As a pet parent, I know how tough it can be to leave your dog behind when you head out for work or travel. The feeling of wondering what they're up to, whether they're comfortable, or if they're anxious, can be overwhelming. But what if there was a way to check in on them, talk to them, and even interact with them; no matter where you are? That’s where pet cameras come in.
In 2026, pet cameras have evolved far beyond simple video surveillance. These innovative devices offer a range of features designed to keep both you and your pet happy. From real-time video streaming to two-way audio, treat dispensing, modern pet cameras are now essential tools for ensuring your pet’s well-being while you’re away. And with more options than ever, choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming.
I’ve spent a lot of time researching the top pet cameras for 2026, and I’m excited to share the best picks with you. Whether you're looking for a camera that helps with separation anxiety, allows you to engage with your pet remotely, or monitors their environment, there’s a perfect fit out there. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top 9 cameras that are making waves in the pet tech world.
Why Your Pet Needs Surveillance Cameras in 2026
As pet parents, we are more concerned than ever about the safety and well-being of our dogs. With our busy schedules, long working hours, and frequent travel, it’s not always possible to be at home with our pets, especially in 2026 when life is moving at a faster pace than ever. This is where surveillance cameras come into play, giving us peace of mind knowing that we can monitor our pets in real-time, even when we're away.
Surveillance cameras for pets are no longer a luxury; they have become an essential tool for every responsible pet parent. Whether you’re working, traveling, or simply stepping out for errands, these cameras provide a constant connection to your pet’s activities, offering reassurance that they are safe and comfortable.
In 2026, pet surveillance cameras are more advanced than ever. They do much more than just watch over your pet, they allow you to interact with them, monitor their health, and even help with their training. With the rise of smart technology, these devices are becoming more integrated with your home systems, ensuring your pet is safe, entertained, and comfortable.
Our Top 9 Tested Picks
1. WaggleCam Pro
WaggleCam Pro tops our list of the best surveillance cameras for pets in 2026, and it’s easy to see why. This state-of-the-art camera isn’t just a surveillance tool; it’s a complete pet monitoring system designed with your pet's safety and well-being in mind.
Why Waggle is the Best Choice:
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4G Connectivity: With built-in 4G, you can monitor your pet no matter where you are, even if you’re on the road or at the office, making it a perfect choice for RV owners and travelers.
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HD Video Streaming: The 1080p HD camera offers crystal-clear video quality, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of your pet’s day. With night vision, you can check in on them 24/7 without any interruptions.
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Two-Way Audio: Waggle’s two-way audio lets you not only hear your pet but also communicate with them. Whether you're soothing an anxious pup or calling your cat for a treat, this feature keeps you connected even when you're miles away.
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Long Battery Life: Forget about constantly charging your camera. The Waggle Pet Camera Pro+ comes with a 120-hour battery life, meaning you can rely on it for days without worrying about power.
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Mobile App Integration: The Waggle app provides seamless integration with your camera, offering real-time notifications, live streaming, and full control over your pet’s safety all from your phone.
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Ease of Use: Setting up the Waggle camera is straightforward, with minimal setup required. The user-friendly app makes it easy to customize your pet’s viewing and interaction experience.
Customer Feedback:
Waggle has earned rave reviews from pet owners who value the camera’s ease of use and versatile features. It’s consistently praised for its exceptional video quality and responsive customer service. Pet parents love how the two-way audio helps reduce separation anxiety and how it gives them peace of mind when they’re away.
Compared to other options on the market, WaggleCam Pro stands out not only for its pet-friendly features but also for its unmatched customer support and ease of use.
2. Furbo Dog Camera
The Furbo Dog Camera is a well-known contender in the pet camera market, offering some solid features.
Key Features:
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Two-Way Audio: Like Waggle, Furbo offers two-way audio, allowing you to hear and speak to your dog remotely. This is a great feature for calming anxious pets.
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Treat Tossing: Furbo allows you to toss treats to your pet, a fun feature for playtime.
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1080p HD Camera: It provides decent video quality
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Mobile App: Furbo's app allows remote monitoring, but many users have reported bugs and issues with connectivity, making it less reliable .
Customer Feedback:
Furbo receives praise for its treat-dispensing feature and for being a fun and interactive way to engage with pets remotely. Many users appreciate the ability to check in on their pets while they’re away, and the two-way audio feature is particularly popular among dog owners who want to reassure their pets. However, some users have reported occasional connectivity issues with the mobile app and inconsistent treat dispensing.
3. Petcube Bites 2
Petcube Bites 2 is another popular pet camera that offers treat dispensing and HD video.
Key Features:
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1080p HD Camera: Provides clear video.
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Treat Dispensing: Offers a treat dispenser, which can be fun, but like Furbo, it may not always work reliably.
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Two-Way Audio: Allows you to talk to your pet, but the audio quality isn’t as crisp leading to potential communication issues.
Customer Feedback:
Pet owners enjoy the interactive nature of the Petcube Bites 2, especially the treat dispensing, which is a fun way to engage with their pets. The camera is appreciated for its clear video feed and ease of use, and it’s a great option for those who want basic pet monitoring features. The two-way audio works well for most users, although some have mentioned that the microphone could be clearer.
4. Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam is an excellent choice for general home security but falls short as a dedicated pet surveillance camera. While it works well for monitoring areas in your home, it lacks the pet-specific features.
Key Features:
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1080p HD Camera: Provides good video quality, but it’s not optimized for pet monitoring.
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Two-Way Audio: Allows communication, but it’s more suited for security purposes rather than calming or interacting with pets.
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Outdoor/Indoor Use: It can be used both indoors and outdoors, but its primary function is home security, not pet care.
Customer Feedback:
Ring’s camera is often praised for its general security features, and pet parents appreciate the flexibility of being able to use it both indoors and outdoors. The video quality is clear, and the two-way audio works as expected.
5. Wyze Cam Pan v2
The Wyze Cam Pan v2 is a budget-friendly option that offers some notable features, but when compared to Waggle, it’s clear that it’s more of an entry-level camera rather than a specialized pet monitor.
Key Features:
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Pan and Tilt: This camera allows for 360-degree rotation, letting you monitor your pet from every angle..
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1080p HD Video: Provides solid video quality, but it doesn’t have the enhanced night vision and clarity.
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Two-Way Audio: Allows you to communicate with your pet.
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Affordable Price: Wyze is known for being budget-friendly, making it an attractive option for those not ready to invest in a high-end pet camera.
Customer Feedback:
The Wyze Cam Pan v2 is often praised for its affordability and good video quality, especially for those on a budget. It’s a popular choice for people who need basic monitoring capabilities without breaking the bank.
6. Logitech Circle View
The Logitech Circle View is a solid home security camera that offers decent video quality and integration with smart home systems. However, it isn’t designed with pets in mind.
Key Features:
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1080p HD Camera: It delivers clear video but is more focused on general home surveillance than pet-specific monitoring.
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Smart Home Integration: Works well with Apple HomeKit, allowing users to integrate it into their smart home ecosystem, but it doesn’t offer pet health features like Waggle.
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Two-Way Audio: You can communicate with your pet, but the microphone and speaker quality aren't as strong, potentially making it difficult to interact with pets clearly.
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Security Focused: It’s designed more for monitoring your home, which is a bonus for pet parents, but not the best option for specific pet care needs.
Customer Feedback:
While the Circle View camera is appreciated for its ease of use and integration into smart home systems, pet owners feel it lacks the pet-centric capabilities like real-time health monitoring and high-quality audio for clear communication with pets.
7. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera offers impressive features, including high-definition video and motion detection, making it a great option for general home security.
Key Features:
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4K Video Resolution: Provides top-tier video quality, making it perfect for clear and detailed images of your surroundings.
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Smart Motion Detection: This feature can alert you to movement, but it’s more focused on security than monitoring pet activity.
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Two-Way Audio: Similar to other models, Arlo offers two-way audio, but it’s more geared toward security purposes than engaging with your pet.
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Battery-Powered: The Arlo Pro 4 is a wireless option, making installation a breeze and offering flexibility.
Customer Feedback:
The Arlo Pro 4 is highly regarded for its video quality and security features. However, pet owners have mentioned that it lacks the interactive features that are so crucial for keeping an eye on pets.
8. KittiCam
The KittiCam is a newer entrant in the pet camera market, specifically designed for cat owners.
Key Features:
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HD Video: It offers clear video monitoring for cats.
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Treat Dispenser: Features a treat-dispensing system to interact with your cat remotely, but users have reported that it can be unreliable at times.
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Built-In Laser: Unique to KittiCam is a built-in laser pointer, allowing you to engage your cat in play.
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Compact Design: It’s smaller and more discreet than other pet cameras, but it’s not as versatile or easy to set up.
Customer Feedback:
Pet owners who have cats specifically enjoy the KittiCam's laser feature for engaging with their pets remotely.
9. PetChatz HDX Pet Camera
The PetChatz HDX is another dedicated pet camera with a focus on interaction and monitoring. It's a solid option for pet parents looking for basic monitoring but doesn’t offer the same level of versatility.
Key Features:
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Two-Way Video & Audio: It allows video calls with your pet, which is a fun way to interact.
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Treat Dispenser: You can send treats remotely, but the treat-toss feature is not as intuitive or consistent.
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Pet Detection: While PetChatz has motion detection, it’s not sophisticated.
Customer Feedback:
PetChatz HDX gets positive feedback for its ability to help pet parents interact with their pets, but the features it offers are basic monitoring systems.
Pet Cameras vs. Standard Home Security Cameras
When it comes to keeping an eye on your home, both pet cameras and standard home security cameras are valuable tools. However, there are key differences that make pet cameras a better choice for monitoring and interacting with your pets, especially when compared to traditional home security systems. Here's a breakdown of how they compare:
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Feature |
Pet Cameras |
Home Security Cameras |
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Purpose and Focus |
Designed specifically for pet monitoring (e.g., two-way audio, treat tossing, health monitoring) |
Primarily designed for home security (e.g., motion detection, intruder deterrence) |
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Interactivity |
Allows pet interaction (e.g., two-way audio, treat dispensing) to engage and comfort pets |
Limited interaction (e.g., two-way audio for general communication) |
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Monitoring Features |
Features like air quality monitoring, temperature sensors, and pet health tracking |
Basic monitoring (e.g., motion detection, HD video, no pet-specific features) |
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Integration with Smart Home |
Integrated with smart home systems for real-time alerts, remote control, and convenience |
Integrated with smart home systems for general monitoring but lacks pet-centric features |
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User Experience |
Pet parent-friendly with easy mobile app control, treat tossing, and real-time notifications |
General home security app with basic controls, lacks personalization for pets |
The Best Pet Cameras for Tossing Treats
When it comes to tossing treats to your pets, WaggleCam Pro takes the lead as the best option available in 2026. This pet camera is designed to do so much more than just monitor your pet—it's an interactive tool that enhances the pet care experience.
Why WaggleCam Pro is the Best for Tossing Treats:
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Seamless Treat Dispensing: WaggleCam Pro’s treat-dispensing feature is not only reliable but easy to control through the app, ensuring that your pet gets a treat every time you toss it. Unlike many competitors, the treat dispenser on WaggleCam Pro functions smoothly, even with multiple tosses in a row.
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Long-Range Treat Tossing: Whether you’re in the next room or across the country, the WaggleCam Pro allows you to toss treats remotely without issues. It’s perfect for when you’re traveling or at work and want to reward your pet for good behavior.
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Real-Time Interaction: With Waggle’s two-way audio and video, you can see and hear your pet, making the treat-tossing experience feel like you’re right there with them, adding a layer of comfort and connection.
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App Integration: The WaggleCam Pro seamlessly integrates with the Waggle app, giving you full control of the treat dispenser and monitoring your pet’s behavior, all in real-time.
How Much Should You Spend on a Pet Camera?
When purchasing a pet camera, it's important to focus on getting the most value for your money, ensuring that the camera meets both your needs for monitoring your pet and offering interactive features. While there are cameras at various price points, $100 to $200 is a sweet spot where you can find reliable and feature-rich options without overspending.
Pet Camera Price Range: $100 - $200
In this price range, you can expect to find pet cameras that offer the following:
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HD Video (1080p): Clear video quality, ensuring that you can see your pet and their surroundings in detail.
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Two-Way Audio: This allows you to hear your pet and speak to them remotely, providing reassurance, especially if your pet suffers from separation anxiety.
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Treat Dispensing: Many cameras in this range offer the ability to toss treats remotely, which helps in interacting with your pet and keeping them engaged.
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App Integration: Control your camera through a mobile app for easy access to live streaming, notifications, and real-time interaction.
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Reliability: These cameras offer a balance of reliable performance and ease of use, making them great for pet parents who want to monitor their pets while at work or on vacation.
Why Choose This Price Range?
The $100 to $200 range offers an ideal balance between affordability and functionality. You can find reliable cameras with essential features like treat dispensing and two-way audio that help you stay connected with your pet.
Conclusion
As pet parents, we all want the best for our furry friends. In 2026, choosing the right pet surveillance camera is not just about having eyes on your pet—it’s about ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being. After evaluating some of the top options on the market, it’s clear that WaggleCam Pro stands out as the top choice for pet parents.
Waggle offers a combination of advanced features that go beyond simple video surveillance. Its 4G connectivity, long battery life, and reliable treat tossing capabilities make it the most comprehensive pet camera available. Whether you’re checking in on your pet’s health, soothing them through two-way audio, or rewarding them with a treat, Waggle ensures that your pet is safe, happy, and engaged even when you’re not home.
When compared to other cameras in the market, Waggle shines with its unique pet-centric features, ease of use, and top-notch customer support.
FAQs
1. Why should I invest in a pet camera?
Pet cameras provide peace of mind by allowing you to monitor your pet when you're away, ensuring their safety, comfort, and even their health.
2. How do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?
Pet cameras with two-way audio allow you to communicate with your pet, providing comfort and reducing anxiety when you're not at home.
3. Can I toss treats to my pet using a pet camera?
Many pet cameras, such as the Wagglecam Pro, Furbo Dog Camera and Petcube Bites, offer treat dispensers, letting you reward your pet remotely for good behavior.
4. How do I know which pet camera is right for my pet?
Consider features like two-way audio, treat dispensing, video quality, and health monitoring to choose a camera that fits your pet's needs and your lifestyle.
5. Can pet cameras be used outdoors?
Some pet cameras are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, but make sure to check the specifications of each model, as not all are weatherproof.
6. How much should I spend on a pet camera?
Pet cameras typically range from $100 to $500, depending on the features. For basic monitoring, cameras in the $100-$200 range can be sufficient, while premium models offer additional features like health monitoring and treat dispensing.
7. Can I monitor my pet remotely?
Yes, most pet cameras offer mobile apps that allow you to view live footage of your pet, receive notifications, and interact with them remotely.
8. Do pet cameras require Wi-Fi?
Most pet cameras need Wi-Fi to stream video and allow remote access. However, some premium cameras offer 4G connectivity, allowing you to monitor your pet without needing a Wi-Fi connection.
