Cat friendly burglar alarm

rickyroma

Has anyone tried cat/small pet friendly PIR detectors with any success? Hoping to find one that works without constant false triggers. We have an existing system so hoping it can be as simple as swapping over the PIR in the kitchen 

[Deleted User]

Depends on the layout of the kitchen, placement of the PIR and the likelihood of your cat jumping and climbing around really.

Pet tolerant PIR's usually only motion sense at a height of say 1 metre above the floor and require a bigger threshold to trigger them, but cats can get anywhere and easily present themselves as a big warm object in front of the PIR if they can jump on top of cupboards etc.

Door and window sensors might be more practical for the kitchen.

Or swap the cat for a big dog and get CCTV - far more effective than an alarm for deterring burglars.

rickyroma

Not sure swapping the cat for a dog would go down well! 
We have bifold doors in the kitchen and I wish the alarm system had contacts on those instead of the PIR. I have spoken to a security firm but the seemed to be saying I practically need a new system to make the kitchen pet friendly... Surely not?
Cct could be the way to go maybe.. Thanks 

matelodave

What's the problem with contacts on bifold doors - it shouldn't be ever so difficult to fit contact switches on the door frame and the magnets on the door(s)

Brie

I agree with @[Deleted User]

Or swap the cat for a big dog and get CCTV - far more effective than an alarm for deterring burglars.

Our cats were useless when we were burgled.  In fact there was speculation that the cat flap might have been used to gain access.  (mighta been a burgler with verrrrry long arms.)

rickyroma

matelodave said:

What's the problem with contacts on bifold doors - it shouldn't be ever so difficult to fit contact switches on the door frame and the magnets on the door(s)

Contacts on the doors would be ideal. I just don't have the knowhow to either connect them to my existing system or replace the PIR in the kitchen. Spoke to a woman on the phone at an alarm company who made it sound more complex and involved than I would like. Anyway, got someone coming out next week to give me a quote. 

[Deleted User]

I just printed a picture of the wife and stuck up at the window to scare the burglars away.

googler

I take the view that if you're taking video of the folks who have got into your house, it's too late. 

My inclination is to have motion-activated cameras covering all the points of access outside, so that prowlers can be spotted upfront. Then they get triggered by the neighbours' cats, but that's another matter .....

another_casualty

Might as well share my experience with burglar alarm installation many years ago..
I had a nice chap who installed my burglar alarm . A very strange experience indeed.
In the hallway there was a metal cupboard chest height which contained the electric meter 

The installer put the sensors in different places of my upstairs maissonnette .
I did have a cat 🐈‍⬛. 

Of course trying to ensure the alarm wouldn't go off due to cat was a bit problematic
The installer on all fours saying " meow I'm a cat! " Then banging his head on metal cupboard causing lots of blood to emerge , was worrying . I was partly first aid that morning . 

What happened was annoying but a compromise had to be made . The cat wasn't allowed in the living room until I got home from work . Thankfully it was a large flat . 

Chucking a rolled up sock in the hallway full of catnip on a daily basis before leaving for work did work , but I felt guilty . 

Some people get dummy alarms with flashing lights . I thought of doing that, and it may have been a better option . I found that the burglar alarm bought more attention .

just a thought ..

Myser

rickyroma said:

I have spoken to a security firm but the seemed to be saying I practically need a new system to make the kitchen pet friendly

What's the make and model of the system?