How to Set Up a Pet Door for Cats

A pet door for your cat is a good idea if you have to let your cat in and out of the house several times a day. Pet doors come in several styles, from the basic flap that does not lock to locking magnetic and electromagnetic doors that work with the cat's collar. Locking doors can keep other animals -- raccoons, dogs and other cats -- out. Installation of a magnetic cat door in a wooden house door can be done in less than a day with hand tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Electromagnetic cat door
  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Level
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Jigsaw
  • Tape
  • Cat collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase the correct size door. The door needs to be just large enough for the cat to get through, without much extra space.

    • 2

      Tape the template that comes with the pet door onto the house door. Use the level to ensure that everything is straight. If it is even a little bit off here, it will be even more obvious when the project is finished.

    • 3

      Trace the template with a pencil. Mark the screw holes. Put an "X" in each corner of the template, just inside the outline of the door section that is going to be cut out.

    • 4

      Drill holes at each of the "X" marks. These holes are going to be used to help cut out the main opening of the pet door. Drill the screw holes as well.

    • 5

      Use the jigsaw to cut out the opening for the pet door. Place the blade in one of the holes, cut to another hole by following the guideline, and so on until the opening is cut out.

    • 6

      Place the locking section of the pet door in the house door so that the lock faces the inside of the house. Place the other half of the pet door on the outside of the house door. Screw into place with the supplied screws.

    • 7

      Test the installation by holding the cat collar supplied with the cat door. The magnet in the collar activates the magnet in the door. Place the collar on the cat. Show the cat the door, and train your pet to use the cat door.