Do Pets Set Off Motion Detectors?

No, pets do not set off motion detectors, provided that they are mounted properly and offer pet immunity. But if a motion sensor does not feature pet immunity, or if it is mounted poorly, then it is likely that a pet will trigger it. Mounting location is very important for motion sensors.

Honeywell 5800pir res wireless pet immune motion detector close up

Just because a motion sensor offers "pet-immunity" does not mean that it is impossible for a pet to activate the sensor. If a pet gets within the field of view of a pet-immune motion sensor, the device will still activate. Pet-immune just means that the motion sensor "looks" in a way that it will detect the motion of a human intruder walking upright, but not a small animal moving closer to the ground. But if a motion sensor is mounted poorly, or if a pet is able to get up high enough, then it is very possible for a pet to activate the sensor. Also, not every motion sensor offers pet-immunity.

It is important to understand how a motion sensor works. Most motion sensors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect motion. This involves responding to significant changes in infrared energy caused by motion. Ideally, a pet-immune motion will detect the infrared energy of a human intruder, while ignoring the infrared energy of a pet. But the motion of a pet also causes a change in infrared energy. If a motion sensor detects this change, it will still activate.

Fortunately, there are a few things a user can do to prevent their motion sensors from detecting their pets. First, the motion sensor should be mounted properly. A mounting height of 7.5 feet is recommended. The motion sensor should also not be facing any furniture or stairways that a pet could climb to get within the sensor's field of view. It is also a good idea to reduce the sensitivity of the motion sensor to prevent a pet from setting it off. This can usually be done by increasing the device's pulse count or by changing or masking the lens for the motion sensor.

Additionally, it is important to make sure that the motion sensor that is being used has a pet-immunity feature. This feature is relatively common on residential motion sensors, but it is more rare for commercial motion sensors. The motion sensor should list a recommended weight range at which pet immunity will be effective. If a user has a pet that weighs 60 pounds, and chooses a motion sensor with 40-pound pet-immunity false alarms are likely. Follow all pet-immunity recommendations in the installation instructions to achieve the best results.

Did you find this answer useful?

We offer alarm monitoring as low as $10 / month

Click Here to Learn More

Related Products

Honeywell 5800PIR-RES - Wireless Pet Immune Motion Detector close-up
Honeywell 5800PIR-RES
Wireless Pet Immune Motion Detector
List Price: $90.00
Our Price: $64.99
Optex WNX-402G - Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for 2GIG Systems
Optex WNX-402G
Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for 2GIG Systems
List Price: $148.00
Our Price: $117.99
Optex WNX-40DS - Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for DSC Systems
Optex WNX-40DS
Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for DSC Systems
List Price: $122.00
Our Price: $86.99
Optex WNX-40IX - Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for Interlogix Systems
Optex WNX-40IX
Wireless 40x40 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for Interlogix Systems
List Price: $148.00
Our Price: $104.99
Optex WNX-40HW - Wireless Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for Honeywell Systems
Optex WNX-40HW
Wireless Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector for Honeywell Systems
List Price: $148.00
Our Price: $104.99
DSC BV-300DP - Bravo® 3 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
DSC BV-300DP
Bravo® 3 Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
List Price: $44.00
Our Price: $32.99
DSC AMB-600 - Addressable Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
DSC AMB-600
Addressable Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
Taxons
DSC BV-602
Bravo® 6 Twin, Dual-Element, Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector w/ Form C
List Price: $120.00
Our Price: $85.99
DSC BV-600 - Bravo® 6 Twin, Dual-Element, Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
DSC BV-600
Bravo® 6 Twin, Dual-Element, Pet Friendly PIR Motion Detector
List Price: $88.00
Our Price: $63.99
Taxons
DSC LC-171
Outdoor Pet Friendly Dual Tech PIR Motion Detector
Interlogix 60-807-01-95R - Wireless SAW Pet Immune PIR Motion Detector
Interlogix 60-807-01-95R
Wireless SAW Pet Immune PIR Motion Detector
Interlogix TX-E721 - Wireless Pet Immune PIR Motion Detector
Interlogix TX-E721
Wireless Pet Immune PIR Motion Detector
Honeywell IS335 - Pet Immune Motion Detector
Honeywell IS335
Pet Immune Motion Detector
List Price: $26.00
Our Price: $19.99
Taxons
Honeywell IS2500-PALK
Motion Detector Pet Alley Lens
Honeywell IS2535 - Pet Immune Motion Detector
Honeywell IS2535
Pet Immune Motion Detector

Related Categories


Answered