The Best Pet Cameras for 2023

Do you miss your pet when you're at work? Can't leave the house without wondering what your fur babies are up to and whether they're safe? You might want to consider a pet camera.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options on the market that let you monitor the inside of your home—and any pets within view—from your phone. But the best ones in this segment allow you to do more, including throw a treat to your cat or dog and get alerts when they make lots of noise.

Below are the best pet cameras we've tested, as well as some traditional security cameras that also work as pet monitors. Make sure to read to the end for additional advice to keep in mind during your search for the perfect pet companion device.

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The original Furbo earned high marks for its treat-tossing technology and sharp 1080p video with night vision. The company's latest model, the Furbo 360, builds on its predecessor with 360-degree panning abilities and color night vision. We're glad that Furbo doesn't require a subscription for barking alerts, one of the product's most useful features. Our two main complaints are that you need to pay extra to access event recordings and that the lens doesn't tilt up and down like it can on some indoor security cameras. Those minor quibbles aside, the Furbo 360 is still the best device we've tested for remotely tossing treats.

If you want to monitor or reward your dog while you aren't home, the Furbo 360 is worth checking out. With its panning ability, this model is a nice upgrade over the original, particularly if you have a large space to monitor or an active pet who doesn't stay in the frame. We haven't specifically tested its movement-tracking technology with cats, but it should work for them as well.

It can't pan from side to side, but the Petcube Bites 2 Lite offers a similar treat-tossing feature as the Furbo 360 for less money. In testing, it delivered quality 1080p video throughout the day and night and reliably dispensed treats upon command. We also like that it can notify you of motion and sound events, and then automatically start recording (if you pay for a premium subscription). The main drawback is that it sometimes takes much longer than competing Furbo models to connect with its companion app and show a live view of your home.

You should consider the Bites 2 Lite if the Furbo 360 isn't within your budget. One nice bonus is that you can mount it on the wall, which is helpful if your playful pup tends to knock things over.

The Petcube Bites 2 offers a few additional perks compared with the more affordable Lite edition, including stronger build quality and a 5GHz Wi-Fi radio. It also includes four microphones (vs. one in the Lite) so you can better hear your dog when you use the two-way audio feature. Both models work with Alexa voice commands, but the Bites 2 has Alexa built in, which means you can use it to ask for general information, set timers, and control compatible smart home devices.

If your pet likes to play rough, this camera's durable design alone might justify its extra cost over the Lite version. 5GHz Wi-Fi support for faster, smoother streams and built-in Alexa integration simply add value.

It lacks some perks of pet-specific models, but the affordable Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24 supports features such as remote pan and tilt movements, 2K video capture, automatic motion tracking, and intelligent motion and sound detection. You can configure it to recognize human and animal movements, too. And there's also a unique Pet Command feature that can automatically play prerecorded messages. For instance, you can easily program it to say "Get off the couch!" in your voice whenever the camera spots your dog up on the sofa.

If you can do without remote treat-tossing abilities, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24 is worth a look for its affordability, high-resolution recordings, and dependable animal alerts. It has a narrower field of view than the pet-specific models on this list, but it can tilt up and down as well as pan from side to side.

For around $20, the Wyze Cam OG is the most affordable entry on this list. It offers 1080p video with support for color night vision and two-way audio, so you can see, hear, and talk to your pet from afar. If you subscribe to a Cam Plus subscription, you can even get alerts whenever your cat or dog starts to move around.

If you simply want to spy on your pooch when you're out, a budget-friendly security camera like the Wyze Cam OG works just fine. You don't get 2K video like you do with the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24, but its 1080p recordings still look clean.

Arlo's Essential Indoor Security Camera is another attractive option that lets you see and hear your pets from afar. It captures 1080p video with a 130-degree field of view and offers 12x digital zoom. Motion detection features work well, and it does a great job of differentiating pets from people. There's also a convenient privacy shield you can activate from the app that prevents video capture.

Other models on this list might offer a bit more bang for your buck, but the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera is an excellent option for pet parents who need HomeKit support and already use other security products from the company. You just need to be willing to pay for a monthly subscription to get access to video recordings and intelligent alerts, among other features.

If you want a camera primarily to keep tabs on your pet, a general-purpose indoor home security camera might serve you just fine—and save you some money. We've included some on this list, all of which offer intelligent alerts that differentiate between animals and people.

All of the cameras we've selected also offer night vision, so you can see your pet in the dark, and two-way audio, so you can listen for and respond to barks, howls, and meows.

Pet-specific cameras take things a step further. They let you not just see, hear, and talk to your animals, but remotely play with them and toss treats. And beyond just alerting you when your cat or dog is moving around, pet-specific cameras can tell you when they're making noise. The Furbo 360 even alerts you when your dog is looking directly at the camera (which it calls a selfie), has been barking for over one minute, or is crying or howling. It also notifies you when it detects a person, or if your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off. That makes it useful as both a home security camera and a dog nanny.

One of the hallmark features of Furbo and Petcube Bites models is their ability to toss treats on command. When setting up the Furbo, for instance, its companion app walks you through the process of properly introducing the device to your dog to foster a positive association. Treats don't typically motivate my dog, but he still got the hang of it right away and eats all the treats I toss out using the camera.

To get your pet's attention, the Furbo makes a barking sound when it's about to dispense a treat. Furbo recommends using this feature as a distraction when your dog is anxious, pacing, licking, or barking. You can also use it as a reward when it stops any of those behaviors.

As pet parents, we often worry about potential health issues, but not every one requires a trip to the vet. Petcube models, including the affordable Petcube Cam(Opens in a new window), offer a televet feature that can help you determine if an in-person visit is necessary. If you capture any concerning activity on camera, you can chat live with a licensed veterinarian via its companion app, as well as share photos and videos of your pet. You get one free consultation with the camera, after which you need to pay for a $4.99-per-month subscription.

As you can see from our picks, the top-rated pet security cameras can cost around $200. If you have a large home, you must factor in the cost of buying several of them.

Keep in mind that some devices in this category require an additional fee to store video recordings in the cloud. We break down any extra fees in our reviews, so it's worth reading each of those closely.

The good news is that prices are coming down. If you're not looking to spend a lot, you can get a quality general-purpose home security camera like the Wyze Cam OG for around $20, or a pet-specific one like the Petcube Cam for around $50.

Once you find the right camera, consider investing in a pet tracker or GPS collar for additional peace of mind. We've rounded up our favorite wearable trackers and collars that can monitor your pet's location and activity to help make sure it's safe and healthy.

And to help you stay on top of shedding, be sure to check out our list of the best robot vacuums for pet hair.

Finally, if you're the proud owner of a mutt, but are curious to know just what its background is, check out the best dog DNA kits we've tested.