What You Need To Know Before Buying a Pet Door

If you’re tired of having to get up in the middle of the night to let your dog out or want your pooch to have more freedom, a pet door is the perfect solution for you. Pet doors are a great way to enrich your dog’s life while making you happier. But before you purchase your new flap, here are five tips you need to know before buying a pet door.

Tip #1: Measure By Height, Not By Weight

Plenty of pet owners know their pet’s weight like the back of their hand. However, weight is not an accurate way to measure your pet for a pet door. Instead, you will need to know your pet’s height.

To find your pet’s height, measure them from their front paws to the highest point on their shoulders. And, voila! That’s their height! Now all you need to do is to compare it to the heights of each pet door size option.

When choosing a pet door size, make sure that the top edge of the pet door is at least 1” above your pet’s back. This will ensure that they aren’t injured while using the door and can use it throughout their whole lives.

Tip #2: More Installation Styles, The Merrier!

Your back door might not be the best place for you to install a pet door (but if it is, the Dragon Pet Door for Doors is a great option). Luckily, there are plenty of pet door models that allow you to install your door wherever is best for you and your pet.

There are pet doors that install into a wall facing your backyard, which is a great permanent solution. But if you’re looking for a temporary or non-damaging solution, you can also try the Dragon Pet Door for Sliding Doors. The door inserts into your sliding door track tools-free, which means that you can give your pet freedom without losing your security deposit.

Have a cat? Consider the Dragon Sash Window Pet Door. This insert installs into your window frame, giving your feline their own cat door to use to explore the backyard.

Tip #3: They’re Safer Than They Look

Plenty of pet owners want to get a dog door but are concerned that it will be a safety concern. It’s an old urban myth that burglars enter homes by climbing through pet doors. In reality, most pet doors are too small for a person to comfortably squeeze into. Plus, most burglars avoid hitting houses that have dogs in them, as dogs are great at protecting the family home.

If you’re still worried, you can always use a locking cover to block off your door at night. Locking covers are also great for sealing up your home when you leave for vacation, or the family dog has an overnight stay at the vet.

Tip #4: Not Every Pet Door is Insulated

The traditional pet door is not known for being the most insulating invention. Most flaps let in cold and hot air, which can greatly affect the cost of your heating and cooling bills. That means warmer areas like Texas would have to pay more for cooling while colder areas like Ohio would have to pay more for heating.

This is why the Dragon Pet Door is such a game-changer. Most insulating pet doors come at a high price, but the Dragon is affordable while giving your comparable insulation value. The two-part flap combined with its magnetic seal prevents the outside air from getting in.

The double flap models have the best insulation value and energy efficiency rating, as the two flaps create a buffer that prevents air from escaping. If you live in an area with any kind of extreme weather, then a double flap Dragon pet door is the one for you.

Tip #5: You Have to Train Your Pet To Use Their Door

While we like to imagine that buying and installing a brand new pet door is the hardest part, getting your dog to use the dog door is a trial all of its own.

If your cat or dog has trouble learning how to use the door, you can try incentivizing them with their favorite treat. Have them walk through the opening of your pet door without the flap down. Then, once they got the hang of going through the hole, have them try pushing the door open.

Don’t rush them through this process. Take it step by step and at your dog’s pace. Stop if they become stressed. It might take them a few days, but once they have it down, they will never forget it.

And those are the top five tips you need to know before buying a pet door. Any new purchase can be stressful, but with the right knowledge and attitude, buying a pet door can be stress and worry-free for both you and your pet.