If you have just adopted your first puppy, have moved house or just need a new dog door, then this is the article for you! Choosing the right type of doggie door is paramount to ensuring your dog’s happiness, that you are not inconvenienced and that your home security is not threatened. To help you choose just the right pet door for your furry friends, we’ve put together these 4 tips and advice.
1: Think Home Security
Security and home safety is a big consideration when choosing the size and type of dog door and where you will be installing it. Unlockable, larger pet doors that are unsupervised and opens your home to the real threat of opportunistic thieves. Burglars can use it to get through if they are small enough or put their hand through to unlock your door. The same goes for home safety– an unattended doggie door on the front door may lead to a small child crawling through into the front yard or worse, onto the street! If your budget allows it, opt for a lockable pet door for maximum peace of mind or for something more budget-friendly, why not try our very own LockLatch dog door alternative – the ideal pet door for better flexibility and security.
2: Your Dog Door Budget
Then think features and design. It is better to go with a good value doggie door replacement rather than a cheaply designed one that may not stand the test of time. If you are going with the traditional dog door, consider it an investment as it’s a permanent fixture, so aim for a quality one with less features or wait for crazy holiday sales. Buying the cheapest on the market may lead to wear and tear, meaning you will have to replace it in no time – costing you double in the long run. And remember, you can always save by cutting back on features… If you plan to never leave the door unsupervised or if you place the dog door to the back garden, which has better security, than a standard one is sufficient enough.
3: The Right Size
When choosing your pet door size, consider the size of your dog and where you will be placing the it. With regards to your dog’s size, your dog will need at least two inches of clearance to ensure it will be comfortable. If your dog is fully grown, measure your dog at it’s widest parts, either the shoulders, head or the hips. Then measure their height – remembering that your dog will bend his head slightly. If you have a puppy, then choose a dog door or a pet door replacement they can grow into.
4: Where to Install Your Pet Door
Choosing where to install your dog door will depend on the a few factors, including: budget, how much you want to spend on installation, and how flexible you need the doggie door placement to be. A glass patio pet door, for example, will require a much simpler and less expensive installation than wall and door mounted doggie doors. But what if you don’t have a patio glass door, or the door leads to an area where you don’t want your pooch to roam? If you have the budget, then wall or door mounted dog doors are your best option. If you are looking for something that is DIY-friendly to save some cash then go for a doggie door replacement door latch, such as PetLatch for dogs.
We hope that these tips bring you closer to choosing the perfect pet door for you and your four-legged friend. One more suggestion before we go, try a temporary latch or use a cardboard cut out to ensure the door will not only fit your dog, but they will be comfortable using it. It could save you a fortune on installing a pet door that doesn’t fit or that your dog refuses to use!
Have some tips of your own? Please comment below or email [email protected]
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