I never knew I needed a pet camera, but now I don’t think I can ever go into the office (or on vacation) again without one. A security camera can give you extra peace of mind when you’re out, and pet cameras specifically designed for our furry friends combine things like the ability to follow your pet around, engage in play, or dispense kibble for an added bonus. Connected to an app on your phone and with Cloud storage options, these pet cameras—including our top pick, the Tkenpro 2K Pet Camera Treat Dispenser ($70)—ensure you’ll never miss a moment in your pet’s life when you’re away (or home).
For more peace of mind while you’re away from your pet, be sure to check out our related guides, like the Best Automatic Feeders, Best Cat Water Fountains, Best Automatic Litter Boxes, Best Indoor Security Cameras, and Best Outdoor Security Cameras.
Regular Security Camera vs. Pet Camera
So, is there really a difference between security cameras and pet cameras? Sort of.
Security cameras enable you to watch your house (and pet) while you’re away, but pet cameras often have a few more pet-specific features, like dispensing treats or abilities to interact with your pet via two-way speaker. These cameras with special features can help ease common issues like separation anxiety or boredom. The Enabot Rola PetPal Robot Pet Companion, for example, has attachments so you can remotely give your pet a treat or engage in “playtime” (more on that in the review below).
That’s not to say that you can’t use a security camera as a pet cam, but like any other smart home device that connects to Wi-Fi, there’s a chance it can be hacked and compromise your privacy. Make sure your Wi-Fi password is strong, set up two-factor authentication with your camera’s app, and it’s not a bad idea to keep it turned off when you’re home, as an extra precaution.
Keeping the criteria in mind above, I looked for security cameras that had extra pet-specific features. I set up each camera individually, noting any difficulty or issues with initial setup, configuration with Wi-Fi, and speed and reliability of the camera feed. I tested each camera for at least a week (most, much longer) in various spots around my house and rigorously tested the extra features available on most of the cameras, like scheduled feedings, food-dispensing, playtime, and scheduled recordings, and I noted any issues. Over the months of testing, I went out of town several times and completely relied on these cams to keep an eye on my two children—I mean, cats.
What Are We Testing Next?
