Pet doors offer all kinds of benefits for you, your pets and your household. These practical and convenient solutions give your pet freedom of movement without requiring you to constantly be on standby. A quality dog door gives your four-legged friend exercise, fresh air and bathroom breaks on their own schedule, which helps them lead a happier, healthier lifestyle. But one pressing concern on the minds of many pet owners is ‘are dog doors a security risk?’
The concern is warranted. Australia has a very high rate of pet ownership with an estimated 73% of households across the country now home to at least one pet. At the same time, burglaries and break and enters are among the most common crimes in the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads region, and a dog door is an opening in your home’s most prominent access point.
Goldco® Security provides exceptional pet doors and security solutions in the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads region. If you are wondering ‘are dog doors a security risk?’, we can address your concerns. Here is our guide to enhancing the safety of your pet doors.
Are dog doors a security risk?
A dog door is designed for the comfort and safety of your pet in mind and offers tangible benefits for their quality of life. It allows your dog to enter and exit as they please (including while you sleep) and keeps your home well-ventilated in the heat of a Queensland summer while keeping out the insects that are abundant in the warmer months. But are dog doors a security risk and should you take a chance on one if you are concerned about crime in your neighbourhood?
The simple answer is that pet doors will compromise your home’s security because when a pet door is fitted to a security door, the door cannot be classified as a security door, as per the Australian standards, regardless of the pet door or security door brands. This is because the opening in the mesh is larger than the allowable limits. This means that thieves can carry out burglaries using dog doors. Some intruders use them to reach up and unlock main doors while others are small enough to crawl through the door itself. Even a medium-sized pet door can be an access point for intruders and even a small opening can allow thieves to reach in and reach keys left on nearby surfaces like tables. Once a pet door is installed in a security door it can no longer be classed as a “security door” and needs to be called a “barrier door” instead.
However, the fact that dog doors are a security risk at times is no reason to miss out on the benefits they provide for you and your pet. There are ways to achieve the best of both worlds: keeping your home free from intruders while giving your dog freedom.
How to secure your dog door against intruders
Most of the time, dog doors are a security risk only without proper precautions. Here are some methods for securing your dog door against intruders:
Choose the right size door
While it might be tempting to choose the largest door option to ensure your dog has no trouble getting in and out, it is safer to choose the smallest available dog door you can find that your dog can access. Stand your dog on all fours and measure between the ground and the tallest point of their back. Add 2.5 centimetres to the measurement to prevent your dog’s collar getting snagged on the door.
Install in a subtle location
If possible, install your dog door in the back door rather than the front, or in another location that cannot be seen from the street. A location that allows your dog to access the yard but is not in an obvious area is perfect. It is also worth having the pet door lead into a room that has no valuables and a lockable door that separates it from the rest of the house.
Install an alarm or security camera
Other security measures such as alarm systems, security cameras and motion sensor lights are helpful in deterring intruders. Cameras are also useful for collecting evidence.
Enhance your other home security measures
Ensure you maintain a strong approach to home security on all fronts, with upgraded locks, insurance and other forms of protection.
Goldco® Security’s Petway® pet doors
Goldco® Security uses only the highest standards of Petway® pet doors for our dog doors. If you need a screen door with a dog door, our Petway® doors can integrate perfectly into doors of all kinds, both hinged and sliding.
Our Petway® dog doors are Australian-designed, owned and manufactured and have been specifically developed for use in screen doors and windows. They are available in three sizes: small, medium and large, with options that can accommodate every size and breed of dog.
A socially responsible company that has been supplying screens throughout the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads region since the 1980s, Goldco® Security is committed to reliable, Australian-made security solutions.
To find out more, contact Goldco® Security today on (07) 5572 2628, visit the showroom at 51 Paradise Ave, Miami QLD or contact us online.