Furbo 360-Degree Dog Camera
Camera resolution: 1080p | Camera field-of-view: 360 degrees with 4x digital zoom | Two-way audio: Yes | Remote treat dispenser: Yes | Barking alerts: Yes | Subscription: Optional; $6.99/month, $69/year
Best for: Interacting with your canine wherever they are in the room.
Pros:
- Works with most semi-hard or hard treats
- View your dog in any lighting condition
- Speak to your dog remotely
Cons:
- Some features require a subscription
As its name implies, the Furbo 360-Degree Dog Camera has a 360-degree view, so you can see your dog no matter where he is in the room. Together with its 4x digital zoom, you can see your dog just about anywhere in a room with the camera. Unlike other pet cameras, the focus of this one is just on dogs. Remotely share treats, talk to your dog and watch them at the same time thanks to the app. You can even see your pup’s antics in low-light, thanks to the color night vision camera.
The biggest drawback to this Furbo camera lies with its monthly subscription costs. The full spectrum of features—including storing cloud recordings of your dog’s activities, sending real-time alerts and automatically generating a daily doggie diary—requires a monthly $6.99 subscription ($69 per year) to Furbo Dog Nanny. On the plus side, if you sign up for a subscription when you purchase the camera, you can buy the camera for just $120.
What the editors say: Managing editor Emmy Favilla says, “I’ve used the Furbo for several years now; I actually have two—one for the bedroom and one for the living room. It has a few particularly valuable features, including high-quality ‘night sight’ in low or no light, notifications when your dog is barking, the ability to toss treats from your phone (the dogs are always so confused, but happy) and the ability to talk to your pets through the Furbo via app (again, a fun experience that often leads to some confusion). The Furbo also automatically rotates accordingly when your pet moves, allowing you to more easily follow where they are from the app, which is pretty nifty. The app seamlessly allows you to add multiple devices to it, and you can view all of them from its interface.”
Best Pet Camera With App Services
Connect With A Vet—For A Fee
Petcube Bites 2 Lite
Camera resolution: 1080p | Camera field-of-view: 160 degrees with 8x digital zoom | Two-way audio: Yes | Remote treat dispenser: Yes | Barking alerts: Yes | Subscription: Optional; Optimal, $3.99/month; Premium, $9.99/month
Best for: Keeping tabs on your pet from a smartphone without spending a lot up front.
Pros:
- 8x zoom with a 160-degree FOV
- Works with most hard pet treats
Cons:
- Pricey monthly subscription costs
The Petcube Bites 2 Lite is one of the most affordable ways to not only watch your pet but also dispense treats, too. Unlike the Furbo, the Petcube Bites monitors both dogs and cats. Control the Petcube Bites’ 1080p camera remotely via the companion smartphone app. The camera has a 160-degree FOV and an 8x digital zoom. It also has night vision, so you can see your pet even in low light. The treat dispenser works with most hard (and semi-hard) dog and cat treats and the internal storage container holds about 1.5 pounds worth of treats.
While you can do some things without signing up for the Petcube Care subscription service, you get more features if you do so. The subscription provides three days of video history, 30-second video downloads and smart alerts. Plus, if you have more than one Petcube, you can only need one subscription to cover multiple cameras. With the Premium plan, you also have online access to a licensed veterinarian to discuss your pet’s behaviors and address issues like separation anxiety or destructive behavior.
What the editors say: Assistant editor Jordan Thomas uses the Petcube in her home. She says, “I’m against having cameras in my home, so I was resistant to pet cams for a while. But as my cat ages, I’ve started to notice an increase in my anxiety around longer travel periods. The PetCube has helped bridge that gap a bit. I plug the camera in when we head out of town and it gives me instant eyes on my boy. (I also like that you can shoot little treats out, though I recommend using this function while you’re around a few times so they get used to the sound.) The camera has a wide angle that can capture my entire living room (and most of my kitchen) and it works decently at night. I can also zoom in to areas on the screen using my phone—though the picture isn’t especially clear—and there is optional two-way audio.
“PetCube offers ample subscription options for a fee that might be right for some folks, including access to a vet. I appreciate that it’s perfectly functional without any of the add-ons, but that the option is there if I change my mind down the road. Last but not least, I like that I can simply unplug the box when I am home and plug it back in when I need it without going through a lengthy set up process. It’s a great as-you-need-it camera, with a plethora of optional additional features if you want them.”
Best Pet Camera With Treat Dispenser
Watch Your Pet During Chow Time
Skymee Smart Automatic Pet Feeder
Camera resolution: 1080p| Camera field-of-view: 130 degrees with 4x digital zoom | Two-way audio: Yes | Remote food dispenser: Yes
Best for: Automatically feeding your dog or cat their kibble remotely.
Pros:
- Doubles as a pet feeder
- Compatible with most dog and cat kibble
- Built-in 1080p camera with motion detection and night vision
Cons:
- Needs to be set up near a power outlet
- Designed more for feeding than general monitoring
The Skymee Automatic Pet Feeder works with just about any dry kibble for dogs or cats. It has a built-in motion sensor and 1080p night vision camera with 4x zoom—all of which make it easy to monitor and feed your pets remotely. You can capture video clips to share on social media; the two-way audio communication lets you talk to your pet while they dine, too.
The food container holds about 8.5 quarts of food, but you can determine how much kibble to dispense during each feeding. The companion app receives alerts if the food dispenser is running low—helpful if you’re away from home—or if the camera detects motion. While this pet feeder has a camera built-in, it’s intended to monitor your pet while they eat, not while they cavort around their living space.
What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says, “We really enjoy this auto feeder. It allows us to see our cats when we’re away from home. When the motion detection is on, the camera on this auto feeder captures photos whenever my cats walk by. It’s always nice to see the cat photos when we are on vacation. The company has great customer service as well. I reached out to the company regarding a dispensing issue with the auto feeder and they got back to me very quickly to help me.”
- The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things digital, having written hundreds of articles in the category. A couple of staffers, including executive editor Dave Johnson, have even authored a number of books on the subject.
- This story was written by contributor Jason R. Rich. He has written about the intersection of pet care and technology for a number of publications in the past, including Pawtracks. He has also extensively covered smart home topics like outdoor security cameras and more.
- In addition to covering dozens of tech topics, Jason has written several recommendations For Forbes Vetted, from noise-canceling headphones to testing wireless earbuds to record players.
- The tech vertical is overseen by Rebecca Isaacs, consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted.
How We Chose The Best Pet Cameras
- We first looked at popular pet cameras from brands we know and love including Furbo, Petcube and more. We then compared the features of each by comparing them across important factors, from camera quality to treat-dispensing options.
- Our team tested and researched dozens of options. Each of our picks come personally recommended after trying them ourselves, reading plenty of reviews and speaking with tech analysts.
- Because everyone’s pets and needs are different, we chose a variety of pet cameras to make sure you feel comfortable leaving your pet home alone. Whether you’re checking in on your snoozing cat or engaging with your dog there’s something on this list for everyone.
- All of the pet cameras we’ve listed have stellar customer reviews with ratings no less than 4 out of 5 stars.
