What Is the Furbo Pet Camera?
The Furbo is a smart home camera designed specifically for pet owners. It streams 1080p HD video with night vision, allowing you to check in on your dogs or cats via a smartphone app. A built-in speaker lets you talk to your pets, and a treat-tossing mechanism can dispense kibble or small treats remotely. The camera also features barking alerts, activity monitoring, and a two-way audio system.
Key Features and How They Work
The Furbo’s standout feature is its treat-tossing function. You can load the hopper with up to 100 treats and fling them from the app, which can distract anxious pets or reward good behavior. The camera has a 160-degree wide-angle lens and infrared night vision, so it works in low light. The app sends push notifications when your dog barks, and you can view a 24-hour timeline of events. A subscription service (Furbo Dog Nanny) adds advanced alerts, such as chewing, scratching, and door detection.
Setup and User Experience
Setting up the Furbo takes about five minutes: plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and download the app. The camera requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (not 5GHz). Users praise the crisp video quality and responsive treat flinging, though the treat chamber can be tricky to clean. The camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. Some users note that the barking alert can be overly sensitive, triggering false alarms from TV noises or other sounds.
Pricing and Subscription Options
The Furbo 360 (latest model) retails for around $299, while the original Furbo is often discounted to $199. The Dog Nanny subscription costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Without the subscription, you still get basic alerts and treat tossing, but advanced detection and cloud storage require the paid plan. The camera also works with a free seven-day trial of Dog Nanny.
Pros and Cons Based on User Reviews
Positive feedback highlights the treat flinging as a fun way to interact with pets, the clear night vision, and the easy app interface. Complaints include occasional connectivity drops, the treat hopper’s tendency to jam with certain treat shapes, and the subscription cost for full features. On Amazon, the Furbo has a 4.2-star rating from over 10,000 reviews, with many owners saying it helps reduce their pets’ separation anxiety.
Alternatives to Consider
Competing pet cameras include the Petcube Bites 2, which also tosses treats and offers similar video quality for $199. The Wyze Cam v3 is a budget option at $36, but it lacks treat dispensing. The Eufy Pet Dog Camera includes a treat tosser and 2K video for $249. For cat owners, the Petlibro Dockstream combines a camera with a water fountain, but does not fling treats.
Final Verdict
The Furbo is a solid choice for pet owners who want to actively engage with their dogs or cats while away. Its treat-tossing and two-way audio help curb boredom, though the subscription fee may deter some. If you prioritize video quality and treat dispensing without extra costs, the Petcube Bites 2 offers similar features at a lower price. For basic monitoring, a standard indoor camera suffices. As one user on Reddit put it, “My dog loves the treat toss, but I wish the subscription wasn’t needed for all the smart alerts.”
