Most security systems were built for empty houses. Motion sensors that don’t know the difference between a burglar and a curious cat. Alarms that go off because a dog ran down the hallway. Cameras that turn every tail wag into a false alert.
If you live with pets, you already know how annoying that gets. Worse, it makes people turn off their system when they need it most. Pet friendly security systems change that. They keep your home safe without stressing your animals or driving you crazy with alerts. Let’s break down how they work and how to choose one that actually fits a home with pets.
What Makes a Security System Pet Friendly
A system is only useful if it stays on. If it keeps going off every time your dog moves, you’ll end up disabling it. That defeats the whole point. A pet-friendly system is built to tell the difference between a real threat and a four-legged roommate. It uses smarter sensors, better cameras, and cleaner logic to keep your home protected without freaking out your pets. Let’s look at how that works.
Motion Sensors and Pet Immunity Features
Pet friendly motion sensors are designed to filter out the kind of movement pets make while still catching human activity. They do this by using weight limits, body shape detection, and heat patterns. A small or medium-sized animal moving close to the floor will not trigger the alarm, but an adult human walking upright will.
Some advanced sensors even track movement speed and direction, which helps them tell the difference between a dog running to the kitchen and a person moving through a room. This means your pets can roam freely while your system stays fully armed.
Smart Cameras with Animal Detection
Modern security cameras use AI-based recognition to identify what is actually moving in front of the lens. Instead of sending an alert every time something passes by, these cameras label what they see, such as a person, a pet, or a vehicle.
When your cat walks across the room, it is logged as a pet and ignored. When a stranger enters the frame, you get a real alert. This cuts down on constant notifications and gives you useful footage when it really matters.
Alarm Systems That Avoid False Triggers
Pet friendly alarm systems rely on multiple signals before sounding a full alarm. A single motion event is not enough to trigger it. The system might require a door opening plus indoor movement, or motion plus camera confirmation.
This layered approach stops pets from setting off sirens while still reacting fast to real intrusions. The result is fewer false alarms, less stress for your animals, and a system you can trust enough to leave switched on.
Enhancing Peace of Mind for Pet Owners
When your security system works with your pets instead of against them, everything feels easier. You can leave the house knowing your dog can move around, your cat can jump on furniture, and nothing will break into chaos.
At the same time, your home is still protected from real threats. That balance is what pet friendly security is really about. Safety for your home and calm for the animals that live in it.
Top Pet Friendly Security Systems
Below are four pet-friendly security systems that do a solid job of keeping your home safe without setting off alarms every time your pet walks by.
eufy Indoor Business Bundle- Best Overall
Indoor security gets tricky with pets. Dogs wander, cats jump, and cameras pick up movement all day. Many systems treat that as a problem, which leads to constant alerts. The eufy Indoor Business Bundle stands out because it’s built for busy homes where pets are part of the action, not a “false alarm waiting to happen.”
The bundle pairs two Indoor Cam S350 cameras with the HomeBase S380, plus motion and entry sensors for full coverage. You get 360° pan and tilt, a 4K wide-angle + 2K telephoto setup, and AI tracking that follows movement while helping tell pets from people when connected to the hub. Local storage and clear night vision keep it practical for everyday use.
Main Features:
- 2× Indoor Cam S350: 4K wide + 2K telephoto, up to 8× hybrid zoom
- 360° pan/tilt with AI tracking (pet vs human with HomeBase S380)
- Motion sensor with wide coverage, fewer pet-triggered alerts
- Entry sensors for doors/windows
- HomeBase S380 with local storage (expandable up to 16TB)
- Night vision + app live view and alerts
SimpliSafe Security System
SimpliSafe is a DIY home security system that gives pet owners more control over how alerts are handled. Self-monitoring works well if pets move around freely and you want to avoid unnecessary call-outs. Professional monitoring is also available when extra backup feels important.
For added accuracy, Core plans and higher include video verification, which helps confirm whether an alert is caused by a pet or a real issue. With careful sensor placement, pets can move normally while the system stays reliable.
Main Features:
- Entry sensors for doors and windows
- Motion sensors with adjustable sensitivity
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Optional temperature sensors
ADT Security System
ADT is a long-established security provider offering fully professional monitoring, which suits pet owners who prefer hands-off protection. Its pet-immune motion sensors are designed to ignore animals under 35kg (77 pounds), reducing false alarms in homes with pets.
The system runs 24/7, combining cameras and sensors to separate normal pet movement from real threats. ADT’s reliability and monitoring strength make it a trusted option.
Main Features:
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Pet-immune PIR motion sensors
- Entry sensors
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
Frontpoint Security System
Frontpoint is a DIY system that fits pet homes well, especially if your dog moves around a lot. Its motion sensors are pet-friendly and can ignore pets up to about 85 pounds, so normal roaming is less likely to trigger an alarm when the system is armed.
It also supports pet-focused features that make day-to-day life easier. With video analytics, you can get smarter alerts that help tell pets from people, and you can set activity zones for “off-limits” areas.
Main Features:
- Pet info shared with responders
- Smarter camera alerts for pets vs people
- Motion sensors ignore pets under 85 lb
- DIY setup, no drilling
Tips for Optimising Your Pet Friendly Security Setup
Even the best system can get annoying if it keeps going off because of your pets. A few simple tweaks make a big difference. Follow the below optimisation tips.
Placement of Sensors and Cameras
Think about where your pets spend most of their time, then place sensors around that routine. Motion sensors should sit higher and face open walkways, not low areas where dogs run past or cats jump up. Door and window sensors should sit firmly on the frame, away from loose doors or spots that shake.
Cameras work best when they can see most of the room without furniture blocking the view. Pan-and-tilt models help cover wide spaces, so you don’t have to aim them at your pet’s usual hangout spots.
Integrating with Smart Home Devices
A security system feels more useful when it works with the devices you already use at home. Smart locks let you control access from your phone, which is handy if a dog walker needs to come in at a set time. Smart lights can turn on when a door opens, so you’re not coming home to a dark house.
Cameras can also start recording when a sensor is triggered, and you can set alerts for specific areas you want to keep an eye on. If your system supports temperature sensors, they help you notice if a room gets too hot or too cold for your pets.
Pet Safety Tips
Pet friendly security is not only about alarms and alerts. It is also about daily habits that keep your pets comfortable, calm, and safe while your system quietly does its job in the background.
- Set up pet “safe zones”: Keep sensors away from beds, crates, and feeding spots so pets relax and alerts stay quiet.
- Use activity zones on cameras: Focus on doors and hallways, so pet roaming is ignored and real movement gets flagged.
- Track indoor temperature changes: Add temperature sensors or smart alerts to catch overheating or cold rooms before pets get stressed.
- Stabilize doors and loose items: Secure shaky doors, blinds, and hanging décor so pets don’t trigger motion sensors accidentally.
- Share pet info for emergencies: Add pet count and notes in the app so responders can enter calmly and look for pets first.
Do Dogs Prevent Burglary?
Dogs can help discourage break-ins, but they are not a complete security solution. A barking dog can draw attention, alert owners, and make a burglar think twice. Even small dogs can be effective because noise creates risk and uncertainty for someone trying to enter quietly.
That said, dogs rely on presence and routine. They need sleep, training, and care. A security system works all the time. When dogs and pet-friendly security work together, they create stronger, more reliable protection.
Conclusion
Life with pets is noisy and busy, and your security setup should handle that. Pet friendly security systems help you keep the system on, while your dog and cat still move around like normal. Good sensors ignore the usual pet activity, and cameras send alerts for things that actually matter. With the right placement and a few smart settings, your home stays protected without constant pings or surprise sirens. If you want a simple option that suits pet homes, check out eufy.
FAQ
Can pet friendly security systems detect small pets like cats and rabbits?
Yes, many pet-friendly systems are designed to ignore animals under a certain size or weight. Sensors can be adjusted, or AI-powered cameras can differentiate between humans and small pets. This helps prevent constant false alarms from cats, rabbits, or other small animals, while still alerting you to real threats. Proper placement and calibration are key to making this feature work effectively.
Are pet immune motion sensors more expensive than standard ones?
Pet-immune sensors are generally a bit pricier than standard motion sensors, but the difference isn’t huge. The extra cost comes from technology that filters out pet movement and reduces false alarms. For most homeowners with pets, the added convenience and reliability are worth the investment, especially when compared with the cost and hassle of dealing with repeated false alerts.
Can I retrofit an existing security system to be pet friendly?
Sometimes, yes, but it depends on what you already have. Some systems let you swap standard motion sensors for pet-friendly ones or add cameras with smarter detection. Others won’t support upgrades. You’ll usually need to confirm compatibility, adjust where sensors sit, and update the app or firmware so pet detection features can run. It can work well, but it takes a little planning to avoid repeated false alarms.
