Dog Doors - Cat Doors

Q. What should I consider before purchasing a doggie door or cat door?

A. Criteria to consider include:

• Your budget. Cat doors and doggie doors are available in a wide range of prices. For a high end dog door we recommend Plexidor Dog Doors. Or see budget brands that offer a good value for the money such as PetSafe Dog Doors and Ideal Pet Doors.


• Type of dog door (for sliding glass doors, for walls, for regular doors, for windows, etc.)


• Electronic or traditional/manual


• Quality and energy efficiency


• Security


• Installation


• Size


• Training pets to use cat and doggie doors

Q. What are my options on where to install a cat door or doggie door?

A. The four most popular types of mounting methods available are: Door Mount, Wall Mount, Window Mount and Patio Pet Door Panels with a built-in dog door already installed.

• Patio Pet Door Panels with a built in dog door: Patio pet doors, also known as sliding glass doggie doors or patio door dog doors, are a good solution for anyone who doesn't want to cut a hole into a door or wall. A patio pet door is a full-size panel that matches the height of your sliding glass doors. The panel has a built-in dog door so installation is usually as simple as inserting the panel into the upper and lower inside track of your sliding door. If your sliding doors are not standard height, say over 90 inches tall or under 77 inches tall, please see our extra tall sliding glass doggie door section or our pet doors for short sliding doors section.

  FYI America's Pet Store also carries cat doors for sliding glass doors.

  It is important to know whether your sliding glass doors are aluminum or vinyl as most patio dog doors will fit only one type of sliding door - but not both. If you have vinyl sliding glass doors such as Pella patio doors or Andersen doors, please see pet doors for vinyl sliding doors. If you have aluminum please see doggie doors for aluminum sliders.

  Either way, vinyl or aluminum, it is important to make sure to measure the width of the patio panel that you intend on purchasing, and test your home's sliding glass doors to ensure that the remaining clearance after installation is adequate for human passage.

  Built in dog doors for sliding glass doors really are a great solution for people who live in condos or for anyone else with sliding glass doors for that matter. Americas-Pet-Store.com carries many well-known brands in a wide range of prices. Our top sellers by far are Thermo Panel IIIe models which are high-quality, double pane dog doors made by Patio Pacific. They also make a line of single pane sliding glass doggie doors called the Quick Panel III that cost a bit less.




• Door-Mount Dog Doors: Unlike most patio pet doors that can be removed and re-installed time and time again, dog doors for doors are a permanent solution because you'll need to cut a hole into your house door to install one. Door mount dog doors are easier to install than wall mount doors, and can usually be installed by anyone handy with tools.



• Wall-Mount Dog Doors: Dog doors for walls are installed through an exterior facing wall in your house. Most wall mount pet doors include a tunnel that goes through the wall and attaches to the inside and outside frame of the dog door. Some of these tunnels are easier to install than others, and you should look for a telescoping tunnel for ease of installation. Be sure there are no wires or pipes in the wall where you intend to install the dog door.



• Pet Doors for Windows: Window pet doors are usually for cats but we carry some that are made for dogs. (See Hale Pet Doors for Windows.) Most window mount pet doors are very easy to install and do not require tools or mounting hardware. However some models, especially large ones for dogs, may require screwing the dog door into the window frame.



• Pet Doors for Screen Doors: A dog door for a screen door is a great option during the summer months.  Most pet doors for screens come in smaller sizes mainly for cats.  However, Hale Pet Doors makes some great dog doors for screens that come in 11 different sizes so they will work for almost all sizes of dogs. FYI - there are also 11 sizes of Hale Patio Door Dog Doors; dog doors by Hale come in the largest variety of sizes - more than any other dog door manufacturer.

Here are some other considerations in selecting the proper doggie door or cat door:

• Energy Efficiency: One of the largest quality differences among the various dog doors on the market relates to energy efficiency. Energy-efficient dog doors are more expensive, higher quality dog doors than their counterparts. However, in most instances the extra money spent on an energy efficient dog door is recouped through energy savings from reduced home heating and cooling bills.

  Some features to look for in energy efficient dog doors include:

  1. Dog doors edged in weather sealant material;
  2. Dual flap dog doors where one flap is located on either side of the wall or house door and dead air exists between the two flaps aiding in insulation; and
  3. Doggy doors made specifically for extreme temperatures that possess patented solutions for maintaining energy efficiency such as Freedom Pet Pass Dog Doors. Check out their dramatic Freedom Pet Pass leaf blower video to see just how airtight the pet door flap is, as well as its extraordinary wind resistance.

  Plexidor dog doors are another good example where all models include a molded panel that forms a Thermo-pane effect for excellent insulation. Additionally, Endura Flap Dog Doors manufactured by Patio Pacific use patented technology in developing its durable, weatherproof dog door flap.  Similar technology to the Patio Pacific doors are Ideal's Ruff Weather dog doors.  Hale Dog Doors, Ideal Dog Doors and Dogwalk Dog Doors all have a dual-flap option available for an additional charge at purchase. 

Q. What size pet door do I need?

A. The only way to select the proper size dog door or cat door is to measure your pet.

There are two important measurements you will need:

Width of your dog - The width of a dog door flap should be at least 2" wider than the width of your dog as measured across the shoulders. If your dog is not yet full grown do your best to factor in future growth.

Height of your dog's shoulders while on all fours - here are general guidelines.

• Shoulder heights of up to 8 1/2" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 7 1/2"



• Shoulder heights between 9" - 13" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 9 1/2"



• Shoulder heights between 13 1/2" - 15" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 12 1/2"



• Shoulder heights between 15 1/2" - 20" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 16"



• Shoulder heights between 20 1/2" - 24" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 19 1/2"



• Shoulder heights between 24 1/2" - 27" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 23 1/2"



• Shoulder heights between 27 1/2" - 31" = a dog door flap with a minimum height of 27 1/2"

A great way to verify your measurements before purchasing a cat or dog door is to cut out the exact measurements of any cat or dog door flap on the item you are considering purchasing from a piece of cardboard. If your dog or cat can walk through the opening comfortably you have the correct size.

It is important to note that different manufacturers define sizes differently. A medium size cat or doggie door made by one manufacturer might equal the dimensions of a small size made by a different manufacturer. It is crucial that you rely on the actual measurements of the dog door flap itself, instead of the manufacturer's size labels.

For convenience America's Pet Store does segment cat doors and dog doors by size such as small, large and extra large which are really big dog doors. But again, we can't stress it enough, we highly recommend measuring your pet prior to making a purchase to ensure a proper fit.

Q. What about security concerns?

A. If you are considering purchasing a doggy door that will have access to the outside it is important to consider the security of the door you will be installing.  Since wall mount dog doors and exterior door mounted dog doors provide your pet access to your house from the outside, it may also provide access to unwanted animals or even people if the dog door is large enough. 

Most pet doors sold at America's Pet Store come standard with a slide in security panel that will block off the pet door when needed.  This feature is not practical to use on a daily basis but is helpful when the door will not be in use such as when you are away on vacation with your dog. 

Collar activated dog doors are automatic dog doors and they are the most secure pet doors for dogs and cats on the market.  With electric dog doors the only animals that can access the pet door from the outside would be those that are wearing the electronic collar that signals the door to open.  Even among electronic pet doors there is a wide range of security options.  The most secure model is the Plexidor Electronic Door which is an RFID dog door that allows you to program the collar key among thousands of possible combinations. 

If you are searching for a secure dog door but do not want electronic, make sure to select a door with a locking security panel.  Additionally, if you are looking for secure patio dog doors, many of them do not allow you to use your existing locking mechanism on your patio doors. PetSafe Deluxe patio pet doors and some Ideal patio dog doors have locking mechanisms that might work with the lock on your sliding doors.

Staywell dog doors used to make infrared dog doors but they have been discontinued.  If you are looking for the security that infrared dog doors provided we recommend reviewing our selection of electronic dog doors.

Q. How long will a dog door last before you need to replace the flap or the entire door?

A. The durability of pet doors for dogs range widely.  Some vinyl or plastic pet flaps will crack, warp, and/or become very rigid when exposed to the elements. Over time their sealing ability can decrease significantly. Plastic pet flaps also scratch easily and collect dirt and bacteria within those scratches which is hard to remove, and is unslightly. Worn out flaps can be replaced but replacement flaps can cost almost as much as you paid for the dog door itself. On the plus side these flexible flaps are much safer and quieter than most rigid flaps.

If your dog is a big chewer and you think a flexible plastic or vinyl flap would never last we do carry heavy-duty dog kennel doors including the popular line of Gun Dog Doors.

Q. What is the best dog door?

A. There is no one single answer to this question because it all depends on an individual's specific needs. For example, someone who lives in a very cold, hot, or windy climate will likely have different requirements than someone who lives in a moderate climate. Or, for giant breeds such as an Irish Wolfhound or Spanish Mastiff , you'll need to purchase a dog door manufactured by a company that makes really big dog doors. Almost all major dog door manufacturers make large and extra large sizes. But they don't all make sizes large enough for giant breeds.

Here is a partial list of dog door brands we carry and the special features they offer:

Patio Pacific Pet Doors – Patio Pacific is well-known for their award-winning Endura Flap. The Endura Flap comes with a 15-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects. There are very few dog doors on the market that can even come close to such a warranty on the pet flap. Unlike most other manual flap-style dog doors, Patio Pacific’s Endura Flap is not screwed onto the frame. Instead, it swings freely on a metal rod. It's a very simple design improvement that makes a world of difference. Most flaps that are screwed into the frame will eventually fail, usually splitting or cracking where the screws are positioned.

DogWalk Dog Doors - DogWalk dog doors also have a heavy-duty aluminum frame but theirs is beveled, something like a picture frame, and to some people it is more stylish. They offer door-mount and wall-mount models and take pride in offering a dog door that is very easy to install. All models come standard with a single flap and offer the option (for an additional charge) for dual-flaps. They also make CatWalk Cat Doors.

High Tech Pet Power Pet Doors – These are electronic dog doors that open and close by reading a signal from a special collar worn by your pet. When the dog door detects your pet's collar it slides up to open, very similar to a garage door. After a few seconds it automatically closes. These doors are particularly attractive to people who are concerned with either people or other animals getting into their home. Since they will only open for pets with a High Tech Collar they are quite secure. High Tech offers a multi-function, rechargeable collar that will work with all of their electronic products for dogs. Just one RX-10 Multi-function collar will work with their Power Pet Door, Human Contain underground dog fence, Sound Barrier, Yard Barrier and Radio Mat.

PetSafe Dog Doors – PetSafe offers door-mount, wall-mount and patio pet doors. They also offer an electronic Smart Door that can be installed through a door, or through a wall with an optional wall-kit. PetSafe is a longtime, tried and true brand. They manufacture quality products at reasonable prices. They too offer energy-efficient models called Extreme Weather pet doors and these doors come standard with not one, not two but three flaps. This three flap system helps keep the outside air where it belongs…not in your home.

Staywell Pet Doors – Their most popular model used to be an infrared dog door, but they don't make them anymore and as far as we know nobody else does either. However they do have magnetic dog doors and cat flaps that are collar activated for security purposes. Staywell also offers pet doors with manual style flaps available in either an aluminum frame or plastic frame.

Q. How do you train a dog to use a doggy door?

A. Sometimes people buy doggie doors and realize their dog won't go through them. As with most new things with dogs they just need to learn what to do.

Start with propping the doggie flap open or holding it in your hand. Make sure the door flap is securely open because if it accidentally falls and hits a timid dog they may never try it again. Get some of your dog's favorite treats and put out a "Hansel and Gretel" trail of treats from one side of the door to the other. Allow the dog to approach the treats and eat them without interfering. In an attempt to help, many people may unintentionally pressure or coerce their dog to try new things and this usually makes the dog want to avoid it even more.

If the dog shows no interest in using the dog door, you may not have the right treats or you might be asking for too much of your pet too quickly. As with most training exercises in which you use food or a treat as an incentive, it helps to work with a hungry dog.

Once the dog will comfortably go in and out of the door following the trail, have someone hold the dog on one side and just hold a treat on the other to see if he will come through the door to get it. If you like, you can add a command to this behavior at this point in time. Don't rush this behavior. You are trying to build confidence so your dog can ultimately do this alone.

Next slightly lower the pet door flap by only an inch or so. When you can lure the dog through for that, then lower it another inch or so. Continue this at small increments until the dog is actually pushing on the door flap to get through. Make sure you praise your pet each time and give plenty of positive reinforcement. Dogs that are timid may take days or weeks before they are confident enough to go through a dog door while other dogs may go through within minutes of training.

Installation Tip: Are you replacing an old dog door with a new one? Let us help you avoid the hassle and expense of returns.

If you already have a hole in your door or wall from a previous dog door and are looking to install a new door in the same place, your best bet for a perfect fit would be to purchase the exact same brand, model and size. However…

It's often difficult to find an exact match for an older model dog door. If you can't find the same exact door to replace your old one, we recommend that you purchase a door with a "cut out" size that is slightly larger than the existing hole in your door or wall. (If you find a product on our website that does not indicate a "cut out" size please contact us and we will get the information for you.)

That way you can just increase the size of the existing hole to exactly match the "cut out" requirements of your new dog door. This is the best way to get a good fit/seal. If you purchase a door that has a smaller "cut out" size you will not have a good fit or seal. If you purchase one that you think is "close enough" you will more than likely not have a good fit. Please contact our Customer Service department if you have any questions.