What To Look For In a Pet Camera
A pet camera will make it possible to monitor your pets throughout the day and night, whether you’re checking in on them in real time or reviewing recorded footage. This can give you peace of mind both while you’re at home and away from home, as you’ll be able to see what your pets are doing and if they need anything.
These days, there are a range of pet cameras on the market. The key is choosing the one that will meet your expectations and fit your budget. So, what should you look for in a high-quality pet camera? Here’s a list of features you can focus on as you shop.
Sound, Video, and Recording Quality
You definitely want your pet cam to have the highest audio and image quality so you can see and hear everything clearly. High resolution like 1080p or better will ensure you’ll capture clear videos of your pets in action. And good audio will make it easy to hear what’s going on, such as if your pets are vocalizing.
Many pet cameras have night mode, providing you with images in low-light and no-light conditions. But these aren’t all created equal, so take a look at the quality of night vision, too.
Also, check the motion detection and recording quality. If a pet cam detects motion and sends you an alert, you’ll be able to check on your pet to see what they’re up to. But if it doesn’t detect all motion or takes too long to start recording, you’ll miss out on the footage you need. It might be helpful to read customer reviews to determine if a pet camera is able to detect motion and start recording without delay.
How Much of Your Room Is Visible, and Can You Change the View?
Wide-angle lenses that provide as much coverage of a room as possible are great. Many cameras are equipped with a good field of view for general recording and real-time viewing, but a lot of them also give you even more control by letting you pan the camera left to right and up or down while using the app.
Another attractive feature is the ability to zoom in and out. Plus, some models even automatically pan to track your pet as they move.
A great example is the Petcube Cam 360. Its features include 1080p HD resolution, pan and tilt 360-degree panoramic view, and 8x zoom. It sends you alerts when motion or sound is detected, and has night vision with visibility up to 30 feet.
Does It Save Recordings or Can You Only View in Real Time?
Being able to check on your pet in real time is handy, but you probably won’t be able to respond to every alert, so opt for a pet cam that records footage you can review later.
Just be aware that you may need to pay for a subscription to be able to use this feature, so check those details while you shop so you’ll know what to expect and budget for. Also, there may be a time limit to how long the videos are stored in the cloud for you to access through the app (e.g., days, weeks, or months).
Many pet cameras make it possible to download and share recorded videos so you can show family or friends, or even your veterinarian if they need the footage to help with a diagnosis.
Another important thing to look into: the privacy policy of a pet camera manufacturer, and the security they have in place to keep your footage private and safe. You want all of your data to be protected, such as through encryption, on top of using passwords and multi-factor authentication to help prevent hackers from getting into your account.
Is the Camera Easy to Set Up, and Is the App Easy to Use?
A pet camera shouldn’t be difficult to set up, whether you want to mount it on a wall or put it on a shelf to monitor the room. Whether wired or wireless, the camera should be durable and stable, and connecting to Wi-Fi should be quick and easy.
Also, the app that comes with your pet camera should be simple to set up and use. You’ll be utilizing the app to receive notifications and alerts, and to view recordings and live footage, so you’ll want it to be easy to navigate.
Do You Want Any Extras?
A lot of pet cameras come with extras to interact with your pet even when you’re far from home. For example, some dispense treats, point a laser toy, or let you talk to your pet through the microphone.
Some animals might react positively to these features, while others might be scared by them. For example, if your pet suddenly hears your voice coming through the speaker, they might get frightened and stressed. Also, there are pros and cons to using laser pointers, so consider that before using them as toys. And when it comes to treat dispensing, if your pet realizes where the treats are coming from, they might go after the camera for more and knock it over or break it.
If you’re considering a pet cam with extras, it’s a good idea to read customer reviews to gauge how well those features actually work.
Another option to consider is the Petlibro Scout Smart Camera. In addition to 1080p HD quality, full-color night vision, and 360-degree pan-and-tilt view with automatic tracking, it uses AI to recognize up to five cats and dogs. Other features include a birdcall, two-way audio, and summaries of the action in recorded videos.
Shop Smart for a Pet Cam
Pet cameras, like other home security cameras, allow you to keep an eye on your furry friends, so they can be useful when you’re doing everything from traveling to working in your home office. But not all pet cams are created equal, so carefully evaluate your options before deciding on the one that will give you exactly what you need.
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Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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