When it comes to choosing a pet door, remember that they come in a variety of styles and sizes. This simple guide will help you make the right choice for your pet.
What size pet door do I need?
Whichever pet door you end up choosing, it has to suit your dog or cat. Too small and they might never use it, so it’s important to measure up your pet before you buy.
Use a tape measure to work out your pet’s width, either at the hips or shoulders, whichever is wider. Then measure their height at the shoulder. There should be about five centimetres clearance all around the pet door for a dog. A cat won’t need that much.
Choose the right material
Pet doors are designed differently and made from various materials. The most common type is plastic, but for some large dogs this might not be strong enough. So make sure you choose a door strong enough to withstand your pet running in and out of it.
Different kinds of pet doors
There are various types of doors to choose from depending on where you want to attach your pet door.
Flyscreen pet doors
Great for large cats or medium size dogs, flyscreen pet doors clamp easily onto your existing flyscreen and are designed to stop the mesh from getting torn while giving your pet the freedom it wants. They are quiet to use with a flexible flap design and magnetic closure that lets your pet in but keeps the flies and insects out.
Sliding pet doors
A sliding pet door is ideal for larger pets and the two-piece aluminium construction means it can be adjusted to suit most door sizes. They feature a vinyl magnetic pet flap that is lockable to keep your pet safe inside. Made with 4mm tempered safety glass for strength and safety, these doors can be a permanent or temporary fixture.
Standard pet door
The standard pet door has an internal lock to give you safety and peace of mind. Suitable for dogs, they are wind resistant and can be fit easily to any door.
Pet doors for renters
Even if you rent, you can still give your pets a door of their own. While you can’t cut a hole in a door, there are other options to choose from.
You can install a self-contained panel that easily fits into the existing track of a glass or screen sliding door. The doors lock into place with a spring loaded top section and don’t interfere with the sliding door.
Also, they don’t need drilling and can be easily removed and taken to your next home.
