot – a firm favorite with many dog owners, this is a moving interactive robot dog camera with night vision and treat dispenser all in one. It has two-way audio and multiple interaction modes (preset or controlled via app), and can work outside without Wi-Fi (in AP mode). It’s great for small and medium dogs, as well as for large dogs who are not strong chewers.
