Solution Spotlight: Local Smart Pet Monitoring for Aging Cats
Why I Turned to Smart Tech for My Aging Cats
I shared my home with two senior cats, Lily and Zuma. When one of the cats began showing signs of stomach trouble, I needed clearer insight into their daily routines so I could step in quickly and know which cat was having trouble.
My cats Lily & Zuma
Mystery Messes: Which Cat Needed Help?
Both cats used a shared laundry room “pet suite” for food and litter. I couldn’t tell whether it was Lily or Zuma who was in distress, and while I had my suspicions, I wanted to know for sure which cat was having stomach issues so I could make sure the right one was getting the treatment she needed. I ended up building a smart pet monitoring setup that stayed 100% private while showing exactly who was doing their business, so to speak, both how they were each using the litter box and when.
The 3-Piece, Privacy-First Fix I Built in a Day
- Private-by-Design Hardware
- Aqara Zigbee door sensors on each pet door flap
- A Reolink indoor camera aimed at the litter zone
- Home Assistant running locally for full data ownership
Camera affixed to indoor wall that points at cat food and litter area
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Simple Entry/Exit Logic
One flap is configure to open “IN,” and the other is configured to open only in the “OUT” direction. When the IN sensor trips, Home Assistant tells the camera to record a 90-second video clip that was saved on servers running in my own home, rather than farming the video out to cloud storage.
Contact sensors affixed to the doggy door flaps
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Fine-Tuned Recording Times
Early tests filled the drive fast, so I trimmed the automation to a 45-second window: long enough to capture who walked in and what they did, short enough to save storage.Brief recording of Zuma triggered after she entered the laundry room via the doggy flaps affixed with contact sensors
From Guesswork to Vet-Ready Proof in 24 Hours
- I identified that Zuma was experiencing distress and was able to share exact timestamps and video with the vet, speeding up diagnosis
- We avoided messy accidents and reduced household stress for both Lily and Zuma
- All data stayed on-site, my non-negotiable for every Serenity Smart Homes install.
Sadly, Zuma has since crossed the rainbow bridge. However, knowing I caught her symptoms early and made her final days more comfortable is a comfort I wouldn’t trade for anything. The system now helps me stay ahead of Lily’s health needs with the same level of care and privacy.
Copy These Smart Pet Care Wins
- Local automations protect sensitive footage and personal data
- Door sensors plus smart cameras create powerful yet simple pet monitoring routines
- Small tweaks in recording length save on video storage without losing context
Download Now: 5 Simple Automations to Save Time & Lower Stress at Home
Want Eyes on Your Fur Babies Too?
We can build the same smart pet monitoring system for you, customized for dogs, cats, or any furry family member. Let’s give your pets the best smart pet care without sacrificing privacy. Book a quick call with Serenity Smart Homes today!
