No need to cut a hole into your house wall or house door with dog doors for sliding glass doors. Easy to install and maintain. Enjoy the temporary nature of dog doors for sliding glass doors. Also called patio panel pet doors, or patio door dog doors, you can remove them and take them with you when its time to move. Look no further, America’s Pet Store carries all brands and models available in the market.
Question: How permanent are dog doors for sliding glass doors?
Answer: Patio pet doors for sliding glass doors are a simple solution for you and your pet’s needs. While most dog doors for sliding glass doors are a temporary solution, please note that some manufacturers recommend installing screws into your existing sliding glass door frame in order to stabilize the dog door while in use. There is minimal evidence of screwed-in installation into your patio door after removal of the dog door —all you will see once the door is removed are small screw holes where the dog door was held in place. So, dog doors for sliding glass doors are as permanent as you would like them to be! Once installed, they are budge-proof. It’s also simple to remove—the best of both worlds.
Question: How fire-safe are dog doors for sliding glass doors?
Answer: That depends on the width of your existing sliding glass doors relative to the size dog door you anticipate purchasing. Prior to purchasing, make sure to measure the size of your sliding glass door opening after installing the dog door for sliding glass doors of your choice. Check your town’s fire codes to see if the adjusted opening is up to par. You should also evaluate the room left for human entrance and exit from your sliders once the dog door is installed. If you have narrow sliders and are interested in purchasing an extra large dog door for sliding glass doors, it just might not work!
Question: I have vinyl sliding glass doors, does it matter if the dog door I like specifically states it can be used with vinyl sliders?
Answer: Actually, YES! If you have vinyl sliding glass doors, be sure to order a dog door that specifically states it can be used with vinyl sliders. Multiple returns have been made because of this mistake. Save yourself time and energy, and remember to order dog doors for sliding glass doors that work with the type of sliding glass door that you own. If you have vinyl sliding glass doors, and the dog door you are evaluating does not state that it can be used with vinyl sliding glass doors, you should assume that it will not work. Or, to be certain, call America’s Pet Store customer service to verify if it will work.
Question: Are electronic dog doors for sliding glass doors the right choice for me?
Answer: electronic sliding glass pet doors are a great solution for those people with specific situations. They work well for keeping out unwanted animals such as feral cats, raccoons and neighborhood pets. They also work well if you are concerned that your young child might crawl through the opening of a manual operating dog door. In most cases, if you are looking to purchase an electronic sliding glass pet door for security purposes, America’s Pet Store recommends reviewing our large selection of manually operating patio pet doors that come with a security panel.
Question: Will the lock for my existing sliding glass doors work after I install a patio panel pet door?
Answer: In most instances, your existing sliding glass door lock will not work after a patio pet panel is installed. America’s Pet Store can make suggestions for you on how to keep your home safe after installing a dog door for your sliding glass door. One option is to use a charley bar, which is a security bar that is easily installed on the inside of your sliders. This metal security bar is more secure, but functions similar to the piece of wood placed inside the lower sliding glass door track to keep your doors from opening. Some pet door manufacturers also sell a locking system for dog doors for sliding glass doors. Specifically check out the Ideal Keylock Kit, which is only available with the purchase of a new Ideal patio pet door due to the custom nature of the installation.
Question: What measurements will I need to find sliding glass dog doors that will work for me?
Answer: To purchase the proper size dog door for sliding glass doors, you will need four measurements: the width of the flap needed for the dog door, the height of the dog door flap, the rise, or how low to the ground your dog door for sliding glass doors will be positioned, and the height of your sliding glass doors.
To find the width of the flap you will need for your dog door, simply call your dog over to the sliding door and allow him to walk through a few times, adjusting the opening width until he has just enough space to pass through with about an inch of space on either side of his shoulders. Measure the opening & mark it down—this will be the width of the flap you need for your patio dog door.
To find the height of the flap you will need for your dog door, measure from the floor to the top of the highest point of your dog’s shoulder, adding an inch for ease. Subtract from this the rise for the opening (see below for calculation). This measurement will tell you the height of the dog door flap.
To find the rise for the opening of your dog door, simply measure from the floor to the lowest part of your dog’s chest or stomach and add an inch for growth, subtract an inch or weight gain, or make any other adjustments your dog may experience. This measurement will tell you how low to the ground your dog door should be positioned.
The height of your sliding glass doors is the last measurement you will need to make prior to purchasing dog doors for sliding glass doors. Please measure your sliding glass doors from the lowest point of the upper track to the highest point of the outside-facing lower track. Only dog doors that fit within that range should be considered. However, even if your measurement falls within the adjustment range of the dog door you want to purchase, you could have a problem installing the dog door if the height of your sliding glass doors is measuring close to the shorter end of the adjustment range.
If you have any questions about dog doors for sliding glass doors, or how to properly measure for your dog door, please contact America’s Pet Store customer service representatives who stand by to assist you.
America’s Pet Store carries the largest selection of dog doors online, including automatic dog doors, infrared dog doors, and big dog doors. Choose from all the most popular brands, including PetSafe dog doors, Staywell dog doors,Ideal dog doors (manufacturer of Ruff Weather dog doors), Hale dog doors, Plexidor dog doors, and Patio Pacific (also known as Endura flap dog doors).


