How to Build Cat Doors

Getting up to answer a meow at the door can be tiring--especially early in the morning or late at night. A cat door gives you freedom from this task, and allows your kittens to go in and out as they please. The first things to consider is where the cat door is leading to. Will this door be an inside/outside door, or just room to room? Choosing the right type of cat door is important, as ones that lead outside may invite stray cats through it if they follow your cat. Inside/outside doors can have security added, such as equipping the flap with a magnetic key your cat wears around his collar to ensure unwanted strays do not enter your house. If you choose to build one from scratch however, it is recommended that the door from the outside lead into a small room so an unwanted cat does not enter the house proper. Also, an exterior pet door will need to be sealed with caulking so that moisture does not penetrate the wood and cause rot or mold to develop. If you choose to build a cat door from scratch as outlined here, and not install a manufactured one, be sure to look one already installed, either in someone else's house, or by going to a pet store to view the prefab models. There are many different types of doors, so this article will discuss the most basic to build. Additional enhancements such as locking can be added by either a single hook at the base of the door, or by installing a magnetic strip on both the door and base.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • wood trim
  • Jigsaw
  • Screwdriver or drill
  • Screws
  • Level
  • Glue
  • plywood or balsa board [for hollow doors only]
  • For Door:
  • rubber mat
  • straight edge blade
  • two small hinges and screws
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Instructions

  1. Measure four times, cut once

    • 1

      The first thing you should do is measure your cat at their widest part. Measure twice to make sure you are accurate. The door should be two inches wider and taller than your cat. Note that if your cat is not full grown, you may make the door too small. Look up how big your cat is expected to become based on breed. Pet doors come in different sizes, and if you install the door while the animal is young, you may need to upgrade it later on.

    • 2

      Take the door off the hinges for easier cutting. Draw a square at the height you want the door to be in the measurements taken of the cat.

    • 3

      Place the wood trim around the measured outline, and trace the exterior lines of the frame. Mark off the edges of the door on the trim so you know how long it needs to be.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side of the door to ensure a straight cut.

    • 5

      Using the jigsaw, cut the interior square out. Double check the opposite side of the door to ensure that the cut is even.

    • 6

      If the door is hollow, you will need to insert a frame so the cat does not trip in the door spacing. This is done by measuring the space of the door and cutting the balsa wood into strips. The pieces can be glued in place. Or, glue the frame into a square and after it dries fit into the space. When you attach the trim, the interior frame will be held into place by the edges of the trim.

    • 7

      Line up the cut wood trim and screw in around the hole in the door. Repeat on other side of door. Use the level to make sure the trim is set straight.

    • 8

      At this point you will have a finished pet door. However, if you would like to add a flap, continue on below.

    Creating and installing a privacy flap

    • 9

      Measure the inside of the pet door. Take the rubber pieces and cut out a piece 1/4 smaller than the inside measurements.

    • 10

      Screw in the two hinges to the top inside part of door frame. Make sure they are evenly spaced.

    • 11

      Measure the spacing of the hinges and mark on the rubber mat where the screw holes would go.

    • 12

      Screw the rubber piece to the hinges. The door should swing freely when pushed.