Best pet cameras to buy in Australia in 2022
When you can’t be at home with the furry members of the family these clever cameras let you know what they are up to.
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Any pet owner would know that the worst part about having a pet is inevitably having to leave them when you pop down to the shops or to work.
You (and your fur baby) might eventually get over the separation anxiety, but you can’t help but always feel a little sad as you bid them adieu.
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Then there’s the nightmare situations where you return to find that in their boredom, your precious pet has decided to turn the living room into a winter wonderland of torn-up toilet paper, or they’ve created an avalanche of pellets in their eagerness to score a midday snack.
It’s in those situations that you wish you could check in on your pets throughout the day to keep them happy and engaged – and a pet camera can be the solution to these problems and more.
BEST PET CAMERAS GUIDE
With smart features from two-way audio to treat-tossing and scheduled feeding, these cameras will help you keep your pets happy and healthy no matter where you are. Read on for our top picks.
TOP-RATED PET CAMERA
Furbo Dog Camera, Amazon Australia, $309
Furbo’s Treat-Tossing Dog Camera has been rated by almost 23,000 reviewers, and with an average of 4.5 out of five stars, you can rest assured that it’s one of the top models to purchase. It has a full HD camera and night vision so you can watch your precious pet day and night via the app, and two-way audio allows you to talk to them from afar. Fill it up with your pup’s favourite mini treats (a round shape works best), and you can play a fun treat-tossing game too.
One reviewer who left five stars wrote, “[My] dogs learnt very quickly to associate my voice through the Furbo and the little sound Furbo makes to tell them they are about to get a treat. Being able to watch them when I am away and getting notifications for when they bark is fabulous. It allows me to quickly check to see what [is] happening at home in my absence and it’s a huge peace of mind”.
BEST PET CAMERA FOR PLAY
Petcube Play 2, Myer, $254.99 (RRP $299)
If your pet is particularly lively and in need of entertainment while you’re out and about, the Petcube Play 2 is for you. In addition to its HD video and two-way audio, it features an interactive laser toy. Use it to play a game of chase in real-time, or set to autoplay mode to keep pets engaged while you’re busy. It can also alert you of any distressed barking or meowing, and doubles as a smart speaker with Amazon Alexa as a voice assistant.
“My wife always used to ask me to take pictures/videos of our cat when she’s not at home, so this was a perfect fit for us. I love it that we both have the app and can each look at and play with our cat when at work or travelling. I also love the motion detection, which basically records a video when there’s any movement at home and sends you a notification, so I get tons of fun videos that I share with my family (and I also feel a bit safer),” wrote one reviewer.
BEST CHEAP PET CAMERA
Petcube Cam Smart Pet Monitoring Camera, Amazon Australia, $79.99
Looking for a simple and fairly affordable pick to help you keep an eye on your pet? This Petcube Cam has a wide-angle view, HD quality video, two-way communication and instant sound and motion alerts. It has a magnetic mounting you can easily attach to any surface, and it clocks in at well under $100.
A reviewer called it a “great camera”, adding that it’s “super quick and easy to set up”.
BEST PET CAMERA FEEDER
Tech4Pets 7L Smart Pet Feeder with Camera, Catch, $299.99
With the ability to give your pet a full meal each day even when you aren’t home, the Tech4Pets Smart Pet Feeder is a lifesaver. Its seven-litre capacity is big enough to provide up to 10 portions each day (if you’re feeding a small army of pets, I suppose), and the HD camera and two-way audio allow you to check in on your furry friends. You can also schedule mealtimes and motion detection alerts.
SKYMEE 8L Smart Automatic Pet Camera Feeder, Amazon Australia, $219.99
Feed, see, talk and share with the SKYMEE Pet Camera Feeder. It has an eight-litre container with timed and customised feeding that you can control remotely via the app, where you can also monitor your pet via HD video. The two-way microphone allows you to listen and speak to your pet, and you can share videos or photos on social media as a bonus. It cleverly lets you know when it detects motion or when the food is running low, too.
“I bought this in a rush because we were going on a week’s vacation and I wanted to make sure the cat is fed regularly. However, after we came back from vacation, we kept on using it regularly. If you can afford it, this is a must have,” wrote one of many five-star reviewers. “Definitely worth every dollar and useful for everyday.”
BEST TREAT-TOSSING PET CAMERA
Dogness Smart Camera Treater, Harvey Norman, $198
This treat-tossing device comes with an HD camera and night vision so you can keep an eye on your pets at any time of the day or night. Connect to it via the app from any location, and use two-way audio to listen or speak to your fur babies. The chic design features a natural bamboo cover and suction base that boisterous animals can’t knock over.
A five-star reviewer wrote “I can see and hear my dog howling, stressed by separation anxiety. I talk to him, throw him a treat & he settles down. We both are calmer when we have to be apart now”.
Tech 4 Pets Smart Treat Dispenser with 2-Way Camera, PETstock, $279.99
Connect to this dispenser via the Laser SmartHome App, and you can automatically schedule the release of treats to your cat or dog – and remotely use the speaker and microphone to soothe them. You can view your pets in HD via the live video feed, and take photos or record videos of cheeky or cute behaviour.
Petcube Bites 2 Smart HD Pet Camera with Treat Dispenser, Harvey Norman, $398
The Petcube Bites 2 doesn’t come cheap, but there’s no denying it’s a premium model. This sleek pet camera boasts HD images, night vision, two-way audio, barking and meowing alerts, and treat-tossing capabilities. Thrilled viewers say that their pets love it.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A PET CAMERA?
When purchasing your pet camera, these are the top features to consider:
• Price: Basic camera-only models are the cheapest options, however paying extra will earn you advanced capabilities.
• Alerts: Some models can send notifications to your phone if your pet sounds distressed, or even if there’s an intruder.
• Play capabilities: Models equipped with laser toys or treat dispensers mean you can keep pets entertained or reward good behaviour.
• Food-Dispensing: Feed your pet full meals from afar, or schedule meals to cross a chore off your daily list.
• Two-Way Audio: Soothe your pet by letting them hear your voice even when you’re far away, while also hearing them respond.
DO PET CAMERAS HELP WITH SEPARATION ANXIETY?
Every pet is different, so the way you can treat their separation anxiety will vary. However, many reviewers have noted that being able to talk to their pets and keep them entertained from afar via a pet camera has eased separation anxiety.
ARE PET CAMERAS WORTH IT?
If you find that your pet is struggling with separation anxiety, or if you’re feeling guilty about leaving them at home when you have to go out, or if you’re constantly returning home to find your furbaby has made a huge mess because they’re bored, a pet camera is absolutely worthwhile. Not only can you monitor what’s going on at home, you can also reward good behaviour, stop them from being mischievous, keep them entertained, or soothe them by letting them hear your voice.
Looking for a simpler device to just keep an eye on what’s going on at home while you’re away? Check out our roundup of the best indoor and outdoor security cameras. Plus, for more great pet recommendations, read up on our guides to the best dog harnesses, best leather collars, best vacuums for pet hair, and best self-cleaning cat litter boxes.
Plus, ensure you always get the best price on every purchase by visiting news.com.au Coupons. There, you’ll find discounts on top brands including Pet Circle, Petbarn, Budget Pet and more.
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