What’s a Cat Door?
You may call it a cat door, pet door or doggy door, but in many cases the only difference is the door size and the type of pet that uses it. A cat door installs in a door, window or wall to allow cats to enter and leave their home with a great deal of autonomy. Of course, you can lock the door to keep them inside when needed, but when it’s unlocked, a cat door lets pets come and go on their schedule.
Types of Cat Doors
Both dogs and cats can use many types of pet doors as long as the doors are sized correctly for them, but there are some doors designed specifically to be cat doors.
Entry Door Cat Doors
Like standard pet doors, this type of cat door installs in an exterior door. Many models work for interior doors as well. These doors are sized for cats but will work equally well for many small dogs. Installation is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project, but it’ll require cutting into your door.
Sash Window Cat Doors
These doors work particularly well for cats, allowing them to enter or exit at most types of windows with a sliding lower sash. A window sash cat door provides you with a variety of options for where to install your pet door. These doors are easy to install, requiring only two or three tools, and aren’t permanent. You can easily remove them when you want to change the location or when you move. Temporary installation and easy removal can make them good options for many renters.
Interior Cat Doors
While entry door models will also typically work for interior doors, you can find cat doors designed specifically for interior use. These doors don’t have a flap and simply allow cats to go into or out of a room when the door is closed — a good option for a room where you keep a litter box or your cat’s bed. Installation is similar to that of an entry door model.
Sliding Door Cat Doors
Like the window sash models, sliding door cat doors are easy to install and remove and can be good solutions for cat owners who rent their home. They install at the end of a sliding door track, and the sliding door panel butts against the frame. Since they cover the latching point on the door frame, they often come with a secondary latch to install on the pet door frame.
Wall Cat Doors
Similar in design and function to entry door models, wall pet doors give you many more installation options. However, installation is a significantly more involved project since installation requires cutting through both interior and exterior walls, as well as avoiding electrical cable, data line, plumbing pipe, etc. Installation may be best left to a professional. However, while it’s not practical to repair a hole in a door if you move and take out a pet door, repairing a hole in a wall is possible. Some entry door kits work for walls as well, but you’ll likely need to buy a tunnel piece to connect the interior and exterior ends.
Doors With Built-In Cat Doors
If you’re replacing an exterior door and want the benefits of a cat door, you can purchase an entry door and storm door with a pet door already installed.
Note that installing a cat door that requires cutting into a door will void the door warranty.
If you’re considering any type of cat door for a rental property, talk to the rental authority to see what’s allowed.
Depending on where you live, a fire-rated exterior door may be required. Installing a cat door may be a violation of the requirement, so check your local building code. Check your insurance policy as well for any restrictions that might apply.
Finding the Right Size Cat Door
When shopping for a cat door, you may see doors listed with basic information, such as the ideal weight and width of the cat that’ll use it. Product packaging or information may also tell you how to measure for specific models, but here are a few general tips for measuring your cat for a cat door.
- Determine your cat’s width at the widest point of the body. For most cats, you’ll measure at the chest or hips.
- Measure the height of your cat’s body. Usually, you should measure from the chest or belly to the top of the shoulders to get the tallest part of the body. Add 2 inches to the measurement.
- Weigh your cat.
Match the measurements against the opening size and weight specifications of the door.
If you have a kitten or young cat, you’ll need to plan for the expected full size of the cat rather than measuring. Your vet may be able to provide you with an estimate. If you know your cat’s breed, you should be able to get an estimate with a bit of research.
Cat Door Materials
A door made specifically for cats will often have a plastic frame. There’s less need for the heavy-duty metal frame of a dog door since there’s less chance a cat will chew through or break the frame. This means that the lighter, more economical plastic frame can work well for a cat door. You may also see wood frames on interior-only cat doors.
The flap on a cat door is also often a different material than you’d find on a door made specifically for dogs. Cat doors will typically have a clear, rigid flap made of polycarbonate, unlike the flexible flap you often see on dog doors.
Features to Look For on a Cat Door
When shopping for a cat door, there are a few features you’ll find that can add functionality and security, as well as help with energy efficiency.
- Look for doors with multiple locking options, such as in or out, in only, out only, or no entry.
- Doors with electronic locks help ensure that your cat — and only your cat — can enter and exit as needed. These often include a fob that attaches to a collar. A sensor in the door detects the fob and allows access. Some models simply unlock the door, while others feature a motorized door that opens automatically.
- Like with other types of pet doors, a magnet will usually keep the flap closed when it’s not in use. A rigid flap can allow the magnetic catch to create a better seal than is possible with a flexible flap, which helps keep cool or warm air from moving in and out of your home.
Getting a Cat to Use a Cat Door
It may take some time for your pet to get used to the door, so be patient and work to help your cat get comfortable with the new addition. There are several methods you can use:
- Start before you install the door. Unpack it and simply leave the door and flap where the cat can sniff it, touch it and get familiar with it. Leave a few treats or toys next to it. Make sure to keep any packing material, screws, hardware, small parts, etc. out of the cat’s reach.
- After installation, open the flap with your hand to demonstrate how it works. You may also want to prop or tape the flap open so your cat can clearly see the other side of the door and can get comfortable passing back and forth through the door without having to push the flap.
- If you can remove the flap easily, try replacing it with a piece of cloth that doesn’t completely cover the opening. Gradually lower the cloth to cover all of the opening as your cat gets more comfortable using the door. Then reinstall the flap.
- Family members with treats or toys on the other side of the door can be good enticements to get a cat moving through the new entry.
As cats use a door over time, they’ll also begin to leave their scent on it, making it more familiar to them and letting them know it’s their area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Doors
Here are answers to some common questions pet owners have about cat doors.
What’s the difference between a cat door and a cat flap?
The terms cat door and cat flap are two ways of describing the same thing: a pet door installed to give a cat more freedom in entering and exiting a home or room. Most pet doors allow entry and exit by means of a flexible or rigid flap that the cat pushes through. Some automatic pet doors operate without a flap. Instead, a motor raises a panel, giving the pet access through the door.
Are cat doors safe?
One way you can help keep your cat safe is by paying attention to where the door exits. First, make sure your pet won’t be exiting near a street. Concealing the door exterior with patio furniture, planters or outdoor décor can make the exit point more difficult for other animals to see and give your cat concealment before choosing to move into the open. If you’re considering a window sash door, make sure there’s a good launch and landing point on the outside. And of course, make sure your cat is safely indoors before locking the cat door.
For your safety and home security, again consider location. While some cat doors are too small for a person to crawl through, they might allow enough access for an intruder to tamper with the interior lock. Consider installing the door where it’ll be visible to your neighbors and won’t allow anyone to attempt entry unnoticed. A wall installation, where there’s no lock to tamper with, is another option to address this concern.
Keep the cat door locked or the security panel in place when your pet is in for the night. Consider an electronic cat door that opens or unlocks when it detects your cat as an option for keeping out other pets or unwanted animals.
If you’re considering a sliding door cat door, you can use a security bar to hold the sliding panel tightly against the cat door and make it very difficult to move the door panel or the cat door insert.
You can secure sash window cat doors by immobilizing the movable sash with wood stops or wood screws installed in the track, by installing a brace between the sashes, or with a pin lock.
Don’t forget standard measures (motion sensors, security lights, cameras and security systems) to improve your home security.
How do you install a cat door?
Different types of cat doors have different installation methods. Standard entry door cat doors require cutting the entry door and installing the frame and flap. Other types have easier installation procedures. Sliding door models fit in a sliding door track, while window sash models fit in a window track. See how to install a cat door by reading our pet door how-to. We’ll give you step-by-step instructions for installing an entry door cat door and a window sash cat door.