My household runs on the energy of two kids and a rambunctious adolescent dog, so when I spotted the Furbo Dog Camera promising treat-tossing and live video, I figured it might help us keep tabs and add some fun. Setting it up took ten minutes, most of which was spent wrangling the dog away from the box. The HD video is crisp and the two-way audio actually works well, my preschooler loves barking orders at the dog from the kitchen.
The treat-tossing feature is a crowd-pleaser. My seven-year-old mastered the app quickly, gleefully launching kibble during homework breaks. But the Furbo is picky about treat size, and anything larger than standard kibble jams the device, which led to disappointed faces and dog frustration until we figured out the right brand.
What surprised me was how much the camera helped the kids feel responsible for the dog. They checked in from upstairs and took turns feeding treats. The dog, however, seems confused when he hears our voices but can't see us, sometimes he waits by the camera, sometimes he ignores it altogether. Security-wise, I’m not thrilled by the push notifications for every bark, which feels more like digital nagging than useful alerts.
Furbo works best for families who want to involve kids in pet care and keep an eye on furry friends, but it’s pricey and not essential unless you spend lots of time away from home. Fun, imperfect, and worth considering if your kids love gadgets as much as they love their pets.