Take Your Pet Door Selection Process Seriously
When selecting a pet door be sure to do your research and select the right door for you and your pet. The door will be a time saver for you as you will not have to get up to let your pet out all the time so don't take the pet door selection process lightly.
How To Select The Right Pet Door For You And Your Pet
Benefits of Installing a Pet Door
Installing a pet door in your home is an inexpensive and easy way to solve several dog behavioral issues as well ease some of the routine responsibilities of pet ownership. Some the advantages a pet door affords include:
- Indoor Pet Accident Prevention & Ease of Potty Training
Most dogs in general prefer not to potty inside the house. Once a dog reaches maturity (typically 1 year of age) and you are still experiencing potty training issues, it is likely that the dog has not learned how to effectively communicate its need to go outdoors. Installing a pet door solves this issue by giving your dog the ability to go outside whenever the need should arise.
- Repetitive In and Out Behavior
If you have ever had a dog that continuously barks or scratches to go outside and then one minute later repeats the process to come back in - then you understand fully the value of having a pet door. The convenience that a pet door offers for both you and your pet is priceless.
- Freedom from being Leashed to Your Home
A pet door can give you a new leash on life - Or take off the leash, so to speak. Many pet owners after a long day of work need to rush home in order to let their pet outside to potty. A dog door offers flexibility of schedule for pet owner and makes for a much happier pet as well.
Selecting the Proper Size Pet Door
This may sound obvious, but taking the time to properly measure your pet in order to select the proper size pet door is incredibly important. Many pet door manufacturers have a chart that suggests which size pet door to purchase based on the animal's weight. Don't take this shortcut. Simple pet door weight based charts do not take other key factors into consideration such as:
- Is your pet still growing?
- Do you have multiple pets of varied size that will be using the pet door?
- Type of breed - many working breeds experience arthritis in their later years that may require pet door sizing considerations
Spending just a couple extra minutes of planning in order to select the proper pet door will ensure your pet many years of comfortable use and hopefully spare you from having to perform post installation modifications or premature pet door replacement.
Measuring your Pet for a Pet Door
It is very common for pet owners to over-estimate the size of the pet door they need. Larger pet doors typically cost more money, so by taking a moment to measure your pets you get the right size door and can save yourself some money in the process.
Measure your Pet for the Proper Width
It is best not to try and measure your pet directly. The process is just too difficult to perform with any degree of accuracy. First, using a treat for motivation, open a door just wide enough to allow your largest pet to comfortably walk through. Once complete, measure that width. You will need the flap on the pet door you select to be at least that wide.
Measure your Pet for the Proper Height
In order to find the proper height for your pet door you will need to measure your largest pet while he/she is standing. Measure starting at base of the front paws up to the pet's shoulders (the withers). You will want to mount the door so that the top of the flap is 1 to 1.5 inches above the height of the pet's shoulders in order to prevent the animal from scraping the top of the pet door during use
Determining How High to Mount the Pet Door
Based on the width and height measurements you have taken you should be able to determine the best sized door for your largest pet. Once you have determined the size of the door you need, the next step is to determine how high to mount the door from the ground. This can be tricky if you have multiple pets of varied size. The best rule of thumb is the lower the bottom of the flap, the better. As your pets age it will get more difficult for them to step over the threshold (also referred to as "rise") when using the pet door. Another gauge you can use to determine the proper mounting position is that in no case should the pet door's threshold or "rise" exceed one-third of the height of the pet's shoulder height.
If after following these guidelines you find one or more of your pets might have a problem comfortably navigating the door you may want to look into pet doors with "high aspect ratio" flaps. This is an option that provides slightly taller flap sizes to accommodate a larger disparity in pet sizes.
Selecting the Proper Type of Pet Door
There are countless options when it comes to selecting the right pet door. Before making your selection, it is a good idea to consider a few things in order to get the best solution for both you and your pet.
Pet doors are offered in a variety of materials and installation types. Pet doors come in plastic, metal and wood. Your choice in material should be determined based on the location where it will be installed. Some of the most common pet door models include:
- Sliding Glass Pet Doors
Sliding glass doors are popular in many homes and offer both an easy and cost effective option for pet door installation. These pet doors are designed within a tall frame that fits within the track of the sliding door opening. Once mounted, the sliding door closes against the pet door's frame which serves as the new port for the door's locking mechanism. Most manufacturers offer models with double-pane glass for energy efficiency.
- Wall-Mounted Pet Doors
Not all homes have an ideal door or window for a pet door installation. For these applications a wall mounted pet door might be the solution. Wall mounted pet doors are deeper in design to accommodate the wall thickness during installation. They come in many styles and types, including flexible flaps, plexi flaps and electric doors. They are also available with insulation for energy efficiency.
- Indoor Pet Doors
Indoor pet doors are best when your pet is a cat. By using the indoor pet door you can keep a litter box in a closet or garage. Indoor pet doors can be used with or without door with flaps.
- Conventional Pet Doors
Conventional pet doors simply mean a flap is used for the door barrier. Some flaps are soft and flexible and others are made of plexiglass or other clear hard plastic. The flexible types will require a separate panel that slides down to secure the doorway. They also may not offer the best insulation. The rigid types often have locking mechanisms built in. They are also heavier which may make it more challenging to get the dog to adjust to it since they will have to push it open.
- Electronic & Electromagnetic Pet Doors
Electronic and electro-magnetic pet doors open in response to a signal from a "key" attached to your pet's collar. When your pet is a few inches from the door, the "key" releases the catch so they can push it open. The catch locks immediately after your pet has gone through the door, keeping out strays and roaming neighborhood animals. The "key" only operates on the entry side. Pets can exit without a "key". Doors can also be used manually.
If you need help with this or any other home repair project, give us a call or click here to find an expert handyman in your area. Also, be sure to check out our Pet Door Gallery for more on pet doors.
