The best pet cameras for keeping tabs on your cat or dog

Read our review of the Petcube Bites 2 Lite.

Complete with a high-definition camera and remotely operated treat dispenser, the Petcube Bites 2(opens in a new tab) is worth the splurge. One standout feature of this camera is that it has Amazon Alexa built-in, so you can treat your pet hands-free. Up to six cameras can be connected to one account, which means you can watch your pet all over the house if you want full coverage. You can also view both live and recorded video with the Bites 2, which features a high-definition night vision mode for keeping tabs on your pet at any time of the day.

The Petcube Play 2(opens in a new tab) has all the bells and whistles of the Alexa-compatible Petcube Bites camera, plus a built-in interactive laser toy in a compact design. With the swipe of a finger, you can tire out your cat by moving the laser across your home on your phone’s screen. 

Because the Petcube Play 2 has a built-in Alexa, you can count on it to control your smart home devices, check the weather, or play your pets some killer playlists to stay entertained throughout the day while you're gone. Note that you should never use a laser toy with dogs(opens in a new tab), so this pick is best for cat owners.

Read our full review of the Furbo Dog Camera.

One of the few pet cameras available on the market designed especially with dogs in mind (but can still be used for cats, of course), the Furbo(opens in a new tab) comes with a variety of interactive features that make it a top choice among owners of pets that have separation anxiety. Accurate treat tossing and two-way audio make it seem as if you're in the room with your pet, so they don't have to go the whole day thinking that you've left them behind. 

Other helpful features that the Furbo offers include barking and movement notifications to your phone, as well as event-triggered cloud recording. This is ideal for those with anxious pets, as the owner can see in real-time if there is something bothering their pet, and check in via live video feed to find out exactly what’s up. Alert sensitivity can be adjusted so you aren’t being notified of every little whimper and instead tune into louder barks that might disturb your neighbors. An integrated noise filter system helps prevent false alarms, too.

If being able to monitor your pet from literally every single angle is your top priority, this budget-friendly Eufy camera(opens in a new tab) can turn 360 degrees horizontally, and also tilt 96 degrees vertically. While the camera can be controlled manually, its motion detection feature can do a lot of the work for you — once something (your pet, most likely) catches its eye, it'll automatically start tracking it, keeping it in clear view.

You'll also get other usual perks like high-quality resolution video, two-way audio, mobile alerts, Alexa integration, and more. At this price, you can't really ask for more.

The PetChatz HDX(opens in a new tab) camera's biggest pull is its two-way video feature, which allows pets to actually see their owners during a call. This can provide an extra level of reassurance to your pet, beyond just your voice. And for when you don't want to get them riled up, there's an option to check in on silent mode, so your pet isn’t notified that you’re watching. The camera easily mounts to the wall to stay secure from mischievous pets, too.

The screen can play recorded materials for when you can't call in, which is a fun feature for pets who enjoy watching television with their owners. You'll also find an integrated treat dispenser, which you can control manually or set to be activated through the brain games feature. There’s even a calming aromatherapy option. (Yes, really.)