- 12.5 million Brits admit they use smart devices to check in on their pets while they’re out[1] with pet cam owners spending on average 32 minutes each day watching them remotely[2]
- Unexpected places Brits have checked their pet cam include: on holidays (42%), at the gym (29%), at the pub (26%) and even on a date (15%)[3]
- 86% confess to streaming pet footage over mobile data, risking a spike in their phone bill[4]
- Dog owners Elena and Kirstie share their different experiences of keeping tabs on their pets, revealing how they use pet cams in their daily lives
- Uswitch mobiles expert Simrat Sharma, shares her top tips on how to stay connected to home when out and about without increasing mobile costs
Pet cams are sparking a 'puparazzi' trend across the UK, with an estimated 12.5 million Brits admitting they use smart devices to spy on their pets while away[1], according to research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Those with a pet camera spend an average of 32 minutes each day watching their pets remotely[2] - spending more time catching up on what their furry friends are up to than they do using weather apps, or fitness apps. Across the nation, this adds up to a staggering 1.9 million hours spent watching pets every day[2].
While many purchase smart devices for more obvious reasons, like security or to check who might be popping by, 30% bought them specifically to watch their pets[6] and 86% who have checked in admit they’re guilty of using their mobile data to stream footage of them[4] – often from unexpected places.
On holiday (42%), at the office (47%), and at the gym (29%) were among the top places Brits love to catch a glimpse of their fur-babies from, with some even going so far as to check in on their pets in less-than-conventional settings like on a date (15%) or even at a wedding (12%)[3].
And it’s easy to see why. The secret lives of Britain’s pets are anything but dull, with cameras catching them red-pawed in all sorts of antics[7]:
- More than a third (36%) have found them snoozing in hilariously awkward positions
- 27% have even seen their pet glued to the TV
- A quarter (25%) have watched them wreak havoc on furniture or belongings
- 22% have caught their pet sneaking a snack they shouldn’t
- One in six (16%) have spotted daring escape attempts
For Elena, 28 from Yorkshire, the pet cam is an essential form of entertainment that allows her to catch all the mischief her German Shorthaired Pointer, Rufus, gets up to over the day.
“Sometimes he’s just sleeping in the strangest positions, other times I catch him trying to eat the camera or even in the lounge wearing the curtains.
“It’s like watching a sitcom that never ends," she said.
While for Kirstie, 42, from Buckinghamshire, checking in on Baxter the Labrador isn’t about catching him in the act, but about knowing he’s safe, comfortable, and never too far away.
“It’s like a little dose of Baxter whenever I need it,” she says.
“I’ll check in a few times during the day, especially if I’m at work, and then end up talking about whatever he’s doing to anyone who will listen. He’s a big part of my life, so it’s nice to feel connected, even when I’m not at home.”
Kirstie isn’t alone in her devotion to her fur-child. Research reveals that almost a third (31%) of pet owners talk about their pets at least once a day[8] and those with a pet cam check in on their antics on average three times daily[5], with 17% admitting they use their pet cam to peek in on their pets over five times a day[5].
While these check-ins are heartwarming, they can come at a cost. Streaming live footage over mobile data can quickly add up, making it important for pet owners to keep an eye on their usage, as well as their pets.
Simrat Shamra, mobile expert at Uswitch.com, shares her top tips for staying connected to your pets without inflating your mobile bill:
“Pet owners understandably want to stay connected to their animals throughout the day, but regular streaming can quickly use up your mobile data allowance.
“For instance, watching your pets in full HD can use around 80–200 MB per hour, so prolonged viewing can add up fast. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to keep costs under control while still enjoying peace of mind:
- Lower your video quality: switching from HD to standard definition can significantly reduce the amount of data each stream uses, without compromising your ability to see what your pet is up to.
- Connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible: whether at home, in the office, or using a trusted public hotspot, using Wi-Fi for pet cam check-ins prevents unnecessary data consumption.
- Download content in advance: some apps allow you to record and save footage when connected to Wi-Fi, so you can review it later without streaming live on mobile data.
- Track and manage your usage: There are tools such as the Uswitch app that help you monitor your data usage.
- Choose the right mobile plan: if you regularly stream while away from Wi-Fi, consider a plan with a larger data allowance, or one with data-saving features such as rollover.”
Visit Uswitch.com to compare mobile data deals and discover data saving tips to make your allowance go further.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 15th – 19th August 2025. Results were weighted to be nationally representative
- Those with pets and smart devices were asked whether or not they have ever used their smart device to check in on their pet whilst they were away from home. 34% said yes, they sometimes do this, 25% responded yes, they regularly do this, and 16% responded that they have done this, but do not do so often. Out of the 2,000 adults surveyed, 462 were pet owners who reported checking in on their pets using smart devices. This represents 23% of all adults in the survey. Applying this proportion to the total UK adult population suggests that approximately 12.5 million adults in the UK engage in this behaviour.
- Respondents with a pet cam were asked approximately how long they spend checking in on their pet using a smart device per day, with the average number of minutes per day equating to 32. Based on the 3,604,063 UK adults with a pet cam, each spending an average of 32 minutes per day watching their pets remotely, equating to a cumulative 1,992,167 hours daily.
- Those who have checked on their pet via a smart device were asked which places they have ever checked in on their pet via their smart device. 47% said at work, 30% said on holiday in the UK, 29% said at the gym, 26% said at the pub, and 24% said on holiday abroad. On holidays in the UK and on holidays abroad were combined to equate to 42% responding ‘on holiday’.
- Those that use their smart device to check in on their pet were asked whether they have ever used mobile data rather than Wi-Fi to check in. 42% said yes, sometimes, 26% said they mainly use mobile data, and 19% said they have used mobile data to check in, but don’t do so often, totaling 86%.
- Those with a pet cam were asked approximately how many times a day they check their pet on their smart device. 28% responded 3 times, 8% responded 4 times, and 17% responded 5+ times, equating to 54% checking 3 or more times a day, with a median response of 3.
- Respondents with a smart device were asked what were the main reasons they purchased this smart device, of which 30% responded “to watch my pet.”
- Those that check in on their pet via a smart device were asked what, if any, funny things they have seen their pet do when checking in on them. 36% responded sleeping in a strange position, 27% said watching TV, 25% said destroying something, 24% said playing with another pet, 22% said making unusual sounds, 22% said eating something they shouldn’t, and 16% responded trying to escape. 14% of respondents answered that they have never seen their pet do something funny when checking in.
- Those with pets were asked how often, if ever, they talk about their pet with friends, family, or colleagues. 8% responded once a day, 18% responded multiple times a day, 3% responded every few hours, and 2% responded every hour, totaling 31% who talk about their pets at least once per day.
For more information
Harriet Atkinson | Telecoms PR Manager
harriet.atkinson@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
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