Pet cameras explained: what they do and how to choose

A pet camera lets you look in on your cat or dog from your phone while you are at work or away for the evening. Some cameras do nothing more than show a live picture. Others add sound, night vision, recording, a treat dispenser or a whole automatic feeder. This guide explains the main types, the features worth paying attention to and how to set a camera up so it is useful and private.

The main types

• Standalone pet cameras sit on a shelf or mount on a wall and show a live view of a room in an app. Many are general home cameras sold for pets.
• Treat cameras add a small treat dispenser. You press a button in the app and a treat drops out or is thrown into the room.
• Feeder cameras are automatic feeders with a camera built in. They serve full meals on a schedule, and the camera shows the feeding area.

We do not sell standalone or treat-throwing cameras. Our camera option is the automatic cat feeder with camera, which combines a 6 litre dry food feeder with live video. If what you want most is reliable meal times, a feeder camera puts the camera where your pet comes several times a day.

Features to compare

Live view

Every pet camera shows a live picture in an app. What differs is the picture quality, the field of view and how quickly the picture appears when you open the app. A wide view shows more of the room, but your pet looks smaller. A feeder camera looks straight at the bowl, which is where you most want to see your pet.

Night vision

Night vision on most home cameras works with infrared light. Small infrared lights near the lens light up the room for the camera, which people cannot see, and the picture usually switches to black and white. The supplier of our camera feeder lists a night vision camera, so you can still see the feeding area in a dark room.

Sound

Some cameras have a microphone and a speaker, so you can hear the room and talk to your pet. This is called two-way audio. Others can only play a recorded message. Our camera feeder lets you record a short voice message as a meal call. The supplier does not list live two-way talk, so we do not claim it.

Recording and storage

Cameras store clips in different ways: on a memory card in the camera, in the cloud with or without a subscription, or not at all. If you want to look back at what happened during the day, check the storage options before you buy. For our camera feeder, the supplier does not say whether clips can be recorded, so treat it as a live view.

Treats and food

A treat camera gives a small reward. A feeder camera serves real meals in measured portions. Treats add to your pet's daily food, so keep them small and count them in, and ask your vet if your pet is on a diet.

Wi-Fi and data

A camera sends a constant stream of video to your phone when you watch, so it needs a good Wi-Fi signal where it stands. Many pet cameras and smart feeders, ours included, connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. That band reaches further through walls than 5 GHz, but it is also busier. If the picture freezes, try moving the router or the camera, or reduce the number of devices on the network.

When you watch the live view away from home, the video comes over your mobile data or the Wi-Fi you are using. A few minutes now and then is fine on most phone plans; hours of streaming every day add up.

Where to put the camera

• Aim it at the place that matters: the feeding spot, the bed or the area your pet spends most time in.
• Keep it at pet height or slightly above, so you see your pet rather than the top of its head.
• Avoid pointing it at a bright window, which turns your pet into a dark shape during the day.
• Keep cables out of reach of pets that chew.
• Keep the lens clean with a soft dry cloth. Paw prints and nose marks blur the picture.

Privacy

A camera in your home records more than your pet. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has guidance on home cameras, including smart doorbells. It says that if a camera captures images beyond your property boundary, such as a neighbour's property or a public area, data protection law applies, and you then have duties such as telling people that recording is happening and keeping footage secure. The ICO advises positioning cameras so they capture only your own property where possible.

For a pet camera indoors, the simple rules are:

• Point it into the room, not out of a window towards the street or next door.
• Tell people who live with you, and visitors such as cleaners and pet sitters, that there is a camera and where it is.
• Switch it off or cover it when you are at home if you do not want to be on camera.

Smart device security

A camera is a connected device with a view into your home, so security matters. Since 29 April 2024, the UK's Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regime has required consumer connectable products to meet three basic rules: no universal default passwords, a published way to report security problems, and a published minimum period for security updates.

You can add to that at home:

• Use a strong, unique password for the app account and switch on two-step sign-in if the app offers it.
• Keep the app and your phone up to date.
• Do not share your login. If others need access, use the app's sharing feature if it has one.
• Remove the device from the app and reset it before you give it away or sell it.

Is a camera worth it?

A camera is useful if you like to check in during the day, if your pet has a new routine or if you want to see whether meals are being eaten. It does not replace a person: it cannot refill water, clean a litter tray or notice that your pet is unwell. If your pet is often alone for long stretches, speak to your vet or a behaviour specialist about what your pet needs.

If you mainly want dependable meal times, a feeder without a camera does the same feeding job. Our guide How to choose an automatic cat feeder covers portions, power cuts and setup, and you can compare both of our feeders on the automatic cat feeders page.