With two dogs, three cats and four teenage boys it became a necessity to install a pet door in order for our home to remain free from pet doodie. When potty time came for the pets it just seemed as if the dogs and cats could be counted on to better manage their own needs them hoping that anyone of the four, two-leg pets, noticed that Me Too, Bandit or whoever was dancing at the door asking to be let out. Deciding on the type of door that would meet the needs of both, people and pets, took a bit of research. Here are 3 key factors to keep in mind when selecting a pet door for your home or apartment.
Size does matter, that would be the size of your pet. Since we had multiple pets, of various kinds, we needed to select a door that would accommodate the largest of the bunch. The door width needs to be a little wider than the widest part of your pet. I would also allow some additional room for side growth, as pets age they, like people, will frequently put on weight. The height of the door needs to fit the measurement that spans from the top of the tallest pet's shoulders to just behind its front legs. It is a good idea to create a cardboard cutout of the dog door flap size once you have determined the dimensions and see if your pet will fit through it comfortably. Keep in mind that some pets are more flexible than others and that it is not uncommon for an animal to stoop down and duck their heads as they push open their door.
Dog doors or pet doors come in all types of materials. They also come in single pane or double pane, just like windows. Your selection will be based on the intended use and climate that you live in. In areas that experience an extreme temperature shift during either the summer or winter, a double pane pet door is sensible. It will provide for less cold or heat loss when the pet door in being used. Single pane pet doors are perfect for those areas that do not experience extreme temperature shifts as the seasons change.
The location of the pet door is important both aesthetically and for the optimum use by your pets. Doors can be installed in walls, sliding glass doors, any type of wood or metal exterior door, garage doors and screen doors. If your intention is for the pet door to be a permanent part of your pet care for years to come, installing the door in an exterior wall is more durable and allows for more flexibility in the location. If the use of the pet door is for temporary use, installing it in a patio door is the best solution as it is relatively quick to both install and remove.
There are certainly other factors that need to be considered before making the final purchase of any dog doors but starting the selection process with these three key factors in mind will help you choose the door that best suits your needs and those of your pets.
