In this particular review, we will focus on video surveillance equipment developed specifically for pet supervision or playing with your favorite four-legged companion. Choosing the best pet camera can be challenging. The oversaturation of the market leads to overcomplicated shopping. Nevertheless, with some good advice and optimal options already selected for you to choose from, picking an efficient dog monitor won’t be a struggle.
Outstanding top performers, efficient economy class solutions and complex multidimensional builds for perfect pet care — read about them all.
Dog cameras became popular due to a variety of reasons. Number one/only: we live in a world that is in a constant hurry. It is simply impossible to take care of your household and pets all the time. Technology always brings something new to the table and helps ease our lives in various ways including pet ownership or taking care of your beloved little friends while you are away.
Dog cameras allow users to watch over their dogs continually feeding them if necessary which is a great idea for those who not only work full-time but also travel a lot and have to leave their beloved four-legged companions at home. Poor animals feel abandoned and often may mess something up just because they are bored meaning that you need either your friends/relatives looking after them regularly checking whether everything is okay or purchase one or several multifunctional dog cameras. These are cheap yet resultative methods solving a problem. If you cannot dedicate enough time or attention for your animal because there is just not enough free time, get a simple pet video camera to avoid problems. If you have large territory you should get few cameras or try to find gps dog tracker for you dog.
Best Overall: Nest Cam Security Camera
- Full HD panoramic view
- Three pieces in one pack
- Two-way speaker
- HD video recording and night vision
- Indoor use only
- Expensive
- Minimizing false alerts software is available for paid subscribers only
- Mutes the surrounding sound when you talk from your end
Designed with convenience and effectiveness in mind, this pair of digital eyes will undeniably improve overall awareness/security. Due to its double device setup coupled with high definition recording, this dog camera certainly works well in most environments allowing for much larger surveillance area compared to other products available in online stores.
The price tag also helps this product move up in our ratings. Apparent advantages as well as compactness put it significantly above all competitors. This pet cam easily outperforms the vast majority of similar products showcased by manufacturers.
Mount a dog camera on walls, tabletops, and other flat surfaces. Connect a dog cam to a smartphone and establish a safe environment for pets. Due to having two cameras in a single setup, you will be able to survey multiple rooms at once. Apparent problems are weight/size. These are relatively large pet cameras.
Why Is It the Best? Nest offers a wide variety of interesting surveillance and security equipment for homes and offices. Their fine-tuned systems are in demand in various areas. They manufacture industrial grade smoke detectors and thermostats as well as HD cameras. Such expertise allowed them to create an outstanding dog monitor that has enough flexibility and reliability to just top the rankings considering its affordable price.
In total, it’s a great offer, despite it being a bit expensive. You get three HD, two-way speaker, full panorama angle cameras in one single package. It provides you with the choice to choose a mounting angle and spot for optimizing the use out of it, in addition to it being able to record and possessing night vision.
Key Features:
- 3-piece set with a large surveillance coverage area;
- 3-meter-long cord;
- Works with PC/MAC;
- Has a wireless interface;
- Featured at Amazon
Runner Up: Zmodo EZCam Pro 4-Pack
- 1080p HD view
- Four pieces in a package
- Video recording and night vision
- Two-way speakers
- Indoor use only
- Lower quality construction
- Complicated instructions
- Issues with logging into the app from different devices
Lagging just a couple of good features behind our winner, the set of 4 surveillance pet cams from Zmodo is exactly what you need for setting up a complex home watching system. Exceptionally usable for homeowners with kids and/or animals to watch after, this dog cam has all necessary qualities to be amongst top options, but it has several downsides. Not technically savvy users may encounter difficulties when installing all pieces coming with this dog cam.
Certainly, having night vision or two-way audio is fancy. Unsurprisingly, the kit lacking simplicity is quite inconvenient for users who just want a PnP device on their hands. Such complexity also means that there is not enough mobility. For example, our winner has a magnetic base for both its “digital eyes” which is great for quick relocation.
Anyway, the price is not one that a wallet would be totally devastated by. Pro 4-Pack is a relatively cheap option that has a plethora of interesting features and additional functions. However, lacking in terms of customer-friendly solutions does not make this particular pet monitor as good as it could be.
Is It Good? EZCam Pro is not the best camera to watch a dog. Nevertheless, its low cost makes it a great overall choice when looking for something multidimensional yet efficient. Do you need a pack of 4 digital eyes in your household? Less is often better.
Key Features:
- 4 cameras all equipped sound speakers;
- Each dog cam has large view area;
- Works with PC/MAC;
- Controlled by a smartphone;
- Has night vision sensors.
- Comes with full HD resolution.
In any regard, this option comes second only because it has a slightly lower quality to it, which, in total, does not impact the output severely. You get four (!) cameras in a single package that is lightweight and easy to mount wherever you need them inside the house. Check on your dog, kids, security real-time or recorded day and night.
Best Budget Choice: YI Dome Camera Pan
- Two-way audio with a noise filter
- Night vision
- 10-second loop recording to a cloud service
- Mount it anywhere
- 720p resolution view
- Whimsical construction
- Can be hacked
- App requests many permissions that are questionable
Simply control the visible area by tilting, spanning or zooming. Such flexibility allows for better supervision and helps to look into specific corners. Just zoom in if you think your adorable “doggo” ate something wrong or decided to tear apart yet another part of the furniture. Additional controls always improve dog monitor’s usability, but it is the price that makes this product seem like a deal of a lifetime.
A piece of gear priced democratically is never a bad thing for market. When feeling short on money, getting most out of a thin budget is exactly what you need.
Is It Worth the Money? Yi Dome Camera has a much wider set of characteristics than many premium builds. Its frame is not very robust and longevity is not guaranteed, but numerous cool features alongside expanded functionality make it a great all-around deal.
Key Features:
- A simple doggie cam with an expanded functionality;
- Panning, tilting, and zooming options;
- Motion tracking sensors;
- 720p video resolution.
If you want a cheap option, you’ll have to make a bit of extra effort to make things work. Be sure that you’ve got a good cybersecurity to your home network and on your devices that you’ll use the app on. Otherwise, the cam is decent and works for its price. You won’t get any fancy HD, extreme viewing angles and the feeling of a luxurious dog camera/security camera experience but it’ll get its job done.
Best Dog Camera with Treat Dispenser: Petcube Bites Pet Camera
- Treat dispenser to lure in or cheer your doggie up
- 1080p HD view and zoom option
- Two-way audio and night vision
- Stationary or wall-mountable
- Expensive
- Not a panoramic view
- Records only when alerts occur
- Needs a strong, stable Wi-Fi connection
Petcube produced a truly working dog camera solution. Amongst other simpler pet cameras, this one stands out due to its relatively low price, slick design, and additional functionality. If you are often far away and want to take care of dogs or even train them, having a device dishing out treats whenever it is needed is quite useful.
Should You Get It? A remote feeder/doggie cam does not put noticeable pressure on your wallet and gives you an opportunity to purchase a proper home pet camera that also helps you train dogs or give them a small snack if you are away. You can put there Taste of the Wild or other dog food
Key Features:
- A simplified one-piece doggie cam;
- Food dispenser works with various snacks;
- Two-way audio with loud speakers;
- Operated remotely with a smartphone.
Observe and communicate with your doggie whenever you want. If you’re anxious about your dogs’ well-being because of its health or you want to keep them a bit of company, so they don’t get too sad, this is the perfect option. Additionally, it has security functions that will trigger video recording upon the camera hitting the alerts.
Best Dog Camera Ball: Wansview Wireless 1080P IP Camera
- Move the camera angle remotely
- Two-way audio
- 1080p HD view
- Compact and easy to install
- No ability to video-record and store in a cloud
- Whimsical construction
- Complex instructions and setup process
- Use the ethernet for first connection
This simple camera receives commands remotely. It is a great choice for surveillance setups capable of looking over a single room. An expanded surveillance area coupled with high quality video and sound is what makes this dog camera an impressive solution amongst all ball-shaped gears.
The pricing policy is another reason to take a closer look at it. Simplicity and robustness of the shell make it a sound choice for any household.
Is It Good? When seeking for an appropriate surveillance solution that can be remotely operated with a dog cam app on your mobile phone, this item from Wansview is a perfect choice. It may not be the best pet camera out there, but it has numerous redeeming qualities.
Key Features:
- Two-way audio communication;
- Night vision sensors;
- Panning/tilting;
- A stable Wi-Fi interface.
It’s a simple, no-nonsense camera that has nothing fancy to it and is meant to get its job done. Use the dog camera app to monitor the security of your dog and your home in a relatively decent view. Though there is no panoramic view, you may adjust the viewing angle somewhat remotely thanks to its panning/tilting function. Choose this option if you want something cheap yet with the addition of quality and security to it.
Important Features to Consider
The usability and efficiency of each separate device you purchase depend on a score of different factors. Everyone should always search for a way to solve a particularly complex problem. There are several important aspects we must take into consideration when choosing pet monitor cameras:
Viewing angle:
It is the vital characteristic of your dog camera because it determines the region it will be able to encompass with its view. Checking out the viewing depth and scope is key since it will impact the mounting spot and the number of dog cams you will need to cover the desired viewing space.
Where it can be mounted:
Some devices can be attached to vertical surfaces while others only stand on flat horizontal surfaces. Some have suction cups, while others have magnetic bases. It determines limitations to how or where you may set up video surveillance points.
Pay close attention to how the camera is meant to be mounted actually. All is clear with a portable camera, but stationary ones are a whole other story. The type of fixing will inform whether you’ll have to screw, clip, or ‘suck’ it down. The type of material that is compatible with the cam’s mounting is valuable, too.
Figuring out where you want to and where the cam can be mounted will also define whether you’ll be able to do it alone. Have you got the necessary equipment and skills? Maybe you’ll need to call a technician to help you out. Don’t be hasty; read the camera’s description.
Number of cameras in the package:
In typical households, a sole dog camera is more than enough. Nonetheless, there are homes with multiple rooms meaning that a single dog monitor is not enough. The amount of dog cameras obviously affects final costs.
Be considerate when combining the viewing angle with the viewing area, your household space and the level of necessity of checking on your doggie. Depending on your dog’s behavior, your desire to monitor it and the actual need to do so, combined with the number of rooms it goes through while you’re away, you may need more than one camera.
If you have a naughty dog, if it’s restless or perhaps has frail health, or you just want to see it and boost your mood while you’re at work but your best friend runs around the house, you will need more than one cam. Check the package offers and discounts for having more, and remember the viewing angle/mounting zone.
Video recording:
Depending on what you’re aiming for, just watching your pet through a real-time dog cam may not be enough. If it has frail health and gone for too long or if someone had trespassed on your territory and your dog had a conflict with it, and such, videorecording is a necessary function.
Treat dispenser:
Some higher-end dog cameras have an inbuilt treat dispenser, which acts as a booster to your distance communication with your doggie. It may see and/or hear you, you can communicate with it and give them a treat to praise good behavior. However, it will not substitute for the emotional bond you have if you’re away for a long time, remember that.
Speakers or no speakers:
An efficient dog cam usually gives us a communication channel with pets at home. Make it feel loved even when it is left alone at home. The anxiety dogs experience when their owner is away is quite severe and may cause emotional distress in specific scenarios. Interestingly, some dogs easily withstand the loneliness, but not all.
You will have an app, a computer program, or an ability to use the brand’s website to access your camera. Some cameras offer a two-way link where your dog will be able to hear or even see you through the pet camera. It’s not hard to get a hold of the system, and such a feature has its benefits.
The app/program/website will commonly have a specific button that you press, which starts the feedback transmission from you to your dog. You’ll be able to draw the dog’s attention if it’s been too long absent from the view and, also, keep it company, so it isn’t that anxious or sad while you’re away.
The price:
Spending as little as possible while getting as much as possible should be a mantra in any aspect of life. When it comes to a dog cam, choosing a simple dog cam that costs 30-40 dollars is an idea deserving praise. Spending more on multiple cameras and add-ons such as treat dispenser attached to a dog cam must be justified since it creates an additional burden on the budget. Remember – dog tracker and dog camera is not the same, better to have gps dog tracker for travel and walking, and monitor dog camera for your home.
Night vision:
Depending on the period and whereabouts of your absence, including time difference, you may want to peek on your dog while it’s night by your home. In addition to video recording, you may also want to use it as a webcam to check on your home at night and see if everything was okay with its safety and your doggie. Unfortunately, tracking your dog’s movements at night is hard for other reasons – you sleep. Don’t want to worry that your dog will run away and freak out – check our wireless dog fence review.
Indoor or outdoor:
Cameras are created and built differently. The dog camera’s characteristics and its construction (environment tolerance and shock-proof) will differ, depending on its indoor/outdoor characteristic. Be sure to check where the camera is/ is not to be used in order to get the desired results and not waste your money.
Our dog is a member of our family and we, naturally, miss him a lot when we are away. So, webcam for a dog is a helpful thing in our case.
My dog is on a special diet, so, I always have to regulate his regime. Petcube with Treat Dispenser is my choice.
We bought that camera for our daughter who went for summer to her granny in Italy. She really missed her doggy, and I simply couldn’t say ‘no,’ although I also thought that it was a wasted expenditure. However, it is so nice that this simple thing can make your child smile.
This dog monitoring system helps me check whether everything is ok with my dog who’s ill at the moment. So, I guess, it is a worthy thing if you care about your pet.
I often go on business and miss my dog. Out of dozens of devices, I chose Nest Cam Security due to its affordability and Mac compatibility.
Oh, thank you for the detailed and comprehensive review. When I google Amazon dog camera, there are so many items that I simply don’t know what to pick. Now, it would be easier to decide!
I’m a video blogger and often post some videos about my dog who is a total mess!
All the husky owners would understand me))))
I use Petcube because of its functionality
Can I watch my dog via the smartphone?
Believe it or not, I had to buy a Wansview camera to find out who makes all the mess at home: my twin kids or our hyperactive dog.
My apartment is not that big, and Nest Cam Security is the best camera to watch my dog. It covers, literally, entire studio.
Do these feeders come together with special food? Or I can use my pet’s food?
Dear User,
As long as the snack is of the proper size, you can use it for sure. The majority of such products work well with any snack types, however, there may be some requirements characteristic of the particular camera with a feeder. So, make sure to find this out when buying a specific item.