Are Pet Doors a Security Risk to Your Home?

106.1 million American households have at least 1 dog or cat. That means that if you take a look around any neighborhood, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see some pets running around!

If you’ve got one yourself, then you might already have a dog door or are considering one so your pet can get in and out easily.

Are pet doors a security risk to your house though? And if they are, how can you improve things so your furry friend can still move about, but without compromising on home security? Read on to find out!

Are Pet Doors a Security Risk?

Generally speaking, yes. Typical pet doors that are just a flap covering a large hole in your door allow burglars easy access into your home. Even if you’ve got a smaller door, adult burglars can still stick their heads in and scope out your house.

Another caveat of having traditional pet doors is that they allow pests inside as well. This can pose a health a safety risk to your household.

How to Get Secure Pet Doors

While pet doors might be a security risk for your house, you might not want to get rid of yours. So how can you make them more secure?

Lock the Dog Door When It’s Not in Use

If you know your pet will be indoors for the foreseeable future, then lock the dog door. All pet doors should have a closing piece, so secure that, especially at night.

You can even buy aftermarket covers that include thick steel frames with locks. We’d like to see any intruder try and get through that!

Put the Doggy Doors on a Wall

Most (if not all) doggy doors go on existing house doors. But if you can, place yours on a wall instead. You’ll need to get a custom pet door made in this case.

This way, a thief can’t let themselves in. With a doggy door on a house door, they can reach in, then up to unlock the door. If the pet door’s on a wall, they won’t be able to do this.

Get a Security Panel on Your Dog Door

If it’s within your budget, look at electronic dog doors. These come with security panels, which have motion detectors. This means they’ll only open and close if your dog or cat is at the door.

Some of these can even be controlled by a smartphone app. This enables you to keep the pet door locked whenever you wish.

Keep Doggy Doors on Your Home

Pet doors can be a great way for your puppy or kitten to go outside whenever they wish. However, if you don’t take the proper precautions and install a good door, it can invite security, health, and safety risks.

So take the information in this article and apply it to your property. That way, your pet can still have easy access, but you won’t be unsafe!

To learn more about home matters, keep browsing our blog page!