If you’re a pet parent thinking about getting a Furbo camera (or maybe you already have one), chances are you’ve come across the Furbo subscription — also called Furbo Nanny. And like many others, you might be wondering:
“Do I really need the Furbo subscription, or can I get by without it?”
Let’s break it down in plain English. I’ll walk you through what the subscription actually includes, how much it costs, and when it’s genuinely worth paying for — based on real-world use.
First Things First: What Is the Furbo Subscription?
The Furbo subscription is basically a premium add-on for your Furbo dog camera. Without it, your Furbo still works — you can see your pet live, toss treats, and talk to them through the app.
But with the subscription (officially called Furbo Nanny), you unlock a bunch of smart features powered by AI. Think of it as upgrading your camera from “basic baby monitor” to “personal pet assistant.”
Here’s what you get with the Furbo subscription:
- Smart Alerts: Get notified about unusual activity — like excessive barking, crying, or even someone entering your home.
- Cloud Video History: Watch video clips of what your pet’s been up to, even when you’re not around.
- Multiple Camera Support: Keep an eye on several rooms (or pets!) from one app.
- Health & Behavior Insights: Detect abnormal movements or patterns that might signal stress, restlessness, or health issues.
- Furbo Care Warranty: Active subscribers get lifetime hardware warranty coverage — a nice bonus.
Basically, it’s designed for pet owners who want peace of mind when they’re not home.
How Much Does the Furbo Subscription Cost?
As of 2025, Furbo offers three tiers in the U.S., so you can pick the plan that fits your lifestyle and budget:
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly (per month) | 2-Year (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $6.99 | $5.75 | $5.38 |
| Standard | $7.99 | $6.58 | $6.20 |
| Premium | $12.49 | $9.99 | $7.37 |
If you have more than one camera, the Standard or Premium plans make more sense because they support multiple devices. The Basic plan works well for single-camera homes.
A small but nice perk: yearly subscribers also get access to the Furbo Care lifetime hardware warranty, which means your camera stays protected as long as your subscription is active.
What Happens If You Don’t Get the Subscription?
Here’s the part most people wonder about — what exactly do you lose without paying for a Furbo subscription?
Without it, your Furbo still lets you:
- Watch live video
- Toss treats
- Talk to your pet
But you’ll miss out on:
- Saved video clips or playback history
- Smart alerts for barking, activity, or emergencies
- Multi-camera support
- AI health and behavior detection
So yes, you can still use Furbo for basic pet monitoring, but you won’t have any record of what happened while you were away — or alerts if something’s wrong.
For example, one user shared on Reddit that they initially skipped the subscription, but after missing an incident where their dog got into the trash, they subscribed “for peace of mind.” That story feels relatable to many pet parents who just want reassurance when they’re not home.
When the Furbo Subscription Is Totally Worth It
You might be wondering — Is it really worth paying around $7 to $10 a month?
Here’s when the Furbo subscription really pays off:
- You travel or work long hours.
If you’re not home most of the day, the smart alerts and video history help you stay connected. You’ll know immediately if your pet’s stressed, barking nonstop, or getting into trouble. - You have multiple pets or rooms to monitor.
The multi-camera support is a lifesaver for larger homes or multi-pet households. - You care about your pet’s health and safety.
The behavior tracking and abnormal activity alerts can help you notice early signs of stress or health issues. - You want that extra warranty protection.
The lifetime warranty from Furbo Care only applies if you’re subscribed — so if your camera ever breaks, it’s covered.
When You Might Skip It
If you’re home most of the time, or only want to peek in occasionally, you might be perfectly fine without the Furbo subscription. The base features (live view and treat toss) are still fun and functional.
But if you ever find yourself checking the app constantly or wondering what your dog’s doing while you’re out — the subscription will likely feel like money well spent.
Final Thoughts: My Take on the Furbo Subscription
The Furbo subscription isn’t mandatory — but for many pet parents, it’s the difference between a “nice gadget” and a truly useful pet-care tool.
If you’re someone who treats your dog (or cat!) like family, the smart alerts, video history, and peace of mind make it worth every penny.
Think of it this way: it costs about the same as one fancy coffee a week, but it gives you priceless reassurance that your furry friend is safe and happy.
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