Understanding How Pet Doors Work

Understanding How Pet Doors Work

If you have a pet, like a cat or a dog, you might be trying to figure out a way to give them a bit of independence from being locked inside a room or tied somewhere. The friendliest cats and dogs are still animals, and they have a natural instinct to be outside from time to time. On the other hand, pets have to be protected from things that might hurt them, like cars on the street, and with pet doors, most owner can satisfy both needs.

What They Are

Pet doors are nothing but trap doors or flaps that are installed on doors and that your pet can push open to go outside without you opening the door for it. Pet doors are easy to install if you have the right tools and know how. If you decide to do the job yourself, you can get information on how to install your pet door at your local pet supplies store or home depot. Of course, it's always easier (albeit more expensive) to hire a professional to do the job.

Convenience and Safety

While useful, pet doors are not recommended for every single case. If you are in an apartment, for example, obviously you cannot have pet doors in your home. Another case that is not so common is when dog owners have backyards with no fences. Even if you have a large yard, it is still not safe to simply allow your pet to roam freely outside. It might even be illegal, depending on where you live. Even if not prohibited by law, you have to take into consideration your dog's safety above all.

Being outside puts your dog in a lot of risks: cars can hit it and injure or kill it, people might take it with them, other animals can attack it, (or it can attack other pets, putting you in legal problems), and many more. Before installing pet doors into your home, think about whether or not it is a good idea for you and your lifestyle.
Installing pet doors is a way of giving some independence to your pet. They are very convenient in most cases, but not all, for example, in apartment buildings. If you think your pet might benefit from pet doors, consult an expert first.

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