According to the Pet Food Manufacturer's Association, it's estimated that a whopping 12 million homes have pets in the UK. If that figure wasn't mind-blowing enough, the fact that it equates to roughly 51 million pets living with us will shock you. OK, so that does range from fish to dogs, insects and even toads. If you fall into the 12 million households and want to keep an eye on your pets as we make the return to the office and school, then we've found the perfect solution for you - a pet camera.
Best pet cameras at a glance
This bit of kit is relatively new to the pet market, but home security cameras have been around since as early as 1942. But what are pet cameras? And, what should you look for in one?
We've rounded up the best pet cameras to help you check in on your dog, cat or any other pet through a two-way audio system, live-streaming video as well as other incredible functions. It means you get peace of mind when you have to leave the house, especially after spending pretty much 24/7 with your pet for the past couple of years due to the pandemic.
Before we start running down what pet home cameras you should buy, we had to share why pet cameras are so important to us. Yes, keeping your pet calm and safe will always be the number one priority especially if they're experiencing separation anxiety, but there's a much more wholesome reason that pet cameras have captured our attention and hearts.
Have you ever wondered what your pet is up to when you're not in the room? Thanks to these incredible devices, you'll find out.
Related: The best hamster cages
The best pet cameras and monitors
Best pet camera with treat dispenser
AmazonWith an average three-minute set-up time, you can watch your pooch basically as soon as you unbox this camera. From dispersing treats to infrared night-vision and even a bark alert option, the reasons to buy this for your furry friend are endless.
Besides the fact that this is exclusively for dogs, this pet camera is pretty pricey. Yes, it’ll dispense dog treats when you want it to, but for the extra money, you can only wonder if you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Pros
- Straightforward setup
- Durable design
Cons
- Some features require subscription
| Size: | 15 x 12 x 22.5cm |
| Resolution: | 1080p and 720p for video capture |
| Viewing area: | 160 degree wide-angle |
| Features: | Doggie diary, dog selfie alert, home emergency alert, barking alert, two-way audio |
Best pet camera for size
ArgosThis isn't just any indoor camera; the EZVIZ is the only camera technology you need in your home. It boasts a two-way talk function that is great for calming your pet down while you're cooking in another room or even when you've popped into the gym.
Want to capture some funny videos from your little furball? It’ll set you back £50 a year for video recording. You’ll also find that if something is partially blocking the camera, then it won’t work.
Pros
- Cheap but efficient
- Small to stash anywhere
Cons
- Requires subscription to access recordings
| Size: | 103 x 64 x 64cm |
| Resolution: | 720p |
| Viewing area: | 110 degree angle |
| Features: | Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatible, 12m night vision viewing range, Manufacturer's one year guarantee |
Best budget pet camera
AmazonBudget-friendly? Tick. Easy to set up? Tick. Simple app? Tick. Our favourite thing about this camera is that you can edit the sensitivity level of motion, which is ideal if you don't want your phone constantly receiving notifications.
Unfortunately, the focus on this camera isn't great, so if you need to zoom in to check on your pet it's going to be fuzzy. Don't forget to change the standard password that is automatically set.
Pros
- Budget but brilliant
- Several use options
Cons
- Poor focus is a shame
| Size: | 13.4 x 11.2 x 9cm |
| Resolution: | 1080p |
| Viewing area: | 105 degree wide-angle |
| Features: | Built-in microphone and speaker, real-time motion detection, smart pan, tilt, zoom |
Best pet camera for monitoring remotely
nooieThe biggest pro has to be the picture quality, which is excellent considering the price. Work nights? The night vision feature ensures that you can still keep an eye on your cat and/or dog.
This camera's somewhat tricky to set up but mostly straightforward to connect to your phone. Top tip: if you have a dual-band router, try splitting the router to get it to work. Plus, a Micro SD card isn't included, so you'll have to fork out more for that, but there are also Cloud storage options available.
Pros
- Fantastic picture quality
- Night vision mode included
Cons
- Setup isn't smooth
| Size: | 7.8 x 7.8 x 12cm |
| Resolution: | 1080P |
| Viewing area: | 360 degree angle |
| Features: | Infrared night vision, sound and motion detection, two-way audio |
AmazonAre you looking for a little camera that isn’t intrusive in your home? This security camera is good value because of its clear picture, which will give you peace of mind while you’re out of the house.
If you want to tell your mischievous pet to get down from the sofa while you’ve popped into work, you might find that the sound quality when talking through the app isn’t the clearest, so your precious pet might not understand your command.
Pros
- Great smart home integration
- No monthly fee
Cons
- Questionable durability
| Size: | 8.5 x 8.7 x 11.8cm |
| Resolution: | 1080p |
| Viewing area: | 360 degree |
| Features: | Google and Alexa integration, Wi-fi enabled, motion sensor, two-way vision, night vision |
The verdict: best pet camera
The best pet camera verdict was a close call, but there could only be one winner: Nooie Baby Monitor and Pet Camera takes our top spot because it's easy to set up, has a 360 degrees viewing capabilities, and great value for money.
Tips for your pet as you return to work
We spoke to Dr Rory Cowlam, also known as ‘Rory the Vet’, who shared his advice on dealing with your pet as you head back to the office.
Returning to work
"1 in 4 people got a new pet last year and they have hardly been left alone through lockdown. As more and more people return to work, it’s no surprise that the levels of separation anxiety in our pets is sky-high.
"I am often finding that people haven’t trained their dogs to be on their own, shut alone in one room, or even crate trained. I have had people visit the clinic and say that they can’t leave their pets for fifteen minutes, let alone a few hours.
"Dogs can whine, become destructive and get themselves into mischief if they aren’t used to being left alone. I would suggest slowly introducing time apart for short lengths of time, stopping pets from sleeping in the same room as you, or considering crate training. I recently crate trained my dog Nala, and she settles in there well for a few hours. However, the RSPCA recommends leaving a dog for no more than four hours at a time."
Pet Anxiety
"As a vet in a clinic, I am seeing a huge increase in the number of pets coming in with stress-related diseases and behavioural issues directly linkable to their owners’ stress and anxiety, not to mention the skyrocketing levels of separation anxiety in pets as life returns to normal.
"Animals can display alarming new behaviours when they are anxious or stressed – cats can get cystitis, colitis and have even been known to groom themselves until they are balding (literally pulling their hair out) in times of stress."
There are several things we can do as pet owners to alleviate this:
Exercise - Regular, daily exercise is essential for dogs. 35% of dogs are walked for less than 30 minutes, which can cause an increase in anxiety.
Diffusers – Calming diffusers can reduce stress and anxiety levels in dogs and cats, especially when left alone at home.
Prepare for separation anxiety – Easing pets into the transition of returning to work and normal life is so important after the last year. Start by stopping pets from sleeping in the same room as you or considering crate training.
He describes the demanding experience of veterinary school, and offers a very human take on what it's like to treat animals, and the little talked about mental health implications that this pressured life or death industry holds. This is a frank and heart-warming account of chasing a childhood dream and learning to love the reality. The paperback version of The Secret Life Of A Vet by Dr Rory Cowlam is available now.
Are pet cameras safe?
Yes, it's all well and good saying that pet cameras are worth it, but are pet cameras actually safe to use in your home?
According to Lifewire, "Pet cams are vulnerable to hackers because they're often unsecured, without built-in security features or password protection, so anyone with an internet connection can access the devices and peer into your home."
The technology content experts go on to add, "Security features in pet cams vary widely between models. Make sure the pet camera manufacturer provides regular firmware (the software built into the camera’s hardware that runs everything) updates, and that it's easy to change the default password and login info."
Read more of our popular pet articles:
The best calming products for dogs and cats for your return to office life
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Lily Anderson is a Commercial Content Writer, testing products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby.
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