14 home security tips for cat owners

First Posted: August 15th 2023

Last Updated: 15th October 2024

With National Cat Day coming up on the 29th October this year, naturally, we’ve been thinking about how we can ensure cat owners look out for their pet’s safety and wellbeing. 

Whether you want to facilitate a cat-proof home or improve your home security to prevent pet theft, we’ve got some purr-fect tips to keep you, your home and your feline friend safe - all year round. Keep reading to find out how. 

General home security tips for cat owners

Not only is your home your sanctuary, but it's also your cat’s safe space. Explore these nine pieces of advice to keep your furry family member safe and secure, whether you're at home curled up on the couch with them, or out the house and they’re home alone. 1. Keep windows and balconies secure

We’ve all heard of the phrase “curious cat”. You may often find your cat watching the world go by on the windowsill, but a common worry is that they may get is tempted to try their luck at balancing themselves on a window pane, or worse, leaping out of a balcony! To keep those curiosities at bay, install screens or mesh on your windows and balcony doors, which will help to prevent your furry friend from escaping or accidentally falling off an opening out of your home. 

Thinking about leaving your cat home alone? Keep your windows and other openings in check, by installing our entry sensors onto your doors and windows. Fitted with tiny magnets that detect when a door or window opens, if the magnet moves more than two inches from the sensor, your house alarm will sound to help you catch a wannabe cat burglar in the act.

 2. Keep danger spots away from your cat

Laundry rooms, garages, kitchens, or anywhere with sharp objects, human medicine or harsh chemicals… The list goes on for things and places that should be secured from your cat. A great way to keep your cat safe at home is to install child-proof locks on anything that can be opened, including easily pushable doors, and storing away anything that could be a hazard out of your cat’s sight.

Want to ensure your cat is extra safe? Our smart wireless indoor cameras are perfect for keeping an eye on your home (and cat!) whilst you’re away. As they’re wireless, it means they can be placed in more spots around your home, including those that your furry friend loves to hide in. In the unfortunate case that your home is broken into, pairing your camera with a professional monitoring service will mean that our team can verify the intruder and send for help - no matter where you are - to help keep you, your home and your cat safe.

3. Install motion sensors

Our motion sensors can tell the difference between humans and animals - meaning in the unfortunate event there’s an intruder in your home, or someone breaks in to try and steal your cat, they’ll sound your house alarm right away. 

But how can you ensure that your cat doesn’t trigger your home security system? Follow these simple steps and avoid a false alarm:

1. Place the motion sensor on an area on a wall, where there is no furniture below it or near

2. Turn the motion sensor upside down with the test button facing towards the floor

Fix this to the wall at around 4-5ft high, where your cat (hopefully!) won’t jump up at it and trigger a false alarm.

4. Install a smoke detector

Preventing cat theft is one thing, but smoke detectors are another tool for keeping you, your home, and your furry companions safe too. 

Our smoke detectors are designed to sense even the faintest wisp of smoke - often the first sign of a fire breaking out within your home. In the unfortunate event that this happens, our sensitive smoke detectors will sound an alarm which can prompt you to escape from your home, with your cat, before things take a bad turn.

Even when we are not home, smoke detectors still keep watch over our cats. If a fire starts, the loud noise from the smoke detector can alert neighbours, who can then call for help and rescue pets.

5. Regulate indoor temperatures

Cats can both overheat and get extremely cold - just like us - so it might be a good idea to regulate your home’s temperature for their comfort as well as yours.

As winter comes, you’ll need to know how to keep pets safe in the colder weather - even at home. Temperature sensors can be useful in the event a pipe bursts unexpectedly and causes a sudden drop in temperature. As soon as the temperature drops below a certain point, you will be alerted to call for help or to come and fix it. 

You could also set an upper-temperature limit to protect your pets from overheating too, using your temperature sensor and other smart sensors on your home heating system.

6. Microchip and collar your cat

Even if you have an indoor cat, accidents happen - just leaving your door open for a second longer could tempt your cat to dart out. That’s why it’s so important to have your cat microchipped (and if they’re microchipped already - you should keep it up-to-date).

It’s also a good idea to add a collar with your contact information, in the event they do go for a curious wander. Never include your pet’s name on their collar though, as even the most stubborn cats may crawl into a stranger’s arms if they’re called.

7. Check your plants are cat-friendly

A lot of houseplants are toxic to cats and other animals - and if they’re ingested, they can lead to some serious health issues. 

If you want to decorate your home with plants whilst keeping it cat-proof, be sure to check online if the plants you want are cat-friendly. Many commonly-known poisonous house plants include aloe and snake plants. If in doubt, you could buy a fake plant instead!

8. Sort out your cable management

Cats and cables are a bad combination. With their playful nature, some cats may take to messing around with loose wires and mistake them for toys - just like we worry young children might. 

To prevent any potential hazards from tripping, playing or chewing, we recommend getting a cable tidy to conceal any loose wires and extension cords that need to be left out. However, whatever you can put away should be, before curious claws come and play.

• Fix this to the wall at around 4-5ft high where your cat (hopefully!) won’t jump up at it and trigger a false alarm.

 9. Keep your house clean and tidy

Not only is it good for the mind and soul, but also for keeping your cats safe - especially when you’re out of the house.

Cats may feel tempted to play with small objects that could pose choking hazards, so keep items such as rubber bands, hair ties, and small toys out of their reach. Keeping a quick tidy up as part of your daily routine will ensure that nothing goes missing - including checking all the spots your cat likes to hide!

Garden safety tips for cat owners

Whether you allow your cat to roam the outdoors, or they’re prone to sneaking into the garden whilst you’re outside hanging the laundry, you need to ensure that it’s a safe place for them to be in. Here are our top five tips for keeping your cat safe in your garden.

1. Supervise outdoor playtime

Although allowing your cat outdoor time can be beneficial, it's essential to closely monitor their activities. 

Regularly check on them and remain vigilant about possible hazards and prying eyes. If you are unable to physically supervise your cat outdoors at all times, consider one of our outdoor cameras. Not only can so you can watch them from whenever you are using our mobile app, but it also gives you the ability to record any cat theft attempts that may happen if a pet thief doesn’t think you’re watching. 

If that isn’t enough, you could also even consider installing a secure outdoor enclosure or ‘catio’ to create a safe and controlled environment for them. That way, if your cat is outdoors, you’ll always know exactly where they are and that no one can get to them.

 2. Watch out for toxic plants again

We’re repeating this again for obvious reasons. If you have green fingers, be mindful of what you decide to plant in your garden, as you may unknowingly plant something that could be toxic to your cat! 

From flowers to foliage, there are so many plants that we don’t even think could be harmful to our pets. Just like we recommended for houseplants, ensure to check all plants are cat-friendly before bringing them into your home or garden.

If you have cat-friendly plants in your garden already, but want to keep pests at bay, opt for natural alternatives to chemical pesticides, which again, could harm your furry companion. These will usually have a “child and pet friendly” label on, but ensure to do your research beforehand.

 3. Check all hiding places

You’d be surprised how many small spaces your cat can crawl into! 

Cats love to hide, but this can be quite worrying in your garden. Do a thorough check of your garden to see where your cat could potentially hide - and be sure to check any machinery you regularly use too, such as lawnmowers, or anywhere else with heavy or sharp objects. Make sure to block off these areas, or move dangerous objects into storage. You can also use one of our outdoor cameras in areas that you suspect your cat may be hiding into!

4. Facilitate shades areas

During the warmer months, you’ll want to have space in your garden where your cat can retreat from the hot weather and blaring sun - especially if you’re worried about the whole family staying safe during a heatwave. 

Create shaded zones within your garden to help your cat stay cool on hot days, by incorporating cat-friendly outdoor structures such as cat trees or enclosures, and by providing safe elevated areas for your feline companion to unwind and find comfort. However, if you worry your cat may get too hot and not be able to regulate their temperature, it may be best to keep them indoors until the weather cools in the evening.

5. Store compost bins elsewhere

Cats will rummage through a bin the moment they catch the scent of leftover food - just like any animal. 

However, some of these foods may be unsuitable for your cat if they ingest it. Cut the risk entirely and lock your compost bin in a secure location that can be fastened tightly. If you don’t compost and rely on your general waste bin, ensure it’s always shut after loading your rubbish in.

Looking for the purrfect system? Shop our wide range of home security packages or build your home security system with SimpliSafe.  If you have any queries or would like some further tips and tricks for using SimpliSafe home security with pets, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated customer support team or explore more resources on our blog.