The best pet cameras give you peace of mind when you have to leave your animals at home. Whilst we'd love to take our pets everywhere we go, this isn't always possible, so these gadgets are great for reassurance (and aren't as expensive as you might think).
Just like the best pet trackers, these devices help you monitor your pet's wellbeing and location. Not only is it interesting to see what they get up to, but it also ensures your fur friend is safe and isn't getting into trouble. Some cameras also offer two-way communication, allowing you to chat with them in real-time (perfect for separation anxiety in dogs).
So, what does a vet think about them? Dr. Hannah Godfrey says: "Pet cameras can help you monitor your pet and provide reassurance if you have to leave them for a few hours, especially if they're unwell or have a health condition, such as being prone to seizures.
"However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a good idea to leave your dog for long periods of time if they don’t have access to secure outside space, so if the house is going to be empty all day while everyone is at work or school, it’s a better idea to use a dog walker to break up the day or have a neighbor or friend pop in, rather than rely on a pet camera. Of course, cats are more independent, and many will cope well while their owners are out at work."
We don't know about you, but the world of tech can feel a little intimidating at times. So, we've done the hard work for you and rounded up the best pet cameras on the market, giving them to our team of testers to try out. We've included all the specs you need to know, from resolution to the field of view.
The quick list
The best pet camera overall
With a 355° pan range, AI detection, and customizable alarm sound, this pet cam has a lot of impressive features. The price tag won't break the bank either.
The best runner-up pet camera
This pet cam has loads of cool features, like AI detection and pre-recorded broadcasts. It also has two-way communication, and the option to remotely pan and tilt it.
The best treat dispensing pet camera
More than just a pet camera, this innovative design lets you treat your fur friend from anywhere in the world. It also has two-way communication, night vision and digital zoom.
The best pet camera for security
This premium pet cam boasts a 4K camera and high-quality color night vision. It also features two-way communication, motion sensors, and instant alerts.
The best interactive pet camera
A pet camera and toy all in one; this remote-controlled robot can be steered around your house via an app. Featuring a laser, a treat dispenser, and two-way communication, you'll have lots of fun with this one.
The best pet camera for Alexa integration
This pet camera has color night vision and sends real-time alerts which are triggered by the motion sensors. Connect it to your Amazon devices for hands-free viewing.
The best pet cameras we recommend in 2024
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Best pet camera overall
There are lots of reasons to love the IMOU Rex 3D camera, from the crystal clear picture quality to the straightforward set-up. There are two different models to choose from; one with 2MP resolution and another with 4MP. But with a $5 price difference between the two, you may as well choose the latter.
This camera is great for security purposes and gives you total control, offering a 360° view of the room with the option to pan and tilt it from your phone. If you want to take a closer look at the video, you'll be able to zoom in up to 8x, and you can even see in the dark.
Our tester Frankie says: "The picture quality is very clear. I was able to zoom in and read the display on my thermostat in the room even in night mode. The pan and zoom functions are very responsive and easy to use."
It's super simple to set up; just download the app, put in the Wi-Fi password, select your preferences and you're good to go. Frankie says it took her less than five minutes and that it was a "smooth process".
To unlock all the features (like motion detection, smart tracking and downloading SD recordings), you'll to subscribe to IMOU Protect which costs about $3 a month. However, there is a 30-day free trial if you want to try before you buy.
The camera has two-way communication, allowing you to talk and listen to your pet. However, Frankie experienced some audio interference when she tried. She also found that the human and pet AI detection would often send her false alarms.
She says: "Some other useful features are the ability to change the detection sensitivity, add activity zones, and set detection schedules. In particular, I think the detection schedule is useful if there are periods of the day you are usually in and out of the house."
Best runner-up pet camera
Unlike many other pet cameras, you won't need to purchase a subscription to access all the features. Simply download the Toucan smart home app and it will save your recordings to the cloud — no extra purchases required. You can then review the footage from the last 24-hour period.
You'll have total control over the camera with the ability to make it pan 355° and tilt 180°. The smart AI technology detects humans and movement and will send you an instant notification whenever it detects motion.
If you want to talk to your pet while you're away, you can do so via the two-way communication feature and hear their response on your phone. The picture quality is pretty good too, with a 1080p HD resolution, plus night vision for when it gets dark.
The camera is also compatible with Amazon and Google home devices, giving you hands-free options.
This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best treat dispensing pet camera
This treat-dispensing pet cam lets you reward your fur friend from anywhere in the world. You have full control over the amount of food you give them and the distance it's flung, offering an interactive experience when you're not home. And if you can't access your phone, there's an autoplay mode too.
You can watch over your pet in 1080p HD video, zoom in up to 8x, and see a 160° view of the room. Not to worry if it gets dark; it has night vision for that. The footage is stored on the Cloud and has 256-bit AES encryption for security.
If you catch your fur friend misbehaving (or you just want to say hello), you can talk to them using the two-way communication feature and hear their response. The camera also sends you an alert if it detects any dangerous activity and has meowing and barking audio recognition.
This isn't the cheapest option on the market, but we think this unique and innovative design is well worth the money.
This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best pet camera for security
This wireless security camera has a lot of great features – from the noise-canceling two-way audio to the color night vision. You'll be able to see your pet in 4K HDR resolution and in an ultra-wide viewing angle. Some cameras have distorted quality, but this one offers auto-correction to avoid a fisheye effect.
If you're concerned about security in your home, you'll be pleased to hear that this cam has an integrated spotlight and an alarm to deter any intruders. You can also request emergency help from the police, fire service, or medical responders via the app, and the smart detection can differentiate between pets, people, and objects.
Your videos will be stored in the Cloud for 30 days, meaning you can look back whenever you need to. Since the camera is weather resistant, you can put it indoors or outdoors, giving you lots of flexibility.
It's more expensive than some of the other models in this guide, but if you're looking for ultimate security and high-quality resolution, this is the camera for you.
This product is currently with our tester; we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best interactive pet camera
This interactive pet cam doubles up as a toy, featuring a teaser toy attachment, a treat dispenser, and a track ball. You can move it around your home using the free Enabot app and talk to your pets via the two-way audio feature. It also has preconfigured movements like a figure of eight, and noises you can play like barking.
You can monitor your pets on the wide-angle camera and adjust the positioning if they move about. There's also night vision for when it gets dark. The wheels can climb obstacles up to 15mm high and slopes up to a 15-degree inclination.
The robot is simple to set up, easy to use, and has clear instructions to follow. I've had hours of fun with it and my cats are very inquisitive, often getting up close to the camera which is hilarious to watch. The battery life isn't the best, but it has an auto-charge feature which makes things easier.
Some cameras require you to purchase a subscription to watch and download the videos, but this one doesn't. It's easy to save them to your device and share them with your friends.
Best pet camera for Alexa integration
Featuring 1080p HD resolution, live view, and color night vision, the Ring Indoor Camera is a great option. You'll receive a notification whenever it detects movement, giving you reassurance that your pets are safe and sound.
It's compatible with select Amazon devices, like the Echo Dot and Echo Show which offer hands-free notifications and previews of the footage. There's also two-way audio so you can hear and talk to people or pets.
If you're concerned about privacy, you can use the manual privacy cover to turn off the camera and microphone, giving you total control over what's recording.
If you want to record, review, and share the footage, you'll need to subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan which starts at $4.99 a month.
This product is currently with our tester; we'll add testing notes soon.
How we tested the best pet cameras
Once we'd selected the best pet cameras on the market, our testers reviewed them based on:
Affordability: Pet cameras can be expensive but they don't necessarily need to be. We included a range of price points to cater to whatever your budget might be, and asked our testers to comment on whether it's worth the money.
Resolution: The last thing you want to do is waste your money on a poor quality camera, so we asked our testers for feedback on the resolution.
Additional features: From treat dispensers to remote controls, we asked our testers to highlight any cool features that are worth knowing about.
Fit for purpose: We ensured each and every one of these cameras is fit for purpose - monitoring your pet's safety and happiness.
Set-up: No one wants to spent hours trying to set up a camera, so we asked our testers whether they were easy to install and if the instructions were clear to follow.
How to choose the best pet camera
As with most pet products, your choice of camera will depend heavily on your particular pet and their specific pattern of behavior. Before you choose anything, determine what you're OK to leave in the house alone with your pets.
For larger dogs, a camera that dispenses treats might seem like an invitation to gnaw on that thing until the rest of the treats are revealed, which isn't the best when the treats are contained within an expensive camera powered by electricity. Even smaller dogs might get rather interested, so ensure you can place that camera somewhere they won't be able to reach it.
For lazier cats, a box with a laser built in might not rouse their attention even slightly; but for attentive, easily bored pets, a laser-equipped camera gives you a great opportunity to engage with your furry friends even when you're not there.
If you tend to go out in the evenings, or often hear rumblings around the house while you're in bed, then night vision will be a useful feature, particularly if you have cats aligned to their natural nocturnal sleep cycle, or you're worried about your dog's cage training. Pick something with recording facilities, too, so you can go back and watch for any signs of bad behavior.
Do pet cameras record all the time?
Most pet cameras do not record all the time, only being triggered by sound or movement. This is good for spotting patterns of behavior, and for saving on storage space if the recorded clips are being saved anywhere, such as with a cloud service.
There are some that will continually record, usually by rewriting over older footage within a certain timeframe – such as a week. For most people, the “triggered” versions are more than enough, but if you have a particular desire to have lengthy footage of your pet, it might be worth looking for one that has a continuous record function.
Do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?
Treating separation anxiety can be tricky, with multiple approaches often considered the best. If you’ve got a pet that suffers from this affliction, having a pet camera with a two-way microphone can be a good way to soothe the animal from afar, giving them the ability to hear your voice.
You can also issue specific commands, such as “sit” or “stay” from afar, which can be a good substitute for being in the room with them. That’s not to say that it’s a guaranteed cure (very little is), but a pet cam can be a good part of an overall plan to combat the problem.
Megan joined the PetsRadar family last year and has experience writing about cats, dogs and rabbits. She's particularly interested in pet wellness and happiness, which is why she's committed to finding you the best camera to ensure your animals are safe. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in BA Journalism and has written for various lifestyle publications.
After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, Dr. Hannah Godfrey went on to work in a busy practice dealing with animals of all shapes and sizes. She’s since found a love of smaller animals and now works in a small companion animal practice in Wales, where she combines her love of animals with her love of writing.
