Most cats are independent creatures and enjoy the freedom to come and go as they please. Installing a suitable pet door can provide your moggy with the choice to venture outside when he wants to or enjoy the comforts of a warm bed when the weather turns for the worse. There is certainly a wide choice of pet doors for you to choose from, but how do you know which to go for? Here are a few considerations to bear in mind when selecting a suitable pet door for your cat.
Where to fit the pet door
Small pet doors that are suitable for a cat can be installed in many different places including:
This flexibility means that you can site your pet door pretty much wherever you like.
For example, if your cat spends much of his time outside, a pet door fitted into an overhead garage door might be a good choice. This allows your moggy to quickly find shelter in the event of a shower and shade on a very hot day. You could also leave some cat food and water inside your garage away from flies and pests, such as snakes and possums.
Types of pet door operation
There are three main pet door operation styles to choose from.
Basic manual pet door
The most basic manually operated pet door has a swinging flap that allows entry and exit. Although this is usually the cheapest form of pet door, you can't control when the cat can come and go, and there's no way of stopping unwanted visitors (for example stray cats or pests) from gaining entry.
Another potential pitfall of this design is its vulnerability to extremes of weather. You may find your energy bills increasing, because the pet door allows freezing cold drafts into the house in the winter, whilst expensive air conditioning-cooled air escapes outside during hot weather every time the cat door opens.
Automatic electronic pet door
Automatic pet doors allow you to ensure that only your cat can get in and out through the door, as it can only be activated by a control fitted to the cat's collar. This control can take the form of a magnet, ultrasound transmitter or computer chip. Prices vary, depending on the sophistication of the device and the size of the pet door.
Solid panel pet door
Solid panel pet doors operate by means of a sliding, lockable door that you operate manually. Although this design will provide security against unwanted visitors, you'll have to let your cat in and out yourself, which might not be suitable if you're out at work all day and want your pet to have his own independence.
General considerations
When considering the price of the pet door, don't forget to allow for installation costs, especially if you decide to have the door fitted into a glass door or window. This would mean hiring a glazier to remove a piece of glass prior to fitting the pet door, and this could considerably increase the overall cost.
To make the door more weather proof, you could consider a design that incorporates a storm seal to keep drafts out and cooled air inside.
Research is important
Once you've decided where you want to situate the pet door, it's a good idea to research each make and design you're considering. Online professional and consumer reviews can be invaluable, and a quick Google search will soon reveal other users' opinions. In addition, it can be helpful to ask your vet practice staff for their own recommendations.
In conclusion
In order to ensure that your choice of pet door is perfect for your cat and your circumstances, do bear in mind the aforementioned considerations, before making a purchase. Pet doors can be purchased from all good pet supplies stores whose staff will be pleased to offer you more helpful advice.
Share24 May 2016
My yard is in the shade of both of my neighbour's homes for most of the day which makes it quite hard to grow some of my favourite plants. Even though the yard is shady I still want it to have some nice look ground cover and be a cool place to entertain people. I have used a combination of shade resistant plants and pavers to create a lovely space that is good for entertaining all year round. This blog has some tips on creating a pleasant atmosphere in your shady backyard, particularly if you have a yard that is too shady to grow many kinds of plants.