[pearl8]

I'm hoping someone will have some information about how home security systems can be used with a cat in the house.

This is for my parents - actually to give my mother some support in trying to persuade my father that they can have a pet! We always had a dog and cats while we were growing up, but it's a long time since Mum and Dad have had one now (20 years?) - they do a lot of travelling, and now have a security system installed in the house, and that seems to be a sticking point. My father adores animals, but just seems to have got into a state of mind where he won't get a cat or dog, and will need a bit of convincing to get over his objections.

I have heard somewhere that you can get those 'sensors' adjusted to recognize a cat's size or weight or something - to tell it apart from the burglars B) . Does anyone have any experience of this?

(hope this makes sense )

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[CatsRU]

Sorry, our neighbours have a security system and even a moth flying in the room sets it off - not much good for a cat!!

[emmcee]

I have a burglar alarm system and a cat and no probs. I did install pet sensors though.

The only time we did have trouble was when Madame jumped on to the top of the kitchen cupboards and that set of the alarm but all we did was close the doors to the kitchen and no problem.

To be honest I'm not sure if you have to have pet sensors.

[Doreen]

We have three systems in place, one with movement sensors, one which detects a cut flyscreen, and the other which senses breaking glass. As our downstairs section is all glass doors which are locked at night, the only way in is for someone to break or cut the glass, or to break the locks which means the doors will be opened and this can be detected by the system as well, and our flyscreens have special copper wire through it so that we can leave windows locked in the open position, but if anyone cuts or removes the screen it will be detected. The movement sensor is too sensitive even for the cats, so the other sensors are quite good, and we can leave them on all the time. Hopefully a security company will be able to advise you better. Hope this helps, anything to allow a pet lover to have a cat is good.

[Ronda]

maybe it depends on how active your cat/s are ... we have an alarm system and it is NOT compatable with our cats !!!
We paid extra to get the pet detectors but all this does is to angle the beam higher so that the pets can pass underneath the beam without setting it off , but it will still detect humans ( as explained to me by the man readjusting the system after our cats set if off at 2am in the morning and we were interstate ...)
But as our cats are climbers there is nowhere to angle the beam that they won't get caught in it ...
So, basically I now don't use the alarm unless we are away for any length of time and then the cats are in a cattery .

[sealhope]

There are certainly security systems that can be installed that will ignore moving objects under 40 pounds (or whatever that is in kilos). They won't work for a big dog, and you have to pray that you don't get an anorexic burglar, but they do exist - a friend of mine with indoor cats has one.

I have a system that will detect the cats, and if they're inside then I just isolate a room (I can isolate sensors) and let them use that while the system is alarmed - best of both worlds.

[pearl8]

Thanks for those comments, I will report back with the most positive ones to Mum and Dad - of course they are going to have to make their minds up to go with having a pet and all that entails, or not!

[sealhope]

So, basically I now don't use the alarm unless we are away for any length of time and then the cats are in a cattery .

Ronda - be careful with that, because a security alarm that isn't actually alarmed while you are out, and you're burglarised, will very likely invalidate your contents and home insurance. Check your insurance policies carefully ... or ring and ask them. I know my insurance is invalid if it can be shown I didn't have the alarm set and the place was robbed.

[carmel]

Ronda
Chubb have a security system that you purchase the pet sensors for an extra $65 per sensor. We've had it in our place for two and a half years now and none of our cats have set it off. It has also been set for a particular height. It is a non monitored, but with 3 sensors and it cost around $1600.00 and that also included 2 remote controls and the phone line if we wanted to go monitored. NESS also have a similar system but the pet sensitivity was an issue.
It depends on your policy as to whether it would be valid in the case of a burg and you hadn't alarrmed, but it becomes such a habit to put it on that you rarely forget.
If you want I can get the actual details of the system that we purchased and you can give them to your parents and they can speak to Chubb.
Carmel

[buttons]

Our security system was adjusted by the company that installed it and we have no problems with the cats.

[Kitty Kat8]

Well, that's why we installed security grilles. The best way is if your parents could isolate the cat in a section of the house. We did it in our BR with ensuite when we lived in a unit.

You could try adjusting the sensors, but bear in mind that it might need more than 1 adjustment, I was told.

[Sylvie]

How funny! I was going to post exactly the same question today.
We are moving into our new home and we will be getting an alarm, but I was concerned about the cats.
Does anyone know of a cat-friendly company who is mindful of cat needs? I am going to be calling people today to get quotes and I want to make sure that I don't forget anything...

[carmel]

Sylvie
Chubb were really good with us and the cats. They said that they are getting a lot of requests for pet sensitive alarms. They also worked out where exactly we needed the sensors as I wanted them in every room and they told me it was a bit of overkill. The remote on/off switch on my keychain is the best invention cause you can dealarm when you are in the car when its raining. Of course it give the cats an early warning system so we have to get in the front door wet and try and keep them from sticking their noses out.
Carmel

[Sylvie]

Thanks for that Carmel! I will give them a call this afternoon. I looked on various websites and it seemed super confusing and detailed when all we wanted was a simple alarm that would (hopefully) stop people breaking in (not to mention making our insurance cheaper!).

[LadyLarke]

I'm amazed that so many people have alarm systems. I don't know a single person in my family or friends circle that has a home alarm system. Not one.

I suppose if I owned my own home I might consider it. We're renting right now though. Is this really common for your area(s)? I'm in Canada.