Pet owner smart home kit
Updated
A camera, a temperature sensor and a feeder with backup power cover the real risks of leaving a pet home alone. Optional extras add a fountain, a robot vacuum and a pet-friendly motion sensor.
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Before you buy
Start with the risks, not the gadgets
The main risks of leaving a pet home alone are heat, cold, no food or water and boredom or stress. The camera answers “is my pet OK,” the sensor answers “is the house safe,” and the feeder handles meals. The ASPCA advises keeping pets indoors when it is extremely hot, keeping some pets cool in air-conditioned rooms and giving plenty of fresh, clean water. Its signs of heatstroke include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling and weakness. If you see signs of heatstroke, call a vet.
Why the sensor beats the camera for heat
A camera shows what the pet is doing; it does not tell you the room is 90°F. A sensor with phone alerts does. See pet temperature alerts for placement and thresholds.
Feeder and food safety
The FDA advises storing pet food in its original container or bag and washing and drying storage containers between bags. The CDC advises washing your hands before and after handling pet food and cleaning bowls and scoops frequently. Read smart pet feeders: what to check before you buy.
Camera features and security
Choose a camera for field of view, alerts and storage, not for gimmicks. Our pet camera features guide explains the trade-offs. The FTC advises a unique password, two-factor authentication, updates and a separate network for cameras.
Power and internet outages
A hot day with a power failure is when an alert matters most, and also when your router is most likely to be off. A small UPS for the router and camera helps you keep receiving alerts for a while; size it with the UPS runtime calculator.
Core items
Indoor pet camera
$25–$80Lets you check in, hear barking or distress and talk to the pet. It is your window on what is going on when you are away.
What to look for: wide-angle 1080p, night view, sound alerts, two-way audio, microSD or local storage, two-factor authentication, an offline alert
See options on AmazonTemperature sensor with alerts
$10–$40Warns you when the home gets too hot or too cold while you are out, for example after a power failure or an air conditioner fault. The ASPCA advises keeping pets cool in hot weather.
What to look for: Wi-Fi or hub-based, high and low temperature alerts to your phone, humidity reading, offline alert, replaceable battery
See options on AmazonAutomatic pet feeder
$40–$180Gives regular meals on a schedule when you are late or away for a day. Not a substitute for a person on longer trips.
What to look for: backup batteries, anti-jam design, portion steps of about 1/8 cup, schedule stored on the device, easy to wash
See options on AmazonNice to have
Pet water fountain with a smart plug
$20–$70Encourages some pets to drink and keeps water moving. A smart plug can alert you if it loses power.
What to look for: easy to disassemble and wash, replaceable filter, low-water protection, quiet pump, plug rated for the load
See options on AmazonBattery backup (UPS) for the router and camera
$40–$150Keeps Wi-Fi and the camera up during short outages so alerts still reach you.
What to look for: enough watts for router, modem and camera, runtime that fits, outlets with battery backup, USB power
See options on AmazonPet-friendly motion sensor
$15–$40Triggers lights or a security system for people but ignores small pets, so the cat does not set off alarms.
What to look for: stated pet immunity by weight, adjustable sensitivity, mounting height guidance, your hub’s protocol
See options on AmazonRobot vacuum for pet hair
$150–$1,200Handles daily shedding so you vacuum less often; useful if you have long hair, a double coat or allergies in the household.
What to look for: rubber or anti-tangle brush, self-emptying base optional, obstacle avoidance that handles pet accidents, filter, scheduled cleaning
See options on AmazonStep by step
- Place the camera on a shelf where it sees the door, the feeding area and the pet’s favorite spot, with the cord out of reach.
- Put the temperature sensor at pet height, away from sun and vents, and set high and low alerts for your home.
- Set up the feeder, load it with the food the vet recommends and run it for a week while you are home. Weigh three portions.
- Turn on offline alerts for the camera, sensor and feeder so you know when something stops reporting.
- Secure the accounts: unique passwords, two-factor authentication, updates.
- Test a power outage: unplug the router for an hour and see which devices keep working.
- Tell your sitter or neighbor what the devices do and who to call if an alert goes off.
Cheaper or upgraded versions
Budget version, about $35–$120: a basic indoor camera and a Wi-Fi temperature sensor. Skip the feeder if someone is home to feed on schedule.
Fuller version, about $400–$1,000: a camera with pan and tilt, a hub-based temperature sensor, a feeder with a microchip option, a fountain on a smart plug, a UPS and a robot vacuum. Add pet-immune motion sensors if you have a security system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing a pet owner should automate?
A temperature alert and a camera. Heat or cold and not knowing what your pet is doing are the largest risks of leaving them home.
Can I leave my pet alone for a weekend with this kit?
No kit replaces a person. Ask someone to check in on your pet and give them the alerts. Ask your vet about the limits for your pet.
Do I need a feeder if I have a camera with a treat dispenser?
A treat dispenser is not a meal. Use a feeder for regular meals and a camera for check-ins.