There are pet doors for every application. Door mounted pet doors, wall mounted, window inserts (side sliding and double hung), patio inserts, electronic pet doors as well as fully automatic pet doors. There are so many types of pet doors that it can be confusing as to which is best for your needs and your application requirements. The following tips are a great way to get started:
When selecting a pet door for your pet , consider the stature and physical size of the animal more than weight. Some of the less expensive pet door offerings may ask you to pick a size: small, medium, or large. Or they may say, "For pets under 15 pounds", and so forth and so on. This is not the best way to size for pet doors.
Pet doors should be sized so that the top of the opening is approximately 1-1 1/2 inches higher that the top of the pet's shoulders. This is to ensure that the back of the pet will not hit the top of the opening as they go through the opening. This can be very painful to your pet as it hits the spine.
The bottom of the opening should be low enough to the floor to ensure that the pet will be able to step through easily enough without stepping too high or having to actually jump through. This can be especially important with pets that have arthritis. If you have several pets, make sure the opening will clear the back of the tallest pet, but will also be low enough to the floor for the smallest pet to use the door easily.
Sizing your pet correctly for any type of pet door is crucial. Many times pet owners will select too small of a size. This is especially true when owners think of adding pet doors while their pet is still young. Pets will grow and you should plan for this when you size your pet doors.
Getting the right pet door takes some advance thinking, but it's important that you do so before committing to a pet door that will be too small for your pet a year or two down the road. In fact, pet doors that are too small can, after time, actually injure your pet's back, spine, and hips.
Prices for pet doors are very dependent on the type of pet door you want. Some are very affordable and easy to install, while others can be rather expensive and may require the installation skills of a professional carpenter. The best way to gauge the price is to do some comparison shopping. But make sure your pet doors are sized properly before you do your shopping so you will know exactly what you need or what your limits are for you new pet doors.
