Pet Door – Happier Pets Know They Can Roam Around
Are you getting annoyed at letting your pet in and out of the house over and over? A pet door will solve that. If you're shopping for one, here's a list of some features you may want in your pet door.
It swings inwards, outwards, one way, and can be locked. You want a worry-free pet flap or door your pet can simply walk in and out of. But there will be times you will be waiting your dog or cat to come home, so you can lock the pet door. One useful feature is to be able to adjust the flap so that it either opens only inwards, or outwards; that way your pet can't get out or in once it goes through the flap. If the pet door can also be locked regardless of the direction it can open, that's added security and peace of mind for you.
Installation is relatively easy. You don't want a pet door that takes some figuring out to put in, and a handyman who will may install the door for you probably wants no complications, too. You should know that various pet door types are available, from those that make a perfect fit for patio doors to those designed for installing in concrete walls. Naturally, for thicker walls, there are extra tunnel extensions that either come with the unit or are available as a separate purchase. Get the type that suits your home.
The pet door's height is vital. The choice of pet door will also have to include your pet's size. Obviously, pet doors meant for toy dogs can be used by German Shepherds, and this is important in case there are other dogs in the neighborhood who might get in your house.
Only your pet can walk in and out that pet door. Pet doors are often written off in articles and portrayed in media as a magnet for burglars and small kids who can fit through. What you can do to address this is to choose a particular type of pet door, that can be set to open and then lock after it swings either way. This set up includes a collar your pet will wear. This is how it works - the device on the collar is sensed by the pet door which opens when the collar is near; that way only your pet can get in and out.
Curb heat loss, or keep the cold air out. When you live in a cold region, you want your pet door to minimize heat loss as much as possible. To achieve this, some pet doors extend the space the pet goes through; for a thick door or wall, that means tunnel space - one flap on the outside, another for the inside. That way, your pet walks through one flap, gets in the extended tunnel space, and walks through the other flap, keeping a pocket of air in the space enclosed. This is how heat loss is kept at a minimum.
You of course would have to be ready to train your pet, in case it needs time to get used to the pet door; some pets won't even come close to the door.