Can I Use a Home Security System if I Have Pets?

A common misconception about home security systems is that they aren’t ideal in homes with pets. Some people mistakenly assume that their dogs or cats will accidentally trigger the alarm. But this is simply not true – for several reasons.

Home security systems work in any home, whether you have a single pet or a houseful of animals. These systems provide an invaluable layer of protection, keeping your family safe from a wide variety of security dangers, such as burglary, home intrusion, fire and other threats. In addition to ensuring a swift response to emergencies, these systems also help to deter criminals from targeting your home. So there’s no reason you should bypass this protection just because you live with pets.

The misconception about pets usually stems from a misunderstanding about how home security systems work and the technologies that are available today.

Here’s what you need to know.

1) Motion detection is not a required feature.

Right off the bat, it’s important to understand that your home security system does not need to have motion detection. It’s optional. The foundation of your alarm system will likely be door and window contacts, which will activate the alarm if they’re opened while the system is armed. The contacts can go on every door and every window, if you prefer, so that every entry point is protected. So having pets inside the home is irrelevant. The door and window contacts detect entry, not movement inside the home.

Should you add motion detection?

We do recommend it for families who want to have maximum peace of mind that they’ll be alerted to any activity in areas where there shouldn’t be. This is particularly important if the family travels frequently or the home is often vacant. Additionally, if there are many valuables inside the home or highly secure areas where there should rarely be movement, those would be good reasons to consider motion detectors.

But even with motion detection, you still don’t have to worry about pets. Here’s why…

2) You can bypass zones where your pets are.

If you do decide that you want the added protection of motion detection, you still have control over the areas where movement is detected.

Your home security system can be configured into “zones,” allowing you to enable the motion detection only in the rooms or spaces where it’s needed. For example, if your pets primarily roam your living room or a basement area, you can bypass these zones. This will disable the motion detection in these areas, while still providing protection in the other rooms.

However, bypassing zones isn’t your only option when it comes to motion detection …

3) Pet-friendly devices are available

Today’s motion detection devices and security cameras are more intelligent than ever. You have the option of installing pet-friendly sensors that can distinguish between suspicious activity and the movement of your pets.

This allows you to maintain the highest level of security throughout any area of your home, without worrying about your pets triggering the alarm.

Learn more about our pet-friendly alarm systems

Contact us at PROTECTION PLUS to request a no-obligation security system consultation today.