Pet Doors

Pet Doors / Automatic Pet Doors

Most pet owners at one time or another have contemplated the idea of purchasing and installing a pet door for their canine companions. There are many good reasons for getting your pet a pet door.

Convenience! Think of no more barking to be let out, no more scratched doors or walls, no more having to take your pet out or walk him in bad weather, and no more accidents in the house to clean up.
Safety. A pet door can provide an emergency escape for your pet from dangers both inside and out, which is especially comforting if you are absent and unable to let him in or out yourself. Pet doors are quite safe for your pet to use, and most doors today are very secure, with many allowing four-way locking options, and some even featuring magnetic or electronic key control.
Health. If your pet must remain alone at home while you're at work for a long day, it can be very uncomfortable for him to have to "hold it." A pet door allows your animal to take care of business whenever necessary. With a pet door he won't have to. Add to that the fact that access to the outside will allow him to get more exercise than if he is confined indoors, enabling him to stay fit and trim. The outdoors can also help to provide mental stimulation for your pet, helping him to stay more alert. Furthermore, many pets left alone become bored, and boredom can result in problem behaviors. Having a pet door can go a long way to preventing this from occurring.
Protection. Your pet will be able to let himself out to check on unusual noises or chase away a prowler.
Privacy. Indoor pet doors can make it possible for your pet to come and go from rooms within your home without having to open doors, something that could be useful if you have company or other reasons you may want to control indoor access to any part of your home.

Whatever your reason for getting a pet door, making the decision is the easiest part. After that, you must decide where you're going to put in a door or multiple doors, what kind of door to get, make the purchase, install the door, and finally train your pet to use it.

There is quite a large variety of doors from which to choose from, so it's best to familiarize yourself first with the many kinds of doors available in order to choose the best door for your and your pet's needs.

Doors range from simple flaps you can install yourself, at prices starting under twenty dollars, to fully automatic electronic doors costing hundreds of dollars and requiring professional installation, with just about every possible configuration and price in between.

Pet doors can be classified in different ways, but perhaps the best way to start is to decide on the type of installation you want. Factors to keep in mind are: whether or not your door will be used for indoor only access, or for both indoor/outdoor; how much security you need/want from other animals, both your own and wild or stray; whether you need to keep one or more pets inside while allowing another to come and go at will; and whether you need a temporary (if you're renting, for example) or a more permanent installation. They can be installed in a wall, a door, sliding glass doors, metal doors, aluminum panels, and just about anywhere you want.

Pet Doors FAQ

Types of doggie door installations

Manual dog doors

Electronic dog doors

Dog Door Training

More on pet and dog doors

Benefits of a Pet Door

Training my pet to use the door

Are they safe?

Are they easy to install?

Dog doors - an introduction

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