Pet cam recommendation

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Pet cam recommendation

kandjc

119 posts

Master Geek

#306149 1-Jul-2023 13:24

We think a neighbours cat may be using our cat door at night.
What would be a simple sensor camera that records to an SD card.

Thanks,
Ken

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#3098213 1-Jul-2023 14:36

If you do record it entering, what are you going to do with that information? I suggest you put the budget for camera towards a microchip cat flap.

rscole86

4980 posts

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#3098215 1-Jul-2023 14:41

As above, microchip cat flap will fix this problem, they work with your cats existing chip, or they come with chip's that go on their collar.

Alternatively trail cameras are perfect for this, run on AA batteries, record to SD based on motion detection. But you're looking at around $150.

Wombat1

586 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#3098230 1-Jul-2023 15:02

gbwelly:

If you do record it entering, what are you going to do with that information?

Um have a chat with the neighbors, and if they deny its their cat sent them the video.

catdog

107 posts

Master Geek

#3098483 1-Jul-2023 21:34

I've been through this... and found it was at least 4 different cats (monitoring over a month or so), which ultimately ended up with a broken door when I caught one of them inside. Similar to the suggestion from others, I ended up installing a cat door with a magnetic lock - although a microchip version would be better these days.

SATTV

1649 posts

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#3098490 1-Jul-2023 22:34

If you have a spare old cellphone there are several apps to turn them into a motion detecting security camera.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

neb

11294 posts

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#3098729 2-Jul-2023 17:54

rscole86: Alternatively trail cameras are perfect for this, run on AA batteries, record to SD based on motion detection. But you're looking at around $150.

You can get no-name Chinese ones for a lot less, in this case it doesn't matter if it's not waterproof, the batteries only last a few days, or the recording quality isn't super-HD.

OTOH as others have pointed out a microchip cat flap would be a better use of the money.

rscole86

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#3098732 2-Jul-2023 18:06

Simpler still, can you put the cat flap on enter only, trap them inside and you'll soon see who's visiting you at night.
Either take photos, or open the flap again and start making a racket with your pots n pans.

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k1w1k1d

1530 posts

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#3098734 2-Jul-2023 18:12

Trouble with locking neighbour's cats inside is the mess they leave behind.

catdog

107 posts

Master Geek

#3098776 2-Jul-2023 21:00

rscole86: Simpler still, can you put the cat flap on enter only, trap them inside and you'll soon see who's visiting you at night.
Either take photos, or open the flap again and start making a racket with your pots n pans.

And this is exactly how I ended up with a broken door! (Although in fairness it did work - I never saw that particular cat again)

neb

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#3098782 2-Jul-2023 21:42

catdog: And this is exactly how I ended up with a broken door! (Although in fairness it did work - I never saw that particular cat again)

Just curious, did this cat that broke your door have a mane and was it about 2 1/2 meters long?