Installing CCTV systems in a home with pets: Key considerations

As fun and loving as pets are, they can sometimes make it harder for you to secure your premises. This is because many homeowners choose to neglect installing CCTV and alarm systems because of their pets. Dogs, cats and other animals that constantly move around the home can trigger many false alarms and make the security system more of a nuisance.

However, don't ignore home security because of your furry companions. There are several considerations you can make to ensure that your CCTV installation remains effective even as pets are running and jumping around your home.

1. Avoiding false alarms

The primary challenge with pets is that they may frequently trigger motion detection sensors and cause multiple false alarms. This may eventually desensitize you to an emergency when someone actually tries to enter your home.

You can prevent this risk by installing pet-friendly systems. These systems are equipped with special sensors that don't trigger an alarm when they detect body heat at a particular height or weight level. You can set these specific dimensions within your CCTV system to fit the exact specifications for your pet. In this way, your furry companions can freely roam around the home without affecting your system.

2. Keep the wires hidden

If your security system consists of cameras, alarms, and other devices, you'll probably have wires running around the home. Curious and playful pets may chew through exposed wires and damage your system at the most inconveniencing times. Avoid this risk by keeping all wires hidden and properly insulated against damage.

Consider having the wires covered by a thick sheathing that pets can't bite through. You should also avoid having wires running across the floor, or having them exposed along the wall.

3. Limit access to control systems

Another smart tip is to keep your pets away from the CCTV control panel. If the central control system is in a specific room in your home, keep this room out of reach of pets. You may need to keep the door closed when no one is inside or to install a pet barrier to prevent entry. Curious pets can easily enter such rooms and chew on wires, pull on knobs or drop surveillance equipment.

4. Your pets can also help with home security

You can turn your pets from being a security risk into a security asset. Along with a pet-friendly CCTV system, pets can also alert you to an intruder's presence in unique ways. For example, dogs and cats are capable of hearing sound frequencies the human ear can't pick up. They may sprint towards the door if they hear someone walking up your porch or head towards a window if they hear something moving outside. You can use these cues to respond appropriately.

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