Best Pet-Friendly Home Security Systems

Vivint has a few more features that made us sit and stay. We’re especially fans of the one-of-a-kind  Vivint Indoor Camera which doubles as a motion sensor and takes 20-second clips of activity whenever it detects action. It also has two-way talk, so you can comfort anxious animals or catch them in the act of digging through the garbage.

For all its purebred glory, Vivint is accessible for folks on a budget (now you can buy the fancy dog food). Professional monitoring and equipment from Vivint start at around $30/month.

Vivint's cameras have all the features you need to keep an eye on your pets while you’re away. The two-way communication can comfort anxious pups or catch cats in the middle of their antics. It has crystal-clear infrared night vision and a wide-angle HD view to watch them from your living room, kitchen, or bedroom at all times.

We also like the 20-second playback feature that kicks on when the camera notices activity in the room. And there’s also a one-touch call button for the human members of your family who may need to contact you too.

It is worth mentioning that Vivint costs a pretty penny up front and requires a 60-month contract, but it’s a worthwhile service for many customers who want to protect their human and animal family.

Most pet-immune PIR (passive infrared) sensors ignore animals up to a certain weight limit, typically 30 to 45 pounds. The motion sensor is adjustable, allowing you to customize this range to match the size of your pets.

ADT has been in the home security business for 145 years, so you know you can rely on them to protect your home. That said, we can’t ignore the vague pricing on their website and reports of poor customer service from multiple sources.¹

This allows you to set up sensors out of reach of your pets. And while Frontpoint’s setup is DIY, it offers professional monitoring, keeping emergency response times fast and your pets safe.

With Frontpoint, you can have an advanced security system with motion detectors, window and door sensors, and a tough, smash-proof smart hub to connect the whole system.

Frontpoint has several packages to choose from, but you’ll need to pay a little more than $475 to get The Bunker equipment package, which comes with a smoke and heat sensor. Or you can build a custom system for a little cheaper than the standard packages if you don't need as many cameras and window sensors.

Frontpoint has a solid selection of indoor and outdoor cameras. Both of the indoor camera options have two-way communication, so you can speak with the two-legged and four-legged members of your family through the app. You can also get a durable outdoor camera and a doorbell camera to keep an eye on the outside of your home.

You can improve your smart home capabilities with devices like smart light bulbs or outlets to keep your pets comfy while you’re gone. Or you could improve security with sensors if your guard dog’s asleep on the job.

Overall, Link Interactive is a good match for pet owners. It’s easy to set up, has plenty of monitoring options, and is relatively affordable. We do wish it were a little more flexible with contract options. Unless you already own your equipment, expect to be locked into a three-year contract (or 21 years in dog years).

SimpliSafe is a great choice for cat owners because of its DIY setup. You know your cat better than anyone else (and even then, they can be unpredictable). Setting up your own security system lets you adjust for your cat’s climbing, chewing, or sleeping habits. Even small cats can trip a motion sensor if they tend to scale cabinets and bookshelves while you’re gone. Installing your own system can help you avoid false alarms and keep your kitties happy.

Each package comes with a range of safety, emergency, and home automation equipment. We were disappointed to see that CO detectors were missing from the lineup and that the motion sensors have a low weight range—bad news for pets over 30 pounds.

With a pet-friendly home security system like Vivint, you can keep an eye on them all day and come to the rescue when they need you most. Monitoring from the professionals at Vivint also helps you reach emergency services quickly if you need them.

Even the sharpest border collie can’t call 911, so it’s important to find a system that alerts you to real threats like fires and carbon monoxide leaks. If a security system isn't right for you and your fur baby, you might consider buying a pet camera instead.

We started by looking for alarm systems with compatible equipment like high-range motion detectors and indoor cameras with two-way communication. Those with professional monitoring and remote control got extra points too. Most of our research was spent reading through product manuals, setup guides, and customer reviews.

We looked for features like motion detectors, glass break sensors, video monitoring, and smoke and CO monitoring to keep your pet safe while you’re home and away.

We also considered professional monitoring a plus because it generally gives you better control over your system remotely and is more effective at reaching first responders in an emergency.

Learn more about how we researched this and our other reviews by reading our full methodology.

• Best Pet-Friendly Home Security Systems
• Best Pet Cameras
• How to Choose the Best Pet Cam for Live Streaming
• Best Pet GPS Collars
• The Complete Pet Owner’s Guide to Home Automation
• Safest States for Pets
• Safest Pet Toys

1. Trustpilot, "ADT Reviews," May 2021. Accessed on May 4, 2021.
   Consumer Affairs, "ADT Reviews," April 2021. Accessed on May 4, 2021.