Pet Door Buying Guide

Our pets are more than just our buddies, they are part of the family so we want to be sure they have everything they need to live a long and happy life. A pet door or dog door is a wonderful addition to a pet-friendly home that allows animals to come and go as they need or want. Read on to learn about pet door features, benefits, and how they can improve your pet's quality of life.

Benefits

Most animals will benefit from having a pet door installed in the home. Here are a few key benefits to consider:

1. Freedom. Dogs and cats alike gain freedom to come and go as need be with the addition of a pet door. Pet doors help eliminate indoor accidents indoor, gives pets access to the ourdoors thus allowing them to exert excess energy, and provides an improved quality of life. 
2. Control access. Most commonly, pet doors give pets the freedom to explore the outdoors. A pet door can also be installed indoors to allow certain pets access to specific areas. Consider installing a smaller pet door on an interior door which a cat can get through, but a larger dog will not be able to enter. This gives the cat a space of its own. 
3. Prevent damage. Many animals will scratch at the door to be let out. By providing them with their own exit point it keeps the animal from doing any damage to floors, walls, and doors. 
4. Eco-conscious. During months when you use heat or air conditioning a pet door can save on your heating and cooling bills by limiting the number of times you open the door. A pet door gives your pet full access to your outdoor space and closes promptly behind them keeping the temperature controlled air inside. Most PlexiDor users have reported a 10 percent savings on energy bills after installing a pet door. 

Size and Shape

When selecting the proper size for your animal be sure to measure the widest part of your cat or dog, whether that be the shoulders or hips, and allow about two inches of clearance on all sides. The chart below gives some guidelines to follow when making your purchase.

Tip!

If you have small and large animals you may want to consider going up a size to be sure that the door sits low enough for the smaller animal and high enough for the larger animal.

Features

Before placing your order think about any features or add-ons you would like.

• Awning : Protects your floors from rain, snow, and direct sun which can cause fading. The durable aluminum will not rust so it will last for years.
• Electronic door : An electronic door, as opposed to a manual door, is perfect for a skittish animal. The pet or pets who will be using the door wears a collar with a sensor on it that triggers the door to open when they walk up to it. PlexiDors have a soft close that will not startle the pet after they have moved through the opening.

Installation

Installation will vary depending on whether you are installing in a door, or a wall. Each door comes with an easy-to-use template which is taped to the surface where you would like to install your dog door so that the cut-out is precise. Certain exterior walls will need assistance from a professional to be sure that the door install does not disrupt any plumbing, HVAC, or electrical lines. Watch this video on PlexiDor's site for a how-to video which explains the installation process »

Safety

Safety for both you and your animal is always the No. 1 concern. Follow these tips to keep your home and loved ones safe:

• Instal a safety door over your pet door. This is a sliding metal door that runs on tracks which can be placed over the opening and locked when you are not home or it is not safe for your pet to be outside. This feature is included with some PlexiDor products. 
• When selecting the size of your pet door be sure not to go any bigger than is necessary for your pet. The bigger the door, the easier it is for human or animal intruders to enter your home. 
• Most cats are fine to wander outside on their own, but generally, dogs should be fenced in for their protection. Be sure that 

    you install your new dog door in a secure area for your dog to roam.
4   When installing your door make sure that the interior lock on the door handle or bolt is not reachable from the outside. This will prevent intruders from reaching in through the pet entrance to unlock the door from the inside.