Answering Some Common Questions About Pet Doors

A pet door can ensure your personal comfort and the comfort of your pet, as such a door allows a dog or cat access to your yard when they need to relieve themselves or come in from the cold, without you needing to get up and open the door. A pet door is a good choice if you leave your pets alone in the home for long periods of time, and for nocturnal pets, such as cats, who may want to head outside and expend some energy while you're trying to sleep! Whatever your needs for a pet door, note a few common questions you might have about their installation, so you know if they're a good choice for your home.

What about intruders?

If you're worried about someone crawling through a pet door, note that you can opt for a lockable model, which works with a sensor on your pet's leash. This type of pet door only unlocks when your pet approaches.

You can also have the door installed in the middle or to one side of the entryway door, under its hinges, so that it's far from the doorknob and lock. In this location, a potential intruder would not be able to reach or even use a tool of some sort and unlock the door handle.

What if the home doesn't have a back door?

A pet door can typically be installed in any type of patio door; a cut can be made in glass or a screen, and a pet door then easily installed. A pet door can even be installed in an exterior wall; a contractor can cut a space between the wall studs and the exterior brick or siding, and install the pet door in this space, so you don't actually need a standard back entryway door to have a pet door installed.

What if the pet is kept in a kennel or outside?

A pet door can be installed in a kennel, barn, garage, or other such structure; as said above, this door can be added in a cut through a wall, or in any number of door styles. If you have outdoor cats that sleep in a barn, or have a kennel for dogs and want to keep the door closed at night so the animals are comfortable, an installer can add the pet door to the wall, windows, or screens of such structures, giving your pet the same access to these buildings as they would have for your home.