Installing a pet door for your dog or cat is a great way to give them a little more freedom. It also saves you from having to jump off the couch every half hour to open and shut the back door. Unfortunately, installing a pet door can also come with risks. Despite being rather small, pet doors are basically another entrance to your home. More than this, they are an entrance that is usually left unlocked. An opportunistic burglar would be more than happy to wriggle through your doggy door if it means walking out the front door with your TV.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for securing pet doors, including specially-designed steel-mesh pet security doors.

INSTALL A LOCK

The most obvious solution is to add a sturdy lock to your pet door and simply lock it up at night or when you are out of the house. Just be sure to use a high-quality lock that can’t simply be forced. You’ll also need to make sure the doggy door is tough enough not to simply break if hit or kicked.

UPGRADE TO A PET-SIZE SECURITY SCREEN DOOR

Stan Bond Security manufactures and supplies specialised pet doors that integrate with new or existing security doors. These pet doors feature high-quality aluminium framing with premium stainless steel mesh infill for added security. They feature secure locking mechanisms and are compatible with most security screens and doors.

GO SMALL OR GO HOME

If you have a particularly small cat or dog, get the smallest pet door available – or even have one custom built. This will greatly decrease the number of burglars who could fit through the door to begin with. That way, you reduce the risk of both burglary and home invasion even when the pet door is unlocked.

FEAR IS A TOOL

Try coupling your pet door with ‘Beware of Dangerous Dog’ stickers in your windows. Maybe hang a sign on your gate too. Even if you’ve actually got a cat, most people will be less likely to climb head-first through a small opening if they think their head might get chewed off on the other side. Of course, it will help if your pet door is on the larger side, for plausibility.

ELECTRONIC PET DOORS

This option is on the expensive end of the spectrum, but it can be very effective. Add an electronic sensor lock to your pet door that will only unlock in the presence of a particular signal, which is emitted from your pet’s collar. That way, only your dog or cat will be able to get through the door anyway, and you won’t have to worry about locking up all the time.

Looking for a security solution for your pet door? Explore the range of options at Stan Bond Security and get in touch with us to learn more. You can contact us online to discuss your options or call 08 9249 8852.