We love our pets but sometimes that early morning wake up call to go outside can get a bit tiresome. So maybe it’s time to get a doggie door or a cat pet door. But what are the important factors to consider when choosing your pet door? Read on to find out everything you need to know about choosing the right pet door and having it installed in the best location.
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Are you interested in having a pet door installed into your glass window or door? While not all pet doors are suitable for installation into glass, we do have a few recommendations. These are the pet doors we supply and install into glass.
The Transcat pet door comes in two sizes and is suitable for both cats and small dog breeds. It can be installed in glass windows and doors. The Transcat Pet Door is manufactured in New Zealand with durable polycarbonate design. It has a four way locking mechanism so that you can choose whether your pet stays in or out or is free to choose for themselves.
Pet Tek is similar to the Transcat Pet Door but the opening size is slightly longer in design. We recommend this pet door for medium sized pets with a slimmer body – like a kelpie or border collie. Like the Transcat pet door it is also made from durable polycarbonate. It is a little chunkier in design and is not suitable for all sliding doors.
Our Large Doggie door is a rectangular design with white framing around the outside but a clear polycarbonate door. It is also a slim line design with a magnetic latch. It is also lockable and tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of larger dogs. This door is suitable for dogs up to 40kg. The flat opening size is 450mm in height and 290mm in width.
Pet doors are not only convenient for you but can result in a happier and healthier pet. Here’s what you can expect after you install a pet door.
Freedom to choose, is the biggest benefit of a pet door. A pet door is what can seamlessly connect your pet’s inside world to a safe area in your outdoor world. And the best thing is they don’t need you to open the door to do it.
We all know that feeling. You’re ready for bed (or already in bed) and your pet needs to use the bathroom. When you install a pet door your pet can toilet freely on their own. No smelly mess inside. And best of all un-interrupted sleep for you.
Pet doors and cat flaps are convenient for you and your furry friend. You don’t have to act as the doorman/doorwoman when your dog needs out of the house. Pet doors are also convenient for your pet; they don’t want to wait by the door to be let out.
The yard is your pet’s way to play and explore. Instead of waiting by the door for their human, a doggie door or cat door offers easy playtime access. As long as you have a fenced-in yard, your furry friend can play outside all they want.
When choosing the best location for your pet door there are a number of things you need to consider. These include choosing a good access point that is both convenient and safe.
Often installation of pet doors into glass windows and door is the best location when considering access to the outside. But despite popular belief, it’s not as simple as cutting a hole into your existing glass and putting in a pet door. And the reason is that not all glass is created equal and there is only one type of glass that is suitable for pet door installation – Grade A Toughened Safety Glass
Determining the best pet door size can be challenging. Of course, pets come in all shapes and sizes but there are two important measurements you must consider to ensure your pet will fit. Wouldn’t want to find out the hard way once your pet door is installed!
Check out our guide for pet door advantages and disadvantages.
Before choosing your pet door, first measure your pet for accuracy.
First, use a tape measure or a ruler to measure across the chest to get the right width. Then measure from the nape of the pet’s neck to the top of the elbow to get the height. Once you have both the height and width you can then compare to the opening sizes of the pet doors to see which one would be most suitable for your pet. It doesn’t matter so much about the height of the legs when selecting the right pet door, but this is important when choosing where to position the pet door. Obviously doggies with longer legs would want the pet door placed a little higher than doggies with smaller legs.
To measure height, start at their bottom paws and measure up to their shoulders. You can also measure up to the head but your pet will almost always put their head down and use their nose to push the door open – don’t make it too high. For best results discuss positioning of the pet door with your professional glazier/pet door installer once onsite. Just keep in mind when installing pet doors into glass windows and doors you can’t have the pet door right at the bottom of the glass. There needs to be a buffer zone to maintain the integrity of the glass. This is usually between 50-70mm depending on the size of the glass and the hole.
If you have a cat, sizing your pet door is fairly simple. We recommend an opening that’s around 170mm tall and 180mm wide. This door will support a cat or small dog of up to 5kg in weight. Some larger breeds of cat may be better suited to a smaller dog door which has a larger opening size.
Most small and medium-sized dogs, such as Beagles, Cavoodles and Pugs, can fit into our Transcat Medium doggie door that has an opening size of 250mm tall and 285mm wide. This is also a suitable size for larger chunkier cats. Your dog should weigh no more than 15kg to use this door.
You also need to take into consideration the build of your dog – not just the leg length. It’s a bit like finding the right dress size. Fuller figured dogs will need a wider opening whereas slimmer dogs will be good with a narrower opening.
Whether you have a Labrador, Groodle, Poodle or even a German Shepherd, you’ll want a larger pet door. The recommended size for these breeds is 450mm in height and 290mm wide.This door is ideal for dogs up to 40kgs in weight. Bigger breeds may need an extra large pet door – just to be sure.
Once you’ve measured your pet and chosen your pet door you’ll want to know where to place your door.
The pet door should always be installed toward the bottom of the door for easy access. However, there should be some room between the bottom of the door and the pet door. Leave about 50-70mm between the bottom edge and the pet door. This is the minimum requirement for cutting a hole into the toughened glass.
Should you install the pet door or cat flap in the middle of the glass sliding door or at the side? Well, that’s up to you really but you should consider a number of factors including position of window coverings, security door, aesthetics, convenience to food and water. Also consider and whether you’re installing the pet door into a window a sliding door or hinged door.
If you have a sliding door, you can choose to have the pet door installed into the sliding door or the fixed panel – it’s up to you. Take into consideration whether you have a flyscreen and window coverings when making your decision. Either option will work well.
Beware – not all pet doors will fit in a sliding door or fixed panel. Only slimline pet door designs will be slim enough to allow your sliding door to be unimpeded.
In addition to the position of the door, you’ll need to be sure your dog or cat can easily access the pet door. Many homeowners place their pet door at the back door. If this is the case, make sure your pet knows where their door is and can easily access it whenever they please.
You’ll also want to consider the area directly outside. Can they easily and comfortably access the outside? Will they be able to easily enter through the door to come back inside?
Not all pet doors are designed to be installed into glass. And some designs can be quite chunky and ugly. But there are some seamless designs that work really well when installed in glass windows and doors. You’ll want your pet door to look sleek, almost like it’s blended into the door. This is why we offer a unique slimline design. We also always replace your door glass with Grade A Toughened Safety Glass and install your pet door inside of the glass. This results in a seamless look and ensures the safety of both you and your pet.
InstalIling a pet door is more difficult than you might think. When it comes to choosing your pet door and installing your pet door into glass we recommend choosing a qualified glazier.
Even if you’re a DIY person, this is one job you should always leave to the professionals
The only glass that is suitable for pet doors is Grade A Toughened Safety Glass. Which means if you have ordinary float glass or laminated glass then this will need to be replaced. If your glass is toughened (usually identified by a safety stamp in the corner) then a hole cannot be cut into it. If you do try to cut a hole into toughened (or tempered glass) it will shatter or explode. So either way your glass will need to be replaced.
Pet door installation therefore requires two site visits. Firstly a check measure is always required. A glazing professional will always need the exact measurements. This visit can also be used to identify where you want your pet door to be located within the glass panel.
DIY is not an option when it comes to pet door installation into glass.
Are you ready to get a pet door installed? You’ll only want help from a qualified installer. We‘re supplying and installing pet doors for homeowners and renters throughout metro Melbourne. We’ve got a handy quoting tool. It guides you through the process of choosing the right pet door and gives you a fully installed price in less than three minutes.
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