Burglars Can Use Your Dog Door?! 🐕 😳

Dog doors are convenient but can provide an entry point for thieves. Here’s how you can help prevent burglary and theft by securing your dog door. Theft is on the rise in Victoria, with the highest number of residential burglaries reported in the year to March 2025 since 2018, according to the Crime Statistics Agency. But with many Victorians looking to consolidate their home security, there’s one common household feature that can leave pet owners vulnerable to burglary. While dog and cat owners appreciate the convenience of pet doors, as they allow their pets to travel in and out of their house at their leisure, the downside is that poorly located or insecure dog doors can also allow thieves to do the same. The good news is that you can keep your dog door and still feel confident in your home security setup. Here's how you can achieve this balance without compromising on safety. Wherever possible, install your dog door in a location that cannot be seen from the street. This helps prevent opportunistic thieves. If possible, have the pet door open into a room that has few valuables and a lockable door between it and the rest of the house (such as a laundry). Installing the dog door in a wall is also more secure than installing it into a door. Dog doors installed into regular doors can allow thieves to reach their hand through the flap and potentially undo any door locks. This can give them access to your house even if they can’t fit through the dog door. Depending on the composition of your walls, a competent handyperson may be able install a pet door into a wall. If you have any doubt, contact a licensed tradesperson. Some pet owners opt for dog doors that are larger than necessary to ensure their dog can use it comfortably. The risk here is that larger dog doors make it easier for thieves to break into your house. To ensure you choose the correct size dog door for your pet, start by measuring your cat or dog. Stand them up straight on all fours and measure between the ground and the tallest point of their back. Add 2.5cm to this measurement to help prevent collars being snagged or your pet hitting their back when using the door. Use this measurement as a guide to find a suitably sized dog door. Once you’ve found one, it can be helpful to mock-up a cardboard version of it at home to test on your pet to confirm it will work before committing to the purchase. A wide variety of pet doors are available for sale in Australia, including those which can be locked. The locking mechanisms on these vary from clips and latches to microchips. A locked pet door may not stop a determined thief, but the effort and noise required can serve as a deterrent. A lockable pet door also has the added benefit of preventing stray animals and wildlife entering your home. There are a few simple measures that can improve your overall home security, in addition to making your pet door more secure. Strong, secure locks on your external doors and windows are a great first line of defence against home intruders. Deadbolts are one of the most effective locks to prevent and deter thieves because they are much harder to pick or force open compared to knob or lever-handle locks. Sensor lights are a relatively economical way to deter thieves. Place the sensor lights around entry points, including doors, windows, pet doors and even balconies. These lights will turn on when they detect movement, which can help deter thieves. The benefits of security cameras are twofold. First, they deter thieves who do not want to be caught on camera. Second, they can provide evidence to assist police should theft or burglary occur. Choose security cameras that are sturdy, weatherproof and provide high-definition footage. Many systems come with an app that allows you to watch or even replay footage on your phone. Enhance the safety of your home 🔎 RACV Home Security RACV Security Pty Ltd ABN 49 079 148 342 trading as RACV Home Security. Security Licence (Vic.) 733-411-10S and Security Registration (Vic.) 733-411-31S. For more information: 🔎 https://www.racv.com.au 📱 Call us on 13 72 28 for general enquiries Subscribe to our newsletter: 📩 https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/subscribe.html Follow us: https://www.youtube.com/racvofficial https://www.facebook.com/racv https://www.instagram.com/racvofficial https://www.linkedin.com/company/racv #racv #racvnewsandlifestyle #racvhomesecurity #homesecurity #dog