Cat Doors For Your Windows
Cats are inquisitive animals.
All cat owners quickly discover how much cats value their independence and freedom. They enjoy being able to go outside and back inside whenever they feel like it. And, most of all, they certainly don’t like being stuck in the house all day long.
That’s why it’s a perfect idea to get a cat door. If you don’t want to drill holes in your wooden frame doors, there are pet doors specially made for windows and sliding doors.
Cat Door: Buying Considerations
Cat doors or cat flaps come in a whole range of shapes, sizes, and design to suit the size and shape of your cat.
It’s important not to purchase a cat door that isn’t big enough to fit your cat. Otherwise, you’ll need to put your cat on a serious dieting regime. If you have a pet dog as well, you can get a size that suits both pets.
Trying to work out what you need to know before buying a cat door is not always easy. Here is the essential guide to cat doors for windows and glass doors. Let’s take a look!
Types of Cat Doors for Windows and Sliding Doors
Installing cat doors for windows and sliding doors need to take into account safety and security. This often is the primary concern for customers looking at purchasing cat doors for windows or doors.
Many cat flaps are manufactured and designed intelligently to protect your home against intruders as well as the weather from outside.
If you cat door is wide open, this will leave your home insecure. That’s why cat doors for windows and sliding doors often provide a secure locking system. It allows your cat to roam freely while keeping you and your family safe.
There are some quite sophisticated secure locking systems out there. There are two main types of cat doors. Let’s take a look at the different kinds available.
1. Exclusive Entry
There are secure locking systems that prevent stray cats and other wild animals from entering your home. Only your cat can enter.
An example of this is the PetSafe 4-Way Locking Cat Door. Petsafe is a trusted name in the industry which offers owners many different options for cat doors. The company offers help when choosing the right pet door and you can always reach out to a customer service member.
- This Petsafe model comes with a magnetic collar. The magnetic key in the collar ensures your cat is the only animal that is allowed through the door.
- It features four locking modes that range from in only, out only, completely open and fully closed.
- Durable aluminum material frame is fitted with weather stripping to ensure insulation of your home. It also prevents weather elements getting in.
- The door is produced with a sturdy plastic material to ensure durability and security.
- Available in four different sizes.
Keep in mind that the door needs a few seconds to close, this means that if another cat chases your cat in through the door, then this may not be effective. However, this only happens in exceptional circumstances.
2. In or Out Access
Another great option for a cat door is to be able to change the cat’s access to either “in” or “out.” This allows your cat to have independence, but still, you’re the boss.
For example, the Namsan 4 Way Cats Glass Door allows you to set your cat door to simply in or out and lock it completely when you need to. This means that if you cat is still outdoors when you want to go to bed, then you can just select “in” access only so that once your cat is back, they stay home.
- The Namsan model comes in brown and white color.
- The In or Out Access models are usually much cheaper than exclusive entry versions.
- It is designed so that it can fit on different types of windows and sliding doors.
Installing Cat Doors for Windows and Sliding Doors
Cat doors can now be fitted to a wide range of doors and windows, even if your glass doors have double glazing.
However, some are easier than others to install. That’s why it’s important to consider the alternatives to some of the conventional models. Most require you to cut and drill holes.
There’s an alternative.
If you want to fit your own cat door, rather than get a professional, and you have a sliding door in your home, then you should consider a cat door that just snaps into place.
It’s easy to install. You just have to slide the panel into one of the ends of your sliding door track. And it’s ready to go.
Perhaps best of all, you don’t need to drill any holes in your sliding doors.
Easy To Install and Disassemble
This is important because one concern of many cat owners when considering a cat flap is the permanence of it. This allows you to purchase a cat flap and take it with you if you move place. You don’t even need to ask for permission.
If you intend on moving to somewhere else soon, but you’re still eager to give your cat the freedom of a cat door, then perhaps this is an important consideration.
An example of a great product that snaps into place is the PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Patio Panel Sliding Glass Pet Door.Read the full review here.
Easy To Use
These options are trendy among cat owners because they are so easy to use. All you need to do is click the new cat door into an existing sliding glass door track. By doing this, you’ll also have more control over the size of the cat door. Of course, cats come in many shapes and sizes.
It also makes sense if your pet cat starts to put on the pounds, you haven’t wasted any money on a new door.
By choosing an option which snaps into place, you’ll also be able to secure your door with a provided lock quickly.
How to Install
If you’re doing it yourself, then the first thing to consider is where to install it. Cat flaps can be easily installed on your glass sliding doors or windows.
One top tip is to install the cat door in a sheltered area so that your cat feels secure when exiting your home.
Another consideration is the height of the cat door. This should be around the height of your cat’s belly. It means your cat can get in and out with ease.
Tip:If you’re not experienced with using common household tools and DIY projects, then it may be wise to leave it to a professional. It’s worthwhile spending a little extra to pay someone to install your cat door to make sure the job is done well.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything you need to consider when it comes to cat doors for windows and sliding doors.
It’s important that you compare different pet door brands for cat doors to purchase and install. You don’t want to invest time and money in a cat door and discovery that your cat won’t even use it.
There are many considerations from the type of locking system to the how you are going to teach your cat how to use the new cat door.
However, this essential guide will give you all the tools and information you need to get started on buying and installing cat doors for windows and sliding doors.