Pet Doors for Cats

Here's a fun fact: the vast majority of cat owners in the U.S. do not allow their cats to go outside. They are indoor cats or house cats.

So then, why are pet doors for cats so popular? Well, obviously, for those cats that are allowed to go outside, a private entrance gives them the same freedom as pet doors for dogs: to come and go as needed. Likewise, it frees their owners from always having to get the door for them.

But pet doors for cats are very popular with people who have indoor cats, too. Indoor cat doors are typically used to allow the cat access to an otherwise closed-off litter box. It's got to be the best answer ever to hiding a cat litter box. (See the Cat Hole an indoor cat door with a built-in brush which most people find very handy.)

All you need is an extra closet that is not being used. Put the litter box in the closet and close the door. Then install an indoor cat door in the closet door so your cat can have access. Or, if you don’t have an extra closet, you could put the litter box in your basement and then install an indoor cat door in the basement door. The possibilities are endless.

If you do allow your pet to go outside, you'll find a selection of pet doors for cats designed to meet specific needs. For example, if you live in a rural or semi-rural area you may have a need for one of our automatic pet doors. An automatic pet door is designed to only allow your cat inside. These doors will not allow feral cats, raccoons, skunks or any other critters to gain entrance to your home.

Automatic pet doors for cats use magnetic, electro-magnetic or infrared technology. Regardless of which technology is used, your cat will need to wear a tiny transmitter or a magnet on his or her collar. The pet door picks up a signal from your cat's collar and will either open or unlock to allow your cat to pass through. If you have multiple pets you can get extra transmitters or magnets to put on their collars, too.

Most people are familiar with pet doors for cats that can be inserted into any sash window. Window cat doors have been around for ages, but today's better brands offer improvements over those from long ago. For example, many of the brands carried by America's Pet Store feature flaps made from materials that are much more durable and close with a better seal to increase energy-efficiency in your home.

A window insert model is typically a fairly small pet door and requires no tools for installation. If you also own a dog, we do carry some large pet door models that will fit in a sash window. But keep in mind that a dog may need a ramp to use a sash window pet door.

Window pet doors for cats are perfect for those who don't want to cut a hole through a door or wall to install a pet door. You just pop them in the window, and you can take them out just as easily.

Homeowners who don't mind cutting a hole through an exterior facing door or wall in their home can choose from a wide variety of door-mount and wall-mount pet doors for cats. They come in all sizes – from small all the way up to XL pet doors. Of course, cat owners wouldn't need a pet door that big unless their cat will share the door with a big dog.

Hint: If your cat will be sharing a door with a big dog, be careful not to get a door with a flap that is too big and heavy for your cat to push through. If you think your cat will have trouble opening the flap on a large or XL pet door, you should probably consider an electronic pet door that will open automatically for both your cat and your dog. Instead of flaps these pet doors have rigid, high-impact panels that slide up and down to let pets in or out so long as they are wearing a collar key. If that sounds right for you see the electronic Plexidor Pet Door model or any of the Power Pet Door models offered by High Tech Pet.

Another option, if you have a patio, would be a pet door for sliding glass doors. The easiest type of pet doors for sliders to install are similar to window cat doors in that you can just pop them in the same track where your sliding glass door sits. These are often referred to as patio pet panels because a pet door for patio doors is indeed a full-size panel that is the same height as your sliders.

If energy efficiency is important to you you'll want to choose one of our patio cat doors that is designed to stand up to extreme temperatures and strong winds. An energy-efficient pet door will cost a little more but they are worth it in the long run. One of the major reasons for the price difference is that many energy-efficient patio pet door models feature dual-pane glass which is pricey. The most popular ones are Patio Pacific Pet Door and Hale Pet Door brands. See the Patio Pacific cat door for sliders or the smallest Hale Pet Door model.

Other pet door brands specifically designed to be energy efficient are Freedom Pet Pass and certain Ideal Pet Door models such as their Ruff Weather Dog Door lineup and any of their DraftStopper pet doors. As far as style, a wall-mount pet door is inherently energy-efficient because there is such a big space between the interior and exterior flap.

America's Pet Store is an Authorized Online Retailer for other famous name brands including DogWalk Pet Door, CatWalk Cat Door, PetSafe Pet Door and Staywell Pet Door brands. With such a wide variety of pet doors available at America's Pet Store, we're confident that you'll find the purrrfect door to suit you, your cat, and your home.

Please note: we no longer carry pre-fabricated storm doors with pet doors already installed. If you require assistance in comparing your options in pet doors for cats, please contact our customer service department and we'll be happy to assist you. You can email customerservice@americas-pet-store.com, or call toll-free 1-800-870-1941.