Pet Door For Your Cat
Any cat owner knows what a hassle it can be to have to constantly open and close a door to let their cat in and out. There are a variety of pet doors on the market for all types of installations. Cat owners that live in apartments often only have a sliding glass door on a patio to use. This may seem like a problem, but there some cat doors made especially for this. A patio door can be utilized for adding a private entrance just for your cat.
Choose the Correct Size
You must think about some vital issues before you get your patio cat door. The size of your cat has to be considered. It is important to get a pet door that is big enough for your cat to use. There is an assortment of cat door styles in different sizes. Some are labeled by the weight of the pet and some by the size. There are cat doors with a range of door openings to choose from. The height off of the ground must also be considered. You want it to be very easy for your cat to step through the pet door opening. The door width is supposed to be at minimum 1″ over your cats shoulder measurement and the door height no less than 2″ over it. The “rise” (height off of ground) of the pet door needs to be 1″ less than your cat’s chest or belly.
Find the Type for Your Patio Door
Cat doors for patio or sliding doors are offered in both vinyl and aluminum. Some of these will only work in one style of door. You must know the type you have and match the cat door to it. These cat doors are placed in the tracks of the patio door and a few calls for screws being put in the patio doorframe. Make sure you study the cat door descriptions thoroughly to make certain it will work in your sliding glass door. Do not forget to find a door that will leave enough room after installation for someone to walk through it.
Other Cat Door Considerations
Additional ideas and things to consider for your patio cat door include the type, quality, security and ease of installation of it. The type could be automatic or traditional. Use an automatic door if you want it to open on its own and traditional if you want your cat to push it open. Decide if you are concerned in the energy efficiency of the door and the overall quality of it. Find a door that fits both your wants and budget, since the price can increase greatly in higher quality patio doors. Use cat doors that have locking devices, if the patio door can be accessed. This could be an electronic lock that uses a special collar on your cat to unlock or one that can be manually locked when not in use. The cat doors available can be easy to install or very complicated. Choose one that you can install or have a skilled worker mount it.
Helpful Resources:
America’s Pet Store: Cat Doors
Patio Pet Doors
Pet Street Mall: Pet Patio Doors
Moore Pet Supplies: Patio Pet Doors
Petsafe Warehouse: Patio Cat Doors
