If you’re like us, you love your pet(s)—they’re such an important part of your family. They provide companionship, laughter, cuddles, love, and so much fun. Naturally, you want to keep them safe. And when it comes to safety, pet-friendly home security doesn’t just keep you and your property safe; it also protects your pets.
General Pet Safety
Over the last several decades, the number of households with pets in Canada has grown. Canada now has one of the highest pet ownership rates worldwide, with 38% of households owning cats and 35% owning dogs. And that number is only increasing.
With pet ownership comes the obligation to keep pets safe and healthy. Unfortunately, homes can be filled with potential pet dangers, from sharp objects tossed into the trash to foods that are safe for humans but can be dangerous or even deadly to pets, like chocolate, raisins, onions, and sugar-free candy and gums. Other common hazards include:
- Insecticides
- Batteries
- Fertilizers
- Some plants and plant food
- Medications
- Cleaners and detergents
- Antifreeze
- Poison and traps
- Electrical cords
- Tobacco
- Kerosene
- Open flames
Just as it’s important to childproof your home for safety, it’s important to make it pet-friendly. That includes picking up any choking hazards, removing clutter that can accidentally trap and injure your pet, and checking to make sure doors and windows are locked. Don’t forget pet doors when you’re not there to supervise your pet. You’ll also want to secure furniture and appliances to ensure your pet can’t get behind and trap themselves or knock them over on themselves, potentially leading to injury.
For dogs especially, you’ll also want them to have access to safe outdoor spaces. A well-lit, fenced-in yard can help keep them safe and contained.
Finally, the biggest dangers are those that are unexpected. So be prepared with a vet you trust as well as an emergency room vet if your vet isn’t available.
Setting Up Pet-Friendly Home Security
In addition to pet-proofing, you can also use your home security system to help protect your pet. Home security systems can alert you when someone is breaking in. But they can also help you keep an eye out for your pet. Some of the most important pet-friendly home security features include:
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Motion sensors
- Door and window sensors
- Glass break detectors
- Flood detectors
- Outdoor lighting
- Security cameras.
Having sensors installed can alert you at the first sign of trouble, giving you time to respond quickly and come to the rescue. Alarms can also send immediate alerts to professionals who can help respond when you’re not available.
Pet-Friendly Safety Features
If you have an agile or clever pet, you may have concerns that they’ll set off a sensor, triggering a false alarm. Fortunately, motion sensors are smart. They’re designed to detect movement, but they can be set up to ignore your pet’s specific size (weight) or ignore smaller bodies, such as those under 85 pounds, preventing your pet from accidentally triggering your system. For larger animals, you may choose to avoid motion detectors in areas they hang out. Instead, consider using glass-break sensors to alert you if something or someone has entered uninvited. You can also set up motion sensors if your pet enters an area they shouldn’t have access to.
Door and window sensors can be set up to alert you if a door or window has been opened. If you have a security camera near the entryway, you can use that to see who or what triggered the alarm. Not only can this help if an intruder enters, but you can also call emergency services faster if needed.
Flood detectors can be especially important to the safety of not only your property but your pets. If a pipe bursts or a dishwasher, washing machine, or ice maker leaks, water can quickly flood an area. If this happens, you will be alerted immediately via your smart device. That way, you can respond more quickly to get your pet out of harm’s way and rapidly repair potentially dangerous damage.
Finally, security cameras can be placed strategically both inside and outside, so you can monitor the comings and goings of pets and people from your phone, even when you’re away. You can even set up cameras with live video and sound, so you can track your pet’s movement and even speak to them and tell them how good they are when you’re away.
A Pet-Friendly Smart Home
You can also help keep your home more comfortable for your pet when you’re home and away. With either the control panel or your smartphone, you can use your smart home security system to:
- Turn on lights, so your pet doesn’t have to wait for you to get home in the dark. (This also helps ward off intruders to keep your home and pet safe).
- Comfort your pet by turning music on or off to help calm them and keep them out of trouble if they’re anxious when alone.
- Adjust the temperature to help them stay comfortable, especially during severe weather.
- Lock and unlock doors to let pet caregivers or dog walkers into the home when you’re out of town. You can also unlock doors as you approach the home, so your pets can greet you as soon as you arrive.
- Use your app to arm or disarm your alarm so you can get on with your walk more quickly while keeping your home safe.
Your pet-friendly home security system can be set up to allow you to check in on your pet(s) from anywhere with live video—whether they’re lounging in a sunbeam or seeing if anything interesting is in the garbage. They even work when the lights are low, so you can see what they’re up to day or night.
And if you set up professional monitoring, you can have professionals available to help protect you, your home, and your loved ones, including pets, whether you’re home or away.
An ADT (now Telus) monitored alarm system from Alarm Guard provides added security for you, your property, your family, and your pets. Plus, it could help you save on homeowner’s insurance! Check out our packages and call now for a free quote at 1-855-518-4458 and talk with an expert about the best pet-friendly home security solutions.