How to Make a Cat Door in the Closet

Cats are independent animals and love to have hiding places and privacy throughout the home. A closet provides a cozy retreat for your pet while keeping it in a safe, indoor environment. Closets also allow for a litter box to be tucked out of sight yet easily accessed by pet owners when necessary. Whatever the reason behind installing a closet cat door, it's important to properly plan the project and take into account the individual characteristics of your closet, as well as your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Cardboard or paper
  • Pre-hung pet door
  • Tape
  • Square
  • Painter's tape or masking tape
  • Drill
  • Keyhole saw, jigsaw or scroll saw
  • Sandpaper
  • Screwdriver
  • Spare screws
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Choose a door that is slightly larger than your cat's actual size.

      Choose and purchase the correct size of cat door for your pet, allowing for a few extra inches beyond the cat's actual size. If the cat is still young, estimate for the size of a full-grown cat. Pet doors are available in a variety of sizes at most pet supply stores. Use cardboard or paper to trace the inside edge of the pet door, making a template to use when cutting into the actual closet door. Use a ruler to help keep lines straight and accurate as you trace. Some pet door kits come with a template.

    • 2
      Use a measuring tape to identify the center of the closet door.

      Place the template on the closet door, about four to five inches off the ground so the cat doesn't have to hunch when climbing through the door. If placing the cat door in the center of the closet door, use a measuring tape to find the center point across the width of the door; then align the center of the template at this point. Use tape to secure the template if necessary. Trace the outline of the template onto the closet door, using the ruler to keep lines steady and even. Place the square along the bottom edge of the door and put it at a 90 degree angle to the side of the template or traced line to ensure that the pet door placement will be even and level with the closet door.

    • 3
      Use a keyhole saw, jig saw or scroll saw to cut away space for the cat door.

      Remove the template and mask the outsides of the drawn lines with masking or painter's tape, to protect the rest of the door during drilling and sawing. Drill holes at each of the four corners. Start a keyhole saw, jigsaw or scroll saw at one of the four holes and saw around the four sides of the door outline. After the area has been removed, use sandpaper to smooth down any rough surfaces that may have appeared during the process.

    • 4
      Use a screwdriver and screws to secure the pet door to the closet door.

      Remove the tape around the hole. Most purchased cat doors have a front and back piece and come with screws. Insert both door pieces into the new hole, to the corresponding side of the closet door. They should fit snugly into the hole that has been cut. Use the screwdriver to screw the pet door in place in each of the four corners to secure it. The screws should be inserted in the front of the door, and will extend into the rear section of the cat door. Some pet doors may have more than four holes for screws, and it may be a good idea to have extra screws of your own on hand in case the right amount of screws is not included with your purchased cat door.