How to Choose a Dog Door?

Dog doors are one of the simplest yet most impressive home improvement products. They make a great addition to any house, as they provide a safe and secure entrance for your dog. Having a dog door installed in your home is a great way to integrate pets into your life.

Finding the right dog door for your dog is an important decision you will make. It has the potential to save you money on your pet’s diet and help ensure a long life for your dog. There are a variety of options available to you.

Choosing a Dog Door Size:

The whole point of choosing a dog door is to keep your dog safe and secure. Any dog door that isn’t properly sized could potentially cause problems, like your dog not being able to come and go as they wish. Knowing where to start when choosing a dog door size is important. Fitting a dog door properly is important because it will protect your pet from anything that comes through the door. If your dog has a tendency to escape, then having a larger door will provide more security. The bigger the door, the more space between it and the wall. Here are some points which you have to keep in mind whole choosing the dog door size:

1. Measure your dog’s width.

Sometimes you just have to measure your dog’s width. It might be something as simple as the size of their collar or leash. The dog’s width is not just how large the dog’s head is, but also how wide their body is. So, measuring your dog’s width is a two-step process. First, you’ll need to get a good idea of how wide your dog’s body is. Measure your dog’s width with a measuring tape. Carefully measure from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose. Your dog’s mouth should be open so that you can get a good measurement for their width.

2. Weigh your dog

Weigh your dog is something that you probably don’t think about when choosing a dog gate. However, you should weigh the value of your dog gates every time you’re shopping for them. This is because a poor or poorly constructed gate can lead to injuries and even death.

3. Measure your dog’s height.

Start at the top of his shoulders and move down to his paws. Your dog can crouch, so this is just a general guide for the height of the door. You should choose the right dog door size for your dog. The door opening should be sized according to the size of your dog. The right door size will allow your dog to comfortably open and close the door.

How dog measurements convert to door measurements

The top of your dog door should be at least 2 inches taller than your dog’s height. Dog doors work best when they are 2 inches wider than the width of your dog. If your dog is not full grown, he will not be able to fit through a door that is too small for his adult size.

4. Practice with a cardboard flap.

Get a large, sturdy cardboard box. On one side, cut out a cat or dog door slightly wider than your pet’s width but shorter than their height. Place a treat in the box and see if your dog can get through the opening.

5. Adjust the cardboard door by making it slightly larger.

You can start fresh with a new account, on a new social network. The goal is to make the dog door as small as possible, but with no risk of your dog being unable to get in and out.

Select a doggie door closest in size to the cardboard door.

The height and width of the doggie door may be adjustable, so read the specifications carefully, including the weight requirements of your pets. This chart will give you a general idea of which door size to buy, but there’s no guarantee that all manufacturers label doors the same. The larger the door, the more likely you will want one that can lock or one that is only open with a sensor on the dog’s collar.

Dog Weight	Approximate Dog Door Size
Up to 15 lbs.	Small
Up to 40 lbs	Medium
Up to 100 lbs	Large
200+ lbs	Extra-Large

Safety and Security

When you hire trained security guards, having a weak link in home security isn’t such a big deal. If you have a dog door large enough for a person to squeeze through, it could be dangerous. When you are home and the dog isn’t, you should be concerned about being burgled. When both of you are home, there’s not much to worry about.

· Locking cover

Purchasing a strong pet door with a built-in lock will prevent the door from being broken into, especially while you aren’t home. Most doors come with a protective plastic barrier that you can replace with a sturdy metal barrier for increased security.

· Secure location

Dog doors installed in walls are less likely to be noticed by burglars, and they can’t be used to reach a doorknob to unlock a door. Make sure your dog door isn’t visible from the street.

· Keep pests out

Of course, burglars aren’t the only ones who can come in through pets’ doors. Mice, raccoons, possums, and other animals have been known to enter homes through pet doors. If you’re concerned about your dog escaping, consider installing an electronic-style door.