Cat Door Ideas

If you own a cat that likes to roam inside the house as well as out, installing a cat door can provide benefits to both you and your cat. You will not have to open the door or even be at home for your cat to exit, and your cat will experience greater freedom. With many different options for cat doors out there, there are some important aspects to consider before choosing one.

  1. Cat Flap

    • A cat flap is the simplest option for giving your cat freedom to enter and exit the house without your help. These doors are available at most pet stores and come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to know the dimensions of your cat before purchasing a flap door. A cat will typically require a door that is one or two inches wider than its body and two or three inches higher. The most basic cat flap will allow your cat to leave the house and reenter simply by pushing the flap open. While this offers convenience to you as an owner, you should also remember that by installing one of these doors, you are also allowing any cat of a similar size to enter your home, if it so desires.

    Infrared Door

    • If you are looking for a high-tech option, you may want to consider an infrared cat door. In 2010, prices ranged from $80 to $120 without installation, but infrared cat doors provide many options that standard doors do not. These doors typically come with an infrared key that attaches to the cat's collar and signals the door when the cat approaches. Not only is this a neat piece of technology, but it also means better security. The infrared key means that only your pet has access, while strays, rodents, or other wildlife will be locked out. Many infrared doors have multiple settings--the door can be locked from the outside but open from the inside and vice versa, as well as fully locked or fully unlocked. If a simple door will not suffice, you may want to give the infrared variety a try.

    Magnetic Door

    • The magnetic cat door offers an alternative to the infrared door. Like the infrared variety, magnetic doors also include four lock settings, meaning added security. The main difference is that your cat activates the door via a magnet attached to its collar rather than an infrared key. The advantage of such a system is the absence of batteries or other electrical power. This eliminates the risk of your cat getting locked out due to a dead battery or malfunctioning door. The prices are generally comparable to infrared doors.