Many people have close bonds with their dogs, so it’s no surprise that separation anxiety is pretty common— for humans and their pups! Some pet parents experience worry or anxiety when leaving their dogs home alone. Fortunately, dog cameras can help fill that gap when you need to be away from your pups.

If you don’t like to be away from your pet, you can assuage some of your worries with the help of a dog camera. This increasingly popular technology allows you to keep an eye on your pet when you’re away from home, and it may even be beneficial for your pup, too. Here’s what you need to know about dog cameras and how to incorporate one into your home. 

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Our Top Picks

6 Best Dog Cameras of 2024

Best Overall Dog Camera

Our Pick: Furbo 360° Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle

Furbo 360° Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle
Buy at Amazon

If you’re looking for a dog camera that does it all, the Furbo 360°and Nanny Bundle is an excellent option. It has many features, including automatic motion tracking, adjustable barking notifications, treat tossing, two-way audio, selfie alerts, and 360-degree rotation. The camera offers clear high-definition video that you can view from the Furbo app, and it also has 4x digital zoom and color night vision. 

Most of this camera’s features are free, but if you want to save video clips and receive more real-time alerts, you can pay for the brand’s Dog Nanny monthly subscription. Best of all, the unit comes with a treat dispenser to reward your dog anytime. This comes in handy as a training tool and keeps your dog entertained. 

Highlights:

  • High-definition 1080p video with 4x digital zoom
  • Rotates 360 degrees
  • Automatic motion tracking
  • Treat tossing
  • Adjustable barking alerts
  • View detailed images and color even in lower lighting
  • Two-way audio
  • Works with Amazon Alexa

Things to Consider:

  • Certain features require a paid subscription with a three-month minimum 
  • It only works with small, round treats

Best Budget Dog Camera

Our Pick: Kasa Indoor Smart Security Camera

Kasa Indoor Smart Security Camera
Buy at Amazon

Dog cameras can get fairly expensive, and if you’re shopping on a budget, the Kasa Indoor Smart Security Camera has a wide range of useful features, all for a reasonable price. While it’s not specifically designed for monitoring pets, this camera still offers 360-degree rotation and pan and tilt movements. You can set up real-time motion and sound notifications, and it also has two-way audio. 

There are two versions of this camera available—one that records in 1080p and another with a higher 2K resolution. The brand offers a cloud subscription service for saving video footage, but you can also record clips onto a microSD card (not included). 

Highlights:

  • Budget-friendly 
  • High-definition 1080p or 2K video
  • Rotates 360 degrees
  • The camera can pan and tilt
  • Real-time sound and motion alerts
  • Two-way audio
  • Optional local storage 

Things to Consider:

  • Not specifically designed as a pet camera
  • Not the best night vision

Best Dog Camera with Treat Dispenser

Our Pick: Petcube Bites 2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera

Petcube Bites 2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera
Buy at Amazon

The Petcube Bites 2 allows you to toss treats to your pet to reward good behavior, even when you’re away from home. Its high-capacity container can hold up to 1.5 pounds of treats and flings the snacks varying distances to keep things interesting for your dog. The camera offers high-definition 1080p video and a 180-degree wide-angle lens to see more of the room. 

Other useful features include two-way audio and sound/motion notifications. The gadget has built-in Amazon Alexa, meaning you can give it voice commands directly. Remember that this camera is quite large and bulky, and certain features, such as the ability to save video clips, require a monthly subscription. 

Highlights:

  • Large-capacity treat dispenser
  • High-definition 1080p video
  • Wide-angle lens
  • Two-way audio
  • Sound and motion alerts
  • Amazon Alexa built-in

Things to Consider:

  • Bulky design
  • Certain features require a paid subscription

Best Dog Camera with Motion Tracking

Our Pick: eufy Pet Camera

eufy Pet Camera
Buy at Amazon

If your dog tends to run back and forth out of the video frame, the eufy Pet Camera makes it easier to keep an eye on them thanks to its automatic motion tracking. The camera has a 1080p wide-angle lens with 2.5x zoom, and it rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to see the whole room. You’ll also get access to two-way audio, bark, and activity alerts, and the unit even has a small built-in treat dispenser that tosses snacks at three different distances.

 Plus, one of the best aspects of this camera is that there’s no monthly subscription—you automatically get 16GB of local storage, allowing you to save videos to view later. 

Highlights:

  • 1080p wide-angle lens with 2.5x zoom
  • Rotates 360 degrees
  • Automatic motion tracking
  • Two-way audio
  • Treat dispenser
  • Bark and activity notifications
  • No monthly subscription

Things to Consider:

  • The camera only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connections
  • No cloud storage option

Best Mounted Dog Camera

Our Pick: Petcube Cam Wi-Fi Pet and Security Camera

Petcube Cam Wi-Fi Pet and Security Camera
Buy at Amazon

The Petcube Cam is a compact, budget-friendly pet camera with a built-in mount. You can attach it to the wall or ceiling for a better view of your home—or to keep it away from pets who like to chew! This camera streams video in high-definition 1080p, offering an impressive 8x zoom, allowing you to see exactly what your dog is doing. The Petcube app will send you real-time notifications if it senses movement or noise, and you can communicate with your pet via two-way audio. 

This camera has an optional subscription called Petcube Care, which allows you to save video clips for up to 90 days and receive more smart alerts on your phone. 

Highlights:

  • Budget-friendly 
  • High-definition 1080p video with 8x zoom
  • Mounts to wall or ceiling
  • Real-time sound and motion alerts
  • Two-way audio

Things to Consider:

  • Certain features require a paid subscription

Best Dog Camera with Feeder

Our Pick: PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder with Camera 

PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder with Camera 
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Chewy

You can ensure your dog is eating its meals with the PETKIT Automatic Pet Feeder with Camera. This cool gadget is an automatic pet feeder and camera in one, allowing you to create an automatic feeding schedule for when you’re away from home. The anti-blockage design ensures your dog gets smooth delivery of meals every time. 

The feeder also has a built-in 1080p HD camera, letting you monitor your pet throughout the day. The 140-degree viewing angle and night vision ensure you won’t miss a thing. 

Highlights:

  • High-definition 1080p video
  • 24/7 privacy protection 
  • Triple fresh lock systems to prevent moisture
  • AI-powered camera with free live streaming 
  • Features the ability to set up a personalized feeding plan
  • Two-way audio
  • Ability to record a personalized message for your pet

Things to Consider:

  • Some pet parents state the connectivity isn’t always stable
  • A subscription is required to view previous videos

What Are Dog Cameras?

Dog cameras are innovative security cameras specifically designed to monitor pets. Once the camera is hooked up to your home’s internet, you can view its live video feed from your smartphone, allowing you to check in on your pet while away from home. However, unlike regular smart security cameras, most dog cameras have additional pet-focused features like treat tossing, bark detection, and two-way audio.

“Having a pet camera in your home can be a great way to keep tabs on what your dog is doing when you are not home,” explains Renee Rhoades, Head Dog Behavior Consultant at R+Dogs. “In relation to separation anxiety, some dogs may not show outward signs of distress like barking or destructive behavior, so having a camera in the house would help you to determine if your dog is experiencing quiet distress or resting soundly.”

How We Made Our Selections

We relied on personal experience, expert recommendations, and user reviews to find the best dog cameras for every home. I’ve personally tested a few of the dog cameras on this list—including the Furbo 360 and Petcube Bites—and we also included products recommended by the dog training experts we spoke with. Additionally, we combed through dozens of user reviews for each product to see what real pet parents say about using them. 

Dog Camera Buyer’s Guide

Features

The difference between regular security cameras and dog cameras generally comes down to their features. With dog cameras, you’re more likely to see features such as treat dispensing, bark notifications, and automatic motion tracking, all of which come in handy when monitoring your pet.

“I personally recommend cameras that have night vision, the ability to track movement, and send alerts,” says Rhoades. These features will make it easy to keep track of your dog, no matter the time of day and where they are in the room. 

Mounting

As you shop, consider where you’ll place the camera in your home. Some cameras are designed to be placed on a flat surface, like a counter, while others are attached to the wall or ceiling. 

“It is best to set up the camera somewhere where the dog cannot access it but still gives the guardian a good view,” recommends Rhoades. “This means that the camera is out of the reach of the dog, making it less likely for them to destroy it. Some cameras have a great wall mounting feature that can keep them up off of furniture and out of the way.”

Budget

It’s also important to consider your budget when shopping for a dog camera. If you don’t mind a camera that’s light on features, there are a variety of inexpensive smart security cameras that allow you to keep tabs on your dog. However, they often lack functions like treat tossing. Consider a dog-specific model with all the bells and whistles if you are okay with spending more. 

Don’t forget about subscription costs, either. Some dog cameras charge a monthly fee for access to features like cloud storage and smart alerts, and if these features are important to you, you’ll want to factor this into your overall budget.

Dog Camera Tips and Tricks

If you’re heading back to work in-office or just want to keep tabs on a new pet, dog cameras can give you peace of mind, allowing you to check in throughout the day. “Having a camera on your pet can also help ease some of the guilt and stress that may come with leaving your dog at home, especially if when you check in on them they are resting happily,” says Rhoades. 

However, keep in mind that dog cameras aren’t a replacement for regular care—if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time, it’s important to arrange a dog walker or other caretaker for your pet. 

Further, you may want to be careful talking to your pet through a camera, especially if they’re prone to anxiety. “I urge clients to not communicate with their dog through a speaker function, as this could be alarming to the dog sending them into distress looking for their guardian,” recommends Rhoades. “It may also draw attention to the camera, and if this is left in a place where the dog can access it, they may destroy the item.”