Best Dog Doors & Pet Doors

Best Dog Doors & Pet Doors In 2023/2024

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Regardless of what type of dog door you are looking for, and where you want to install it, this guide should be very helpful for you

We’ve put together a list of the best dog doors and best pet doors to save you time and effort researching them yourself.

You’ll find a top rated dog door list, links to individual reviews of the door brands and models, as well as a buyer’s guide.

You can quickly find out what pet door best suits your preferences and your pet/s.

Let’s check them out!

 

(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)

(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)

 

Best Dog Doors & Pet Doors

Our top picks for the best dog doors and pet doors are:

 

Regular Pet Doors

– For Installation Into Doors

 

– For Installation Into Walls

Read more about dog doors specifically for wall installation in this guide

 

Heavy Duty &/Or Weatherproof Pet Doors

*Note – some doors are strong, some have security features like a security panel or lock, and some are insulated, weatherproof and energy efficient. Check each dog door for it’s individual features before buying.

– Door Installation

 

– Wall Installation 

 

Electronic & Automatic Pet Doors

 

Specifically for sliding doors, an electronic dog door model is:

*You can add additional pets to the doors with a High Tech Pet Micro Sonic 5 Digital Transmitter Collar (on Amazon)

 

Dog Doors For Extra Large & Gant Breeds

Door Installation

 

Wall Installation 

 

Read more in this guide about dog doors for XL & Giant breeds.

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

 

Window Sash Pet Door

 

Screen Door Pet Doors

 

Best Dog Doors & Pet Doors: Reviews

Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door Review

This is a regular affordable pet door.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door here:

 

Features

An affordable pet door with a single vinyl flap

These pet doors fit most standard exterior household doors and also walls with an additional wall install kit. 

Comes in 4 sizes – small to Super Large

Super Large is designed for pets up to 120lbs, and has a flap size of up to 15 inches wide x 20 Inches high

Comes with a pet door frame for doors between 1-1/4-Inch to 2-Inch in thickness.

Has a lock out slide panel to close and secure the door

You can buy a wall adapter frame kit to install the door in walls

Very easy to install – should only take an hour or so

 

Drawbacks

Not a pet door for extreme cold weather – the flap may freeze up

After 6-12 months you may notice the magnet strip on the flap lose some strength

 

Overall

Overall, if you want an affordable, economical pet door – this is probably close to the best one on the market. It does every basic thing a pet door should do, including being relatively easy to install.

 

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What Is The Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door Designed For?

It’s designed as a regular and affordable/cheap pet door for either door or wall installation.

It’s for pets up to around the 120lbs mark.

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door Be For?

People who want a door mount or wall mount pet door

People who want a cheap and affordable pet door

People who want a dog door for small through to large pets up to 120lbs

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door NOT Be For?

Pets over 120lbs

 

BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door: Review

A cheap and affordable dog door for your house.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door here:

 

Features

A cheap and affordable plastic pet door with an aluminium frame

This pet door fits most standard exterior household doors

Can be installed into a 1 1/4″ to 2″ thick door

Comes in 2 sizes – medium and large

Large is for pets up to 100lbs, and has a flap size opening of 10.5 inches wide x 15 inches high

Has a vinyl flap with magnetic strip closure

Easy to install

Has a Self-Locking Slide Panel to close and secure the door to prevent anyone or anything coming into the door

 

Drawbacks

Because it’s cheap, it’s not super strong or the most high security pet door out there, but for the price, you wouldn’t expect it to be

 

Overall

A cheap and economical pet door that does all the basic things you need from a pet door without being outstanding or terrible in any area. If affordability is your preference, this pet door is worth buying.

 

What Is The BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door Designed For?

It’s designed as a cheap and affordable pet door for pets up to 100lbs.

It’s designed for door mounting installation.

 

Who Might The BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door Be For?

People who want a cheap and economical pet door

People who want a pet door for pets up to 100lbs

 

Who Might The BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door NOT Be For?

Pets over 100lbs

People who want anything other than a basic economical pet door

 

PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Pet Door Review

A standard pet door.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Pet Door here:

* You can check out the PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door (on Amazon) if you want a wall mounted pet door

 

Features

A regular vinyl flap pet door with an aluminium frame

This pet door fit most standard exterior household doors 

For regular house door installation/mounting on doors between 3/8″ and 2″ thick

Comes in 4 sizes from small through to X Large

X large can fit dogs up to around 220lbs that can fit through a 13 3/4″ W x 23 3/4″ H flap opening

You can adjust the flap height from the top of the pet door

The flap has a magnetic closure to seal when it closes

Includes detailed instructions, cutting template and installation hardware

Has a slide-in closing panel for security and to close out external elements

 

Drawbacks

The plastic screws that come with the door aren’t strong. You’ll probably need to go to the hardware store to get some steel screws

The door is probably a bit overpriced for what it is – there’s cheaper basic pet doors on the market that are similar.

Not a pet door for cold weather climates

 

Overall

Overall, as a regular pet door, it’s a good option. It’s pretty easy to install and simply does it’s job.

There are other cheaper similar types of pet doors though like the Ideal Pet Products Original Plastic Pet Door and the BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door.

One advantage this PetSafe door has though is that it’s got a huge opening for pets up to 220lbs that those other two pet doors don’t have.

 

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View the PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Pet Door on Amazon

 

What Is The PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Pet Door Designed For?

It’s a basic single flap dog door designed for door mounting.

It’s for small through to the largest dogs up to 220lbs.

 

Who Might The PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Pet Door Be For?

People who want a door mounted regular aluminium framed pet door

Pets up to 220lbs

 

Who Might The PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Door NOT Be For?

People who want a super cheap pet door

People who want a cold weather pet door

People who want the strongest and most high security pet door

 

PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door Review & Buyer’s Guide

You’ll find this PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door Review Guide useful if you’re looking for a dog doors for some walls

These pet doors fit most standard household walls from 4.75 in. – 7.25 in thick. They comes in a range of sizes for small through to larger dogs up to around 100lbs.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door here:

For more dog doors for wall installation, take a look at this guide – Best Dog Doors For Wall Mounting and Wall Installation.

 

PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door: Review

sFeatures

A wall mounted pet door made of dual/double flaps, a tunnel and an aluminium frame

Fits walls with a 4.75 in. – 7.25 in. thickness

Fits into various wall types such as siding, stucco and brick

Has a closing security panel you can put on the back of the pet door to close off the hole

Comes in small through to large sizes for pets up to 100lbs

Large size has a 10 x 15 inch flap opening

There are wall extenders for walls bigger than 7.25 inches thick

 

Drawbacks

The flaps are plastic and not vinyl

The tunnel is a bit thin – it could be a bit thicker for when bigger pets step on it. You may find it better to put some support like 2 x 4’s under the pet door tunnel for some reinforcement

The magnetic strip on the flap could be stronger to last longer and completely seal every time a pet passes through

 

Overall

Overall, if you want a wall mounted pet door, this model does everything you would want it to. It’s good value for money without being a standout in any one area.

If you want an insulated dog door though Ruff Weather, All Weather or Extreme Weather doors

 

What Is The PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door Designed For?

It’s designed for wall mounting on walls 4.75 in. – 7.25 in thick, and for pets up to around 100lbs.

 

Who Might The PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door Be For?

People who want a wall mounted pet door that is relatively affordable

People with walls of a thickness of around 4.75 in. – 7.25 in thick, or thicker with a tunnel extender kit

People who want a pet door for pets up to around 100lbs

 

Who Might The PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminium Pet Door NOT Be For?

People with Giant pets over 100lbs that cant fit through a 10 x 15 inch opening

People who want a door mounted pet door

People who want something other than a regular wall mounted pet door

 

Best Dog Doors & Pet Doors: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

What Is A Dog Door?

It’s a door for dogs that allows them to enter and exit inside and outside areas by themselves by passing through the door.

 

Main Considerations For Picking A Dog Door

Some of the main considerations might be:

– The size of the dog door to match the size and dimensions of the dog/s that are using it

For example, Great Danes are an X large to Giant sized breed of dog, so you’ll want a dog door with an XL to Giant sized opening or flap that they can fit through

 

– The type of dog door

e.g. a weatherproof dog door, a heavy duty dog door, an electronic dog door, and so on

Such as plastic and aluminum dog doors, electronic and automatic dog doors, heavy duty dog doors, secure and lockable dog doors, insulated, weatherproof and energy efficient dog doors for different climates, dog doors for small and extra large dogs, and more.

 

– Where you want to install the dog door

e.g. on a regular door, a wall, a sliding door, a wall, screen doors, window sashes, and so on

The dog door needs to be designed for the dog door installation location

 

– Other miscellaneous considerations

 

What Places/Locations Can Dog Doors Be Installed In Around The Home? (Mounting Locations)

Dog doors are designed to be installed or mounted across different locations around the house.

You can find out where a dog door can be installed by reading the product description provided by the manufacturer of that dog door product.

They will tell you where you can mount the door, and how to mount it.

Examples of mounting locations though can include:

Regular household doors- internal and entry/exit doors (timber doors, etc)

Walls – interior and exterior (such as brick walls, garage walls)

Aluminium sliding glass doors and windows

Vinyl sliding glass doors

Aluminum and also vinyl window sashes

Screen doors

Screen porches and screen enclosures

And, other locations

 

The dog door product description provided by the manufacturer should tell you where you can install or mount the dog door.

 

What To Check Before Buying A Dog Door?

With any type of pet door that you are looking at, you’ll want to check in the product description, and/or product manual provided by the manufacturer:

– What the dog door is designed for

– What it’s made of

– The size of dog the dog door can be used for

– What surface the dog door can be mounted on (door, wall, window or other)

– The thickness, width and height of door, window or wall the dog door can be mounted on

– How the dog door functions and works

– Any maintenance, costs, or other factors you have to consider for long term operation and use of the dog door

 

Types Of Dog Doors (& What They Are Used For)

Some of the most common types of dog doors, along with what they might be used for, might include:

– Regular plastic and aluminum framed dog doors

Usually a cheaper more affordable dog door that comes with a basic plastic or aluminum frame.

Usually made to fit regular thickness wooden doors, or thinner type walls.

Might be good for people on a budget, or people looking for a basic pet door.

 

– Wall mounted dog doors

Wall mounted dog doors are either specifically designed for wall mounting, or are door mounted dog doors that can be bought with a wall tunnel extender or wall adapter kit and installed on a wall.

They can usually be installed on walls of different types like brick, cladding, stucco etc.

They can usually be installed on walls of different thicknesses.

 

– Electronic and Automatic dog doors

Electronic and automatic dog doors stay closed unless they are activated when their sensors pick up a pet approaching with either a microchip, collar id tag or an ultrasonic collar.

They are usually either battery operated, or powered by a power outlet which they are either plugged into or hardwired to.

Different electronic dog doors have different settings they can be programmed to.

 

– Weatherproof, insulated and energy efficient dog doors for cold or hot climates

Weatherproof and insulated or energy efficient doors are usually have one or more of the following:

Made of an energy efficient material such as structurally molded plastic for example

Have double or triple flaps

Have strong magnetic closure and brush seals around the dog door opening

Have a flap that has a high R value

Seal very well

 

…. They are usually made to keep cold weather, drafts, and snow/chill out.

They can also be used for hot weather climates.

 

– Heavy duty dog doors

Heavy duty and/or secure dog doors usually have one or more of the following features:

Are made of a heavy duty metal frame

Have a locking mechanism, sometimes with a key

Have a solid slide in or clip in close off panel to close off the door

 

They are great for people who want strong or higher security dog doors.

 

– Aluminum and vinyl sliding door dog doors

Sliding glass aluminum and vinyl door dog doors can be secured into an aluminum or vinyl framed sliding door.

They are usually easy to install and remove as you don’t need to cut or modify the existing sliding door permanently.

You pick the size of dog door based on the top to bottom track height of your existing sliding door.

They can also lock into your existing sliding door.

Just make sure humans have enough room to fit through the sliding door when the dog door is installed.

 

– Aluminum and vinyl window sash dog doors

Aluminum window sash dog doors are perhaps the quickest to install and remove of all the dog doors. They are also a great temporary or ‘no cutting’ type option. You don’t have to modify your existing windows.

They fit into the existing sash, and like the sliding door dog doors, you simply tighten and secure them in, and get the height and width right.

There’s currently no vinyl window dog doors, but there is an aluminum window one.

 

– Screen door dog doors

Screen door dog doors can either be installed into a screen door’s mesh, or into a screen door guard screen.

The guard screen models are usually more secure and stronger

 

– Chew resistant dog doors

Chew proof dog doors might have hardened panels in the dog door opening instead of soft vinyl flaps.

This limits a dog’s ability to chew anything on the dog door.

An example of a dog door with hardened Plexidor panels that open up saloon style

 

What Size Dog Door To Get For A Dog

The dog door product description provided by the manufacturer should tell you how to measure the dog door for your individual dog, and give you an indication of what size dog door to get for different sizes and types of dogs.

So, follow the manufacturer’s instructions as a first priority.

Additionally, general measurements you may take into account might bee:

Measuring the width or circumference of the rib cage of your dog (for the width of the dog door opening)

Measuring from the floor to the top of your pet’s shoulders/withers (for the height of the dog door opening)

 

Compare these measurements to the dimensions of the dog door opening, flaps or interior panels, to make sure the dog door is big enough.

One other small thing to consider is the lip/bottom of the dog door frame and how high it is.

You want to install/mount the dog door at a height that takes into consideration your dog’s floor to shoulder height, and their leg height.

Your dog should be able to comfortably step over the bottom lip/frame of the dog door, and use the dog door comfortably.

 

Considering The Surface You Are Mounting Your Dog Door On

For regular doors and walls, you’ll need to cut out a rough opening that is the right size for the dog door you want to install.

For sliding glass doors and windows sashes, you need to take into account the height and width of the existing tracks and doors/windows, so your dog door can fit inside them.

Consider the size of the dog door, and make sure you can fit and secure it into any existing door or window, and with a sliding door for example, still use the existing door for human use.

For example, you may need to take into consideration the width of a wall, or the amount of space you have on a wall to install the pet door product.

 

How To Measure For A Dog Door

Read the manufacturer’s instructions for measuring or a sizing chart.

But, a general measuring guide might be:

Check the total size and cutout size of the pet door and make sure it will fit on your door or wall

Check the thickness of door and wall the pet door can be installed onto, and make sure your door or wall is the right thickness

Check the flap opening size of the pet door and make sure your pet can fit through that opening size (you might measure your dog’s width, and also their height from the floor to the top of their shoulders or head)

 

How To Install A Dog Door

The dog door manufacturer should tell you how to install the dog door, and give you detailed instruction and a manual/guide on how to do so. They may also provide an installation video online.

So, follow this as a priority for the specific pet door that you buy.

We’ve provided some general information on different pet door installation locations below:

 

General

– Installing a regular door, wall, aluminum sliding door, electronic dog door and so on, all require slightly different requirements and considerations

But in general you may install by:

1. Deciding whether you will do a DIY install, or whether you will pay a professional to help you (if you don’t think you have the technical knowledge yourself)

 

2. Planning where you will install the dog door and making sure you have everything in the existing area that you need to install the new dog door

For example, an electronic dog door may need a power outlet/source, a sliding dog door may need a big enough sliding door and certain bottom to top track height, a wall mount dog door may only fit in a certain thickness wall, and so on!

 

3. Get the dog door kit and make sure everything you need is in there like the door, frame, tunnel, hardware, cutout guide/template, weatherproofing strips and so on.

Buy any additional hardware, sealant, timber packing and framing etc. that you need from a hardware store

 

4. Make sure you have the right tools for the install such as a cutting tool, a drill, a screwdriver (can be phillips head or sometimes a non standard screw is included in the kit so check this), a measuring tape, and so on.

 

5. In the kit you get when you buy the pet door, that should include a template to mark out the pet door on the wall or door you are installing it into

Measure and plan where and how you will install the dog door and at what height. You may need to mark it.

Consider the height of your dog, the height of the lip of the dog door, and make sure you are installing the dog door at a height that is comfortable for your dog to walk through.

 

6. Next step will involve cutting out the door or wall you intend on installing the dog door on

For regular dog doors you might remove the whole door from the hinges, drill holes, cut out a section of the wall or door (with a jigsaw), insert and fix a frame or tunnel extender into the wall or door, and then fix the pet door onto the frame (and seal and weatherproof it). You’d then put the whole door back on the hinges. Some pet doors may require additional steps compared to this process

This may involve using a jigsaw or cutting tool, a drill, a screwdriver (can be phillips head or sometimes a non standard screw is included in the kit so check this), and the hardware included in the pet door kit.

Generally for aluminum sliding glass doors, you slide the panel into one end of your sliding door track, secure it to the frame and add weather stripping. There’s no cutting required.

Other sliding glass doors might snap and secure the dog door into the frame without cutting

Automatic dog doors may run on batteries, or need to be plugged into or hardwired into a power source

And so on for each type of dog door, and mounting location

If installing into a wall – be careful of cables, and especially live power sources.

For other dog doors, the general process might be …

Cutout the hole in your door or wall

Install the door or wall adapter tunnel, and secure it

Install and secure the door, and secure it

Program the door

Power up the door

Make sure it’s working correctly

Seal and weather strip the door 

 

As a general note, make sure you keep order documents and receipts, and read the warranty before and after installing the dog door in case there are any issues.

 

Installing into other specific locations may involve the follow considerations (although, follow the manufacturer installation instructions as a first priority):

 

Installing in a wooden or timber door generally involves:

Removing the door from it’s hinges

Marking where you want the dog door to go on the door

Cutting out the rough opening

Putting in place one side of the dog door frame

Putting the other side in place and fixing the two sides together through the fixing points

Re mounting the door on the hinges

Fixing the dog door flaps to the dog door

Weatherproofing the dog door

 

Installing in a wall generally involves:

Marking where you want the dog door to go in the wall

Cutting the wall section out

Installing a tunnel/wall extender in the wall if required

Mounting the dog frame in the wall and fixing/securing it

Securing the flaps to the door

Weatherproofing the dog door

 

Installing in a sliding glass door (aluminum or vinyl) generally involves:

Knowing the height from top to bottom track of your sliding glass door – order an adjustable sliding glass dog door that will fit

Knowing the width of your sliding glass door

Fitting the dog door in between the top and bottom track

Tightening the dog door into place, and fixing it

Getting the dog door latch or slide bolt working with the existing door

Weatherproofing the door

 

Installing in a screen door generally involves:

Screen door dog doors usually come as models that go straight into the screen mesh, or sit on a screen guard

Either way, you have the fix the dog door over the mesh or screen guard and cut out the interior section of mesh or guard

 

Installing in a french door generally involves:

French doors are usually made of timber and glass and can be a tricky installation – a professional may be required

You usually cut out or remove the timber and glass sections, and install the door like you would a wooden door

You have to make sure the finish around the glass and timber looks neat

 

Installing in a storm door generally involves:

Similar installation to a wooden door except you are dealing with storm door door material. They are also similar to a french door in that installation can be tricky trying to retrofit into different materials, so professional installation may be required

 

Installing in a security door generally involves:

Similar installation to a wooden door except you are dealing with security door door material. They are also similar to a french door in that installation can be tricky trying to retrofit into different materials, so professional installation may be required

 

Installing in a metal door generally involves:

Similar installation to a wooden door except you are dealing with metal door door material

 

Installing in an aluminum window generally involves:

Similar installation to a sliding glass door except you are dealing with an aluminum window

The dog door fits in between the window casement and tightens and fixes in places

You have to make sure to get the width and height right with these dog doors

They are usually super quick to install and remove as you need to

 

Accessories For Pet Doors

Common accessories people might buy when buying a dog door might be a wall kit if installing in a wall, or like mentioned above, small items to seal and secure the door in the door or wall.

 

Training Your Dog To Use A Dog Door

Not all dogs are comfortable with using dog and pet doors straight away.

You may need to do some basic positive reinforcement puppy or dog training with treats and praise to encourage your dog to use the door, and get them to associate using it with a positive experience.

A manufacturer should provide you with instructions on how to train your dog to use the door and get them familiar with it as well. They may also have a training article or video on their website or YouTube channel.

 

However, these are some general steps you might follow to train a dog to use a dog door:

1. Once the dog door is installed, make sure the flaps are removed (as some dogs are scared of the flaps, or what is on the other side if the flaps are opaque)

 

2. Have your dog on one side of the door, and you sit on the other side with either a food reward or their favorite toy or item and encourage them to come through

 

3. Once your dog comes through the door, reward them with the treat or toy, and praise them. It may help if you do this training with a partner so they can encourage and guide the dog through the door

 

4. Next you want to re-fix/install the flap/s back onto the dog door and tape them up or hold them up (so your dog can still see through the door to the other side

 

5. Again, encourage your dog to come through and reward them when they do. This should get your dog comfortable with having the flap/s on the door, without actually having the flaps down

 

6. Lastly, have the dog door flaps fully down, and encourage your dog to come through it. Reward them when they do

 

7. With the flaps fully down, a dog might stick their head through, but not come all the way through with their body. In this instance, you may choose to praise them verbally and pat them, but only reward with their toy or a food treat if they come fully through the door

Overall, what you are trying to do is positively reward your dog, familiarise them gradually with the dog door, and train using repetition – all of which should let your dog know how to use the dog door in a positive way.

 

Potential Pros & Cons Of Dog Doors

There are various potential pros & cons of getting a dog door.

From buying, to installing, to getting your dog to use one – we’ve listed both the potential positives and negatives you will want to be aware of.

 

– Potential Pros

They come in many different types of dog doors such as regular dog doors, weatherproof dog doors, heavy duty dog doors, high security locking dog doors, electronic/automatic dog doors and more!

They can be installed in many different mounting locations such as doors, walls, windows, sliding doors and more

They allow your dog to go outside without you having to be home

They allow your dog to go outside when you are home but without you getting up

Some dog doors are very quick and easy to install

Some dog doors don’t require you to cut or modify your existing sliding door or window – they can be removed quickly if required

There are cheap and affordable basic dog doors available for those looking for something simple and value for money

There are a range of sizes to choose from for a range of dog sizes

Most dog doors are quite easy and straightforward to install with minimal construction knowledge

 

– Potential Cons

Some dog doors are expensive

Some dogs are scared of dog door flaps or panels, and will need to be trained to get familiar with and use them

Some dog doors may require you to get a professional to help with the install as they may require some retrofitting into an existing door like a french door for example

Some dog doors don’t seal properly and will let the cold in

Some dog doors come with weak or low quality fixings/screws

For most dog doors, you’ll probably need to make a trip to the hardware store to get additional screws, fixings and weatherproofing strips 

Automatic and electronic dog doors won’t always work reliably or accurately – they all have their own design flaws

A skilled intruder can probably find a way to get through the most burglar proof dog doors

 

Dog Doors For Small Dogs 

Some dog doors that might be good for small dog doors might include:

 

For a dog door for a small dog, make sure:

A small dog can walk through the opening when considering the height of the door from the floor

A small dog can clear the lip height of the pet door (the bottom of the pet door frame) 

 

Dog Doors For Medium Sized Dogs

Most dog doors should be suitable for medium sized dogs.

But, check the dimensions of your medium sized dog, and match them to the sizing instructions or sizing chart for the dog door you are looking at.

 

Dog Doors For Extra Large & Giant Sized Dog Breeds

The best dog door for large, extra large and Giant dog breeds will need to have a few features to be suitable for the added size of a big pet.

The first feature you definitely need is that the pet door should have a large flap size opening so your pet can fit through to door.

Secondly, it does help if the pet door is built strongly and it is secure to take any bumps, knocks or pressure from bigger pets.

Below are what might be some of the more suitable models of dog doors for larger sized breeds.

 

Our top picks for the best pet doors for big and Giant sized dogs are:

Regular Pet Doors

 

Heavy Duty & Weatherproof Pet Doors

For more heavy duty or strong type dog door options – read more about heavy duty dog doors here.

 

What To Look For When Buying A Pet Door For A Big Or Giant Sized Dog Breed

You may look for:

A big enough flap size opening so your dog can fit through the pet door

Make sure the dog door is strong, is secure when installed, and has features like chew proof dog doors e.g. the Plexidor dog door has plexidor panels that are chew proof

The manufacturer gives an indication of the size of dog their pet door is recommended for

 

Plexidor Dog Door Reviews: Door & Wall Mount Models

The Plexidor Performance Pet Doors are known for being big, strong and heavy duty.

For this reason, they make good dog doors for extra large and Giant sized dog breeds.

Below, we outline the wall mount and door mount Plexidor dog and pet doors, along with their main features, drawbacks, and who they might be suitable for.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the wall and door mount Plexidor Dog Doors here:

 

Plexidor Wall Mount Dog Door

Features

A wall mounted dog door that is virtually indestructible and very high strength

Can be installed into stud, brick, block or cement walls up to 12 inches thick

Has hardened aluminum frames that come in a silver, white or bronze finish

Goes well with appliances, interior walls or hardwood floors

Has no flaps and requires no replacement flaps – has high strength saloon-style plexiglass panels

4 sizes of the door available – small, medium, large and extra large

Extra large is for dogs up to 220 lbs, and has an opening that is 16 inches wide by 23 3/4 inches high

Has good security – all sizes except the small size comes with lock, key and steel security plate

Has a guarantee for being chew proof

Has an energy efficient weather seal

Made in the USA

Has a 5 or 10 year limited residential warranty

Includes an aluminium tunnel that connects the interior and exterior frame

 

Drawbacks

Not a cheap dog door, and for the list of cons, the product should be a bit cheaper than it is

Instructions that come with the dog door are not as good as they could be

The aluminium frame could be higher quality

The hardware that comes with the door could be higher quality

Installation is a bit tricker than it should be – if you aren’t good with your hands it’s worth getting a professional to install for you

You have to screw the security plate into place with non standard screws. The slide in channels don’t come standard with the kit – you have to buy them extra which for the price isn’t fantastic

 

Overall

Once installed, the door works well for big dogs and is strong and secure. It’s easy to use.

But, installation could be easier, the hardware and the frame could be higher quality for the price of the product, and the security panel should be easier slide or secure in and out

 

View

 

Plexidor Door Mount Dog Door

Has all the same features as the wall mount dog door.

This door is for installation into any standard exterior household door.

Can be installed into doors made of wood, fiberglass, steel and glass.

View the Wall Mounted Plexidor Dog Door (on Amazon)

 

What Are the Plexidor Dog Doors Designed For?

Pets up to 220 lbs

Stud, brick, block or cement walls up to 12 inches thick

Standard exterior household doors made of wood, fiberglass, steel and glass.

 

Who Are The Plexidor Dog Doors For?

People with small through to large pets

People who want a strong and secure pet door

People who want a door or wall mounted pet door

 

Who Are The Plexidor Dog Doors NOT For?

People who want a cheap pet door

People who want a pet door for anything other than standard wall or door installation

People who want a super easy to install pet door

People who want a pet door with a high quality frame and hardware

 

Dog Doors For Regular Wooden Doors

Wooden doors are usually regular solid core or hollow core doors found on the exterior or interior of the house.

They are usually a standard thickness of somewhere between 1 to 2 1/2 inches thick.

Most standard dog doors are designed to fit standard wooden doors.

See the top rated list above.

 

Dog Doors For Glass Panel Doors

This entirely depends on what type of glass panel door you have, and where you are mounting the dog door on the existing glass panel door i.e. in timber, or in an existing glass panel frame.

Make sure you pick a dog door that can be installed into the material of the door you are installing the dog door on.

 

Dog Door For An Aluminium Sliding Glass Door

Dog doors for aluminum sliding glass doors and sliding door tracks differ to regular household door mounted and wall mounted pet doors.

They include a full height frame and glass panel built to retrofit into your existing slider.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to checking out the top aluminum sliding glass door pet doors here:

The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door fits most standard exterior sliding glass patio doors up to 96 1/2 inches tall.

It’s designed for small through to large pets that can fit through up to a 15″ x 20″ opening flap.

 

PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Patio Panel Sliding Glass Door Pet Door

Features

A pet door for aluminum patio sliding door installation/mounting

These pet doors fit most standard exterior household sliding doors without any cutting required.

The pet door comes with aluminium siding/framing and a tempered glass panel, as well as a top adjuster to adjust the height of the setup

For installation, you slide the panel into one end of your sliding door track, secure it to the frame and add weather stripping; no cutting required

To measure your sliding door for a pet door, simply measure the distance between the top and bottom track

There’s two adjustable heights available 76 13/16″ – 81″, and 91 7/16″ – 96″

There’s 4 sizes available from small through to Large-Tall, with the biggest size being suitable for dogs up to around 130lbs

The Large-Tall size has an 8 inch rise for taller dogs at the bottom of the pet door

The biggest size flap opening is 10 1/4 inches wide x 16 3/8 inches high

There’s 3 frame colors available – white, satin and bronze

There’s a slide in security panel to close off the pet door

The flap on this pet door closes with a magnetic strip

 

Drawbacks

You’ll have to manually insulate the edges of this pet door frame setup with extra weather stripping you can buy for pretty cheap from a hardware store. 

Installation takes about an hour – it’s best to follow the instructions on PetSafe’s website and the instruction video

The flap would be better as a clear flap

Giant dogs won’t be able to use this door – it’s more for up to large and some extra large dogs

 

Overall

Overall, for a sliding door pet door, this pet door is good value for money.

You will have to insulate it further to what is provided in the kit you get, but that’s about the only minor issue with this door. 

 

View

View the PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Patio Panel Sliding Glass Door Pet Door on Amazon

 

What Is The PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Patio Panel Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Designed For?

Installation in an existing aluminium sliding glass door.

 

Who Might The PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Patio Panel Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Be For?

Pets up to around 130lbs

Pets that can fit through a 10 x 16 flap opening

People looking for a sliding glass door pet door

People with 76 to 96 inch high sliding glass door track systems

 

Who Might The PetSafe Freedom Aluminium Patio Panel Sliding Glass Door Pet Door NOT Be For?

People with pets bigger than the biggest flap opening size

People with sliding glass doors bigger than the 96 inch maximum

People in very cold climates – this isn’t the most insulating pet door and the flap is likely to freeze up in extreme cold

 

Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door

Features

A pet door designed to fit an aluminium patio sliding door

Measure the distance between your top and bottom door track, and make sure this pet door fits

It comes as an Adjustable Height pet door for sliding doors between 93-3/4″ To 96-1/2″ tall (from flush at the top track to the bottom inside of the bottom track)

To install you don’t need to modify or cut your existing sliding door

A detailed installation instruction guide comes with the door

It comes as a frame, glass panel and pet door layout

There’s 5 different sized flap opening sizes available up to the largest 15 x 20 inch flap opening size

The largest size is for dogs up to around 120lbs

The flap is a single vinyl flap

Comes in two colors – white, or mill/silver

Hardware, channels and weather seal strips come with the kit

Easy to remove the door once installed

 

Drawbacks

Not for smaller sliding doors – when you measure the width, make sure you still have enough room to get through the door

You may have to buy extra weather sealant strips from the hardware store to seal up the door as the strips that come with the door may not be enough. Depending on how you do this, it can look a bit ugly to have the pet door there with lots weather proofing around it.

You don’t get a super secure fit of the pet door in the sliding door track with the hardware they supply you. You may have to make some modifications for a stronger fit

With the above points in mind, it can be worth getting a professional to install so it’s a strong fit and looks nice

Not a cheap pet door overall

 

Overall

Overall, for a sliding door pet door, it’s OK value for money. It does what it needs to do and it’s easy to install and remove.

However, the weatherproofing and strength of installation could be better. 

 

View

View the Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door on Amazon

 

What Is The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Designed For?

It’s designed for installation on 93 to 96 inch tall aluminum sliding glass door tracks.

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Be For?

People wanting an aluminum sliding glass door pet door for a 93 to 96 inch high track

People with larger width sliding glass doors

People with a high budget for pet doors

People with small to large pets that can fit through up to a 15 inch wide by 20 inch high flap opening

People who are willing to add strength and weather proofing to the pet door themselves, or who will get a professional in to install the door

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door NOT Be For?

People wanting a cheap sliding glass door pet door

People with vinyl sliding glass doors

People with small (width wise) sliding glass doors

People with sliding glass doors outside the 93 to 96 inch tall range

People with pets that won’t be able to fit through up to a 15 by 20 inch flap opening

 

What Is An Aluminum Sliding Glass Door Pet Door?

It’s a door specifically designed to fit into the existing aluminum track on your sliding door.

They usually include the pet door flap, an aluminum frame, a glass panel and an adjustor for the heigh of the pet door layout.

This is in comparison to say a regular door mounted or wall mounted pet door which is just the flap, a frame and a tunnel.

 

How To Measure A Pet Door For An Aluminum Sliding Glass Door

Usually there is three main measurements to consider:

1. The height of the existing sliding glass door – measure flush from the top track to the bottom inside of the bottom track. The pet door should have an adjustable height of a few inches to allow you some room to play

2. The width of the existing sliding glass door – the width of the pet door is usually the flap width plus the frame which is a few inches. So, taking into account the pet door, make sure humans still have enough room to pass through the space between the pet door and the fully open sliding door

3. The size of the flap opening – make sure your pet has enough room to get through the size of the flap opening

Follow the measurement and ordering instructions provided by the manufacturer before you buy to make sure you are getting the right sliding glass door pet door for you.

 

How To Install A Pet Door Into An Aluminum Sliding Glass Door

You have to follow the installation instructions in the installation guide/manual for the pet door you buy.

But, in general these doors require no cutting to your existing door. They can be removed with no damage to your existing door.

You are simply installing the pet door setup into the existing track, securing it, installing the latch, weatherproofing it, and sealing it.

You may need a drill, drill bits, a screwdriver, tape measure, scissors, tape, a pencil and safety glasses as tools.

You may also need to go to the hardware store and pick up some extra weather sealant strip and stronger hardware or screws.

Some people install themselves whilst others get a professional to install for them.

 

Dog Door For Aluminum Sash Windows 

If you have sash windows and one or more pets, you may be interested in looking at getting a pet door fitted.

Below we list and summarise an aluminum sash window casement which is surprisingly easy to install and remove.

The particular brand the pet door model comes from is Ideal Pet Products, and we examine the pros, cons, & who the door may and may not be for.

 

Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Door: Review

Features

A pet door designed to fit in a standard aluminum window sash suite (except for vinyl windows) 

Easy to install and remove as you require by adjusting the sides – you don’t need to cut or modify the existing surrounding window sashes

Comes with a white finish aluminum frame sash, and is really well made – feels solid

Comes in 3 different adjustable width models – 23 to 28 inches wide, 27 to 32 inches wide, and 33 to 38 inches wide

Comes in 5 different sizes from a 5 x 7 inch flap opening size, up to a 10.5 x 15 inch flap opening

The largest size flap opening should be suitable for pets up to 120lbs

Door flap is made of flexible clear vinyl

Comes with a lock out sliding panel so you can close off the flap to the outside elements, people and animals

Comes with Single Pane tempered glass

 

Drawbacks

The rubber and foam insulating strips that come with the setup are quite cheap – it’s worth buying some cheap ones of your own or buying some clear sealant if you have issues with them

 

Overall

Overall, this pet door is definitely worth the money.

It’s super easy to install, is made of quality materials apart from the weather stripping, and the flap works well. Good for small to large pets 

 

View

 

What Are Aluminum Sash Window Pet Doors?

A dog door that is designed to specifically fit within an aluminum sash window casement setup.

This is as opposed to a vinyl sash window casement.

 

What Are The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Doors Designed For?

It’s designed to be installed into most aluminium window casements except vinyl windows.

It’s for pets up to around 120lbs.

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Doors Be For?

People who want a pet door to install into aluminum casement windows

Pets up to 120lbs

Pets who can fit through up to a 10.5 x 15 inch flap opening

People with windows between 23 to 38 inches wide

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Doors NOT Be For?

People with pets over 120lbs

People with vinyl windows

People wanting a pet door to install in anything other than an aluminium  casement window sash suite

 

How Do You Install The Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Doors?

There’s no substitute for following the manufacturer’s instructions for installing their Pet Door product which should come with the door, or should be found on their website. They may also have YouTube videos to help you.

This pet door is pretty easy to install – you open your window and place this window between the sill and the open sash window frame. 

You then turn the knobs on the pet door frame which pushes the end spacers out to secure the pet door in place and lock it in. 

You then install the foam bumper seals, vinyl seals and other sealants and hardware. 

 

Best Dog Door For A Sliding Screen Door

There’s a particular type of pet door you have to look for when looking for the best dog door for a sliding screen door.

These pet doors have to be able to directly mount into either the screen mesh, or onto a screen guard if your screen door has one.

This is in comparison to a regular pet door that is door or wall mounted, or even an aluminum sliding pet door that mounts into the aluminum frame.

Below we list some potentially suitable pet doors for sliding screen doors.

 

Our top picks for the best dog door for a sliding screen door are:

 

Ideal Pet Doors Screen Guard Pet Door

Features

A pet door that mounts to a screen guard (you have to have an existing screen guard – the pet door doesn’t come with one)

The good news is it won’t ruin your screen door mesh if you don’t like the pet door

Comes in 2 sizes – medium and extra large

Extra large has a flap opening size of 10-1/2″ x 15″

The flap is a flexible vinyl flap with magnetic closure

Comes as a white color

 

Drawbacks

You have to buy the screen guard separately – either from your local outdoors/hardware store, or something like the ADFORS Storm Grille (on Amazon)

The magnetic strip on the flap could be stronger

The screws that come with the door could be stronger

Like all screen door pet doors, the long term durability is a question mark for this pet door

 

Overall

Overall, in our opinion, this is the best screen door pet door option. You get the added strength from the metal screen door guard you don’t get with other screen door pet doors, and, it fits small to large pets

 

Ideal Pet Products Screen Fit Pet Door

Features

Pet door that mounts directly to the screen door

Has a flap size of 8-7/8 in. wide by 10-1/2 in. tall to accommodate pets up to 20 pounds

Has dual slide locks for security

Has magnetised corners to seal the door

To install you clamp onto the screen, and cutout the inside of the frame

Outside dimensions are 10 3/4″ x 12 3/4″

 

Drawbacks

Not a particularly strong pet door

Doesn’t always make a flush closure after installation

You risk ruining your screen door if the door either gets damaged or doesn’t shut properly

 

Overall

Pet door is OK if you install it properly and the door sits flush. Questions over it’s strength, durability and the door opening and closing flush

 

PetSafe Pet Screen Door

Features

Snaps onto your existing screen mesh

Can be installed on metal or vinyl coated fiber screen doors, window screens or porch screens

Has a bronze colored, high-impact plastic frame with screen flap

Has dual, slide locks to close flap

For pets 30 lbs. or less; flap opening size is 8″ W x 9 1/4″ H

The price is very cheap

 

Drawbacks

The door material isn’t the strongest door materials out there

The door’s installation method isn’t super strong – it’s supposed to snap onto the screen, but to make the installation more secure you need to further modify the door with additional support

If the door doesn’t last, you are left with a hole in your screen mesh

 

Overall

A cheap pet door. Door material and installation strength aren’t great – usually need to make your own modifications to beef up the door

 

Namsan Magnetic Pet Screen Door

Features

Mounts directly to the screen mesh – you snap it to the mesh and you cut the mesh inside

The external frame screws together for extra strength

The inner flap has magnetic closure

The inner flap has a plunger locker for security

The flap opening size is 12 inches by 14 inches

Comes with the door, 8 screws and installation instructions

 

Drawbacks

The door material is not very strong 

The door doesn’t install very securely – it feels flimsy

For small dogs only

 

Overall

Not a very strong pet door. There’s better options on the market

 

What Do You Need To Consider With Dog Doors For Sliding Screen Doors?

The main things to consider are:

Is the pet door mounted directly onto the mesh, or do you mount it to a screen guard?

What size pets cant he flap opening accommodate?

How strong is the pet door? Do you need to modify it in anyway to make it stronger?

 

You might also want to check how the flap closes (that it maintains a good seal) so that outside bugs and insects can’t come in.

 

How To Install A Sliding Screen Door Pet Door?

The manufacturer of the door you buy should provide you with clear instructions on how to install the door and what you need for the install.

In general, there’s usually two ways:

1. Cut the screen guard, and snap and fix the door to the screen guard

2. Cut the screen mesh directly, and snap and fix the door to the screen mesh

 

You want to install the pet door at a height that is catered to the height of your pet.

Common tools used are a tape measure, a hammer or mallet, a screwdriver and a cutting tool.

You may decide to install yourself, or get a professional to help you with the install.

It’s not uncommon for people to buy extra hardware like screws/bolts, brackets and glue/clamps to beef up the screen door pet door.

 

Dog Door For A Balcony Door

The best dog door for a balcony depends on the type of door you have going out to your balcony. 

Will you be installing it into a balcony sliding door, regular door or even perhaps a wall that runs out onto the balcony for example?

Go back to the top of this guide and check out the top rated list for the different types of dog doors.

If you have a sliding door going out to your balcony, you might like to check out these dog doors first:

 

Dog Doors For French Doors & French Glass Doors

With french doors being made usually of glass and timber, there may be some custom installation that is required for your pet door, and it may even be wise to get a professional contractor to do it for you if you don’t have the technical installation skills yourself.

Pick a dog door from the list at the top of this guide that can be installed on the type of french door you have. You’ll find the intended use of the dog door in the product description.

 

Dog Doors For Patio Doors & Patio Sliders

Patio doors could be sliding aluminum or vinyl glass doors, regular glass panel doors, french doors, and sometimes standard doors.

So, when you pick a dog door – make sure you read the installation instructions and mounting directions, and make sure the dog door can be installed to the type of door that you have in your patio area.

Our top picks for the best dog doors for Patio Doors or Patio Sliders are:

Regular Pet Doors 

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

 

Screen Door Pet Door

 

You can read more about some of these types of dog doors in these guides:

Best Dog Door Sliding Glass Aluminum Doors

Best Dog Door For Sliding Glass Vinyl Door

Best Dog Door For A Sliding Screen Door

 

Dog Door For A Vinyl Sliding Glass Door

Below is a dog door for a Vinyl Sliding Glass Door.

These dog doors differ to regular household door mounted and wall mounted pet doors as they include a full height vinyl frame and glass panel built to retrofit into your existing vinyl slider.

One brand in particular, Ideal Pet Products, has a vinyl slider pet door option.

 

If you prefer, you can go straight to checking out the top vinyl sliding glass door pet door here:

This Ideal Pet Products Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door fits most standard exterior sliding glass patio doors up to 94 1/2 inches tall.

It’s designed for small through to large pets that can fit through up to a  10-1/4 x 15-3/4″ opening flap.

 

Ideal Pet Products VIP Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door

Features

A pet door intended for Vinyl Sliding Patio door mounting

Comes in two height models – 78 inches tall, and 94 inches tall. Both are adjustable in height a few inches

To measure – Measure flush at top track to the inside bottom track of your sliding patio door frame

Comes in two size flaps – medium and extra large

Extra Large flap is 10.25 inches wide x 15.75 inches  high

The flap is a 3 part double wall LEXAN flap

The color of the frame is white vinyl

The glass is dual pane tempered low e type glass

Comes with a lock out slide panel for security and to close off the door

This pet door is not for installation on aluminium glass doors

 

Drawbacks

Not a cheap pet door

Weatherproofing could be better – you may have to do some extra weather stripping and caulking yourself to seal up the door

You may have to do some extra securing of the door into the track as the hardware that comes with the door is just OK

Installation can take a few hours – it may be worth paying a professional to install it properly and securely for you

The lock/latch doesn’t always work if it isn’t installed properly – can be a bit annoying to get this working right

 

Overall

Overall, if you have a vinyl sliding glass door, this is one of the better pet door options on the market.

You will have to deal with getting the weatherproofing, securing the door in the track strongly, and getting the lock/latch to work and sit flush – but, apart from that, it does what it is supposed to as a pet door.

 

View

View the Ideal Pet Products Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door on Amazon

 

What Is The Ideal Pet Products Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Designed For?

It is designed for mounting into an existing vinyl glass sliding door.

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door Be For?

People looking for a pet door for a vinyl sliding glass door

People with pets who can fit through up to a 10.25 inches wide x 15.75 inches high flap

People with vinyl sliding doors where the track is either in the 78 or 94 inches tall range (track to track)

People willing to do a few modifications to the pet door to get it sitting and working really well, or people willing to pay a professional to install

 

Who Might The Ideal Pet Products Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Door NOT Be For?

People with aluminum glass sliding doors

People with pets who are too big to fit through a 10.25 inches wide x 15.75 inches high flap

People with sliding doors that are outside the 78 or 94 inches tall range

People who want a cheap pet door

 

Dog Doors For Metal Doors

If you read the product description of the pet door they should tell you one or both of these things in relation to the door it can be installed/mounted on:

– the type of door the pet door can be mounted on – it should either say all doors, or specifically a metal door (or specifically NOT a metal door if it can’t be installed on one). The Endura Flap Double Flap Door Mount Pet Door (on Amazon) for example can be installed on all doors including solid core doors, hollow core doors, metal doors, storm doors, panelled doors, and french doors

– the thickness of door the pet door can be mounted on (so you know what thickness of metal door it can be mounted to)

It also helps if you read the installation guide/manual provided by the manufacturer before you buy the pet door – they usually give you more information on the type of door it can be mounted on, and how you might approach installation for doors made of different materials.

 

Installing A Dog Door On A Metal Door

No installation information is a substitute for the manufacturer’s instructions and installation guide/manual that they provide – so you’ll want to read that.

But specifically with metal doors, you want to consider:

– that you have the correct tools and equipment or fixings to be cutting and fixing a dog door to a metal door

– that you are complying with any safety regulations when you install to a metal door i.e. some metal doors may be fire doors and installing a pet door on them may breach fire compliance regulations – so check this

Some people choose to do a DIY installation, whilst others choose to a dog door professionally installed.

 

Dog Doors For Storm Doors

Storm doors can come in a few different designs and materials, which is important to know when finding the best dog door for a storm door.

 

Types Of Storm Doors

Storm doors can come in a range of materials including but not limited to:

Solid core timber/wood

Metal and steel

Aluminium

Aluminum and glass

PVC

+ more

They can also come in different designs with for example glass panels just at the top, glass at the top and bottom, no glass etc.

 

How To Know Which Pet Door To Get For A Storm Door?

If you read the product description of the pet door they should tell you one or both of these things in relation to the door it can be installed/mounted on:

– the type of door the pet door can be mounted on – it should either say all doors, or specifically the type of door you have (or specifically NOT the type of door you have). The Endura Flap Double Flap Door Mount Pet Door (on Amazon) for example can be installed on all doors including solid core doors, hollow core doors, metal doors, storm doors, panelled doors, and french doors

– the thickness of door the pet door can be mounted on (so you know what thickness of metal door it can be mounted to)

It also helps if you read the installation guide/manual provided by the manufacturer before you buy the pet door – they usually give you more information on the type of door it can be mounted on, and how you might approach installation for storm doors made of different materials and designs.

 

Installing A Dog Door On A Storm Door

No installation information is a substitute for the manufacturer’s instructions and installation guide/manual that they provide – so you’ll want to read that.

But specifically with storm doors, you want to consider:

– that you have the correct tools and equipment or fixings to be cutting and fixing a dog door to the material and 

– that you are complying with any safety regulations or protecting the properties of the door when you install to a storm door e.g. some metal storm doors may be fire doors and installing a pet door on them may breach fire compliance regulations – so check this

Some people choose to do a DIY installation, whilst others choose to a dog door professionally installed.

Professional installation can be a good option when the storm door has a unique or tricky design that involves customising the pet door installation.

 

Magnetic Dog Doors

Magnetic dog doors are simply pet doors that close and seal with magnets, usually attached to the flap or opening of the pet door.

Magnetic dog doors can be good because they help seal the dog door flap closed to stop bugs, wind and the cold or outside elements coming in.

Our top picks for the best magnetic dog doors are:

Regular Pet Doors

 

Heavy Duty &/Or Weatherproof Pet Doors

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

 

Window Sash Pet Door

 

Screen Door Pet Doors

 

Dog Doors For Security Doors

With a security door usually being made of an outer metal layer and an inner metal mesh, installation may be a little trickier than on a normal door.

 

How to know which pet door to get for a security door?

If you read the product description of the pet door they should tell you one or both of these things:

– the type of door the pet door can be mounted on – does it mention security doors?

– the thickness of door the pet door can be mounted on – does it fit the thickness of your security door?

It also helps if you read the installation guide/manual provided by the manufacturer before you buy the pet door – they usually give you more information on the type of door it can be mounted on, and how you might approach installation for doors made of different materials.

 

Installing a pet door on a security door

No installation information is a substitute for the instructions in the installation guide/manual provided by the dog door manufacturer. So, make sure you read this.

But in general, with a security door, you are going to have to cut the outer metal and the inner mesh of the door to install the pet door.

You’ll also have to fix the pet door to the security door. 

Some people choose a DIY install, whilst others choose to get a professional contractor to help them if they don’t have the technical installation skills themselves.

 

Dog Door For A Screen Porch Or Screen Enclosure

Some dog doors are suitable for a screen porch or screen enclosure on your patio.

In your screen porch area/screen enclosure, you may have either or a combination of a standard door, glass sliding door, or screen door.

We’ve identified some of the best pet doors that can be mounted into these different types of doors.

 

Our top picks for the best dog doors for screen porches and screen enclosures are:

Regular Pet Doors For Standard Doors

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

Aluminum

 

Vinyl

 

Screen Door Pet Door

 

How To Know Which Pet Door To Get For A Screen Enclosure or Screen Porch

First of all, figure out what door in your screen enclosure you want to install/mount the pet door on.

If you read the product description of the pet door you might want to get, they should tell you one or both of these things in relation to the door it can be installed/mounted on:

– The type of door the pet door can be mounted on

– The thickness of door the pet door can be mounted on

It also helps if you read the installation guide/manual provided by the manufacturer before you buy the pet door – they usually give you more information on the type of door it can be mounted on, and how you might approach installation for doors made of different materials.

 

Dog Door For A Standard Door

Most dog doors are designed to fit standard exterior doors between about 1 to 2 inches in thickness, so you should be OK with standard doors for most pet doors.

 

Dog Door For An Aluminum Sliding Glass Door

Read more about these pet doors in this guide:

Best Dog Door Sliding Glass Aluminum Doors

 

Dog Door For A Vinyl Sliding Glass Door

Read more about these pet doors in this guide:

Best Dog Door For Sliding Glass Vinyl Door

 

Dog Door For A Screen Door

Read more about these pet doors in this guide:

Best Dog Door For A Sliding Screen Door

 

Removable & Temporary Dog Doors

The best removable and temporary dog doors allow you to install and remove them quickly.

They also enable you to install the doors without cutting or permanently modifying your existing house door – which minimises damage.

Some removable & temporary dog doors include:

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

Aluminum

 

Vinyl

 

Aluminum Window Sash Pet Doors

 

Magnetic Screen Door Pet Door

 

Double & Triple Flap Dog Doors

Most dog doors are single flap, which provides one point for the dog door to seal/close.

However, there are double flap and triple flap dog doors on the market.

Two flaps means two points on both sides of the dog door that can be sealed by the magnetic strips, instead of one point for a single flap door

With a triple flap door, the middle flap is usually a highly insulated flap that minimises drafts and the cold

So, double and triple flap dog doors usually provide multiple points to seal/close, and are usually better for weatherproofing, insulation and energy efficiency for both hot and cold weather

Dog door with double or triple flaps are:

 

Dog Door For A Standard Exterior Door

Most dog doors are designed to fit standard exterior doors between about 1 to 2 1/2  inches in thickness, so you should be OK with standard doors for most pet doors.

 

Dog Door For Other Exterior Doors

If you are looking for the best dog door for an exterior door, you first have to ask yourself what type of exterior door you are looking to install/mount the dog door on.

For most people, it will be a standard solid core timber door, which might be anywhere from 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 inches thick (or around that range)

But, it could also be a sliding aluminum or vinyl door, or even a screen door.

There are pet doors for these specific doors too.

You can find a dog door in the top rated list at the top of this guide.

 

Dog Doors For Wall Installation & Mounting

Most pet doors are made for a regular household door installation or mounting, but what about if you want to install a pet door into a wall?

The good news is that there are still a lot of options if this is your preference.

We’ve identified the best dog doors for wall installation and mounting across a range of dog door types such as standard wall mounted dog doors, weatherproof wall mounted dog doors, and even electronic wall mounted dog doors.

 

Our top picks for the best dog doors for wall installation and mounting are:

 

What To Look For In A Pet Door For Wall Installation & Mounting

A manufacturer should let you know:

– that their pet door is suitable for wall installation (some of these pet doors may also be able to be door mounted too)

– what types of walls you can install the pet door on

– what thickness of walls you can install the pet door on

– whether the door comes with a wall installation kit/wall tunnel extender, or whether you have to buy a wall installation kit as an extra

– what the wall installation process is – how you install the pet door on a wall and what you’ll need

 

How To Install A Dog Door In A Wall

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing their Pet Door product which should come with the door, or should be found on their website. They may also have YouTube videos to help you.

Generally, for most Pet Doors you need to cut out a section of the wall, insert and fix a frame or tunnel extender into the wall or door, and then fix the door onto the frame, and seal and weatherproof it.

For the wall frame/tunnel, the standard pet door wall extender tunnels can be flimsy and not hold their shape. Some people choose to make their own tunnel or frame in the wall for more strength and security, or pack the existing tunnel/frame with supporting timber.

 

Best Dog Door For A Garage Wall

The best dog door for a garage wall will depend on a couple of factors.

For example, are you wanting to install on a thin interior wall, or a thicker exterior wall? Does the garage join onto the main house, or is it free standing?

Below we’ve picked out the best pet door for wall mounting/installation.

 

Our top pick for the best dog door for a garage wall is the:

 

There’s other wall mounted dog doors listed elsewhere in this guide.

You may like to check it out if the wall you want to install on is less than 4.75 inches thick for example.

 

Picking A Dog Door For A Garage Wall

You may consider the following:

– that the manufacturer lists the walls as being a suitable mounting spot for the pet door

– what types of walls the manufacturer lists as being suitable for the door installation

– what thickness of wall the door can be mounted onto

 

Installing A Dog Door On A Garage Wall

The dog door should come with measuring and installation instructions – read these carefully as there is no substitute for this advice from the manufacturer.

For the wall frame/tunnel, the standard pet door wall extender tunnels can be flimsy and not hold their shape. Some people choose to make their own tunnel or frame in the wall for more strength and security, or reinforce the tunnel/frame with packing such as timber.

 

Best Dog Door For A Brick Wall Or Exterior Wall

What do you need to consider when picking the best dog door for a brick wall or exterior wall?

Well, it does help if the manufacturer has specifically listed exterior walls as a good mounting location for their pet door.

Usually this means the design of the door is based around wall installation in particular, as opposed to a standard household door installation where the pet door tunnel doesn’t need to be as thick.

What we’ve done in this guide is identify one pet door in particular that is designed specifically for brick and exterior wall installation.

 

Our top pick for one of the best dog doors for a brick wall or exterior wall installation is the:

 

We’ve also listed other dog doors suitable for wall installation elsewhere in this guide.

You may like to check it out if the wall you want to install on is less than 4.75 inches thick for example.

 

Picking A Dog Door For A Brick Wall or Exterior Wall

You may consider the following:

– that the manufacturer lists the walls as being a suitable mounting spot for the pet door

– what types of walls the manufacturer lists as being suitable for the door installation

– what thickness of wall the door can be mounted onto

 

Installing A Dog Door On A Brick Wall Or Exterior Wall

The dog door should come with measuring and installation instructions – read these carefully as there is no substitute for this advice from the manufacturer.

For the wall frame/tunnel, the standard pet door wall extender tunnels can be flimsy and not hold their shape. Some people choose to make their own tunnel or frame in the wall for more strength and security, or reinforce the tunnel/frame with packing such as timber.

 

Best Automatic & Electronic Dog Doors

Electronic and automatically opening pet doors can be a good alternative for some owners and their pets compared to regular manual push to enter/exit pet doors.

Microchips and pet sensors are the common way of operating these electronic dog doors.

Although electronic dog doors sound great in theory, and they can be good value for some owners, there is no perfect product on the market – they all have some flaws.

 

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

It’s a microchip activated electronic pet door for multiple pets, and specifically tiny dogs and most skinny to regular sized pets.

Features

A small automatic dog door

Can be installed in doors, windows and walls

Designed for cats, and small dogs

A pet’s shoulders shouldn’t be bigger than 6 and a half inches and the circumference of their waistline at its widest point should be no more than 20 and a quarter inches to use this door

The size of the flap on the door is 7 inches wide x 6.7 inches high

Works with an identification microchip or RFID collar tag which your pet wears

Also works with pet microchips

Wildlife and racoons should not be able to get in through the door – the door should only react to the pet wearing the collar tag

One tag is supplied with the product

Can store up to 32 pets in it’s memory system

Has a manual lock mode

You can also set the door to lock at certain times automatically

The microchip reader is on the outside of the door, so any pet can exit, but only chipped or tagged pets can enter

Comes in 2 colors – white, and brown

Door is battery powered using 4 C cell batteries. Lasts up to 1 year. Batteries not included in the kit

Door has a low battery indicator

SureFlap Pet Door Mounting Adaptor is required for glass installations

SureFlap Pet Door Tunnel Extenders may be required for wall installations

SureFlap Pet Door Mounting Adapter might be required for metal skin doors, security doors, metal garage doors, and UPVC coated metal doors if the pet door is not functioning properly with the initial installation

 

Drawbacks

Only for small/toy sized pets that are skinny to regular weight

The sensor system could be accurate and function when your pet is a greater distance from the door. A pet has to get their neck/face basically right up on the door for the door to open

The door opening is probably smaller than the stated measurements – keep that in mind

The door would work better if it had sensors on both sides so you can keep certain pets in the house if you want to

The door working properly can be a concern over more than 6 months

 

Overall

The door is OK for the smallest dogs and some cats.

It could be more accurate and have a further range with the sensor.

It could also have double sided sensors, and the door could be built to last longer.

It will work OK for some, whilst some will have issues with it.

 

Who Is The SureFlap MicroChip Pet Door For?

Those with tiny/toy sized dogs

Those with cats

Those with skinny to regular sized pets

Those who want an automatic pet door

Those who want a pet door for window, door and wall installation

People with multiple pet households

 

Who Is The SureFlap MicroChip Pet Door NOT For?

People who want a double sided sensor electronic pet door

People who want an exterior sensor with good range to recognise the pet’s key tag or microchip

People who want a super high quality and super long lasting electronic pet door

People who have anything bigger than a tiny sized dog or cat

 

Wall Mount Plexidor Electronic Dog Door

Features

An automatic/electronic dog door for dogs up to 125 pounds and all cats

The wall unit pet doors can be installed into stud, brick, block or cement walls up to 12 inches thick

The opening of the door is 12 3/4 inches wide by 20 inches high

The way this door works is that it uses RFID technology where the door sensor reads the pre-programmed code in the collar key to know when to open and close the door automatically for the pet wearing it and no one else. So, other animals and wildlife are kept outside

A composite panel slides up and down when your pet enters and exits (you can adjust how long the panel stays open for)

The panel is completely secure when closed

The collars require no batteries

The waterproof collar key weighs just 0.4 ounces, and snaps onto your pet’s collar

The range of the collar to the door is 12 to 15 Inches

The system usually comes with 2 collar keys (but confirm before you buy)

The door signal wont’ interfere with a dog fence system, or a home security system

The door is pet and child safe – won’t close on and crush a pet or child if they obstruct the door and sit in the opening

The door plugs into a standard household outlet or can be hardwired

Made in the USA

Has a 5 year limited residential warranty

Comes with an aluminium tunnel that connects the interior and exterior frame

Comes in bronze and white colors

 

Drawbacks

Not a cheap door

 

Overall

Overall a great dog door for small to large pets if you want an automatic dog door 

 

View

 

Door Mount Plexidor Electronic Dog Door

Has all the same features as the wall mount door, except this one is designed for installation into standard exterior house doors.

This is a door mounted electronic dog door.

View the Door Mount Plexidor Electronic Dog Door (on Amazon)

 

What Are the Plexidor Electronic Dog Doors Designed For?

Wall Mount Model

Dogs up to 125 pounds and all cats

The wall unit pet doors can be installed into stud, brick, block or cement walls up to 12 inches thick

 

Door Mount Model

Dogs up to 125 pounds and all cats

Can be installed into standard exterior house doors

 

Who Are The Plexidor Electronic Dog Doors For?

Dogs or cats

Pets up to 125lbs

Pets that will fit through an opening 12 3/4 inches wide by 20 inches high

People who want an automatic/electronic pet door for a wall or an exterior standard house door

 

Who Are The Plexidor Electronic Dog Doors NOT For?

People who want a non electronic/automatic dog door

People who have dogs over 125lbs

People who want a dog door to install in any other place than a standard exterior door, or a stud, brick, block or cement walls up to 12 inches thick

People on a budget who want a cheap automatic dog door

 

High Tech Power Pet Door

Features

A fully automatic/electronic pet door that can be mounted to walls or doors

One of the most customisable automatic pet doors on the market. For example, you can set the door to In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed & Locked. You can also set independent and different activation distances for the inside and outside sensors on the door.

Comes in 2 sizes – medium and large

Large has a door panel opening size of 12-1/4 by 16 inches, and is for pets up to 100 lbs

Overall the large door system is 40 5/8 by 16 inches in total size

Medium is for pets up to 30 pounds (with a 8-1/4″W x 10″H opening)

It is made of a strong resin material

The door is motor driven and moves up and down vertically

The door is activated by a Micro Sonic ultrasonic collar that your pet wears

The ultrasonic collar emits a highly directional signal, which is received by the microphone

The door has a directional sensor, meaning that the door should only open when you pet directly approaches the door, not just when they are passing by

The door system has 4 way access control, meaning that you can select from In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed/Locked

The door system has Dual range controls that let you set independent inside and outside activation distances

The door is relatively weatherproof with a weatherproof seal

The door has an automatic deadbolt lock feature

The system operates on an AC adapter (included) that plugs into a 110 volt outlet. There’s an optional backup battery (model B12V-1.3) that snaps into the battery compartment. But, you can run the system on AC only, battery only, or AC with battery backup

The door has sets of buttons on it to allow you to control the on/off, dual range activation, and 4 way access sensors

The door can be installed on any regular exterior house door up to 1-3/4 inches thick. Any thicker than that and you should build a frame or order the additional High Tech Pet Wall Adapter Tunnel or make your own additional extra framing

When installing the door system into a wall, you either need to build your own frame or get the extra High Tech Pet wall adapter 

Sliding glass panel inserts come with the sliding glass patio door model packages

In the box you get a transmitter collar, an AC adapter, a pre fabricated frame, hardware and Aluminum and Tempered Glass Frame for the sliding patio door models

Relatively easy to install

 

Drawbacks

Not a cheap door to purchase

Like all electronic pet doors – the sensors don’t work perfect 100% of the time – your dog may have to wait patiently sometimes while the sensor picks up the collar device

The hardware could be better quality, particularly the screws. The head may strip off for some people

Not a good door for the cold weather – the door system can malfunction in cold weather and open up via the sensors which trigger the auto open feature. That, or sometimes the door won’t shut at all.

After a few years, the door can start to lose some of it’s performance. For the price, you’d expect the door to last you 5-10 years with little maintenance.

The sensors for the door are at the bottom of the door meaning that dirt, mud, snow etc. can get on them and block them if you don’t keep them clean

For thick doors and thick walls, you may want to get a professional to help you install, or, if you want a super solid installation because the hardware and frame you get with the door aren’t weak, but they aren’t the strongest

 

Overall

The High Tech Power pet door is one of the better electronic/automatic pet doors on the market, but, it still has some cons and limitations

The truth is that there is no perfect automatic electronic pet door on the market.  The High Tech Power Pet Door is no exception.

For some people who live in mild climates, that door works fine for a period of years. But, it is not a cold or snowy climate door.

For the price, you would expect the system to have much better hardware, a more beefed up frame, and for the electronics to work more accurately and reliably.

You’d just expect there to be less overall cons.

An OK automatic pet door, without being great.

 

What Is The High Tech Power Pet Door Designed For?

It is an electronic/automatic pet door designed for installation in doors, walls or sliding glass doors, for pets up to 100lbs.

 

Who Might The High Tech Power Pet Door Be For?

Pets up to 100lbs

Pets that can fit through a 12-1/4 by 16 inch opening

Owners with one or multiple pets

Owners looking for an automatic/electronic pet door system

Owners looking for a programmable/customisable pet door system

Owners looking to install in a wall, door or sliding glass door

 

Who Might The High Tech Power Pet Door NOT Be For?

Pets bigger than 100lbs

Pets that can’t fit through a 12-1/4 by 16 inch opening

Owners that want a regular manual pet door

Owners that want a cheap pet door

People that live in cold climates or snow

People on a budget, or people not open to the possibility they may need to send the door away for a repair or an upgrade at some point

 

High Tech Pet Sliding Glass Door Electronic Pet Doors

Features

Electronic pet doors for installation into a sliding glass door track

Comes with the pet door, and a sliding glass door panel insert that is adjustable with a loaded spring

The patio door slides shut against the insert and may be locked with a security locking bolt.

Come in three different heights – short, regular and tall

Short height is adjustable from 75 to 77-1/2-inches high, and is 14 inches wide

Regular height is adjustable from 78-3/4 to 81-1/4-inches high, and is 14 inches wide

Tall height is adjustable from 93-3/4 to 96-inches high, and is 14 inches wide

The panel/pet door opening is 12-1/2 by 16-inch. For cats and dogs up to 100-pounds

Fits all sliding door track widths

It is made of a strong resin material

The door is motor driven and moves up and down vertically

The door is activated by a Micro Sonic ultrasonic collar that your pet wears

The ultrasonic collar emits a highly directional signal, which is received by the microphone

The door has a directional sensor, meaning that the door should only open when you pet directly approaches the door, not just when they are passing by

The door system has 4 way access control, meaning that you can select from In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed/Locked

The door system has Dual range controls that let you set independent inside and outside activation distances

The door is relatively weatherproof with a weatherproof seal

The door has an automatic deadbolt lock feature

The system operates on an AC adapter (included) that plugs into a 110 volt outlet. There’s an optional backup battery (model B12V-1.3) that snaps into the battery compartment. But, you can run the system on AC only, battery only, or AC with battery backup

The door has sets of buttons on it to allow you to control the on/off, dual range activation, and 4 way access sensors

In the box you get 1 Transmitter Collar, 110 volt AC Adapter, Pre-Fabricated Outside Frame, All Required Hardware, and a Aluminum and Tempered Glass Frame 

 

Drawbacks

Not a cheap door system

Not the strongest door – made of a cheaper type of plastic. Not great as a heavy duty or higher security dog door

The sensors on the door may not work as you want them to straight away – it may take some time to get them adjusted for your needs

In general, the collar may sometimes not be picked up by the sensors – your dog may have to circle the door 2 or three times for recognition

The weatherproofing and weatherstripping on the door could be higher quality and seal better

 

Overall

Overall, the concept of the door is good, but it has some design flaws that need to be improved in our opinion. For a sliding door, you might want to look at manual models instead. Check out the aluminum sliding door pet doors and vinyl sliding door pet doors in these guides

 

PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor Dog Door

Features

An electronic pet door with a single UV protected flap

Comes in 2 sizes – small and large

Large has a flap opening of 11” X 16” inches

Can be door mounted of doors 1 1/2 – 2 inches thick

Can be wall mounted if you buy an additional wall mount kit

The pet door works by sensing the battery operated SmartKey worn by your pet and opening automatically for them

The SmartKey runs on 4-D Cell batteries

The pet door is able to be programmed for up to 5 pets

You can program the pet door for auto locking, selective entry, and selective exit 

Interior frame with flap, exterior frame, operating guide, cutting template, key ring, 8 mounting screws and SmartKey (both located in the battery door) come with the door

 

Drawbacks

It uses batteries quite heavily so you are replacing them frequently

The automatic programming doesn’t always work consistently – sometimes it closes and sometimes it doesn’t. 

The sensors can be inaccurate, especially over the long term

The door flap doesn’t provide a great seal

 

Overall

Overall, the door is lacking in quality and doesn’t work in a practical way considering the price you pay or it. It’s worth looking at either another electronic pet door, or a non electronic plastic or aluminium pet door instead. For electronic dog doors, you might look at the SureFlap Microchip or the High Tech Power pet doors instead

View the PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor Dog Door on Amazon

 

What Is The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor Dog Door Designed For?

It’s designed as an automatic/electronic pet door for pets that can fit through up to a 11” X 16” inches flap opening.

It’s mainly designed for door mounting, but can be wall mounted too.

 

Who Might The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor Dog Door Be For?

People looking for an electronic pet door with several noticeable flaws – both in short term and long term 

 

Who Might The PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor Dog Door NOT Be For?

People looking for a quality pet door that functions well

 

What Is An Electronic/Automatic Dog Door?

An electronic dog door is a dog door that works usually with a power supply and/or batteries, and pet tags/microchips and sensors, to open and close the pet door automatically.

This is in comparison to regular pet doors that require manual pushing by your dog to get in and out the pet door.

 

How Do Electronic/Automatic Dog Doors Work?

Usually the doors are either plugged into a power supply, or run on batteries.

You program the door to work with the settings and modes that you prefer

There are usually sensors on one or both sides of the door

Your pet has a microchip, or wears an ID tag pet collar that is recognised by the door sensors

Depending on the model of pet door, the sensor recognises the microchip or unique pet collar and opens automatically when your pet approaches the door

The door then closes automatically too

 

Extras You Might Get With An Electronic/Automatic Dog Door

Extras differ depending on the pet door, but for the models above you might get:

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

*You can buy extra pet tags (on Amazon) for extra pets to use the system 

 

Plexidor Electronic Door

 

High Tech Power Pet Door

*You can add additional pets to the door with a High Tech Pet Micro Sonic 5 Digital Transmitter Collar (on Amazon)

*You can get an additional High Tech Power Pet Wall Adapter Tunnel (on Amazon) For Doors over 1 3/4 inches or for wall installations

 

Collar Activated Dog Doors

Some collar activated dog doors include:

 

The way the above collar activated dog door might work is:

– Sureflap Microchip Door

Opens when a pet approaches the sensors in the door by sensing your pet’s existing microchip or RFID collar tag (one tag supplied with the product). The RFID collar tag (on Amazon) simply attaches to your pet’s existing collar

Can store up to 32 pets in its memory

Battery powered using 4 C cell batteries which last up to a year with normal use – you have to buy the batteries separately

 

– Plexidor Electronic Dog Door

Opens when your pet wearing a waterproof collar key comes within distance of the door’s sensors

Sensor settings are adjustable in terms of range, when the door opens and closes etc.

Door doesn’t use batteries – you plug it into an existing power source or hardwire it

Collar key doesn’t use batteries either

Collar key is the Plexidor Electronic Collar Key (on Amazon)

 

– High Tech Power Pet Door

Opens when you pet wearing an ultrasonic collar comes within distance of the door’s sensors

Sensor settings are adjustable

4-way access control lets you select from In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed & Locked

Your dog wears a Micro Sonic 5 Collar (on Amazon), with batteries that last about 3 months

 

Dog Doors With Sensors

Dog doors with sensors can be good as they remove the need for a dog to manually push a flap to get in and out of the door.

However, there is no perfectly functioning automatic dog door on the market – all of them may have slightly inconsistent sensors, or other minor issues.

So, think carefully about whether you think an automatic or manual dog door will be better for you and your pet/s.

Dog doors currently with sensors include:

 

The way they work might be:

Sureflap Microchip Door

Senses a pet’s microchip or RFID collar tag to open the door flap automatically

Can store up to 32 pet’s in the memory of the pet door system

 

Plexidor Electronic Dog Door

Has a sensor system that reads the pre-programmed code in the Plexidor electronic collar key to automatically open and close for your pet

Is adjustable in terms of how long the door can remain open

 

High Tech Power Pet Door

Has a directional sensing system that opens the door only when your pet is on a direct approach, not when he/she is just wandering by or sleeping next to the door

Has 4-way access control that lets you select from In Only, Out Only, Full Access or Closed & Locked

 

Microchip Activated Dog Doors

With some automatic and electronic dog doors, instead of collars, the door can activate with your dog’s existing microchip.

Some people have a preference for this because it means you don’t have to worry about dog door collar tags and batteries.

Any dog with a microchip can use them.

 

Should You Get A Microchip Activated Dog Door?

The concept is good – the door senses your dog’s microchip and opens.

The issue with microchip activated doors though is that any pet with a microchip can open the door.

Also, there is no perfect automatic/electronic dog door on the market. They all have more issues than most of the regular manually push operated dog doors.

So, maybe you get a microchip activated pet door, but there are more reliable dog doors out there.

 

Dog Doors That Work With A Timer

Automatic dog doors are usually activated to open by a microchip, collar tag or specialised collar.

Different automatic dog doors usually have their own adjustable settings in terms of how the sensors work, and how the door opens and closes.

Some auto dog doors come with a timer feature or mode that allows you to control how long the dog door stays open, whilst others allow you to pick times of the day that the door stays locked shut.

Dog doors with a timer include:

 

The way these dog doors might work include:

Sureflap Microchip Door

  • Reads your pet’s microchip, or a collar ID tag
  • Has Curfew mode – set the door to lock and unlock at specified times. It can be set to lock at the same time each day if you wish

 

Plexidor Electronic Dog Door

  • has a sensor system that reads the pre-programmed code in the Plexidor electronic collar key to automatically open and close for your pet
  • Is adjustable in terms of how long the door can remain open – set the amount of time the door stays open

 

Best Dog Doors For Both Cold Weather & Hot Weather

Our top picks for the best cold weather/cold climate pet doors are:

 

What Makes A Pet Door Good For Cold Weather & Cold Climates?

If you live in a cold weather climate where there is wind, rain and/or snow, you’ll need to get something more than the regular plastic or aluminum framed pet door.

The best dog doors for cold weather and cold climates should have traits and features based around insulation, weatherproofing & energy efficiency.

Some of those features might include:

Double or triple flaps

In case one flap doesn’t seal closed all the way, and to create a weather catching air pocket in between the flaps

 

Made of an energy efficient material

The frame and flaps can be made of energy efficient insulated materials like structural molded plastic and energy efficient vinyl for example.

In particular with the flaps, they can freeze up and go stiff in cold weather – you want to make sure the pet door you get has flaps that will maintain some pliability in extreme cold.

 

Brush seals

Brush seals inside the frame help insulate the door and seal it

 

Magnetic flap closure

To help the flaps seal and keep out cold drafts

 

Weatherproofing strips

Like the brush seals, weatherproofing strips help insulate and seal the door

 

Best Insulated, Weatherproof & Energy Efficient Dog Doors

Our top picks for the best weatherproof, insulated & energy efficient dog doors are:

 

What Makes A Dog Door Insulated, Weatherproof & Energy Efficient?

Insulated, weatherproof & energy efficient dog doors should seal the outside weather from the inside temperature of your house.

If you do live in a climate which gets very cold or very hot, it’s worth looking at the best insulated dog door for mounting on a door or wall.

Some features of insulated, weatherproof or energy efficient dog doors might be:

Double or triple flaps

In case one flap doesn’t seal closed all the way, and to create a weather catching air pocket in between the flaps

 

Made of an energy efficient material

The frame and flaps can be made of energy efficient insulated materials like structural molded plastic and energy efficient vinyl for example.

In particular with the flaps, they can freeze up and go stiff in cold weather – you want to make sure the pet door you get has flaps that will maintain some pliability in extreme cold.

 

Brush seals

Brush seals inside the frame help insulate the door and seal it

 

Magnetic flap closure

To help the flaps seal and keep out cold drafts

 

Weatherproofing strips

Like the brush seals, weatherproofing strips help insulate and seal the door

 

Reviews Of Insulated, Weatherproof, & Energy Efficient Dog Doors, & Dog Doors For Cold Weather & Hot Weather

Perfect Pet The All Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door: Review

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the Perfect Pet The All Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door here:

* For wall installations, you can get the Wall Kit (on Amazon)

* For extra weather protection, you can get the Weather Proofing Kit (on Amazon)

 

Features

An all weather type dog door made of energy efficient structural foam molded plastic

Comes in 4 sizes from small through to super large

Super Large comes with a 15 inch x 23.5 inch flap size opening, and is for dogs up to around 120lbs

It has a double vinyl flap design that creates an energy efficient air pocket in the middle of the door

As standard it can be installed into most exterior household doors with the ¾-inch to 1 ¾-inch thickness frame that comes with the dog door

Door installed pet doors have an air pocket of up to 3 inches

The pet door can be wall installed if you separately buy a wall kit

The air pocket between the pet door flaps on wall installed pet doors is up to 9 inches

Has brush seals on the side interior of the frame for further insulation

Has magnetic seals on the bottom of the flaps to catch and seal the flaps

Has a security panel you insert on the inside of the door to completely close/lock off the door from outside animals and people

Quite easy to install

 

Drawbacks

Sometimes the flaps get caught on the internal brush seals, and let outside cold or hot air in

Sometimes the magnetic strips don’t fully stick and it leaves one flap slightly unsealed

Not a really cheap pet door

 

Overall

Overall, as an all weather energy efficient dog door, it works quite well and generally is worth the money for pets right up to the 110-120lbs range. There’s no perfect pet door on the market, but this one is pretty good.

 

What Is The Perfect Pet The All Weather Dog Door Designed For?

It’s designed as an insulated energy efficient dog door for cold weather or hot weather, and can fit pets up to 120lbs through the Super Large size opening flap.

It’s designed for door installation, or wall installation with an additional wall kit.

 

Who Might The Perfect Pet All Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door Be For?

People who want a weatherproof energy efficient dog door

People who want a cold and hot weather dog door

People who want a dog door for small through to large pets

People who want to install in a door or wall

People who want an easy to install door

 

Who Might The Perfect Pet All Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door NOT Be For?

People with extra large and Giant pets over 120lbs

People who want a cheap dog door

 

Endura Flap Dog Door: Review

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the Endura Flap Dog Doors here:

 

Features

An extreme weather type dog door for hot and cold climates

Is strong and secure

Comes in 3 different colors – white, bronze and tan

Comes in door mount, and wall mount models

The wall mount models come with an aluminum frame and tunnel for walls up to 8″ thick, and most wall types including brick and concrete

The door mount models come with a Self Framing Extruded Aluminum frame that can be installed in all types of doors including, but not limited to: solid core doors, hollow core doors, metal doors, storm doors, paneled doors, french doors

Comes in single flap, and double flap models

The flaps have magnetic strip seals and are made of PVC material

The door has a locking cover for security

Comes in 4 sizes from small through to extra large

The Extra Large model has a 12″ w x 22″ h flap opening, 15 5/8″ w x 28″ h outside frame dimension and 14 11/16” w x 27 1/8” h cutout size

Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA

 

Drawbacks

Doors do not come cheap

Can be very difficult to install the wall mount models as they are a very tight fit in between the wall studs. You may need professional help to cut out and fix the door

Mounting hardware, mainly the screws, could be higher quality and more standard sized 

 

Overall

Overall, it is a strong/sturdy dog door that provides a good level of insulation, particularly the double flap versions.

The install can be a pain though – you may need a professional to help you, or if you do it yourself, you can to give it time and effort to plan, cut and fix the door and cutout.

There are cheaper less sturdy energy efficient type pet doors on the market like the Ideal Pet Ruff Weather Pet Door.

 

What Is The Endura Flap Dog Door Designed For?

There are wall mount AND door mount models. They are for small through to large pets.

They are designed as energy efficient insulated pet doors for colder or warmer temperatures, and are quite strong.

 

Who Might The Endura Flap Dog Door Be For?

People who want a weatherproof energy efficient dog door

People who want a secure dog door

People who want a strong dog door

People who want a high quality dog door

People with small through to large pets

 

Who Might The Endura Flap Dog Door NOT Be For?

People who want a cheaper insulated dog door

People who want an easy to install pet door

People with pets that can’t fit through a 12″ w x 23″ h opening

 

PetSafe Extreme Weather Pet Door: Review

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the PetSafe Extreme Weather Pet Door:

 

Features

A pet door designed for energy efficiency and insulation in extreme weather environments (hot or cold)

For installation on most standard exterior house doors

The R Value of the 3 flap system on the door is 4.78 – roughly 3.5 times more energy efficient and insulated than a single flap door

The inside and outside flaps close via magnetic strips to seal off the door opening

Comes in three sizes – small, medium and large

Large is for pets up to 100lbs

Large size door opening size is 10 1/8 inches width by 16 1/4 inches height

You can adjust the hang of the flap

You can paint the pet door frame to match your door

Comes with a snap on closing panel to close off and secure the door from being entered or exited

Detailed installation instructions, cutting template and installation hardware

 

Drawbacks

It’s frustrating and can take a few hours to install this door because of the materials and the awkward way you have to have the frame/insulation in, then put the cover and screws over the top.

The door cover itself could be made of stronger material than the flimsy plastic it is made of

The screws and hardware supplied are nylon and not solid steel – they could be replaced with steel screws to be much stronger

The door frame/tunnel could be thicker and stronger

The security panel that secures to the back of the door could slide in more securely and have a mechanism to lock it in which is doesn’t

 

Overall

Overall, after you’ve got the door installed, for the price – the door is worth it if you’re looking for a cold weather of insulated type dog door.

It’s not the strongest dog door out there, but it’s fairly energy efficient as long as the magnetic strips on the outer doors stay on and keep their magnetism.

 

What Is The PetSafe Extreme Weather Pet Door Designed For?

It’s designed as an insulated energy efficient dog door for cold weather, and for dogs up to 100lbs.

It’s designed for door installation.

 

Who Might The PetSafe Extreme Weather Pet Door Be For?

People who want a weatherproof energy efficient dog door

People who want a cold and hot weather dog door

People who want a dog door for small through to large pets

 

Who Might The PetSafe Extreme Weather Pet Door NOT Be For?

People with extra large and Giant pets

People who want a super strong dog door with strong hardware

People who want a super secure dog door

People who want an easy to install dog door

 

Security Boss MaxSeal Dog Door: Review

If you prefer, you can go straight to viewing the Security Boss MaxSeal dog doors:

 

Features

Doors are designed to be insulated, to seal and keep your house secure i.e. to protect your house from weather, and extra security

They have a R-Value Greater than Dual Pane Windows – R Value is a measure of energy efficiency

Come in door installed, wall installed or patio door installed models

They will fit standard house doors

They will fit walls 2 to 10 inches thick

They come with a UV treated vinyl flap and a 1/2 inch thick composite security panel

Flap is weatherised which means it stays flexible in temps in excess of -20 degrees

Flap closes with a magnetic closure

There’s a dead bolt designer locking pin

Option for either single or double flap

Option for small through to behemoth size

Small size has an opening 6 inches wide by 7.5 inches high

Behemoth size has an opening 15.75 inches wide by 32 inches high

There’s black or white frames to choose from

Installation instructions and specifications on the Security Boss website are quite extensive and specific

 

Drawbacks

These pet doors are quite expensive

 

Overall

Overall, you can’t fault the quality of the doors. They are built extremely well, are easy to install, work well in cold weather and snowy areas, and are quite secure with the slide in security panel.

However, the cost is pretty high. Although not as strong and high quality overall, the Ideal Pet Ruff Weather Dog Door is worth a look as a cheaper alternative.

 

What Is The Security Boss MaxSeal Dog Door Designed For?

The door is designed for door, wall or patio door installation for small through to large dogs.

It is made as an insulated and secure dog door.

 

Who Might The Security Boss MaxSeal Dog Door Be For?

People who want a weatherproof energy efficient dog door

People who want a secure dog door

People who want an easy to install and strong dog door

People who want a high quality dog door

People with small through to large pets

 

Who Might The Security Boss MaxSeal Dog Door NOT Be For?

People who want a cheaper insulated dog door

People with pets too big for a 15.75 inches wide by 32 inches high opening

 

Ruff Weather Dog Door: Review

If you prefer, you can go straight to checking out the Ruff Weather Dog Door here:

* You can purchase a Wall Installation Kit (on Amazon) that allows you to install this dog door on walls

* You can purchase an additional Weatherproofing Kit With Strips (on Amazon) for extra weatherproofing and insulation/protection against hot and cold weather

 

Features

Designed as an insulated, energy efficient dog door for hot and cold weather

The system works by having two flaps, and an air pocket of 3 inches thick between the flaps as an insulator

It is for installation to regular exterior house doors

There’s also an additional and options wall tunnel kit you can purchase that increases the air pocket to up to 9 inches – it also allows you to install the door on walls instead of doors

Has a telescoping inner frame that can adjust between 3/4 of an inch to 1 and 3/4 of an inch in depth

Door can be installed on walls from 4 3/4 inch to 7 1/4 inch deep when bought with the wall kit

The door is made from structural foam molded plastic with clear vinyl insulated flaps

Comes in 4 sizes from Small through to Super Large

Super Large is for dogs up to 120lbs

Super Large has a flap size of 15 inches wide by 23.5 inches tall

Flaps have a magnetic seal

 

Drawbacks

The flaps can sometimes not seal properly when they come back down – perhaps because of the magnetic strips not connecting properly, and the frame not being flush with the flaps

The screws could be better quality – they can strip easy and aren’t super thick

Installation can be a little annoying – the screw holes may not line up. It can take a little bit of time and modifying to get the door in completely flush and working as you like

In cold weather, the flaps seem to go quite stiff instead of being floppy

For super small sausage type dogs, they may struggle slightly getting over the bottom frame of the dog door

 

Overall

Overall, for the price this is a good insulated dog door for cold or hot weather, despite a few little drawbacks

 

What Is The Ruff Weather Dog Door Designed For?

It’s mainly designed as an energy efficient insulator type dog/pet door for cold weather or warmer weather.

 

Who Is The Ruff Weather Dog Door For?

People who want an affordable dog door

People who want a wall, or door installable dog door

People who want an insulated dog door

People who want a dog door for pets up to 120lbs

People who have pets that can fit through a 15 inches wide by 23.5 inches tall opening flap

 

Who Is The Ruff Weather Dog Door NOT For?

People who want a regular dog door

People who want a super cheap dog door

People who want a dog door for pets over 120lbs

People who have pets that won’t fit through a 15 inches wide by 23.5 inches tall opening flap

People who want to install on anything other than a standard wall or standard door

 

Best Lockable Dog Door With A Lock, Or Security Panel

You may want a dog door with a bit more security, so we’ve outlined some of th best lockable dog door with locking features or a security panel/close off panel.

 

Our top picks for the best lockable dog doors with locks or security panels are:

Regular Pet Doors

 

Heavy Duty &/Or Weatherproof Pet Doors

 

Electronic & Automatic Pet Doors

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

 

Window Sash Pet Door

 

Screen Door Pet Doors

 

Dog Doors With Security Panels & Close Off Panels

Most of the dog doors above come with close off panels.

These are simply hard plastic panels that you slide or clip onto the inside face of the dog door (from the inside of your house), to close off the opening.

 

Dog Doors With Manual Locks & Keys

The regular Plexidor Dog Door (on Amazon) comes with a steel security plate and a manual lock and key mechanism.

This offers a bit of an upgrade in locking security over the other close off panel dog doors.

 

Dog Doors With Electronic/Automatic Locking

The electronic/automatic dog doors stay locked and closed off as a default.

They only open or unlock when a pet with an identifying chip, tag or collar approach the door.

 

Burglar Resistant Dog Doors

Whilst no dog door can be completely burglar proof if an intruder has the right tools, some dog doors do provide more security than others.

Most standard dog doors come with a plastic slide in cover to close off the door, but the dog doors we’ve identified below come with security features that are a bit stronger and more secure than that.

Locks with keys, locking pins and steel security panels are features of some of these dog doors.

 

Our top picks for the best burglar proof & secure dog doors are:

 

How Do Each Of The Secure Dog Doors Above Work?

Plexidor Dog Doors

The door comes with a cylinder lock, key and steel security plate. The door can be locked with the key, and the steel security plate can be attached to close off the door.

 

Security Boss MaxSeal Pet Door

Comes with a 1/2″ thick insulated composite security panel. Also has a dead-bolt designer locking pin that locks over the panel.

 

Endura Flap Dog Door

Has a security close off cover that is the equivalent to 1/16″ sheet of steel – clips in place with a clipping feature

 

Heavy Duty Dog Doors

Some dog doors are made of stronger materials than the average dog door, which makes them more heavy duty and stronger

For example, some of them feature for example hardened panel openings, which are more chew proof than a vinyl flap.

 

Our top picks for the best heavy duty, chew proof and strong dog doors are:

  • Door Mounted Plexidor Dog Door (on Amazon), or Wall Mounted Plexidor Dog Door (on Amazon) – strong and secure pet door, with largest size offering a flap opening of 16 inches wide by 23 3/4 inches high, for pets up to 220lbs. Have plexiglass panels instead of flaps – better for dogs that chew. Also comes with a lock, key and steel security plate
  • Security Boss MaxSeal Pet Door For Doors (on Amazon) – Insulating, Sealing and Security Pet Door. Largest size flap opening is 15 3/4 inches wide x 32 inches high, for extra large to Giant dogs. Made of a heavy duty aluminum frame, and comes with a top loading close off panel, and locking pin
  • Endura Flap Double Flap Door Mount Pet Door (on Amazon) – energy efficient dog door. Extra Large model has a 12″ w x 22″ h flap opening, for extra large to Giant dogs. Made of heavy gauge aluminum framing. Also comes with a security close off cover that is the equivalent to 1/16″ sheet of steel – clips in place with a clipping feature

 

*Some heavy duty dog doors have thicker or stronger panel openings, or are solid and not easy easy to chew, instead of softer chewable door flaps

 

What Makes A Dog Door Heavy Duty, Strong or Chew Proof?

Heavy duty and strong dog doors are usually made of stronger metal materials like a heavier metal frame, instead of for example a plastic or thinner frame that might come with regular pet doors.

Chew proof dog doors will come with a flap that is hard, and therefore chewers will be discouraged to try chew it.

Softer vinyl flaps might be easier for chewing dogs to get a hold of.

 

Dog Door Replacement Flaps

Some dog doors have replacement flaps available.

Usually, you’ll want to buy a dog flap that is the same brand as the dog door you have, and is compatible with the model of dog door you have (chekc the product description for confirmation).

You also have to consider getting the right size flap, and making sure the number of mounting holes in the flap match the door.

Some of the more popular replacement flaps on the market at the moment are:

 

What Is A Dog Door Insert?

A dog door insert is usually what people are talking about when they are referring to a dog door that goes into a sliding glass door.

This is because the dog door comes with a glass insert piece that goes above the door to fit into and match into the existing glass door.

Dog doors for window sashes do the same thing with window siding to match into the existing windows.

Having said that, some people call dog doors in general dog door inserts as well, like for example when referring to a dog door that can be installed or inserted to custom fit a french door made of wood and glass – where the glass and wood has to be custom cut away to install the dog door.

 

Dog Doors For Renters & Rental Properties

Renters may need to prioritise not cutting into doors and walls, not making permanent changes, and a dog door that can be removed and taken away when they leave their rental property.

Below we’ve listed the top rated dog door options that allow a temporary but secure installation, which might be a good solution for renters.

You should still get permission from the landlord or owners of the rental property before installation just to make sure they are ok with it though.

 

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

Aluminum

 

Vinyl

 

Aluminum Window Sash Pet Doors

 

Magnetic Screen Door Pet Door

 

How To Know What Pet Door To Get For A Rental Property

The pet door options above can be mounted into aluminum sliding doors, vinyl sliding doors, aluminum window sashes and regular door frames WITHOUT any cutting or permanent modification required.

They can all be installed and removed easily without causing damage to the rental property.

So first, pick where you want to install or mount your pet door, then pick a pet door that suits that installation location.

If you read the product description of the pet door they should tell you one or both of these things:

The type of door or window the pet door can be mounted on 

The thickness, height or width of door or window the pet door can be mounted on 

 

It also helps if you read the installation guide/manual provided by the manufacturer before you buy the pet door – they usually give you more information on the type of door it can be mounted on, and how you might approach installation for doors made of different materials.

 

Installing A Pet Door At A Rental Property

No installation information is a substitute for the instructions in the installation guide/manual provided by the dog door manufacturer.

So, make sure you read this information.

But in general, sliding door, window sash, and magnetic pet doors can be installed without any cutting.

Sliding door and window sash pet doors fit into the sliding door track or window sash and are then tightened or fixed into the track or sash.

The magnetic pet door is fixed with thumbtacks to the door frame.

 

Best Dog Door That Installs Without Cutting A Door

Our top picks for the best dog doors that install without cutting are:

Aluminum & Vinyl Sliding Glass Door Pet Doors

Aluminum

 

Vinyl

 

Aluminum Window Sash Pet Doors

 

Other than the above options, another potential option is a magnetic screen door.

 

Advantages Of Dog Doors That Don’t Require Cutting

Easy to install

Easy to remove

Not permanent

Won’t leave your door with a hole in it 

 

How To Install A Dog Door Without Cutting

The dog door manufacturer should tell you how to install the dog door and give you detailed instruction and a manual/guide on how do so.

They may have videos available as well that tell you how to install their product.

For sliding doors, you usually fit the dog door between the top and bottom track, fix it in place, seal it with weatherstrips and make sure the existing sliding door can lock into it for security.

Window sash dog doors are similar whereby you simply secure the door into the existing sash without cutting.

 

Dog Doors For Different Breeds Of Dogs

Below are some common sizes of different dog breeds.

You may use these dimensions as a general guide when looking at different sizes of dog doors.

 

Dog Door For A Labrador

Consider that a Labrador is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 80lbs in weight, and stands about 21-25 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Golden Retriever

Consider that a Golden Retriever is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 75lbs in weight, and stands about 21-24 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Border Collie

Consider that a Border Collie is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 45lbs in weight, and stands about 19-22 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Boxer

Consider that a Boxer is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 80lbs in weight, and stands about 22-25 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Weimaraner

Consider that a Weimaraner is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 85lbs in weight, and stands about 25-27 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Greyhound

Consider that a Greyhound is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 85lbs in weight, and stands about 26-29 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Beagle

Consider that a Beagle is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 30lbs in weight, and stands about 12-15 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Pitbull

Consider that a Pitbull is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 85lbs in weight, and stands about 17-21 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Husky

Consider that a Husky is usually, on average, a medium to large sized breed up to about 60lbs in weight, and stands about 20-24 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Corgi

Consider that a Corgi is usually, on average, a small to medium sized breed up to about 30lbs in weight, and stands about 10-12 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Whippet

Consider that a Whippet is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 50lbs in weight, and stands about 19-21 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For An English Bulldog

Consider that an English Bulldog is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 50lbs in weight, and stands about 12-15 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Staffy

Consider that a Staffy is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 40lbs in weight, and stands about 14-17 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Schnauzer

Consider that miniature Schnauzers are small, whilst standard Schnauzers are a medium sized breed of dog,

A miniature Schnauzers is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 20lbs in weight, and stands about 13-15 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

A standard Schnauzer is usually, on average, a medium sized breed up to about 50lbs in weight, and stands about 17-19 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Poodle

Consider that miniature and toy Poodles are small, whilst standard Poodles are a large sized breed of dog

A miniature Poodle is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 17lbs in weight, and stands about 11-15 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

A standard Poodle is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 70lbs in weight, and stands about 15-22 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A French Bulldog

A full grown French Bulldog is usually, on average, a small to medium sized breed up to about 28lbs in weight, and stands about 11-12 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Jack Russell

Consider that a Jack Russell is usually, on average, a small to medium sized breed up to about 17lbs in weight, and stands about 10-15 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Maltese

Consider that a Maltese is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 7lbs in weight, and stands about 8-10 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Yorkie

Consider that a Yorkie is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 4-6lbs in weight, and stands about 8 to 9 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Pomeranian

Consider that a Pomeranian is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 7lbs in weight, and stands about 7 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Chihuahua

Consider that a Chihuahua is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 6lbs in weight, and stands about 6-9 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Pug

Consider that a Pug is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 18lbs in weight, and stands about 10-14 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Shih Tzu

Consider that a Shih Tzu is usually, on average, a small sized breed up to about 16lbs in weight, and stands about 9-10 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Boston Terrier

Consider that a Boston Terrier is usually, on average, a small to medium sized breed up to about 25lbs in weight, and stands about 12-17 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Rottweiler

Consider that a Rottweiler is usually, on average, a large to XL sized breed up to about 130lbs in weight, and stands about 22-25 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Doberman

Consider that a Doberman is usually, on average, a large sized breed up to about 80lbs in weight, and stands about 24-28 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Great Dane

Consider that a Great Dane is usually, on average, a Giant sized breed up to about 200lbs in weight, and stands up to 34 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A St Bernard

Consider that a St Bernard is usually, on average, a Giant sized breed up to about 180lbs in weight, and stands up to 30 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Mastiff

Consider that a Mastiff, let’s take an English Mastiff for example, is on average a Giant sized breed up to about 220lbs in weight, and stands up to 30 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Dog Door For A Newfoundland

Consider that a Newfoundland is usually, on average, an XL sized breed up to about 150lbs in weight, and stands up to 29 inches at the shoulders/withers in height.

 

Other ‘Best’ Guides For Dog Doors

We’ve also listed some of the best dog doors for specific purposes here:

Best Dog Doors For Two Different Sized Dogs

Best Doors With A Dog Door Already Built In & Installed

 

Dog Door Alternatives

There could be a number of reasons you don’t want a normal dog door installed in your house door.

The cost, the installation, the way they look, and permanently having a hole cut in your door can be among the reasons for this.

With this in mind, we’ve listed some dog door alternatives below.

 

Our top pick for the best dog door alternative is:

 

Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door

Features

A temporary pet door made of heavy duty mesh – allows your pets and children to come in and out as they please, but keeps bugs and other insects out

Installation and removal is very quick and leaves no permanent hole or damage on your door frame

To install, you simply fix the mesh with the metal black thumbtacks and weather resistant hook and loop backing 

It closes and seals with magnetic cubes and seals

Fits all doors up to 38 inches wide by 82 inches tall

Can be used on fixed screen door and fits front, rear, interior or exterior, entry, patio, deck, porch, balcony, glass, garage, and even sliding doors

Allows great ventilation

The screen door is easy to roll up and store away when you aren’t using it

 

Drawbacks

The magnets could seal better

The mesh opening is narrower at the top – taller adults will have to bend over to get through

Not for cold weather climates as it will let the cold air and rain/snow in

 

Overall

A cheap and temporary alternative to a pet door

 

A Substitute For Regular Dog Doors & Magnetic Screen Doors

Another option other than regular dog doors and the above magnetic screen door might be dog doors that install without having to cut into your door.

For people looking for a dog door that leaves less damage and can be removed, these dog doors could be a good option.

 

 

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