Pet doors are all about freedom, although some models are designed to also add security (they don’t allow other, unauthorized animals in). Whether it’s pet doors for cats or pet doors for dogs, they love having the freedom to come and go as they please. And their people will appreciate freedom from having to let them in and out each time.
While researching pet doors that will meet your needs, be sure you’re comparing pet doors with entrances that are big enough for your pet or pets to use safely and comfortably. Please consider the following recommendations:
Use the actual size of your pet, not its weight, to determine the proper size pet door. Most people overestimate the flap size needed for pet doors and end up buying one that is larger than necessary and costs more, too. Of course, you’d never want to purchase a pet door that is too small either.
So how do you measure your pet? As it turns out, this is a tricky question. It’s not very helpful to do an internet search because you will find at least 10 different recommendations on how to measure your pet for a pet door. They can’t all be right. Right?
There is really only one sure-fire way to determine adequate flap/entrance size for your pet: cut a hole in a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the entrance on the pet door you are thinking about buying. If your pet can walk through comfortably, then you’ll know the size is right.
As a starting point, before cutting the hole in cardboard, measure the width of your pet because that is very easy to do. Open a door just enough for your pet to walk through, measure the space of the opening, then add two inches and that will be an adequate width for the flap/entrance on your new pet door.
Ideally, entrances on pet doors should be large enough to provide a 1" clearance all around your pet: at both shoulder widths, below the chest or belly, and above the back or shoulders.
If you have more than one pet that will be using the door and they are very different in size, you’ll need to accommodate your larger pet with a flap that is set to the height of the shoulders; and accommodate your smaller pet by making sure that the “rise” (amount of space to step down when using the door) is not too high.
Fortunately, most of the better brands offer their products in all sizes; from small pet doors to large pet doors and various sizes in between. Or, even in sizes not “in between” such as extra large pet doors for big breeds like Mastiffs or Rottweilers.
There are All Kinds of Pet Doors
The most common types of pet doors are: Wall Mounts, Door Mounts, Window Mounts or Inserts, and Patio Pet Doors.
Door Mount Pet Doors: These doors are the most common among homeowners and can be easily installed by most anyone who is handy and/or good at making repairs around the house. On the other hand they are not too common among people who don’t own their own homes because to install them you need to cut a hole into your door. There are quite a few specialty door mount pet doors designed for installation in French doors, screen doors (see Hale Pet Doors) and glass doors such as storm doors.
Note: We no longer carry or ship fully-assembled storm doors with pet doors. As you might imagine, it can be a real challenge for these products to survive shipping and remain in good condition. Their size and shape make them awkward and unwieldy to handle. We’ve decided it’s not worth the potential financial risk to us, or the potential disappointment of our customers.
Wall Mount Pet Doors: These doors are also more popular with those who own their home than with those who don’t, and for the same reason: installation requires cutting a hole through an exterior facing wall.
Unless you are very handy, it is recommended that you find a professional to install wall mount pet doors. If you are going to install it yourself, make sure that you confirm that the size of the pet door is exactly what you want before cutting a hole through your wall.
Many wall mount pet doors include a pre-fabricated tunnel that is installed between (as well as attached to) the entrance and exit. If a tunnel is not included then it is usually offered as an option. Some tunnels are more difficult to install than others. The easiest to install are telescoping tunnels.
Window Mount Pet Doors: These models are most common with folks who own cats because cats can jump up or down to get in or out of a pet door that is at window level. Window pet doors are generally quite easy to install, many just sit in the same track as your window. However, some window mount pet doors do require some drilling and screwing for stability, so be sure to read product descriptions carefully before making a purchase.
Pet Doors for Patio Doors: These are somewhat like window pet doors in concept because pet doors for sliding glass doors are also usually quite easy to install. Many of them just sit right in the same track (the inside track) as your slider does. If necessary, some manufacturers (such as Hale Pet Doors) can provide custom made pet doors for sliders to match the height of your sliding glass doors.
Important: If your sliding glass doors are vinyl, you will need a special pet door made exclusively to fit vinyl sliders. (See Ideal Pet Doors.) A standard pet door will not fit in your vinyl slider’s track.
If your sliding glass doors are aluminum most standard patio pet doors will work for you. Just make sure that the width of the track on your sliding glass doors is equal to or larger than the width of your pet door.
Electronic pet doors: These doors are fully automatic pet doors generally using infrared or ultra-sonic sensors to detect a signal from a small transmitter hanging from your pet’s collar. We carry several brands including Staywell Pet Doors, High Tech Power Pet doors, PetSafe’s Electronic SmartDoor, and others.
Energy Efficiency: One of the biggest differences in pet doors is their energy efficiency. Pet doors designed to be the most efficient usually cost more. But over time the extra cost is recouped through savings realized from lower cooling and/or heating bills. America’s Pet Store carries many insulated pet doors and energy efficient pet doors. Among them, just to name a few, are Freedom Pet Pass pet doors, Ideal’s Ruff Weather Pet Doors, and Patio Pacific’s Endura Flap pet doors.
Optimum energy efficiency largely depends on a good, strong, air-tight seal on the flap or entrance to pet doors. Also important, in the case of wall mount pet doors, is an insulated tunnel to prevent drafts and condensation.
Of course, when your pet goes through his or her door, you’ll lose some heat or air conditioning as the door opens and closes. The idea of a good, strong seal is to prevent leakage of warmed or cooled air when the door is not in use. A lot of people swear by double flap pet doors for increased energy efficiency as well.
Training Cats or Dogs to Use Pet Doors
A lot of cats and dogs will use a pet door the first time they are introduced to one. You’d think they’d been using it all their lives. But others might need some encouragement. Here is a tried and true method:
In the case of pet doors with a flap entrance, prop or hold the door wide open so your pet can see through to the other side…removing any mystery as to what is behind the door.
Put a line of treats leading from one side of the door to the other and let your pet eat them without interfering. (This method works a lot better if your pet is a bit hungry.) If for some reason your pet ignores the treats or refuses to go through the door to get the treats on the other side, be sure you are using their very favorite treat. A ho-hum treat may not provide adequate incentive. As always, patience is a virtue when trying to teach your pet new things.
