Petcube Review: Watching Our Westie Home Alone (2026)

This review contains affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We bought our own opinions, though.

Every Westie owner knows the feeling: you close the door, and somewhere behind it sits a small white dog who considers your departure a personal betrayal. Westies are velcro dogs. Ours - Bakse - is no exception.

That's why we got a Petcube camera: partly for peace of mind, partly to find out what he actually does all day. (Spoiler: 80% sleeping on the exact spot of the couch he's not allowed on.)

What Is Petcube?

Petcube makes smart pet cameras with an app that lets you watch, talk to and (depending on model) toss treats to your dog from anywhere. The main lineup:

• Petcube Cam - compact HD camera with night vision and two-way audio. The budget pick.
• Petcube Cam 360 - rotating view, follows the action around the room.
• Petcube Bites - camera + treat flinger. Yes, it launches treats. Bakse has strong opinions about this one.

Setup: 10 Minutes, No Drama

Plug in, download the app, connect to Wi-Fi, done. We mounted ours facing the living room couch (see "spot he's not allowed on", above). The app works from anywhere - we've checked on Bakse from another country while traveling.

What We Actually Use It For

• Separation anxiety check. Westies can be barkers when bored. The camera showed us Bakse settles down about 10 minutes after we leave - which honestly cured more of our anxiety than his.
• Bark alerts. The app pings your phone on barking or movement. Useful to learn when he barks (delivery trucks, it's always delivery trucks).
• Talking to him. Two-way audio. Fair warning: some dogs get confused hearing your voice from a box. Bakse now mostly ignores us unless treats are involved, which feels fair.
• Night vision. Surprisingly good - useful for puppies or seniors who wander at night.
• Vet chat. Petcube's app includes an online vet consultation feature - we've used it once for a "is this rash urgent?" question at 10 pm. For Westie skin panic moments, genuinely handy.

What We Like

• Video quality (1080p+) and a wide lens - one camera covers our whole living room.
• App is simple; grandparents-can-use-it simple.
• Price - the basic Cam often costs less than one emergency "what is he doing home alone" taxi ride back.
• Treat tossing on the Bites model is legitimately great for breaking up a long day alone.

What We Don't Love

• Full video history needs a Petcube Care subscription - the free tier is live view + short clips.
• Like every Wi-Fi camera: if your internet dies, so does your peace of mind.
• The treat flinger only fits small crunchy treats (which, for a Westie's waistline, is maybe a feature).

Verdict: Should a Westie Owner Buy One?

Yes, if your Westie spends weekday hours alone, you have a puppy or a senior, or you just want to know what the barking alerts are about. It's one of those purchases that quietly becomes part of the routine - we check the app the way other people check the weather.

Skip it if your dog is never actually alone or you'd never pay for a subscription and want full recordings.

👉 Check current Petcube prices here - they run sales fairly often.

FAQ

Does Petcube work without a subscription?

Yes - live streaming, two-way audio and alerts work free. The subscription adds video history, smart alerts and perks like vet chat benefits.

Is a pet camera worth it for separation anxiety?

It won't fix anxiety by itself, but it tells you what's really happening - whether your Westie settles, paces or barks - so you (and your trainer or vet) can act on facts, not guilt.

Which Petcube is best for a small dog like a Westie?

The basic Petcube Cam covers most needs. Get Bites if your dog is food-motivated and spends long days alone - for a Westie, that combination is basically guaranteed.

Want to see what Bakse does when he thinks nobody's watching? We post his adventures on the Adventures page and on our YouTube channel.