Ever glance at your phone mid-workday, convinced your brand new puppy is single-handedly redecorating the living room with a chewed-up couch as the centrepiece? Or maybe your mischievous cat has mastered the art of scaling the curtains, leaving you picturing them dangling precariously like a furry chandelier?
Fear not, fellow pet parents! In this day and age, there’s always a solution to your worries (and a potential goldmine of entertainment): the humble pet camera.
These nifty gadgets let you spy on your furry friends (lovingly, of course) to make sure they’re not wrecking havoc while you’re away.
7 best pet cameras to buy in Australia 2024
From budget-friendly to high-tech options, the below pet cameras are the perfect way to keep a watchful eye on your fur babies.
Furbo 360° dog camera, $319 (usually $359) at Furbo
Best for: dogs
The Furbo dog camera is a great all-around option for pet owners. It has a 1080p HD camera with night vision, so you can see your dog or cat clearly at all times. It also boasts two-way audio, letting you talk to them and hear what they’re up to. Plus, the Furbo dog cam has a built-in treat dispenser to help reward good behaviour even when you’re not home!
“I have two of theses cameras in my house,” wrote a five-star reviewer on Amazon. “I bought one a year ago and it’s great. I can leave the house to go to work while watching my dogs to see what naughty things they are up to. I can talk to them and best feature is I can give them treats. I can span the room 360 and watch every move they make. I loved it so much I decided to buy another.”
Key features:
- 1080p full HD
- 360° full room coverage
- Automatically rotates and tracks your dog
- Built-in treat dispenser
- Real-time barking alert
- Colour night vision
- Two way audio
Also available at:
- $319 (usually $359) at Amazon
Eufy 2K Indoor Pan & Tilt security camera, $125 (usually $139) at The Good Guys
Best for: value for money
The Eufy camera gives ultimate peace of mind for pet parents. With 2K resolution and advanced night vision, you can see your furry pal clearly (even in low light). Its pan and tilt feature allows you to scan the whole room, ensuring your pet isn’t up to any mischief. Plus, the two-way audio lets you comfort or discipline them as needed.
Reviewers praise features like the programmable tracking and pet selection as valuable for monitoring their pet. They’re also impressed with the two-way audio functionality, the ease of setup, multi-user sharing and overall value for money.
Key features:
- Crisp 2K resolution video
- Pan and tilt functionality for complete room coverage
- Advanced night vision for clear visuals even in low light
- Two-way audio for communication with your pet
- Local storage option (microSD card) or cloud storage options (subscriptions sold separately)
Also available at:
- $124 (usually $139) at Bing Lee
- $125.10 (usually $139.95) at Eufy
- $131.98 at Catch
- $139 at Appliances Online
Petcube Bites 2 smart HD camera with treat dispenser, $242.99 (usually $249.99) at Pet Circle
Best for: playful interaction
The Petcube Bites 2 Lite lets you monitor your pet anytime, anywhere with its 1080p HD live stream, wide-angle view and night vision. Talk and listen with two-way audio, and even reward them remotely with the built-in treat dispenser. You can also schedule automatic treat dispensing and receive alerts when your pet makes a sound or moves.
Key features:
- Fully app controlled
- Two-way audio
- Treat dispenser: toss the treat short, medium or long distance
- Schedule automatic treat dispensing
- 1080p HD live streaming
- 160 degree angle
- Night vision
Also available at:
TP-Link Tapo pan/tilt smart home security Wi-Fi camera, $39 (usually $59) at Amazon
Best for: those on a budget
The TP-Link Tapo C200 Wi-Fi camera keeps an eye on everything, from your home to your furry friends. Enjoy crystal-clear 1080p resolution, day or night, with the advanced night vision capabilities and crisp visuals. The camera pans and tilts for a complete view, and alerts you if it detects any motion.
It has almost 80,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one reviewer writing: “I purchased one to try, somewhat sceptical due to the price point but impressed with the great reviews and was actually blown away by the picture quality and feature rich application software for phones and tablets. These little cameras are brilliant with full pan/tilt, motion detection, AI SD and Cloud recording, preset camera locations, great night vision performance, movement notifications, etc.”
Key features:
- 1080p HD resolution
- Pan & tilt functionality
- Advanced night vision
- Motion detection and notifications
- Two-way audio
- Local storage (microSD card)
- Voice control assistant compatible (varies)
Also available at:
Arlo Essential indoor 2k wired security camera, $129 at Arlo
Best for: security features
Arlo’s Essential indoor camera keeps a watchful eye on your home with crisp 2K resolution video. This wired camera is simple to setup and connects directly to Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a hub. For added peace of mind, receive alerts when motion (whether it’s a person or a pet) is detected.
Key features:
- 2K video resolution
- 130° field of view
- Two-way audio
- Night vision
- Automated privacy shield
Also available at:
- $129 at Amazon
- $129 at The Good Guys
Best for: quality night vision
This handy gadget has a crystal-clear 3MP camera that allows you to see your dog or cat in stunning detail, no matter where you are. Worried they’re getting into trouble? The camera pans and tilts to give you a complete view of the room, and even features smart motion tracking to follow their every move.
“I have bought two,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars. “One for inside and one for outside. I use the app to track my dogs. I can listen and hear if they are barking while I’m out. I also can speak to them through the app. Very clear picture and sound.”
Key features:
- 3MP high-definition camera
- Pan & tilt functionality
- Smart motion tracking
- Advanced night vision
- Two-way audio
Also available at:
- $49.99 for First members at Kogan
EZVIZ indoor security camera, $59.99 at Amazon
Best for: cats
The EZVIZ indoor security camera is your versatile home surveillance solution. With 1080P HD resolution and smart night vision, you’ll catch every detail, no matter how dark it is. Its pan/tilt function offers 360° coverage, and smart motion detection alerts you to any activity. Plus, with two-way audio, you can communicate with your pets or even deter intruders.
Key features:
- 1080P HD resolution for crystal-clear images
- Pan/tilt function with 360° coverage
- Smart motion detection for real-time alerts
- Two-way audio for convenient communication
- Works with Alexa and other smart home systems
- EZVIZ Cloud service for secure data storage
Is it worth getting a pet camera?
Whether or not a pet camera is worth getting depends on your lifestyle and your pet’s needs. Here’s a breakdown of why it might be a good idea:
Peace of mind
Check in on your pet while you’re away and see how they’re doing. This can be especially helpful for anxious pet owners or those with new or young pets who need extra supervision.
Monitor behaviour
See if your pet is exhibiting any unusual behaviours that might indicate anxiety, boredom, or even illness.
Entertainment
Watch your pet play and interact with their environment.
Two-way communication
Some cameras allow you to talk to your pet and hear them back, which can be comforting for them (and for you!).
Remote interaction
Many cameras have features such as treat dispensers or laser pointers that you can control remotely to keep your pet entertained.
Security
You can also use a camera for home security purposes, allowing you to keep an eye on your property while you’re away.
Lead image: Furbo
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- 15 of the best small breeds of dogs
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