Best dog doors reviews

It`s always tricky trying to keep Harley in a different room/area especially when I have to feed young children, complete household chores, ensure he doesn’t go to the room which has just been cleaned etc. Installing a dog door will make your life a lot easier while also keeping your dog safe. This best dog door review will help you find out which are the most popular and effective ones you can get.

Benefits of Getting A Top Rated Dog Door

There’s a long list of benefits that comes along with getting a dog door fitted in your house. The most important and satisfying benefit however is to see your dog as close to the natural surroundings as possible, uninterrupted by human intervention. For those of you who haven’t yet thought of the benefits, I’ve listed a few for you.

Video: 8 Best Pet Doors 2016

Your dog can go in and out any time he wants

Wouldn’t you love it if your dog is as independent that you’d imagined? A dog owner’s dream, isn’t it? Well, that’s what a dog door does for you. Once your dog is accustomed to it, it relieves you of the chore of taking him out for his morning rituals. What it also does is that it allows you to concentrate on other important things, especially if you are running a tight ship. So you can totally forget about caring for every little thing that you have to attend to, and live your life worry free.

Less of a mess

One of the challenges for your dog or any other pet that live in homes which don’t have dog doors is that most of the owners usually take their dogs out for a walk during specific times of the day. This is something they get used to and many a times they have to hold the urge to pee until they can get out. As a result, over a period of time there are chances that they develop bladder infections and UTIs. So installing the best dog door will rid them of these issues as well as prevent certain accidents. This is especially true for those living in cold weather. Hence it would do good to look out for the best dog doors for cold weather that address this problem specifically.

Manage and control over your pet’s access to the house

In addition to the above benefits, you can also have complete control over your pet’s access to the house. There are several options out there to choose from. Installing electronic dog doors will help you in a major way as you don’t have to bear the headache of being at home all the time. Some of the smart ones come with a time controlled feature. You can look for the best electronic dog doors if that’s what you want.

What To Consider

Okay so you’ve decided to get a dog door installed for your pet. But do you know where to start? First things first, do you know what kind of door are you looking for? Are you looking for an electronic dog door, or a dog door installed in walls, or probably a dog door for cold weather if you stay in a region that’s snowing for most part of the year? I can help you with it as I have spent quite some time figuring this out for my own dog. So read on.

Also Read: Most popular dog gates you can get for your home

Where to install

This should be one of your primary decisions. When I decided to install the dog door after my bit of research, I did it on the side that opened to the lawn so it was easier for my dog to step out and step in. So you could either opt for the sliding glass door, or the screen door, the storm door, etc.

Size of the Door

The size of the door depends on which breed of dog you have at your home. So smaller dogs like a pug would need a small sized door while larger dogs like a Doberman would need larger doors. The general rule of thumb is to measure the width and height of your dog and add a couple of inches to that measurement so they can pass through easily.

Energy efficiency and Durability

The more energy efficient your dog doors are, the more you’ll save on your heating and cooling bills. Hence, it would be rewarding to pay attention to the material used for your dog door, especially if you have a chewer or a scratcher.

Self installation or Outsourcing

Most dog doors come with detailed instructions that let you install them on your own. However, sometimes the installation can go horribly wrong. In such a scenario, don’t rule out the possibility of getting a service from the handyman or the contractor.

Budget

The final and one of the most important factors to consider is the budget you have for a dog door. The price for a dog door can start anywhere for as low as $30 and can go up to $600 for the high-tech automatic variants available in the market.

7 of the Best Dog Doors

So what are the best dog doors out there? Which are the ones that suit your pet? Are the doors lighter or heavier? Are they durable? Are they within your budget? Rest assured. I have figured it out for you. While this is not an ultimate list, it’s certainly a comprehensive one garnered after countless hours on the internet, looking at material, safety, reviews, etc. So have a look.

Petsafe Passport Pet Door

Industry leaders in the US for manufacturing of pet behaviour, containment, and lifestyle products, the PetSafe Passport Pet Door is a good option that combines technology with safety. Armed with timer modes to restrict access to specific times of the day, the PetSafe brand also comes with Passport Keys (sold separately) that fit into the collar of the pet allowing them to move in and out whenever they want. Priced at just over $150, this is one item worth looking at.

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Pros:

Delivery was quick and product was as described
Comes with a timer mode
The gaskets are efficiently weather sealing!
Use the LCD screen or 5 button navigation to program it easily

Cons:

Passport keys fail to trigger the unlock mode and the pet is stuck either inside or outside
The doors make an exceptionally loud noise during shutting which scares the animals

Plexidor Performance Pet Door

The best one in this list probably, the PlexiDor Performance Pet Door is just what the doctor ordered. A simple hassle free design, efficient weather seal plexiglass panels, 5 year limited residential warranty, and a size big enough for pets of all sizes to pass through, this is an out and out winner. Slightly expensive but definitely worth it.

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Pros:

The saloon style doors are easy for the pets to open, noiseless, and sturdy
Easy to clean
Almost no air leakage once locked

Video: The reasons why the Endura Flap is the best pet door

Cons:

Installation takes longer than usual

Ideal Pet Screen Door

The Ideal Screen Guard Pet Door is a very basic screen door for your pet. With a flexible vinyl flap and easy installation, it is an ideal starting point to look at for your pets to get used to

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Pros:

Easy for the pet to move in and move out
Installation can be done without a contractor on your own
Cheap budget option at the lower end of the range

Video: Top 5 Best Dog Door 2016

Cons:

The screen guard is not part of standard product. It is sold separately

Patio Pacific Endura

The Patio Pacific Endura is an all weather wall mounted flap door that works well for pets of all sizes. Available in 4 sizes, this pet door is built for outstanding energy efficiency and maximum wind resistance from moderate to extreme climates. Add to that, easy installation and a security locking cover when not in use, and you’ve got something special with a 10 year warranty on the aluminium frame and 15 years on the flap.

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Pros:

Quick and easy installation
Solid framing, metal tunnel and a quality lock-door
Easy for the pets to move in and out

Cons:

Delivery of components was done separately

Patio Pacific Thermo Panel

The Patio Pacific Thermo Panel is a sliding glass door panel equipped with an all weather version. This can resist wind resistance from moderate to the most extreme climates

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Pros:

Delivery was quick and product was as described
Insulated and environmentally friendly
Maximum wind resistance
Can be shared between different pets of all sizes

Cons:

A little more pricey
Screws have to purchased separately and are not easily available with retailers

Petsafe Freedom Patio

The PetSafe Freedom Patio is as portable as a door can get. Made for apartments and condos, it comes with a durable aluminium frame including weather stripping and sliding close-in panel. Add to that, tinted flap with magnetic closure and pile weather stripping for a weather-resistant seal.

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Pros:

Quality door with a security lock
Easy installation and maintenance
Easy to understand instructions

Cons:

The lock doesn’t work sometimes
Sometimes, light winds can open the flap. You just have to push it back in position if you want to.

Petsafe Extreme Weather Door

The PetSafe Extreme Weather Door is the one of the most energy efficient weather doors you can come across in this list. It offers durable and multiple flaps that give your pet the ability to move out or come in with ease. A snap-on closing panel is included as well in case you wanted to restrict access and can be easily installed on both doors and walls.

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Pros:

Very energy efficient due to multiple flaps.
Easy to install
The delivery was quick
Very well insulated for different climates as it has a unique 3 flap system

Cons:

Corners of the frame may not meet sometimes and have to be taped to be kept together

Video: Plexidor Saloon Style Pet Door

Conclusion

Picking out the best dog door might be one of the more challenging tasks. With thousands of products out there and several more reviews, it does matter to make the right choice for your pet. Hopefully, this article addresses some of those concerns and helps you in your quest to pick out the best dog door for your pet.