Like most pet owners, I absolutely hate leaving my dogs home alone. First I have to see those sad eyes as I leave, then I worry about them being anxious the whole time I’m away. What to do?
To answer that, I want to show you the best dog cameras on the market today. With the wonderful technology we have, you can not only see your pets, but you can interact with them while you’re away!
So let’s take a look at the top 5 dog cameras and see which one works best for you and your pooch!
What To Look For In A Dog Camera
When choosing which dog camera is right for you, there’s a few things you’ll want to consider:
- Safety–Are there cords to chew? Can it be safely mounted to the wall or on a secure stand?
- Quality–Is it made with quality materials?
- Easy to use–I don’t want to be messing with complicated or unresponsive features
- Features–What kind of interaction would you like to have with your dog and does it have everything you need?
- Audio/Video–Are the audio and visual features clear?
Now that you’ve thought about what you’d like, you can check out the 5 best dog cameras on the market today!
PetChatz HDX with PawCall
The new PetChatz HDX is hailed as the system that has raised the bar for video-based, pet care technology–and I agree! This is the 3rd generation of this unit and is my #1 recommendation for the ultimate experience you can share with your dog.
The PetChatz HDX digital daycare was definitely designed by a pet lover. Here are the features that you’re going to love:
~ 2-Way Audio and Visual Interaction–Not only will you be able to see your pooch on your mobile device, he’ll be able to see and hear you!
The new 2020 version has a wide-angle 1080p video streaming camera, improved performance in low light, and improved WiFi connectivity. The viewing area has been enhanced, and the picture and sound are very clear.
~ Treat Dispenser–You can dispense treats 4 different ways:
- Manually
- Pawcall
- Alexa
- The app
You can choose any treats you’d like as long as they are small enough to dispense properly. But PetChatz also offers treats for both dogs and cats that are created specifically to work with their feeder.
~ Smart Video Recording–Their camera can be sound and motion triggered to give you absolutely adorable videos to enjoy and share with your family and friends.
The system keeps the last 30 cute (or naughty!) moments that last 30 seconds, so you can keep tabs on what your pooch is doing while you’re away!
~ Diffuses Aromatherapy–PetChatz provides calming aromatherapy blends that you can release every time you chat.
Scents and smells are so important to dogs, and being able to give them a calming experience with aromatherapy while bonding with you as you chat with them is a wonderful feature in my book.
~ Pet Messaging with PawCall–This is an optional feature using the PawCall accessory, but the extra cost is definitely worth it if you’re looking to truly bond with your dog while you’re away. You’ll get a discount by buying the dog camera and PawCall together.
You can train your pet to respond to lights by pressing a button that gives a treat and sends you an alert. PawCall can also play games to keep them occupied.
Activities can be scheduled during Game Mode with blinking lights and treats when your dog plays along. Combining PetChatz with the PawCall accessory is definitely a complete digital daycare system!
~ DogTV Stream–With the PetChatz app, you can subscribe to DogTV to stream relaxing entertainment designed just for dogs. As of this writing, the cost is $9.99 per month, and you get the first 2 months free.
***We have DirecTV and were able to subscribe to DogTV with them for $4.99 per month with the first month free. So I recommend checking with your TV service to see if they offer a better deal than the price thru PetChatz.
~ Safety Features and Accessories–PetChatz HDX is manufactured with quality materials and designed with no corners, edges, or cords that can be chewed. It plugs right into a wall outlet.
You can also purchase a see-through guard to cover the unit and give you extra assurance for any unpredictable behavior. If you don’t have an available outlet in your desired location, they also offer a portable stand to mount it to.
You can check out this quick video to give you an idea of how the PetChatz with PawCall works:
With all the great features of this system, you and your pet can stay connected and bond while you have to be away. Add in the 60-day money-back guarantee, and you can feel confident about this top quality dog camera!
Furbo Dog Camera
The Furbo Dog Camera is terrific and is one of the most popular devices on the market. You’ll be able to talk, see, and toss treats to your dog no matter where you are.
Here are the features you’ll love:
~ Camera w/Night Vision–You can live stream video to your phone with this 1080p full HD camera that has a 160 degree wide-angle view day and night and a 4x digital zoom. This best-in-class quality means that it’s one of the very best pet cameras out there.
~ Treat Tossing–Furbo uses a clicking sound before it tosses a treat so that your dog is trained to view the device positively. You fill the unit with treats and use their app to toss one to your dog and even play catch!
~ 2-Way Audio & Barking Alert–Do you have a dog that barks when you’re away? Do you get complaints from your neighbors? This you’ll love this feature!
You can set the sensor to send an alert to your phone when your dog is barking because he’s upset or excited. Then you can talk to him to calm him down.
The sensitivity is adjustable so that you can better control how much your dog barks before you receive an alert.
~ Works With Alexa–You can connect the Furbo Dog Camera to the Echo Show, which is a 5″ smart display with Alexa. Using voice control with your Furbo has never been easier!
~ Furbo Dog Nanny–You’ll receive a 90-day free trial of the Furbo Dog Nanny. This is an optional subscription, you can cancel it if you’d like any time during the trial. But I recommend experiencing the features first!
You’ll get smart alerts in real time so you know when your dog may need you:
- Dog Activity Alert–If the unit detects activity such as jumping on couches or pacing from anxiety, you will get a notification.
- Person Alert–It will alert you when a person is in the room. So you’ll know if there’s an intruder or what time your dog walker shows up.
- Dog Selfie Alert–When your dog is facing the camera, Furbo will take selfies for you and send an alert. You’ll be able to contact your fur baby when they are looking for a connection with you.
- Emergency Alert–If an alarm goes off in your home, like the smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector, you’ll get notified.
Cloud recording is another great feature you’ll get with the Furbo Dog Nanny. The smart technology detects and records 15 second videos of your dog’s activity.
These videos stay accessible in your Cloud for 24 hours, and you can download them to your phone to enjoy and share with family and friends.
The Doggie Diary feature compiles the highlights of your dog’s day in a 60-second video that’s stored for 7 days. You can save these videos in an album for great memories.
After the 90-day free trial, you can enjoy Furbo Dog Nanny for another 3 months for just .99, so you have plenty of time to experience everything it offers. After that, it’s just 6.99 per month or $69 per year, which is a great value in my book.
If you’re looking for a quality dog camera with features that allow you to monitor your dog’s activity while you’re away, you should check out the Furbo Dog Camera!
Petcube Bites 2
The Petcube Bites 2 is a solid dog camera that should be on your list to check out. Here are the features you’re looking for:
~ HD Video and Wide-Angle Viewing–You’ll enjoy live 1080p HD video with night vision and 4x digital zoom. With the 160 degree viewing, you will be able to monitor the whole room.
~ 2-Way Audio–With a 4 microphone array and a speaker bar, you’ll love the full sound as you connect with your fur baby while you’re away.
~ Treat Dispenser–You can toss treats to your dog from anywhere and control the amount and even the distance. They have an autoplay mode where you can keep your dog occupied whenever you will be busy for a while.
The treats can be up to 1″ in diameter, so you’ll have a wide variety that will fit into this dispenser.
~ Alexa Built In–There’s no need to buy an Echo if you don’t have one since it’s built into the Petcube. It’s the first pet camera that is a smart speaker. Play music for your dog or order more treats–it’s easy with Alexa!
~ Petcube Care–Every camera comes with a 14-day free trial to the Petcube Care program. You have a choice of 2 subscriptions:
Optimal–$3.99 per month and includes:
- 3 days of video history
- 30-second video clips
- Smart Alerts–Get notifications when Petcube detects a person, your dog barking, or your cat meowing.
- Web Interface–Download or playback your videos on your desktop or laptop
- 10 video downloads
- Video Filters–Save time looking through video history by filtering activity, barking, person, etc.
- 30+ discounts from leading pet brands
Premium–$8.25 per month and includes:
- Everything in the Optimal subscription
- 90 days of video history
- 2-year warranty instead of the standard 1-year warranty
- Unlimited video downloads
- Unlimited cameras covered–Get all features on multiple Petcube cameras
The Petcube Bites 2 is a great dog camera, but if you’re also looking to keep your feline baby happy, they also offer the Petcube Play2. Instead of tossing treats, this camera has an interactive laser toy to entertain both pets!
WOpet Smart Pet Camera
For those looking at a more budget friendly dog camera, the WOpet Smart Pet Camera is a good choice to consider. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, it has quality where it counts!
Here’s the features of the WOpet camera:
~ HD Video and Wide-Angle Viewing–The 720p built in lens give you clear HD video with 4x digital zoom and night vision. The wide-angle means you can see the whole room when monitoring your dog’s activity.
~ Treat Dispenser–This unit makes sound effects when it tosses a treat to help your dog react positively to the camera. Just fill the dispenser and play catch with your fur baby when you’re away!
~ 2-Way Talk–The built-in advanced speaker and microphone create clear audio when you talk and listen to your dog. You can give voice commands and reassurances when he’s anxious or misbehaving.
~ Works with Alexa–You have all the conveniences of using Alexa with this dog camera.
There are no subscription services with WOpet. You can take photos and videos of your dog with the phone app and share them with your family and friends.
If what you want is just a good quality dog camera that you can use to connect and bond with your dog while you’re away, the WOpet Smart Pet Camera may be a good choice!
TENVIS Wireless Home Camera
The TENVIS Wireless Home Camera is for anyone looking for an economical way to monitor their dog in many rooms of their house. It comes in a pack of 2, and you can add more that will work together on your phone app.
The great features you’ll get are:
~ Full HD Video–The high tech optical lens gives you 1080p HD video feed in 1920×1080 pixel quality. The camera can move horizontally 355 degrees and vertically 120 degrees, so you’ll get to monitor the full room.
Don’t let the economical cost of these cameras think that the picture is low quality. The reviews show that customers are very pleased, and even surprised, by how clear the video is with the TENVIS camera.
The night vision feature is also very clear with a large 32 ft. range. For those of you who are looking for a camera for security as well as to monitor your dog, you’ll be pleased with the night vision capabilities.
~ 2-Way Audio–The built-in speaker and microphone let you listen and talk with your dog. You can reassure an anxious pet or give a command to a mischievous one!
~ Video Storage–The TENVIS camera does not have a cloud storage or subscription service, but you can save video footage on your phone or tablet.
~ Easy to set up and use–The camera uses a connection system that makes set up a breeze, and has a one-click configuration for Wi-Fi.
Anyone who’s looking to monitor multiple rooms of their home with more than one camera will love the TENVIS Wireless Home Camera. The stunning video quality and ease of use, along with the economical price, is why this dog camera is on my top 5 list!
Monitor Your Pooch With One Of The Best Dog Cameras Today
Pet owners, like me, hate leaving their fur babies alone when they have to go out. But with the great technology out there today, you can bond with them remotely whenever you like!
The five dog cameras I’ve reviewed above are my top 5 recommended quality products that give you many options for connecting with and protecting your loved ones.
If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear them in the comments below, and remember…
Life Is Always Better When You Share It With A Dog!
I recently adopted a golden retriever and ever since, my life has not been the same. She just dies it all to make me happy at all times and if for one thing, I wish to have here recorded at all times and also since we are expecting a new baby too, it would be bets to have movements kept on camera. So, what has been shared here is very good to me and I value it a lot. Thanks so much for sharing this here
I’m so glad you found it helpful, and congratulations on your new babies!
I know, the hardest thing that I have to do is to leave my Shiro and I could hear him cried and whined. Also, I need to some prove as well if he is being naughty or not. I am debating if I should get the camera with the treat dispenser or not. I want him to take it from me. Do people have the problem with their pet trying to break the machine for the treat? Anyways, I think I am going to try Petcube. Thanks for the review.
As far as I can tell from my research and from reading extensive customer testimonials, the dog cameras that I’ve recommended are made tough enough to withstand a rambunctious dog. Petcube is a wonderful quality camera, and I think you’ll be very happy with it!
I love to take keep an eye on my dogs and I also love to talk to my fur babies even when I am away. So, up till this point I wasn’t able to do these things but you’ve got me covered with this post. I want something with HD video and also 2-way audio. And I think PETCUBE BITES 2 is just what I need.
Petcube Bites 2 is an awesome system that I think you and your fur babies will love!
Thanks for a great review of the best dog cameras. We’re trying to find a way to ease the separation anxiety that our dog feels when we both go to work. I had no idea that dog cameras were so interactive, and they’re not priced nearly as expensive as I thought they would be for all the features available.
I was thrilled to find out that dog cameras had so many great features to keep in contact with a dog while you’re away. The price is definitely reasonable for the value and peace of mind you and your pooch get to enjoy due to all the great features.
Great! I have 2 dogs and I do have the same feeling while I’m away from home. I once tried to place a mobile phone @ a high corner and turned the camera on, to see what my dogs’ reaction after I left home for like 10min, I saw in the phone video that they act very anxious and roar in a very special way, long roar like a wolf, and I did feel they miss me so much within the roar
Dogs definitely have a special way of letting you know they miss you!
Since I work from home now, our dogs are used to having someone home most of the time. When we are away, our camera showed that the dogs are ok pretty much after we leave. But when we get back, they both make this howling/barking combo that takes them a couple of minutes to stop.
My husband swears that our male is yelling at us because we left, and our nearest neighbors at 200 yards away tell me they know when we get home because they can hear the howling. It’s a good thing we live in the country and have wonderful neighbors!
Very interesting post. I never knew about such a gadget as a pet or dog camera before your blog today. I can imagine though it cuts down on the normal anxiety issues that cause torn up couches and pillows, slippers, and shoes. Animals are very hands-on. Leave them alone and they are mischievous like human kids. They likewise crave attention and will get in trouble if they feel they need to in order to get it. I agree the best option has the paw-call tech other than if the family dog is calling during the business meeting.
I totally agree–thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Wonderful list of dog cameras. I tried one a couple years ago that was motioned sensered and you could also activated it from your phone and talk to your dogs while away. While it was years ago and cheaper quality it was great at the time. I recently just moved and was again looking at doggie cameras and researching the furbo. After reading your article I think that is what I will be getting. I really like the night feature and the treat disppening options.
The Furbo dog camera is a terrific choice, and I have no doubt that you and your dogs will love it!
This is amazing. I had no idea something like this actually exists. What I actually thought about a dog camera was just a camera to video your dog when you are not around. I had no idea that it was more than that. Your first suggestion seems really interesting as I love the features it comes with. I think the monthly subscription money is very reasonable and a lot of people should not really have an issue with it but like you said I would find out if I can get one with a better deal. I love my puppy a lot and having one of these cameras when I am not around would put my mind at ease that I can clearly see my dog and keep it entertained when I am not around.
I love the fact that technology can help us bond with our pets while we’re away from them. Who knows what they’ll come up with next!
Hi Janelle,
Seriously, i didn’t even know such cameras existed, and I love them!
I have two dogs and it was like you were reading my mind when you talked about the sad eyes when you leave and the anxiety about them when you’re away. Pets really hate being alone and studies have shown that they feel as though they have been abandoned.
I’ll be looking further into these dog cameras. Thanks!
Aparna
You’re very welcome!