Hi Humans,
Today’s guest writer is Patrick Hearn, a tech writer for XFINITY Home based out of Atlanta, Georgia. When he’s not writing, he loves running around with his mom’s two jack-rat terriers outside of the city.
Video cameras help you keep a digital eye on what’s going on in your home, and that includes those precious family members inside of it — your pets. Even the most well-trained dog likes to get into mischief at times, and a video camera with two-way audio will let you give a quick command to your pet who (probably) thinks no one is watching. But that isn’t the only way a video camera can help you care for your beloved animals. Take a look at some off the bonus ways to benefit from this technology for your furry friends.
- Keep an eye on a pregnant pet.
When my dog Mew Mew was first pregnant, no one knew what to expect. She’s barely over a foot tall and weighs less than 30 pounds. She was a small dog … with a big belly. And when she finally gave birth, I understood why: Five squirming, well-fed puppies had been living in there for the past two months.
Those were the days before streaming video cameras were readily available, but I would have given anything to be able to keep an eye on her while at school. Today, pet owners are using their live feeds to monitor their four-legged friends when babies are on the way. It’s not quite “What to Expect When Your Pet is Expecting to Expect,” but it’s close.
- Check in on your pet sitters or dog walkers.
When I leave home for an extended length of time, I have someone check in on things. You probably do too; in some cases, you might even have a dedicated pet sitter staying at your home to keep an eye on your dogs. A video camera can help you check in on what your animals and the sitter are up to. It can also allow you to check that your dog walker completed his or her duty for the day.
Keep in mind that you are legally allowed to record video in the common areas of your home, but if the pet sitter has a bedroom, you cannot record them there. A video camera can be placed anywhere except in areas where there is a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”
- Ease the adjustment for new pets.
Bringing a new pet into your home can be a strenuous process. Not only is the new pet still getting acquainted with you, but any existing pets you might have could feel like their territory is being threatened. Even if you aren’t present to stop an altercation between your pets, you can keep an eye on their behavior.
A new pet can damage furniture, make a mess on the floor, and start a host of other potentially destructive problems. A camera won’t stop the pet from causing damage, but at least you’ll know what to expect when you get home, or try to get home early to head it off. After a friend got a new puppy, he set up a camera so he could see its kennel while at work. He would use the two-way audio to speak to and soothe the puppy when it became restless.
- Monitor your pet’s environment.
While video cameras are traditionally used to safeguard your possessions and protect against theft, some cameras carry additional features like temperature and humidity sensors. No one wants to think about house fires or other disasters, but it’s important to be aware. If your camera is equipped with temperature sensors, you may be notified before your alarm even goes off.
Temperature sensors can also help you keep an eye on the environment your pet lives in. If the temperature in your home starts to rise during the day, it can indicate a broken air conditioning unit or window. Getting notifications like these allow you to find a solution before it becomes too serious. If you have a smart home hub where you can control your security cameras and thermostat all via one app, keeping your pet comfortable is easy and convenient.
- Keep track of your pet’s adventures.
Some video cameras do more than just stream—some attach to your pet’s collar. If you have a lot of land and let your dog run free, you can check the footage to get a firsthand look at the day-to-day life of your dog. These cameras also come equipped with GPS sensors. In other words, if your pooch goes missing, you can see exactly where he is.
The downside to this type of camera is the battery life. It needs to be charged regularly, and most of these cameras have a limited battery life.
Whether you have a full home security system linked to your smart home devices, or a simple streaming video camera, you can find benefits for your precious pets at home.
Patrick Hearn is a tech writer for XFINITY Home based out of Atlanta, Georgia. When he’s not writing, he loves running around with his mom’s two jack-rat terriers outside of the city.
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