As a pet owner, you can probably think of dozens of ways your furry friend makes your life more enjoyable and meaningful. Personally, there's nothing I love more than watching my dog run around the house with her toys, or cuddling up with her on the couch for some episodes of The Americans.
Given animals' prominent role in our lives, leaving them at home while we go out to do people things can be hard. However, pet cams—connected cameras specifically designed to keep watch over your furry friends—make the human's absence from the home less stressful for both parties.
Analysts predict the worldwide pet-cam industry will grow[1] at an annual rate of 26 percent from 2017 through 2021 for several reasons, including an overall increase in pet ownership, and the fact that people who have pets say monitoring them to ensure their safety is a primary concern.
If you've considered getting a pet camera, there's no better time than now, when there quite a few good options on the market.
Security Camera or Pet Camera?
Before getting into details about specific cameras, it's important to clarify the difference between pet cameras and your run-of-the-mill security camera.
Despite the fact than many security cameras may allow you to watch your pet while you're away from home, security cams don't actually do anything to improve your relationship with your pet or otherwise meet their needs while you're gone.
Pet cameras, in contrast, have features designed specifically for the pet owner. They can dispense treats or allow you to interact with your dog or cat using your voice or a type of video chat. They can help address common issues like separation anxiety and boredom, which can lead...