Cats love to roam the great outdoors. However, it can be a nuisance to constantly let them in and out of the house all day. The solution is to install a cat door so they can exit and enter as they please. With a good cat door, they’re free to roam inside and out, pop in for some tasty cat food or settle down for a nap in their luxe cat bed. These are relatively easy to set up, but you will have to cut into a wall or door, so you might want to hire a professional. Besides that, most doors are incredibly easy to install and simple to use.
We’ve done the research and have found the top cat doors on the market. Give your kitty the freedom it craves with one of these excellent doors. Read on below to learn more.
Best Cat Doors to Consider
Size
Finding the right cat door doesn’t have to be difficult. First, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right size for your cats. This shouldn’t be a problem unless you have an especially large breed like a Maine Coon. One way to check how wide the cat door should be is to use one of your home’s doors to let your cat through. Open it slowly until they just barely squeeze through. That will be the minimum width of your door, although, of course, you’ll want it to be a bit wider for comfort. Once you’ve made sure the dimensions are correct, you can start looking for features and appearance.
Style
Some cat doors are meant to blend into the wall with a white frame, for instance. You may want to match the wall you’re installing into, or you may prefer a contrasting accent color. The material is also something to consider. Do you want a plastic door with a hinged opening, one with flaps, or a wooden door? Does it have to close or is it used as an open throughway for your cats? Once you’ve found one that appeals to both your decor taste and practical needs, you’ll want to make sure it has all the right features. You may also want to match it up with the rest of your cat furniture to keep things coordinated.
Features
We recommend going for a cat door that includes a locking mechanism. This makes it easy to keep your cats safely in the home when you’re not around. Some are more secure than others. And if you have an especially intelligent cat, they might be able to open certain locks, so you’ll want one that’s foolproof against paws. If you’re a smart home kind of person, you might be interested in electronic cat doors. These can be controlled remotely, often through your smartphone. You can even schedule when the door should be locked.
PetSafe Extra-Large Cat Door
Tired of your cat scratching at the door? Then you’ll want to get them one of their own. This large cat door from PetSafe ticks all the right boxes: it’s easy to install, quick to clean, and most importantly, cats will actually use it.
We like the soft door flap, which is more comfortable for your kitty to push through. This is great news if your cat is a bit dubious about the new household addition. Plus, while the frame comes ready-made in white, it’s designed to be paintable, so you can grab that brush to make it match the rest of your door.
Pros:
- Soft flap; great for nervous cats
- Extra-large for comfortable exit and entry
- Paintable frame
Cons:
- Doesn’t lock
- Bit expensive
Purrfect Portal Interior Cat Door
This nifty little cat door is a great solution for pet owners who want to give their feline friends the freedom to come and go as they please. With its automatic close and lockable magnetic flap closures, you can let your kitty in and out without worrying about the door getting stuck open; after all, you don’t want a draft, nor do you want uninvited guests making their way inside! Made with high-quality ABS material and durable mesh yarns, this cat door is built to last. And the best part? It’s easy to install and suitable for all types of doors. And, we can’t not mention the cute pawprint design, adding a touch of cute style to this one.
Pros:
- Adorable aesthetics
- Easy to install
- Sturdy hinge
- Magnetic closure
Cons:
- A bit no frills
PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog and Cat Door
The ultimate cat door for durability is here: this extreme weather door from PetSafe. With its aluminum frame, you can trust this door to stay secure even with the most rambunctious of pets. The magnetic strips on the bottom of the flaps keep this door well-sealed against the elements, even against heavy wind. These strips also make the flaps quiet.
One aspect we like about this cat door is that you can install it on a door or a wall with varying thicknesses. Instead of coming in a single piece, the frame for this pet door comes as two pieces to install on either side. We’ve used it on a wall with great success.
Pros:
- Trustworthy closing panel
- Pre-tinted flaps won’t yellow over time
- Great for both cats and dogs
Cons:
- Harder to install
- A bit pricey
PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap
Since we live in the digital age, why not get an electronic cat door such as this one from PetSafe? This impressive device unlocks using a microchip embedded in your cat. It also works with a tag attached to its collar if you don’t feel comfortable with microchips. This means only your cats can enter the house and not their feral friends. With support for up to 40 different IDs, you can be sure all of your feline babies can have the freedom to roam outside and come inside when they wish.
When it’s time for everyone to hunker down indoors, you can use the manual four-way lock function, with the options of “in or out”, “in only”, “out only” or “fully locked”.
Pros:
- 4-way lock function
- Programs up to 40 microchip identities
- Sturdy lock against animals like raccoons
- Battery-powered
Cons:
- Can be a bit difficult to train cats to use
Metal Frame Cat Door
This sturdy cat door is perfect for even the largest of kitties, and comes built with an adjustable tunnel and robust vinyl flap that can withstand even the most energetic cats bounding in and out. The two-way controlled access ensures that your feline can come and go as they please, while the magnetic centering flap keeps drafts and bad weather firmly out. And, with the option to lock the door, you can rest easy knowing that your pet is safe and inside when you’d like them to be; this is great if you live near a busy road or you simply have anxiety about your kitty roaming the streets at night.
Pros:
- Versatile design
- Sturdy metal construction
- Lockable feature
- Easy to train cats to use
- Magnetic flap
Cons:
- A bit fussy to install
Frequently asked Questions
How can I clean a cat door?
It depends on what kind of cat door you have, however, they can all be wiped clean with a wet cloth. Some cat doors have removable parts, which makes it easier to remove hair and dirt that’s stuck. We suggest using a wet wipe on your cat door every now and then to keep it squeaky clean. A spray bottle and paper towels also work wonders. It’s good to keep your cat door clean because otherwise, your cat might not want to use it. It’s also just more unsightly with fur and dirt stuck to the door.
Can I install a cat door myself?
Installing a cat door requires a bit of handiwork know-how. If you’re comfortable using tools like a saw and drill, then you can probably handle a cat door installation. When cutting into a wall, make sure to check for any wiring, plumbing, or studs. If you’re unsure about installing the door yourself, it’s probably best to hire a professional contractor. Once you’ve cut the hole, however, the actual installation is much easier. All you have to do is screw the frame into the door with a screwdriver.
How do I get my cat to use the cat door?
Cats are notoriously finicky, especially with new things. To get them comfortable with using the door, we recommend using the most important training tool: cat treats. At first, you can open the flap or door for them and lure them through with a treat. If they don’t go through, start off by giving them treats by the door. Eventually, lead them through with a treat but don’t open the door for them. They’ll soon learn that the door is nothing to be afraid of and that it’s a good thing. After a while, they won’t need tasty treats to feel confident about using the door.
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