Installing a Pet Door

By B. E. Conrad

Installing a doggie door is a great way to eliminate some of the inconveniences of pet ownership, such as the need to take a pet out to do its business several times a day. Because these special doors are designed to simply fit into a hole cut out of the door, pet door installation is easy and gives you and your pet the freedom you both desire.

For security, there are a number of one-way doors, which allow cats and dogs out, but nothing in. This design can help prevent burglars from using doggie doors to gain access to the home. Other pet doors are even more ingenious, using a special key that the dog or cat wears on its collar. This key allows the cat or dog entrance into the home, but no other animals, so Fluffy or Fido can't invite any of his friends in for the night.

Fortunately for pet owners, pet door installation is generally quite an easy process. Here are a few steps for how to install pet door:

1. Determine the size of the doggie door that will be needed. There are a number of doggie door sizes, designed for a variety of pets. The door should be large enough to accommodate the largest pet that will use it. In order to measure for the door, measure from the animal's shoulders to the bottom of the rib cage.

2. Before making a cut in the door, use the measurements to cut a hole in a piece of corrugated cardboard. The pet should then be encouraged to step through that hole. If the pet fits easily through this hole, you will know that the chosen size will work well. If not, the next largest size pet door should be used.

3. After the proper size has been chosen and the door has been purchased, cut the appropriate size hole in the door and insert the doggie door. After the door is in place, give the cats and dogs in the household some time to get used to it. They should be watched closely to make sure they are able to both enter and exit the house unassisted before being left alone.