Pets are beloved members of the family, but they can also be a challenge when it comes to home security. The movement and activity of our furry friends can often trigger motion sensors and set off alarms, leading to frustrating false alerts. Fortunately, there are now a variety of pet-friendly home security systems designed to keep both your home and your pets safe.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing security system or install a new one, several options can accommodate the needs of households with pets. These systems often feature specialized motion detectors, cameras with two-way communication, and smart alert features to distinguish between human and animal activity.
So before you consider getting rid of your pets to avoid security headaches, keep reading to learn how you can modify your home security system to keep both your home and your furry family members safe and secure.
What Makes a Home Security System Pet-Friendly?
A pet-friendly home security system is designed to accommodate the presence of pets while still effectively detecting and alerting homeowners to potential threats. Here are some key features that make a home security system pet-friendly:
- Pet-Immune Motion Sensors: These sensors are designed to distinguish between the movement patterns of pets and potential intruders. They typically ignore small animals under a certain weight threshold (e.g., cats and small dogs) while still detecting human-sized movements. This prevents false alarms triggered by pets moving around the home.
- Adjustable Sensor Sensitivity: Some motion sensors allow you to adjust their sensitivity levels to account for the presence of pets. By fine-tuning the sensitivity settings, you can minimize the likelihood of false alarms caused by pet activity without compromising the system’s ability to detect intruders.
- Placement Considerations: Strategically placing motion sensors and other detection devices can help minimize false alarms triggered by pets. For example, mounting motion sensors at heights above pet level or angling them away from areas frequented by pets can reduce the chances of accidental triggers.
- Alternative Detection Methods: In addition to motion sensors, pet-friendly home security systems may incorporate alternative detection methods that are less likely to be affected by pet activity. These can include door/window sensors, glass break detectors, and cameras with intelligent object recognition technology.
- Remote Monitoring and Customization: Many modern home security systems offer remote monitoring capabilities and customizable settings, allowing homeowners to receive alerts and adjust system settings from their smartphones or other devices. This flexibility enables pet owners to monitor their homes effectively while making adjustments to accommodate their pets’ presence.
Top 3 Pet-Friendly Home Security Systems
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is a well-recognized home security brand, and it offers one of the best pet-friendly motion sensors on the market. It’s capable of ignoring pets under 50 lbs. SimpliSafe also has indoor cameras capable of two-way audio to check on your pets remotely.
Vivint
Vivint also features two-way talk so you can interact with your pets remotely. It’s another great option for pet-friendly motion sensors. Look for their indoor camera that doubles as a motion sensor – it’s a solid option!
CPI Security
This home security service takes it a step further by alerting first responders to the number of pets in your home. Just like the other two options, CPI Security offers pet-friendly motion sensors.
There are many more pet-friendly options and even some that don’t require a monthly subscription! The one below is a great option if you want to set up your own security system:
All-in-one Pet-Friendly Security System
REOLINK Smart 5MP 8CH Home Security Camera System
Tips to Avoid False Alarms with Pets
Even when you go with a pet-friendly security system, it’s still possible to get false alarms from time to time. It’s still better than dozens of false alarms per day, but let’s try to minimize these false alarms even more…
- Place your motion sensors at an appropriate height to ignore pets.
- To get alerts when your pets come and go, place a sensor near the pet door.
- Wide-angle cameras are great for monitoring homes with pets! You can always opt for ones with two-way communication so you can interact with them.
If you don’t want any alerts from your pets at home, then simply keep sensors high enough to prevent them from tripping an alarm.
