Dog Doors come in many brands and styles for nearly every type of installation throughout your home. Typically pet doors are installed in regular doors or even through a wall. Other non typical applications include sliding glass door inserts and even custom made inserts for sliding glass windows as well as sash windows. Choices range from High Performance doors; as found with the
Security Boss Line of MaxSeal Models to basic utility models offered by the Ideal Pet Products and PetSafe Brands. When browsing our selection of various brands and models, be very aware of sizing your pet to an appropriate sized dog door. Many manufacturers offer limited sizes, therefore limiting your choices especially when it come to the larger breeds.
Remember the Golden Rule For Selecting the correct Pet Door Size:
Choose a size that clears the tallest pets back by 1.5 to 2 inches, and is low enough to he ground to easily step through.
Moore Pet is dedicated to providing you the very choice in all possible dog door brands along with knowledgeable and friendly customer service to help you select the best option for you and your pet.
General Categories
Wall Models
Wall Model doors are distinguished from door mounted pet doors by the tunnel feature. This tunnel can be solid in one piece as found in the Security Boss Pet Doors or as a kit; such as in the Ideal or Plexidor model doors You need to be aware that 'tunnel kits' can present some unique issues. There are multiple seams for moisture penetration and you will fins that the overall strength is diminished as compared to a solid tunnel. Some customers elect to install a door model version into walls. This means that you would have to fabricate your own tunnel or pass-thru in the wall. If you elect to choose this option, be sure to weatherize the tunnel. Notice that each model will fit different wall thicknesses. Newer construction typically uses 2x6 stud wall construction. Some wall model doors may not extend or fit walls that are over 7 1/4". Trim-to-fit solid tunnels do not have the same problems as they typical will fit any wall from 3-10 inches.
Door Models
Door models are the most prevalent pet door available. when selecting a model, pay attention to the door thickness. Door models vary as to what thickness they will fit. Most residential doors are 1 3/4 inches to 2 inches thick. Interior doors can be 1 1/2", while storm doors range from metal plating that is 1/16 inch to 1 1/4 inch insulated.
Electronic Models
Electronic doors regulate the access of pets.
Electronic Dog Doors do not keep out criminals or add any level of home security. Models range in function from controlling access only into the house to controlling access in both directions, both in and out. Activation is always triggered by a collar tag the pet wears. This triggering of the door is done by various methods; magnetic, sonic or RFID. The main difference between these methods is the uniqueness of the signal. RFID tags allow you to program each collar tag for a unique signature the door recognizes, sonic is a frequency wave that triggers a sensor in the door, and magnetic sends a signal to a receiving coil in the door.
We have found that the magnetic version dog doors are the most reliable as there is less 'electronics' to malfunction. Magnetic triggered doors are immune to wet or rough conditions as the pet only wears a magnet.
Info to Consider When Purchasing a Dog Door
Kennel Dog Doors
Kennel doors are unique in that they are built tough for abusive and intense conditions. These doors are typically not the variety one would use in a residential situation. They tend to be more simple in their function, but designed to withstand a kennel environment.
Window Models
Window mounted doors are made to fit both side sliding and sash style windows. They have either one or two adjustable ends that allow the user o set in the channel the window slides in. The window then settles next to the unit. Weather stripping is always included to form a good weather seal. The attraction of these units is that there is little effort to installing, usually without any hardware. They can be taken out and put into place very quickly and easily.
Custom Made
Custom Made units are popular for those customers looking to replace an under performing pet door and don't want to re-cut or alter their existing opening through the door or wall. Custom doors are also great for owners of giant and larger breeds that need a dog door that will easily accompany an elderly or arthritic dog.
Cat Doors
Cat doors are unique. They are of course smaller, but have common features such as 4-way locking that allow the owner to set the door manually so that when a cat enters the house in the evening, they cannot exit again until the setting is changed. These useful features are usually found in the rigid flap style doors, but customers who want a weather proof door usually choose dual flexible flap models. Typical hard flap cat doors offer zero insulating qualities. Cat door models are available in door, wall, window and patio sliding door versions.
Screen Pet Doors
Screen Pet Door models are just what they would seem. Models that are designed for installation into screens. This includes window and door screens as well as sliding screen doors.
Storm Door | Porches | Overhead Garage Doors
These categories reflect the pet door models that will typically work for these situations. What makes them work for these categories is predominately the thickness that the door will fit. The doors we illustrate as choices are those that have worked best for that particular application. If you have questions or would like to see if another may work in the application yuou have, we encourage you to call our representatives and we can provide guidance.
Always consider the breed of the dog that will be using your new dog door.
Large and Giant Dog Breeds may be susceptible to mobility ailments such as arthritis or problematic hips as they age. A
pet door that is too small may aggravate a small ailment, resulting in a more serious condition that may be detrimental to the overall health of your dog. Typically, Dogs don't slow down or take it easy if they have pain or aggravation. A dog that barrels outside several times a day through a wrongly sized, small pet door to check on the neighborhood squirrels may aggravate a small injury, leaving you with Vet bills and a less than happy pet. A
Dog Door should be purchased with the following in mind: The pet opening should clear the the shoulders of your tallest pet by 1 1/2 to 2 inches. The width should be ample so that the dog does not rub the sides. Finally, the Pet door should be positioned so that your dog can easily step over...while young and as an older dog.
Dog Door Summary:
1.
Top of pet door clears tallest dog's back by 1.5 to 2 inches
2.
Door width should allow for easy passage without rubbing
3.
Pet Door should be mounted low enough to floor to allow easy step through