What is the difference between a pet camera and a security camera?

By Jasmine

Published: Feb. 8 2025

When you live with both dogs and cats, the question often arises: can dogs safely eat cat treats? While the occasional sharing may seem harmless, there are important considerations to ensure the health and happiness of all your furry friends. Additionally, modern solutions like the ROLA PetPal Pet Robot Companion make treating pets both safe and convenient, whether you’re at home or away.

In today’s tech-savvy world, cameras are no longer just for capturing memories—they’re used for everything from enhancing home security to keeping an eye on our furry friends while we're away. But while both pet cameras and security cameras serve similar functions, they are built for completely different purposes. So, how do they differ? Can I buy a security camera to monitor my pet? Let’s break it down.

1. Purpose:
Keeping You Connected vs. Ensuring Security

The most significant difference between a pet camera and a security camera is the purpose they serve.

● Pet Camera:

A pet camera is designed primarily for pet owners who want to keep an eye on their pets when they’re not at home. It allows you to monitor your pet’s activities, communicate with them, and even engage with them through fun features like laser beams or treat dispensers. It’s all about keeping you connected and ensuring your pet is safe and entertained while you’re away.

● Security Camera:

In contrast, a security camera is designed to monitor the safety and security of your property. These cameras are set up to keep an eye on your home, detect intruders, and capture any suspicious activity. Their focus is on surveillance and crime prevention rather than interaction with pets or other household members.

2. Engagement:
Two-Way Audio vs. Passive Monitoring

● Pet Camera:

One of the standout features of pet cameras is two-way audio, and the ROLA Mini pet camera comes with this feature. This allows you to speak to your pet and hear them respond, which is especially comforting for anxious pets. You can call them, soothe them, or even scold them from afar, making it feel like you’re right there.

Recommended

5/5

The Rola mini pet companion was everything i wished for and more. I am away on vacation and I am able to check on my pets constantly and make sure that they are okay at home while I am away.

Rola has great movement controls, the battery life is incredible and the software used from interacting with it is truly spectacular. They really did think of everything.

I really enjoy driving it around my home and taking pictures of my pets from a perspective that I had never seen before.

Jose Marcono

Verified Buyer

The camera quality is really good, the device doesn't lose WiFi connectivity even in the corners of my apartment where other devices do, and while I think the controls could be a bit smoother I still manage to get where I need to go. My cat also likes the camera. She'll go look for it whenever she hears it start to move. She just stares at it. If I go anywhere in the apartment with the Rola and turn around my cat will be there.

Aric

Verified Buyer

● Security Camera:

Security cameras, on the other hand, are built for passive monitoring. While many security cameras offer audio features to hear sounds in the environment, they usually don’t allow you to speak through them. Their primary function is to record footage and alert you to suspicious activity, without the ability to directly engage with anyone or anything in the space they’re monitoring.

3. Video and Audio Capabilities:
Clarity and Detail for Different Purposes

● Pet Camera:

Pet cameras generally prioritize clarity to ensure that you can clearly see and hear your pet. High-definition video allows you to observe your pet’s behavior and movements without any blurry images. These cameras often come with night vision capabilities to ensure you can see your pet even in low-light conditions. Audio is typically designed to pick up your pet’s sounds, like barking or meowing, so you can respond accordingly.

The Enabot ROLA Mini Movable Pet Camera offers sharp 2K resolution for clear video, so you can easily watch your pet. With night vision, you’ll never miss a moment, even in low light, keeping your pet safe and visible at all times.

ROLA Mini Movable Camera with 2K resolution

● Security Camera:

Security cameras also offer high-definition video, but their focus is more on wide-angle views and motion detection. They are optimized to capture and record large areas, such as doorways, windows, and the perimeter of your property. Audio capabilities are often geared toward detecting noises that could indicate a security threat, such as footsteps or a door opening. They might have night vision as well, but their main goal is to provide clear and detailed images of any intruders or events that happen on your property.

4. Pet Entertainment Features:
Fun vs. Function

● Pet Camera:

If you want to entertain your pet remotely, a pet camera is the way to go. Many pet cameras come with fun and interactive features designed to engage your pet, such as laser pointers, feather toys, or even treat dispensers. These cameras can turn playtime into a virtual experience, helping keep your pet active and happy while you’re away.

The Enabot ROLA Mini even has the option to attach a cat teaser, adding extra fun for your furry friend.

ROLA PetPal with different kinds of pets treats

● Security Camera:

Security cameras have no focus on entertainment—they’re about security. While some security cameras can alert you to motion or unusual activity, they don’t come with features to entertain or engage with pets. Their purpose is to ensure your property remains safe and to alert you if something seems off.

5. Installation:
Easy Setup vs. Strategic Placement

● Pet Camera:

Pet cameras are often designed for easy installation. They are typically small, lightweight, and portable, making them ideal for placing in different areas around the home. Many pet cameras are adjustable and can be moved to new locations if needed. You can position them in your pet’s favorite spots to get the best view and maintain interaction.

Enabot ROLA Mini pet camera can be placed anywhere in the house and is designed to be more flexible and movable, allowing you to control it remotely, move it around to find your pets, and play with them from anywhere.

ROLA Mini Movable Pet Camera and Monitot

● Security Camera:

Security cameras, especially those designed for home or business security, tend to require strategic installation. These cameras are often installed in fixed locations like entrances, hallways, or exterior walls. They may require drilling or mounting hardware and can be harder to reposition once they are installed. Security cameras often come with more complex setups, including wiring or connection to a dedicated security system.

6. App Design:
Pet Interaction vs. Surveillance Management

● Pet Camera:

Pet camera apps are designed with interactivity in mind. These apps typically offer intuitive controls that allow you to view live video, communicate with your pet through audio, and control interactive features like lasers or treat dispensers. The ROLA Mini's app is easy to control and user-friendly, making it simple to interact with your pet. The app’s interface is designed with simple buttons, ensuring that pet owners can effortlessly engage with their pets.

● Security Camera:

The apps for security cameras are generally designed for monitoring and managing multiple cameras. They provide real-time footage, motion alerts, and sometimes cloud storage to save recorded video. While these apps can allow you to view and manage footage from multiple cameras, they don’t offer the interactive or playful features that pet camera apps provide.

Can I Use A Security Camera to Monitor My Pet?

While security cameras can certainly capture footage of your pets and monitor their activity, they typically won’t offer the same level of interactivity that a pet camera can provide. If you just want to check in on your pets now and then, a security camera could work. However, if you're looking for a solution where you can interact with your pets, talk to them, or even play with them remotely, a pet camera is the better option.

Conclusion: Which Camera Is Right for You?

When choosing between a pet camera and a security camera, it comes down to your priorities:

If you want to stay connected with your pets, entertain them, and ensure their happiness while you're away, a pet camera is ideal. Features like two-way audio, toys, and night vision are great for interaction and connection.

If your focus is on home security and monitoring for intruders, a security camera is the better choice. With wide-angle views, motion detection, and high-definition video, it’s built for protecting your property.

You might even want both—a pet camera to check in on your pets and a security camera to safeguard your home. Both offer valuable features based on what you need!