How Do I Prevent Pets from Setting off My Motion Detectors?

There are several things you can do to prevent pets from setting off your motion detectors. The best solutions generally involve adjusting the mounting location of the device or increasing the pulse count on the motion detector. You may also restrict your pets from accessing the area.

The mounting location of a motion detector will play a huge role in whether or not a pet will be able to trigger the sensor. If a pet is able to get within 6 feet of the front of the sensor, they will cause the device to activate. For that reason, we recommend placing the motion detector in a high enough location where a pet will not be able to move in front of it. Most motion sensors will do well at height of roughly 7.5 to 8 feet off of the ground. Remember, if your pet is able to climb on top of furniture, it may still be able to get close enough to the front of the sensor to cause a false alarm. You may also adjust the mounting angle of the device to change its scope of vision.

Pet owners should also consider the sensitivity setting of their motion sensors. This can often be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the pulse count of the detector. A higher pulse count will make the device less sensitive, while a lower pulse count will increase its sensitivity. If you find that your pet is constantly setting off your motion sensor, then it may be a good idea to increase the pulse count of the detector. This will make the device less sensitive and make it more difficult for your pet to set off the device.

Users should be aware that some motion detectors are specifically designed for homes with pets, while others are best used in pet-free environments. Pet friendly motion detectors, also referred to as "pet immune", are generally acceptable to be used around pets. Most of these devices are pet-friendly up to a certain weight, meaning that pets under the listed weight will be unlikely to set off the sensor. However, keep in mind that it is still possible for a pet to set off a motion detector that is pet immune. If the pet moves directly in front of the sensor, then the device will still pick up the motion and respond accordingly. For that reason, the mounting location and the sensitivity setting are still very important.

If all else fails, you can always restrict your pets to areas where motion sensors are not present. This last-resort solution may be necessary if you have very large or active pets, and setting up the motion detector in a better area is not possible. However, most users find that simply changing the mounting location of the sensor or decreasing its sensitivity will be adequate in preventing pets from setting off the device,