How to Build a Dog Door

Building a dog door into an internal or external door can save dog owners a lot of time. External dog doors are not recommended in rural areas unless the door flap is weighted in order to prevent rodents from getting in. In suburban areas, dog doors allow dog owners to see to their pet's needs while away from home. Building and installing a dog door takes a couple of hours but is well worth the time and effort.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand saw Tape measure Drill Attachment set Screws
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the size of the door you need based on the animal. Measure the size of your animal's widest point (shoulders and barrel, typically).

    • 2

      Look at the width of the door into which you wish to install the door and then compare that to the supported widths on the doors that are available to you.

    • 3

      Choose a door based on price and size. Be sure to get one that has a door flap, but from which you can remove the door flap. A removable door flap is important so that it can be replaced in the future if needed.

    • 4

      Choose where you want the animal door to appear and draw the outline of the cutting diagram on the actual door to be cut. Most animal doors come with a cutting diagram. If they don't, you can use the interior dimensions from the animal door as a general guide, but you'll have to do some adjustments--and likely, multiple cuts.

    • 5

      Cut out the hole and apply the door. For doors with screw-on fasteners, finish by screwing down the door. For doors with adhesive fasteners, finish by applying the adhesive to the back of the animal door and affixing it to the human door.