KAMTRON Two-Way Audio Motion Detection Security Camera

One of the great things about owning a pet is the reaction you get when you walk in the door. After a long day, it’s good to get slobbery, yappy proof that somebody missed you. (OK, maybe that happens less often with cats — but they’re still nice to snuggle up to.)

The flip side of that is knowing they’re lonely all that time, and maybe wondering what mischief they’re up to. Well, it’s modern technology to the rescue as usual. A good pet camera can not only let you keep tabs on your fur baby, but interact with them, too.

Pretty much any remotely controlled camera can let you supervise your favorite guard dog or cat, and video quality can vary a lot among the cheaper models. 720p is a good baseline resolution, though most cams have some HD video capability. If you want a better view of your pet’s antics (or maybe clearer evidence of little “accidents” they may cause), maybe consider a sharper 1080p picture. Some upscale pet cameras even include the option for two-way video, allowing your dog or cat to see you while you look in on them.

Stationary cameras are at the low end of the price spectrum, but they’re not as common these days. And since even the laziest cats won’t stay put for an entire day, it’s best to invest in a cam with some range of motion. Modern pet or security cameras allow you to pan left or right, giving you a field of vision that can stretch up to 360 degrees. Most will also tilt up or down to a lesser degree.

For especially active animals, our home improvement expert Vicki Liston recommends considering a camera with motion sensors and tracking capabilities: “Instead of checking in and wasting time when nothing is happening, some models will send you an alert if it senses motion or noise, like barking. Once you receive this alert, you’ll be able to check the video and see what the commotion is all about (and whether or not your neighbor was telling the truth about your dog barking all day),” she says.

Want to hear what your pet has to say during the day? Audio feeds are a common capability on pet cams, and some even have a speaker built in so that the two of you can have a conversation. Again, barking is a concern for pet owners in densely populated areas. Pricier cameras might include audio detection tech, ranging from the ability to send alerts in case of loud noises to algorithms that can distinguish the sound of a yapping dog. In either case, they can provide a double dose of security, letting you know when your pup is upset and if there might be an intruder around the house.

Those are the most common features, but there are a ton of others. The latest puppy cams can let you play simple games remotely with your dog, and spit out treats to award good behavior. Cat-centric cams might have a laser pointer that you can control with an app, allowing you to amuse and/or confound your favorite feline. There are even cameras that use spritzes of aromatherapy to soothe excitable dogs. The makers of these pet cameras know there’s little we won’t do for our furry friends, so the sky’s the limit.

• High-ticket pet cameras might have a little extra sticker-shock when you set it up. Pairing up your camera to another device or video storage might require you to purchase the manufacturer’s app or subscribe to a storage service. Liston says to do your homework before you buy, especially if you’re on a budget. “Does the cam you like only allow you to use all its bells and whistles if you also purchase the subscription plan? Does the subscription plan include cloud storage for a certain period of time? Does it limit the video to one user at a time or can multiple members of a household stream the camera feed? Consider the additional cost of subscriptions with the camera’s features to see which model best fits your needs.”
• To get the most out of your pet camera, place it in an area where it will do the most good. For most rooms, that’s going to be relatively high up in a corner (provided they can be mounted that way). This allows even stationary cameras to cover a wide swath. You might need to mount them closer to the ground if they include interactive games or treat dispensers, but Liston urges caution there, too: “For those with problem-solving pets, it’s best to place or wall-mount treat-dispensing pet cameras just out of reach. The camera may be chewed on, knocked over and pummeled over and over in an attempt to get at the entire cache of deliciousness inside,” she says.
• Most pet cameras will trumpet their hi-res video as a big selling point, but more pixels isn’t always a plus. Keep in mind that constantly streaming super-HD video can put a strain on your Wi-Fi. Do you really need to see every whisker on your cat for the entire eight-hour workday? If your wireless capability isn’t the best, you might want to consider a more modest camera resolution.