With 70% of US households having a pet and 32% of those being millennials, home security is no longer just about protecting your home, but your pets as well. This integration of pet safety into home security has become increasingly urgent, with 2024 data from the American Veterinary Medical Association revealing that over 500,000 pets are affected by home fires annually, and 40,000 pets die in these disasters.
The stakes are significant—according to a 2025 survey by the Insurance Information Institute, 98% of pet owners consider their pets family members, yet only 36% have home security systems configured to protect pets during emergencies. This disconnect is particularly concerning as the average American pet owner spends 4.6 hours away from home daily, leaving pets vulnerable during this time.
Fires, floods, carbon monoxide leaks, and other emergencies can all threaten your pets while you aren’t home, all things a good home security system can alert you of. However, there are issues with pets and home security, mainly the triggering of false alarms. Recent data from ADT indicates that pets cause approximately 30% of all false security alarms, leading to potential fines and delayed emergency response in genuine situations.
This means you need the right kind of pet-friendly home security to ensure your furry friends are safe and comfortable while your home remains protected. It’s a way to have peace of mind knowing your pets are safeguarded from fires and other emergencies while preventing the triggering of false alarms. The National Fire Protection Association reports that homes with monitored smoke detectors see a 26% faster emergency response time, critical when pets are home alone and unable to escape.
By choosing the right devices and configuring your system properly, you can create a secure environment that meets pet owners’ unique needs. This includes using pet-immune motion sensors, smart cameras with two-way audio, and environmental monitoring devices. Recent studies show that properly configured pet-immune motion sensors can reduce false alarms by up to 95%, while providing early warning for genuine security concerns.
With a pet-friendly security setup, you can go about your day without worrying about your pets being home alone. A 2024 study by the American Pet Products Association found that pet owners with specialized security systems report 72% less anxiety about leaving pets home alone compared to those without such systems. Keep reading our guide on home security and pets to find out how to build a home security system that protects your pets and helps keep them safe.
Let’s start by finding out what pet-friendly home security looks like.
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Key Takeaways
- Pet-friendly home security systems protect both your home and pets, reducing false alarms from pet movement.
- Pet-immune motion detectors prevent pets from triggering alarms while allowing free movement around the house.
- Smart cameras with two-way audio let you monitor and interact with pets remotely, helping reduce separation anxiety.
- Environmental monitoring devices detect smoke, carbon monoxide, and temperature changes, ensuring pet safety during emergencies.
- Smart locks offer secure access for pet sitters, providing temporary entry without the need for physical keys.
- Systems like SimpliSafe, ADT, Vivint, Frontpoint, and Cove provide pet-friendly features, including customizable sensors and cameras.
What Is Pet-Friendly Home Security?
Modern pet-friendly home security represents a significant evolution in residential protection technology. Unlike standard systems that often generate costly false alarms when pets move about, these specialized solutions incorporate advanced AI and sensor technology specifically designed to differentiate between human intruders and animal movement patterns.
The Three Pillars of Pet-Focused Security
Intelligent Intrusion Detection Without False Alarms
Pet-friendly security employs sophisticated motion sensors with weight discrimination technology, allowing them to ignore movements from animals typically under 80 pounds while remaining vigilant for human threats. According to a 2025 study by Parks Associates, 62% of security system owners experienced a false alarm in the past 12 months, with 53% citing a non-person as the cause. However, homes with pet-immune sensors experience significantly fewer false alarms.
The latest 2025 systems incorporate AI-enhanced image processing that can distinguish between human and animal forms with high accuracy, even in low-light conditions. This technological advancement has been particularly valuable to pet owners who previously received frequent false alarm notifications.
Comprehensive Pet Safety Monitoring
Beyond intrusion detection, these systems incorporate environmental monitoring that specifically addresses pet vulnerabilities. Advanced smoke detectors can now detect fires at earlier stages when particulate levels are still low—critical for pets who are typically affected by smoke inhalation faster than humans due to their smaller lung capacity and faster respiratory rates.
The 2024 National Fire Protection Association statistics show that homes with monitored smoke detection systems significantly reduce pet fire fatalities. Similarly, carbon monoxide detectors can identify this odorless threat before it reaches levels dangerous to pets, which typically show symptoms at lower concentrations than humans.
Behavioral Management and Enrichment
The third component addresses a significant concern for pet owners—property damage from pets experiencing separation anxiety. Systems with two-way audio capabilities allow remote interaction, which can help reduce destructive behaviors in anxiety-prone animals.
A 2025 survey by Parks Associates revealed that about half of system owners say their security system triggers too many false alarms, and nearly one-in-ten report they experienced more than five false alarms in a 12-month period. This highlights the importance of pet-friendly systems that can accurately distinguish between pets and intruders.
These comprehensive systems represent a fundamental shift in how we protect both our homes and our animal companions, addressing the unique challenges faced by the growing number of households where pets are considered family members rather than simply animals.
Benefits of Pet-Friendly Home Security
Security systems that keep pets in mind come with three main benefits. These include keeping your home protected from burglars and break-ins while preventing your pets from setting off false alarms, being able to keep an eye on your pet, and ensuring that your pet is safe during emergencies.
Here are the benefits of a pet-friendly home security system:
Fewer False Alarms
Pet-immune motion sensors significantly reduce false alarms caused by your furry friends moving around the house. These sensors are designed to ignore the movements of animals under a certain weight, usually between 40 and 80 pounds.
This means you can arm your security system even when your pets are home alone without worrying about them triggering the alarm. Roughly 30% of pet owners in the US prefer alarm systems with pet-immune sensors to prevent such false alarms.
False alarms can be stressful for both you and your pets. They can also lead to fines from your local police department if they respond to too many false alarms from your home. With pet-friendly motion sensors, you can avoid these issues and have a more reliable security system overall.
Peace of Mind When Away
Leaving your pets home alone can be stressful, especially if you will be gone for an extended period. With a pet-friendly security system, you can check in on your furry friends anytime using your smartphone or tablet. Many systems include cameras with live streaming capabilities, so you can see what your pets are up to in real time.
Checking in on your pets while you aren’t home is important, as they are susceptible to injuries or, worse, due to home emergencies when owners aren’t home. In some cases, it may even be the pets that cause the emergency in the first place, such as the roughly 1,000 fires started by pets each year in the US.
This is why up to 38% of pet owners in the US invest in cameras and another 22% in pet-friendly motion detectors, specifically to keep an eye on their pets. These are great ways to let you keep an eye on your pets when you aren’t home, letting you know they’re safe, while also providing you with peace of mind that they aren’t starting fires or shredding your favorite pair of shoes.
Some pet-friendly cameras also have two-way audio, allowing you to talk to your pets and toss treats using a smart dispenser. This can be a great way to keep your pets entertained and reassured while you’re away.
Protects Pets in Emergencies
A pet-friendly security system can keep your pets safe from intruders and protect them in case of emergencies, which is important considering that up to 500,000 pets are affected by home fires every year.
Furthermore, many breeds are susceptible to fluctuating temperatures, which means that having environmental and temperature sensors is important. They help prevent your pets from being stuck in an environment for prolonged periods that may very well cause them harm.
With 35% of pet owners reporting massive spending increases on pet products and care over the last year and veterinary care costing nearly $600 per year for dogs and well over $400 per year for cats, people just can’t afford to spend any more money on vet bills.
Although investing in security measures might involve an up-front cost, it can help mitigate the rising cost of pet care and vet bills in the long run. On that note, let’s move on and discuss how pet-friendly security systems work and what aspects they involve.
Essential Security Features for Pet Owners
For pet owners, a home security system should safeguard the property, accommodate pets’ movements, and ensure their safety.
These systems incorporate advanced technologies, such as customizable motion sensitivity and two-way audio, allowing pets to move freely while offering interactive capabilities for remote communication.
Below, we discuss the essential features pet owners should consider, including pet-immune motion detectors, top outdoor security cameras, indoor security cameras, smart locks for pet sitter access, and environmental monitoring devices.
Each of these features contributes to a secure and pet-friendly environment, so let’s examine each one closely.
Pet-Immune Motion Detectors
Pet-immune motion detectors are crucial in pet-friendly security systems, as they allow pets to roam without causing false alarms. These sensors use adjustable sensitivity settings to distinguish between pets and potential intruders, ignoring movement from animals below a certain weight threshold, typically 40 to 80 pounds.
This customization allows pet owners to set sensitivity based on their pets’ sizes, ensuring the system only detects human intruders.
When installing pet-immune motion detectors, placement is essential. Aim to install them high on walls or corners, well above your pet’s typical range of motion. This strategic setup minimizes the chances of pets accidentally triggering the alarm while providing a reliable barrier against human movement.
Outdoor Security Cameras
Next, outdoor security cameras are essential in keeping pets and property safe by monitoring the yard, entryways, and outdoor spaces.
The top outdoor security cameras have features like wide-angle lenses, night vision, and weatherproofing to ensure comprehensive surveillance.
Moreover, outdoor cameras equipped with built-in flood lights or sirens can deter intruders, adding extra security to your pet-friendly system.
Indoor Security Cameras
Aside from outdoor cameras, indoor security cameras allow pet owners to monitor their pets’ activities and well-being inside the home. The best indoor security cameras for pet owners come with two-way audio, night vision, and wide-angle lenses.
The two-way audio feature lets you communicate with your pets remotely, offering comfort and interaction while you’re away. Night vision allows you to monitor your pets clearly, even in low-light conditions, and wide-angle lenses provide a broad view of the room.
These cameras also support interactive technology, allowing you to dispense treats or toys via smart feeders or devices. This feature makes it easy to engage with your pets from afar, keeping them entertained and helping them feel connected to you, reducing separation anxiety.
Smart Locks for Pet Sitter Access
For pet owners who rely on pet sitters or dog walkers, smart locks offer a secure and convenient solution for managing home access. Smart locks allow you to create temporary access codes for pet sitters, eliminating needing a physical key.
These codes can be set to work only during specific time windows, ensuring access is granted only as scheduled.
Smart locks also notify your smartphone when the door is unlocked, helping you track who enters your home. This feature is ideal for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are looked after at the right times.
Environmental Monitoring Devices
Finally, pet-friendly security systems often include environmental monitoring devices that track temperature, humidity, and air quality. These sensors are essential for ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for pets, especially during extreme weather.
For instance, if the temperature rises due to an air conditioning failure, the system will notify you, allowing you to remotely adjust the thermostat or take action to keep your pets safe.
Furthermore, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial components of pet-friendly systems. These detectors monitor air quality continuously, alerting you and emergency services if dangerous levels of smoke or carbon monoxide are detected. This rapid response can be life-saving, ensuring that you and your pets remain safe in case of a fire or gas leak.
Now that you know the most important features of a pet-friendly home security setup, let’s go over some valuable tips on how to get it up and running for the best possible protection.
How to Set Up a Pet-Friendly Security System
Creating a truly pet-friendly security system requires strategic planning and thoughtful implementation. By selecting appropriate equipment and positioning it correctly, you can maintain robust home protection while ensuring your pets remain comfortable and don’t trigger false alarms.
Choose Pet-Compatible Security Equipment
The foundation of an effective pet-friendly system begins with selecting the right components:
- Pet-immune motion sensors: Look for sensors specifically rated for pets, typically designed to ignore movement from animals under 40-80 pounds (depending on model)
- Smart cameras with pet detection: Modern security cameras with AI capabilities can distinguish between human and animal movement
- Environmental monitoring devices: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, and temperature monitors protect pets when you’re away
- Two-way audio devices: Enable remote communication with pets to reduce anxiety or redirect behavior
Strategic Motion Sensor Placement
Proper positioning of motion sensors is critical for reliable security that accommodates pets:
- Install sensors at 6-7 feet height and position them parallel to the ground rather than angled downward
- Avoid placing sensors in areas where pets can climb (near bookshelves, furniture, or countertops)
- Focus coverage on key entry points – doorways, windows, and hallways
- Consider creating “pet-free zones” for certain rooms with standard sensors if needed
Camera Installation for Pet Monitoring
Security cameras serve dual purposes in pet-friendly systems:
- Mount cameras high on walls (at least 6 feet) to provide wide viewing angles while preventing pet interference
- Avoid pointing cameras directly at pet resting areas to reduce constant motion alerts
- Position outdoor cameras to cover entry points while maintaining visibility of pet exercise areas
- Secure all wires and cables inside protective coverings to prevent chewing hazards
System Configuration Optimized for Pets
Fine-tuning your system settings creates the ideal balance between security and pet comfort:
- Adjust motion sensor sensitivity based on your specific pet’s size and activity level
- Create custom alert zones in camera feeds that exclude pet feeding or sleeping areas
- Program quiet hours during times your pets are most active to reduce unnecessary notifications
- Set up specific alert types for different scenarios (motion in certain areas, environmental changes)
Comprehensive Testing With Pets Present
Before fully implementing your system:
- Run a complete test cycle with pets moving naturally throughout your home
- Monitor for false triggers and adjust sensitivity as needed
- Test environmental sensors to ensure they detect potential hazards at appropriate thresholds
- Verify that emergency response protocols include information about pets in the home
By following these structured guidelines, you can create a security system that effectively protects both your home and your animal companions without the frustration of false alarms or the anxiety of inadequate coverage.
What Are the Best Security Systems for Homes with Pets?
When choosing a security system for your home with pets, look for pet-friendly features like pet-immune motion sensors, two-way audio cameras, and environmental monitoring. Some of the best security systems for pet owners include SimpliSafe, ADT, Frontpoint, and Cove.
Here’s a quick look at each of them:
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe offers a robust home security system that is particularly well-suited for pet owners. Their products are designed to minimize false alarms caused by pets while providing comprehensive protection for both you and your furry friends.
Key Features
Pet-Friendly Motion Sensors: SimpliSafe’s Motion Sensor Gen 2 is designed to ignore pets weighing up to 60 pounds. It features a 90° field of view and a 35-foot range, ensuring that your pets can move freely without triggering false alarms. The sensor’s battery lasts up to four years, reducing maintenance needs.
Indoor Cameras: The SimpliCam is an indoor camera that provides live HD video and audio alerts. It features a 120-degree field of vision and optional recording plans. The camera includes a privacy shutter and high-power infrared LED cut filter for night vision, allowing you to check on your pets remotely.
Outdoor Cameras: SimpliSafe’s Outdoor Camera Series 2 offers 1080p HD resolution with color night vision, a 140-degree field of view, and a built-in 90dB siren. It’s weather-resistant with an IP65 rating and features AI detection capabilities for enhanced security.
Environmental Protection: SimpliSafe’s combined Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector provides an extra layer of safety for pets. It can distinguish between dangerous smoke and cooking fumes, ensuring that false alarms are minimized while keeping your pets safe from environmental hazards.
Two-Way Audio: Both indoor and outdoor cameras offer two-way audio, allowing you to interact with your pets remotely. This feature is particularly useful for calming anxious pets or even tossing them treats.
Benefits for Pet Owners
Reduced False Alarms: The motion sensors are designed to minimize false alarms caused by pets, saving you from unnecessary stress and potential fines.
Comprehensive Monitoring: With SimpliSafe’s app, you can monitor your home and pets remotely, receiving alerts for any unusual activity.
Professional Monitoring: Optional 24/7 professional monitoring ensures that emergency services can be dispatched quickly if needed, providing peace of mind when you’re away from home.
Customizable Alerts: You can set up specific alerts for different events, such as motion detection or environmental hazards, allowing you to stay informed about your home’s status.
Insights While Testing
One of the standout features of SimpliSafe’s system is its flexibility and customization options. Pet owners can adjust the sensitivity of motion sensors and set up specific alerts to ensure that their pets are safe and comfortable. The system’s ability to integrate with some smart home devices also allows for seamless automation and control.
SimpliSafe offers a robust and pet-friendly home security solution that addresses the unique needs of pet owners. With its advanced motion sensors, indoor and outdoor cameras, and comprehensive environmental monitoring, it provides a comprehensive layer of protection for both you and your pets.
ADT
ADT offers a comprehensive home security solution that is particularly well-suited for pet owners. Their customizable packages include advanced features designed to minimize false alarms and ensure the safety of both you and your pets.
Key Features for Pet Owners
Pet-Immune Motion Sensors: ADT’s motion sensors can be adjusted to ignore pets weighing up to 80 pounds, significantly reducing false alarms. These sensors use passive infrared technology to detect body heat, ensuring they only trigger for human intruders15. Some models, like the ADT Hardwired Dual Tech Motion Detector, offer pet immunity up to 100 pounds6.
Professional Installation: ADT’s professional installers can assess your home’s layout and pet behavior to strategically place sensors and cameras. This ensures that your system is optimized to prevent false alarms while maintaining effective security10.
24/7 Monitoring: ADT provides continuous monitoring, which is crucial for pet owners. In case of an emergency, ADT can quickly dispatch emergency services, ensuring your pets’ safety even when you’re away10.
Cameras with Two-Way Audio: ADT’s security cameras offer two-way audio, allowing you to interact with your pets remotely. This feature is particularly useful for calming anxious pets or ensuring they are safe while you’re away510.
Environmental Monitoring: ADT’s systems include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which are essential for protecting pets from environmental hazards. These detectors can alert you and emergency services promptly, ensuring timely intervention10.
Benefits for Pet Owners
Reduced False Alarms: ADT’s pet-immune sensors significantly reduce false alarms caused by pets, saving you from unnecessary stress and potential fines.
Customized Setup: Professional installation ensures that your system is tailored to your home’s layout and your pets’ behavior, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing false triggers.
Continuous Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring provides peace of mind, knowing that your home and pets are always protected.
Advanced Detection Features: ADT’s systems can integrate with smart devices like Google Nest cameras, which offer AI-driven person detection to further reduce false alarms10.
Insights from Testing
One of the standout features of ADT’s system is its ability to integrate with various smart home devices. For instance, you can use smart plugs to turn on your TV remotely, providing entertainment for your pets while you’re away. Additionally, ADT’s Trusted Neighbor feature allows designated neighbors to access your home in emergencies, ensuring your pets’ safety if you’re not present10.
ADT offers a robust and pet-friendly home security solution that addresses the unique needs of pet owners. With its customizable packages, professional installation, and continuous monitoring, ADT provides a comprehensive layer of protection for both you and your pets.
Vivint
Vivint offers a comprehensive smart home security system that caters well to tech-savvy pet owners. Key features include:
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Pet-friendly motion sensors that can ignore pets up to 55 pounds
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Cameras with two-way audio and night vision for pet monitoring
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Smart locks for easy access for pet sitters or dog walkers
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Integration with smart home devices for pet comfort (e.g., thermostat control)
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Professional installation ensures optimal placement for pet households
Vivint’s system stands out for its advanced home automation capabilities, allowing pet owners to create custom “scenes” for their pets’ comfort and safety. For example, you can set up a “Leaving” scene that arms the system, locks doors, turns on lights near your pet’s crate, and adjusts the thermostat to a pet-friendly temperature.
Frontpoint
Frontpoint offers a DIY security system with pet-friendly features like adjustable motion sensors and cameras with two-way audio. Their system is easy to install and can be customized to fit your home’s layout and your pets’ needs. Frontpoint also offers crash and smash protection, ensuring your system stays online even if a panel is damaged.
Frontpoint provides a DIY security system with several pet-friendly features:
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Motion sensors that don’t detect pets under 40 pounds
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Cameras with Video Analytics to distinguish between humans and animals
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Two-way audio in cameras for pet communication
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Smart Door Lock for creating unique codes for pet sitters
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Easy DIY installation and customization
Frontpoint’s system allows you to add pet information to your account, which can be crucial for emergency responders. Their Smart Door Lock feature is particularly useful for pet owners who need to provide access to dog walkers or pet sitters.
Cove
Cove’s security system is another DIY option that’s well-suited for pet owners. Their motion sensors can be fine-tuned to ignore pets, reducing false alarms. Cove also offers professional monitoring and cellular backup, ensuring your system stays connected even during power outages or if your Wi-Fi goes down.
Cove offers an affordable DIY security system with features tailored for pet owners:
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Motion sensors that can ignore pets up to 50 pounds
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AI-enhanced sensors that detect heat signatures, reducing false alarms
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Two-way communication through indoor cameras
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Professional monitoring and cellular backup for continuous protection
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Easy DIY installation with no long-term contracts
Cove’s system is known for its user-friendly setup and affordable professional monitoring options. Their “LiveAssist” feature provides direct two-way communication through the alarm panel, which can be useful in pet-related emergencies.
Arlo
Arlo may not be pet-specific per se, but this security system does have pet-friendly features, such as cameras that have two-way audio and can distinguish between people and pets. That said, you may want to compare Arlo and Blink security systems to see which of these two is best for your specific situation.
While not specifically marketed as a pet security system, Arlo offers features that benefit pet owners:
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Cameras with two-way audio for pet communication
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AI-powered person, animal, and vehicle detection
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Wireless cameras for flexible placement in pet areas
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Integration with smart home devices for enhanced pet monitoring
Arlo’s strength lies in its high-quality cameras and advanced AI detection capabilities. However, it’s important to note that Arlo primarily focuses on camera-based security rather than offering a full range of sensors and monitoring services like the other systems mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Pet-Immune Motion Sensors Work?
Pet-immune motion sensors are designed to ignore movements from pets up to a certain weight, typically 40-80 pounds. They focus on detecting human-sized motion, allowing your pets to roam freely without triggering alarms.
Can I Talk to My Pets Through My Home Security System?
Yes, many pet-friendly indoor cameras come with two-way audio, allowing you to talk to your pets from your smartphone. This feature can be especially helpful in soothing pets or preventing destructive behavior while you’re away.
What Types of Environmental Sensors Are Beneficial for Pet Owners?
Temperature, humidity, and air quality sensors are essential for pet owners, as they help maintain a safe environment. These sensors alert you to conditions that might be uncomfortable or harmful to pets, such as high temperatures during summer.
How Can I Ensure My Security Cameras Are Safe Around My Pets?
When installing cameras, place them out of reach to prevent curious pets from tampering with
them. Use cable covers or wireless options to avoid potential chewing hazards, and position cameras in locations that monitor key areas without invading your pets’ personal spaces.
The Bottom Line on Home Security and Pets
The integration of pet safety into home security systems has become increasingly important as pet ownership continues to grow. According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2023-2024 National Pet Owners Survey, 66% of U.S. households (approximately 86.9 million homes) now own a pet, creating a significant need for security solutions that accommodate animal companions.
This need is further emphasized by data from the National Fire Protection Association, which reports that approximately 500,000 pets are affected by home fires each year, with nearly 40,000 pets dying in these incidents. Monitored smoke detection systems that can alert authorities when homeowners are away provide crucial protection for pets who cannot escape on their own.
Beyond emergency situations, security systems address everyday concerns for pet owners. A 2023 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that 17% of dogs exhibit separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors. Systems with two-way audio functionality allow owners to comfort anxious pets remotely, potentially reducing these incidents.
False alarms represent another significant challenge. According to the Security Industry Association, standard motion sensors can be triggered by pets in up to 20% of homes with security systems, potentially leading to unnecessary emergency response and municipal fines. Pet-immune sensors dramatically reduce these occurrences while maintaining effective security coverage.
By thoughtfully selecting components like pet-immune motion detectors, strategically placed cameras, and comprehensive environmental monitoring, homeowners can create security systems that protect both their property and their animal companions. This integrated approach ensures that the 90.5 million homes with pets in America can maintain effective security without compromising on the comfort and safety of their beloved animals.
For the security of your home and pets, trust Batten Safe.
