The Best Pet Monitoring Systems for Busy Travelers

As pet owners, one of the biggest concerns when traveling is leaving our furry friends behind. That worry disappears when you use pet monitoring systems. Smart tools like indoor pet cameras and automatic pet feeders completely change how I care for my cat while away. I can check in on her in real time, ensure she’s eating, and stay connected wherever I travel. In this post, I’ll share the pet monitoring systems I currently use and the automatic pet feeder I plan to upgrade to next.

Pet Monitoring Systems: BJR Pet Cameras Review

The cornerstone of my remote cat care setup is a pair of advanced pet cameras strategically placed around my home. Below, you’ll find my honest review of the BJR Pet Cameras, a key part of the pet monitoring system I rely on. Here’s why I love them after using them for several years, and why I think they are the best affordable pet cameras:

Enhanced Security for Pet Monitoring

Featuring 2K HD resolution, these indoor security cameras offer crystal clear footage, allowing me to keep a close eye on my cat’s activities with exceptional clarity and detail. The app offers full control, allowing for precise adjustments in direction and zoom levels. Plus, with a two-way microphone system, I can both listen in and communicate through the app, enhancing my ability to stay connected with my home and pet.

Dual-Band Wi-Fi Keeps Pet Cameras Connected

The 5G support is why I decided to buy these cameras, because the previous pet camera I used only supported 5G if it was wired. This meant I couldn’t place the camera exactly where I needed it in the condo. With support for both 5G and 2.4G networks, these cameras ensure a stable and reliable connection, providing me with uninterrupted access to the live feed wherever I am, and more importantly, can be positioned anywhere you like in your home, as long as there is a power outlet nearby.

360° Coverage & Smart Motion Detection

With the ability to rotate 360 degrees and advanced motion detection technology, these cameras provide comprehensive coverage of my home, alerting me to any unusual activity.

Night Vision for 24/7 Pet Monitoring Systems

Equipped with advanced infrared technology, these indoor security cameras deliver clear and sharp images even in low-light conditions, ensuring that I can monitor my cat day and night. This is especially useful if I’m in a different time zone.

Ample Storage with SD Card Support

Moreover, with the ability to store up to 64GB of recorded footage on the included SD card, I never have to worry about missing a moment. I can easily access past events anytime for added peace of mind

Easy Setup: BJR Pet Monitoring Cameras

To begin with, setting up these pet cameras was a breeze. Just plug them in, scan the QR code in the instructions, download the app, and scan the camera’s barcodes to connect them to the app and your WiFi. The detailed, full-color instructions, complete with pictures, make the process foolproof.

Travel with Peace of Mind Using Pet Monitoring Systems

My cat is 20 years old, and the older she gets, the harder it becomes for me to leave her behind when I travel across the USA. These cameras give me invaluable peace of mind, allowing me to check on her anytime and ensure she’s alive, eating, drinking, and behaving normally. One of my favorite features is the two-way audio. I can talk to my pet remotely through the camera, which sometimes startles her, but it helps me confirm she’s okay if she’s hiding out of sight. This technology has transformed how I travel, making it easier to leave home knowing I can stay connected with my beloved companion.

BJR Pet Cameras: Pros & Cons

After using these pet monitoring systems extensively, I’ve discovered a lot to love about them. They’ve truly transformed how I care for my cat remotely, offering practical features and emotional comfort. While I haven’t encountered any significant downsides, privacy could be a consideration for some users. Here’s a breakdown of the standout pros and a potential con to keep in mind:

Pet Monitoring Systems: Yakry Automatic Pet Feeder with Camera Review

In addition to keeping an eye on my cat’s activities, I rely on this automatic cat feeder with a built-in camera as a key part of my pet monitoring system. It ensures she’s fed and cared for even when I’m away. Here’s why it’s become one of my favorite tools for remote pet care after using it for 18 months.

Smart Feeding Schedules with Pet Monitoring Systems

Utilizing cutting-edge technology, this feeder enables me to establish a feeding regimen and dispense food at consistent intervals, guaranteeing my cat’s diet remains balanced and nutritious even when I’m away. With a user-friendly app compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, tending to my pet’s needs remotely becomes effortlessly convenient and accessible.

Once connected, the schedule can be as flexible as you need it. In the screenshots below, I set it to feed my cat 2 portions at 9 AM and 7 PM, and 1 portion at 2 PM every day of the week. You can customize specific times on certain days, alternate days, or any pattern that suits your routine. It’s super flexible and easy to use.

They say one portion is about 10 grams of food. I tested it, and for the food I fed my cat, it was slightly less. So I chose to feed her a 5th portion in the middle of the day.

Personalized Meal Calls & Two-Way Audio for Pet Connection

With the capacity to record personalized meal calls and engage in two-way audio communication with my cat remotely, I transform mealtime into an interactive and enjoyable experience for her. This feature not only alleviates her anxiety and mine but also ensures that if she’s asleep when the feeder dispenses her food portions, she can hear my voice to wake her up, fostering a deeper connection between us.

In addition to the recorded personal message that plays at each serving, you can also talk to your cat from the app.

HD Camera & Reliable Remote Monitoring

Featuring a high-definition 1080P camera and stable remote monitoring capabilities, this feeder allows me to monitor my cat’s eating habits and behavior with exceptional clarity, even in the dark. For example, below you can see a screenshot of the camera view in the day, and with the cat approaching her bowl at night.

There is a motion detection feature as well, which I think sends you notifications too when it detects your cat near the bowl. Below is a screenshot of the notifications that were sent for the dispensing of portions.

Easy-to-Clean Automatic Feeder for Hygienic Pet Care

Designed for convenience, this feeder features a user-friendly design that makes cleaning a breeze, ensuring that my cat’s food remains fresh, safe, and hygienic at all times.

Dual Power & Memory Functions for Uninterrupted Feeding

Equipped with dual power supply options and a built-in memory function, this feeder ensures that my cat will never miss a meal, even in the event of a power outage. All I need to do is be sure the backup battery pack is in.

Yakry Pet Monitoring Systems Setup Made Simple

Setting up this automatic pet feeder is a breeze. First, plug it in and scan the QR code in the instructions to download the app. Next, add your pet feeder from the list of available options within the app, which will connect it to your Wi-Fi. After that, you can start remotely operating the feeder through the app. On the feeder itself, there’s a “record” button used to record your personal voice message to call your pet for feeding. The detailed, full-color instructions, complete with pictures, make the process foolproof.

Pros & Cons: Yakry Automatic Pet Feeder with Camera

This automatic pet feeder has been great so far. However, I do have one con to share: the camera doesn’t let you see the contents of the food bowl. Whyyyyy!!!

Pet Monitoring Systems I’d Choose Now: PETLIBRO Feeder with Camera

Unfortunately, my sweet cat passed away a few weeks ago, just before I had a chance to buy this product. But if I were buying a pet feeder with a camera again today, the PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera is the one I’d choose.

Why I Recommend it

The main reason I am drawn to PETLIBRO is because of where the camera is pointed, not just at your pet, but at the actual food bowl. For me, that makes a huge difference.

Toward the last few months of her life, my cat wasn’t eating much, and it was hard to tell what was in her bowl without using a separate camera pointing at it. Plus, I also sometimes had issues with ants getting into the bowl when I wasn’t home. Having the pet feeder showing the bowl content would’ve been easier to catch those issues right away, and that’s why I wanted to upgrade to the PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera.

The PETLIBRO also offers

• App-based control over feeding schedules (up to 10 meals per day)
• Portion customization and voice call options
• Real-time alerts when food is low, jammed, or the bowl is full
• A freshness-preserving system that includes a sealing lid and a replaceable desiccant bag
• A 5L hopper, stainless steel bowl, and optional backup battery power

PETLIBRO sells compatible desiccant bags and recommends replacing them every two weeks to keep food fresh. While this could be an ongoing cost to factor in for long-term daily use, it’s not as likely to be an issue for short-term or occasional use.

PETLIBRO Pet Feeder Pros & Cons

Based on hundreds of reviews, here’s what real users love (and what they think could be better):

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Monitoring Systems

What exactly is a pet monitoring system?

For me, it’s the combination of smart pet cameras and automatic feeders that lets me keep an eye on my cat, ensure she’s fed, and even talk to her remotely.

Do any of these devices have two-way audio?

Some do! I’ve used cameras and feeders with two-way audio, but honestly, my cat tends to get startled when I call her name through the camera. So, it might not help with anxious pets, but it does let you talk to your furry friend remotely.

Are these pet monitoring systems hard to set up?

Not at all! They usually come with simple, clear instructions and apps that make connecting to your Wi-Fi and controlling the device pretty easy.

Can these systems help calm anxious or elderly pets?

I’m not totally sure about anxious pets; my cat gets startled by my voice through the camera sometimes! But for elderly pets, being able to check in, monitor them in every room of the house, and manage feeding remotely has definitely helped me feel more connected and less worried.

Final Thoughts: Are Pet Monitoring Systems Worth It for Busy Pet Owners?

Thanks to a combination of innovative pet monitoring systems, from smart pet cameras to automatic feeders, I can travel with true peace of mind. No matter where I am, as long as I have a cell signal, I can check in on my cat, make sure she’s eating on schedule, monitor her well-being in real time, and even talk to my pet remotely. These tools offer stress-free solutions for pet owners who want to stay connected and maintain a strong bond with their furry companions, even from miles away.

Alongside monitoring systems, creating a comfortable environment with quality pet blankets can make a big difference. If you’re building a cozy space for your pet while you’re away, I also wrote about the best pet blankets, including memorial options, and where to buy them now that Redbubble no longer offers theirs.

Post originally published on March 21, 2024, and last updated on October 12, 2025.