EMF Field Guides:
EMF Protection for Pets:
The Definitive Guide
This field guide was written to better protect the four legged members of your family (birds and fish, too!).
This information will allow you to make informed decisions on the amount of EMF exposure you’re willing to subject your pets to. We hope you find it useful.
Let’s begin:
Steps to Take to Ensure Your Pet’s EMF Exposure is as Low as Possible
Pets can bring such joy to our lives. This guide will help you limit their (and your) EMF exposure.
We’ll focus on the four man-made EMFs, provide a list of common sources and give you mitigation tips for each.
The mitigation steps undertaken here will lower the exposure of your pets and make your home a safer overall environment.
Some of the product links are affiliate links that help support our mission of EMF education.
If you have any questions, please contact us!
Steps to a Safer Pet Environment
Step 01:
Learn More About EMFs & the Scientific Studies
We’ll begin by giving you some resources to better understand what EMFs are and the man-made “Four Fields to Forgo” that we specifically focus on.
We’ll also point you to some scientific studies on the health effects of EMFs.
Let’s get started:
1.1
Read The Beginner’s Guide to EMFs & other EMF Field Guides
If you’re unsure of what EMFs are, please take some time and read The Beginner’s Guide to EMFs sections on our website or on Kindle/e-reader.
These will give you a better understanding of what EMFs are in general and what we mean when we write about AC Magnetic Fields, Radio Frequency Fields, 5G Radio Frequency Fields, AC Electric Fields and Dirty Electricity.
These are available for free on this website.
Afterwards, we’ve also written several EMF Field Guides that are quick reads and give you a better sense of the types of sources of these man-made EMFs, in and around your home.
These are also free on this website.
All this content is available in Kindle and eReader versions, as well, if you would prefer to read these off-line or simply want to support our educational mission. Much obliged!
1.2
A Brief Overview of Scientific Studies on EMFs & Pets
Please visit our chapters on the Four Fields to Forgo or our appendix section on EMF Health Studies to learn more about the medical science of EMFs:
Step 02:
Identify Common Radio Frequency Radiation Sources That May Affect Your Pets
Radio frequency fields are one of the most common exposures that pets experience with EMFs.
Below we’ll go over the most common sources. View our other EMF Field Guides to see a wide array of other sources.
Let’s get started:
2.1
Cell Phones and Pets
Cell phones are continually giving off radio frequency radiation as the devices communicate with cell towers, wifi routers and bluetooth devices.
A simple solution to reduce this exposure for you and your pets is to place your phone in airplane mode when you’re not waiting for an important phone call.
Another important habit to get into is to not sleep next to your cell phone if it isn’t in airplane mode. This is an important reduction in RF radiation for you and any pets sharing your bed or bedroom.
A Low EMF Solution
Cell phones are everywhere, but try not to use them adjacent to your pets. Being diligent in using airplane mode and being mindful of distance can lower their exposure considerably.
2.2
IPads, Tablets & eReaders
These should also be in airplane mode, as much as possible, with wi-fi and bluetooth turned off.
Most movie or show purchases you make will be available for offline viewing.
The Netflix app, YouTube app and Amazon Prime app all allow downloading of their content for offline viewing, as well.
Laptop computers fall into this category, as well, but we’ll address them more fully in the magnetic field section below.
A Low EMF Solution
Airplane mode is your friend.
2.3
Airplane Mode, Airplane Mode, Airplane Mode
Just wanted to hammer the point home that when you use a cell phone or tablet, if possible, put it in airplane mode making sure that wi-fi and bluetooth are turned off.
This will drastically reduce your pet’s RF radiation exposure.
A Low EMF Solution
One more vote for airplane mode!
2.4
Wi-Fi and Wi-fi Boosters
Wi-fi routers and extenders/boosters, like cell phones, are a common source of radio frequency radiation for your pets.
If you can stop using wi-fi entirely and only use hardwired internet connections, please do so!
Hardwiring your internet isn’t difficult and will eliminate your exposure to this entirely.
If you’re unable to do so, due to security, medical or housing arrangements, get in the habit of keeping it off as much as possible.
Additionally, make sure the places your pets frequent in the home are as far away from the router as possible.
One product we recommend to our clients is an infra-red remote on/off switch. This switch basically plugs into a socket and then your router is plugged into the switch and can be turned on and off with a remote control.
If you have to occasionally use wifi, you can utilize this to turn the router on and then immediately turn it off after you’re done.
Learn more about this on/off switch.
A Low EMF Solution
Turning off you Wi-Fi can be achieved by the following means:
A – Some internet providers that have a wireless router bundled with their service modem have apps that you can use to remotely turn the wireless router on and off.
B – Put your wireless router on a mechanical timer that you plug into your electrical outlet. This will turn it off every day at a selected time.
C – Utilize a remote IR kill switch. Right before you go to bed, you can turn off your wireless router with the click of a button and then turn it back on when you wake up.
2.5
Smart Watches & Fitness Trackers
When you’re snuggling with your pet, these can be directly adjacent to your pets.
These should be in airplane mode with wi-fi and bluetooth turned off.
A Low EMF Solution
You’re probably tired of hearing about airplane mode by now, but think about your pets.
2.6
Cordless Phones
Cordless phones produce a surprisingly high amount of radio frequency radiation and the docking stations are often found in multiple rooms.
To protect yourself and your pet, we recommend you utilize a corded land-line.
If you must continue to have a cordless phone, make sure the phones or docking stations aren’t in your bedroom at night or places that you or your pets frequent.
A Low EMF Solution
Go old school and get a corded phone.
2.7
Entertainment Technology
Entertainment consoles often contain all types of devices that produce radio frequency radiation through the use of wifi, bluetooth and/or cellular technology.
These are also found in areas where your pets may sleep.
Some common sources of radio frequency radiation in the average living or TV room are:
– Smart TVs
– Wireless Cable Boxes (Comcast, DirectTV, Dish Network)
– Gaming systems (Playstations, Xbox and Nintendo)
– Smart Speakers (Alexa, Google Home)
– DVD players with smart features
– Digital Media Players (Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku)
– Wireless speakers (Sonos, Bose)
– Bluetooth computer peripherals (wireless mouse and keyboard)
These fields can be reduced by turning off the wireless and bluetooth functionality and running a hardwired ethernet connection to the devices instead.
At a minimum, put the devices on a power strip that can easily be turned off when not in use.
A Low EMF Solution
View our EMF Field Guide to Lower EMF Exposure in Living Rooms and TV Rooms to learn more about these.
2.8
Other Internal RF Sources
Other common internal sources of radio frequency radiation that may affect your pets are:
– Wireless security systems
– IoT (The Internet of Things or smart home products)
View our other EMF Field Guides to learn more about these sources.
A Low EMF Solution
We cover many of these in our other EMF Field Guides.
2.9
External RF Sources
Two common sources of external radio frequency sources are wireless utility meters and close proximity cell towers.
Wireless utility meters can be swapped out for non-transmitting models or effectively shielded.
Cell phone towers should be avoided as much as possible.
Read our guide on locating cell towers to lower the EMF exposure of your pets. Unfortunately, many places that you’ll spend time with your dog will be adjacent to cell towers. These include churches, schools, dog parks and parks.
A Low EMF Solution
Distance, distance, distance.
We’ll have more how-to guides on this material coming soon.
Step 03:
Identify Common AC Magnetic Field Radiation Sources That May Affect Your Pets
AC magnetic fields are another common EMF exposure source for pets.
Below we’ll go over some common, man-made sources of magnetic fields. View our other EMF Field Guides for more sources.
Let’s begin:
3.1
Powerlines
Overhead and underground power lines are common sources of elevated magnetic field levels within homes.
Shielding these can be difficult, so your best bet is to increase your distance from these sources.
You don’t want your pets to be sleeping in rooms with elevated magnetic field levels.
A Low EMF Solution
Distance is your pet’s friend here.
3.2
Kitchen & Home Appliances
Anything with a motor, condenser, or an electric clock will have some magnetic fields.
Examples of these are refrigerators, furnaces, stoves and dishwashers. Microwave ovens produce RF radiation and is another to look out for.
The kitchen can be an exposure problem for pets.
Thus, it’s important to understand the high exposure areas of the kitchen and make sure your pets aren’t lounging or sleeping in problematic areas.
An EMF consultant can survey for you or you can get an EMF meter and do the sleuthing yourself (see below).
A Low EMF Solution
See our EMF Field Guides for other sources. Our EMF Field Guide to EMFs in Kitchens is a good one.
3.3
Wiring Errors
Electrical wiring errors are also common causes of elevated magnetic fields in homes. These can be quite large and are important to survey for to ensure that your pets are as safe as possible.
EMF Specialists can be helpful with testing for these EMFs and then talking with electricians about how to eliminate the exposure.
A Low EMF Solution
View our EMF professionals page to see practitioners near you.
3.4
Stray Current on Utility Lines
A surprising, yet not uncommon, source of magnetic fields are the stray electrical amperage coming into a home from water, gas, telephone and cable utility lines.
Having an electrician install an on-demand switch to de-energize the bedrooms will alleviate the fields.
An EMF specialist can help you map out the breaker box, as it relates to electric fields.
Some people recommend turning off the breakers manually to achieve the same effect, but we don’t advise doing this without having a certified electrician come out and sign off on the safety and the condition of the breaker box and individual circuit breakers and having them install breakers made for daily usage.
A Low EMF Solution
EMF Pros and electricians can help you test for and remove these sources.
Step 04:
Common AC Electric Field Radiation Sources That May Affect Your Pets
AC electric fields are lesser known, but something that you should be aware of for your pets.
Below we’ll go over some common, man-made sources of electric fields. View our other EMF Field Guides for more sources, especially the EMF Field Guide to Bedrooms and Living Rooms.
Let’s get started:
4.1
Energized Electrical Circuits
In most homes, if an electrical circuit is energized you’re going to have the presence of electrical fields.
Having an electrician install an on-demand switch to de-energize the rooms where your pets sleep will alleviate the fields.
An EMF Consultant can help you map out the breaker box, as it relates to electric fields.
Some people recommend turning off the breakers manually to achieve the same effect, but we don’t advise doing this without having a certified electrician come out and sign off on the safety and the condition of the breaker box and individual circuit breakers.
A Low EMF Solution
This is something to be aware of and is worth contacting an EMF consultant about.
4.2
Electrical Cords
Power cords effectively become extensions to the energized electrical circuit. If not properly shielded, they will produce electric fields, as well.
Examples of these are:
– light cords
– plug-in strips
– extension cords
– phone charger cords
– product cords
When EMF specialists do surveys, they’ll sometimes see half a dozen cords snaking around and underneath people’s beds. Make sure this isn’t the case in where you pet sleeps.
A Low EMF Solution
Clear out the cables and cords where possible.
Step 05:
Common Dirty Electricity Sources That May Affect Your Pets
Dirty Electricity is known to some folks in pet health forums, but is something to be aware of if you haven’t heard of it before.
Below we’ll go over some some sources of dirty electricity. View our other EMF Field Guides for more sources, especially the EMF Field Guide to Bedooms and Living Rooms.
Let’s get started:
5.1
Light Bulbs
Many of the newer light bulbs achieve their cost savings by continually turning on and off at extremely high rates. Thes include CFL/LED/Fluorescent/Halogen light bulbs.
This causes dirty electricity. To ensure a healthy environment for your pets consider switching to old-school incandescent bulbs.
A Low EMF Solution
If you have a choice, old-school incandescent bulbs are the way to go.
5.2
Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches work in the same manner as the newer light bulbs.
We recommend swapping these out for normal light switches, but if you decide to keep them make sure your beloved pet isn’t sleeping or spending time in close proximity to the fixture.
A Low EMF Solution
We recommend going old school with your switches.
5.3
Device Power Supplies
Most devices have power transformers that can influence the dirty electricity levels on your room’s electrical circuit.
Just something to be aware of when testing for levels in rooms where your you or your pet spend a lot of time.
A Low EMF Solution
These can simply be unplugged when not in use.
Step 06:
Testing: Hire a Pro or DIY?
Unsure if you want to hire an EMF professional or test for EMFs yourself? This section will help you decide which course of action is the best route for you and your family. If you do decide to do-it-yourself, the next section will help you go about it.
Hire an EMF Specialist or DIY?
The four types of EMFs can all be measured with reasonable accuracy if you have the right meters and equipment and many of these meters are affordable. We’ll give you a basic idea of what’s required and point you where to go to for our current purchasing recommendations below in our DIY EMF section.
With all EMF measurements, the benefit of hiring EMF consultants is they will provide extensive experience and training, professional-grade meter accuracy and will help you determine and move forward with an appropriate EMF mitigation program.
Perhaps the main advantage of utilizing an EMF consultant for the magnetic field survey is that they can help pinpoint any potential wiring errors or any excess electrical current coming from water pipes or other utility lines and then communicate these issues to an electrician.
DIY EMF surveying is less costly, but may take longer and be out of the comfort zone for some people. There’s also no reason that you can’t do some of the work yourself in concert with an EMF consultant, too.
Most EMF consultants will have reasonable hourly phone consultation rates. Here are some remote EMF consultants if you’re interested and don’t have a local professional.
To better appreciate the pros and cons of contacting an EMF professional vs. doing-it-yourself, please see Chapter 09 – Contact an EMF Consultant or DIY?
Step 07:
How to Test for These EMFs
Interested in going the do-it-yourself route?
Congratulations.
Below are the types of meters you would use to detect the four types of man-made EMFs we go over in this Step-by-Step EMF Guide to EMF Protection for Pets.
How to test for RF Fields
You can survey radio frequency fields with an RF Meter. Our current favorite beginner’s RF meter is the Trifield TF2. Visit our Best EMF Meters page, to learn more about the Trifield TF2 and other beginner, intermediate and professional level RF meters.
How to test for AC Magnetic Fields
You can survey magnetic fields with a gaussmeter. Decent gaussmeters are affordable and easy to use.
Visit our EMF Meter Reviews page to learn which gaussmeter or multi-use meter we recommend.
How to test for AC Electric Fields
You can survey AC electric fields with an electrical field strength meter.
Visit our EMF Meter Reviews page to learn which field strength meter or multi-use meter we recommend.
How to test for Dirty Electricity
You can test your home for elevated dirty electricity levels with a power line meter.
Popular DE meters are the Greenwave, Satic and Stetzerizer meters.
Visit our Best EMF Meters page, to learn more about our meter recommendations.
Step 08:
EMF Blocking Products for Your Pets
In this section, we’ll go over some EMF shielding products specifically made for protecting your pets.
While it’s always best to eliminate the EMF sources as much as possible, we understand that their are times when this isn’t always feasible.
Let’s start:
8.1
EMF Shielding Fabric
This is a commonly used product for “EMF Sleep Sanctuaries,” but would work extremely well for dogs and birds, as well.
You can drape this over a dog crate or a bird cage very easily and it provides good protection from RF radiation.
Section 09:
A Recap of How to Limit the
EMF Exposure of Your Pets
Here’s some of the more important points of this Pets EMF Field Guide in recap.
Pets are such an important part of your family and it’s worth lowering their man-made EMF exposures.
We think low EMF environments for pets are important to be focused on. The home is the lone environment that pet owners can have some control over. Try your hardest to make it a low EMF sanctuary.
A recap of things to be on the look out for with your pets:
– Wi-fi routers and wi-fi extenders
– cell phone and tablet use (use airplane mode and don’t use around your pets)
– Smart TVs, smart speakers and other technology that use wi-fi or bluetooth
– Appliances that can produce large magnetic fields, like fridges, stoves and dishwashers.
– game systems
– Microwave ovens (RF radiation)
– Electric clocks and other devices with unshielded plugs
– Cordless telephones
– Smart meters from your electric, water and gas companies
– Wiring errors (magnetic fields)
If you aren’t comfortable purchasing EMF meters and doing the survey yourself, EMF consultants will be happy to assist you.
If you want to give DIY EMF testing a try start start with our “Best EMF Meters of 2022” page and then begin reading the free content found on our website.
If you’d prefer a PDF or Kindle version of the guides, we offer low-priced editions. You can view those below.
We mentioned this in the beginning, but if you have any questions about any of this, please contact us!
Other EMF Field Guides
The Beginner's Guide to EMFs
Purchase the Book for Family or Friends
Go low EMF and read our EMF guide offline on your kindle or preferred e-reader. Or gift this to a loved one that doesn't know as much about the EMFs in their lives.
This option comes with printable worksheets and other helpful guides.
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