Knock, knock! Who’s there? Not your dog—they let themself inside! “A doggy door can help keep dogs mentally stimulated, as it gives them a chance to go outside and play, even when their owners are not available,” Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, a veterinarian at Pet Urgent Care in Wesley Chapel, Florida, told The Spruce Pets.
The right dog door will give your dog the freedom to enjoy the outdoors and relieve themself outside when the mood strikes. It will also relieve you of the burden of being your dog’s gatekeeper. Inside the home, pet gates can help keep pets from entering off-limits areas.
Final Verdict
We tested 10 different dog doors by sending each to a volunteer tester to install in their homes. Our favorite dog door is the BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door, which uses magnets to keep its flap sealed—allowing your dog easy exit and entry. If you live in an area with extreme weather, we strongly recommend the Endura Flap Single Flap Pet Door as an investment worth making to give you and your dog the freedom of a dog door while maintaining as much energy efficiency as possible. We also had a few other favorites:
The BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door is available in two sizes, medium and large, which can accommodate dogs weighing up to 40 and 100 pounds, respectively. In addition to your dog’s weight, you should measure your dog’s height from their shoulders down to their paws, and not from their head, as dogs will duck when using a dog door. It’s important to install the right size door for your dog—too big and you may needlessly let air into and out of your home; too small and your pet may get injured coming and going.
We were able to install this dog door in under half an hour and found the instructions to be straightforward. The process required the use of a drill and a jigsaw, so tools and a little home improvement experience are required. The BarksBar can accommodate a door thickness between 1.25 and 2 inches—sufficient for most interior- and exterior-facing doors.
Your dog will pass through a vinyl flap that self-seals with a magnet. The door flap connects to the aluminum impact-resistant frame to keep inclement weather and unwanted pests from using the dog door. There is also a plastic panel that slides into the frame and can be locked in place for when you and your dog are out of town. The entire dog door is chew-resistant and designed to withstand day-to-day use.
This dog door is reasonably priced and received high marks in all categories during our real-world testing. The only real downside is that the BarksBar Original Plastic Dog Door is only available in white, though its reflective aluminum frame will help it aesthetically blend with other door colors as well.
Accommodates dogs up to 100 pounds
The Endura Flap Single Flap Door Mount Pet Door is designed to adapt to weather conditions by expanding and contracting for maximum energy efficiency. It can be installed within a variety of doors, including solid core doors, hollow core doors, metal doors, and storm doors, with thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 1.75 inches.
This dog door is priced significantly higher than other options that made our list, but it’s worth it if you live in a cold climate where snow and blustery conditions are common. We found the insulation provided by this dog door to be exceptional, and the manufacturer states that this model has been proven to withstand winds up to 50 mph and temperatures as low as -40°F. Once installed, add a doggie doormat to clean your pet’s paws as they come in from outside.
The aluminum frame is available in three colors—white, black, and tan. The vinyl flap seals with a magnet and is UV-resistant, so it won’t turn yellow in the sun. Instructions for installation were clear and included a template to follow for accurate cutting. For security, the door includes a sliding cover that can be locked into place.
Chew-resistant and impact-resistant frame
How We Picked
Testing: We researched and purchased 10 different dog doors for real-world testing in homes with at least one dog.
Each tester received a dog door compatible with the style of door in their home and their dog’s size. They followed the instructions for installation, making note of the time it required and the overall ease of the process.
For three weeks, each human counterpart observed their dog come and go through the dog door and provided feedback within the following categories: ease of use, effectiveness of insulation, size, and overall value. Our human testers also tried out flaps, closures, and other seals themselves.
At the end of the testing period, our testers filled out a detailed questionnaire, providing their input in multiple categories. Those responses were used to provide a numerical score to each door, and testing results were synthesized to provide insights into our favorites, while excluding those that didn’t score high enough. We then ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the right dog door.
What to Look For in a Dog Door
Weigh and Measure Your Dog
The manufacturer of the dog door you select should provide measurement and weight guidelines to help you pick the correct size for your dog. “In order to get the correct size dog door, measure your dog’s height and make sure that they can easily fit through this door,” said Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian in West Monroe, Louisiana.
For most dogs, it is recommended to add at least 3 inches to the height and 2 inches to the width so that your dog can get through the door, even when they’re moving quickly. When going through a dog door, most dogs will instinctively duck, so measure from their shoulder down to their paw to get their height. You should also weigh your dog and select a dog door that is made to withstand their weight to maximize durability, especially if you have a large dog.
Installation
Most dog doors are installed by first removing the door you’ll be installing it in from its hinges and laying it horizontally so that a hole of the proper dimensions can be cut. Some dog doors come with a paper template that provides the exact size that needs to be cut, but even without that, the measurements are typically straightforward.
Tools required for most installations include sawhorses and clamps to hold your door in position, a jigsaw for precise cutting, and a power drill, both to screw the dog door into the door and to reattach the door to its frame.
“Doggy doors don’t just have to be on doors, but you’ll need to keep ease of installation in mind,” said Dr. Phillips. “While the most common version of the doggy door attaches to a door, you can find options that are able to be placed on walls, too. This can open up a whole new world of possibilities, but it can also complicate the installation process.”
If you’re not comfortable using tools, we recommend you hire a handyperson to help. If you have a sliding door or a screen door, the installation process generally requires minimal tools.
Security and Uninvited Guests
If your dog can go in and out, other creatures can, too. That’s why it’s best to get a dog door that can be locked. All of our picks include this feature.
“Raccoons, and other wild or stray animals, have been known to enter them as well to come inside for a visit,” said Brandi Tucker, DVM, a veterinarian in Sanford, Florida, so “the doors should absolutely be lockable.”
Climate
“Insulation is an important but often overlooked feature,” Dr. Phillips said. “Many doggy doors feature a double flap that can help reduce airflow. If you live in an especially cold or hot area, this can be well worth it.”
Double flaps are a common feature of year-round dog doors. These flaps help block drafts and prevent snow from getting inside. If you live in a climate that experiences extreme weather, look for thicker flaps (many of the most secure use a rigid flap, instead of floppy vinyl) and more thorough magnetic seals, which will help lock the moving panel against the door whenever your pet is not pushing through it.
Types and Materials
There are a number of different types of pet doors, which may or may not be appropriate for your home or your budget. In general, there are three types:
- Flap: This is the traditional type, which uses a hanging flap to cover the portal. These are intuitive for your pet to use and suitable for both internal and external doors.
- Hard Plastic or Metal: These are typically an open portal with a separate cover, which allows you to lock the hole in your door shut. This type of door is better for intermittent use, allowing you to create an opening as needed, but primarily keep the panel sealed.
- Electronic: Electronic dog doors can be keyed to a fob on your dog’s collar or to a microchip, sliding open only for the door’s furry user.
More We Recommend
Best for Custom Needs: The PetSafe Plastic Pet Door is available in five sizes and can be installed into doors made of wood, PVC, and metal. It has a plastic frame that can be painted to complement your decor, and a flexible flap with a magnet that allows your furry friend to pass through with ease. The flap on the medium-sized dog door was slightly heavy for one of our smaller participating pets, but overall, the flap was effective in giving access on demand. This is one of the more affordably priced dog doors we recommend, but it does not provide as much insulation against cold wind and weather extremes.
We followed the installation instructions, which recommend taking the door off the hinges to use a saw to cut a hole. The process was labor-intensive, but directions were clear, and the process was completed in under an hour.
Available in five sizes
Best for Sliding Glass Doors: If you have a sliding door that leads to an outdoor space, the PetSafe Sliding Glass Pet Door will make it easy for your dog to take themself out for a late-night potty. This style will reduce the width of the doorway for humans to walk through, but it also doesn’t require any cutting into an existing door.
There are two height options, 81.1 or 96 inches, and both are adjustable to fit the full height of a sliding door frame. Once you’ve identified the height, you’ll then select one of five size options for the vinyl dog flap. There are also three color options—black, white, and satin. The frame is made out of weather-tempered aluminum with tempered glass. The flap closes with a magnet, and a separate lockable panel can be inserted for added security when you are out of town.
The Spruce Pets
The assembly process includes weatherproofing strips, but you may need to add more insulation, depending on the climate and elements around your home. We found this model to be easy to install with clear instructions. It’s also a fantastic option for rentals.
Available in three color options
Best for Screen Doors: Enjoy the breeze without the bugs by installing the Ownpets Screen Dog Door. We found this lightweight dog door with a paw on the flap to be very easy to install within a screen door leading to a patio.
The frame is made out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is a more durable form of plastic to withstand clawing, biting, and the weather. It is reasonably priced, and the largest size (extra-large) can accommodate dogs weighing up to 100 pounds. It provides the least amount of insulation out of the top-performing dog doors, but that is to be expected with a screen door. The flap can be locked in the closed position, but we found the mechanism to be finicky, so we don’t recommend you rely on the screen for security.
Available in three sizes
Best for Flexibility: You won’t have to worry about your larger or chubbier dog squeezing through a tiny opening with the Baboni 3-Flap Pet Door. This pet door accommodates dogs weighing up to 100 pounds, while the extra-large option has a weight limit of 200 pounds. This is a secure pet door, made of durable steel and aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, that will work for interior doors, as well as exterior walls. It features three flaps with magnetic closures for weatherproofing and energy efficiency. There’s also a slide-in metal closing panel for added security
We didn’t test this pet door, but it has over 5,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, so we felt it was worth recommending, especially for families with large-breed dogs.
Available in four sizes
FAQ
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Are dog doors safe?
Dog doors can be safe, but it depends on where you live and what’s outside the door. That’s why it’s important that you only install them on your door if you have a safe, fenced-in yard and take certain precautions as a pet owner. Otherwise, your dog could wander off and get lost or risk getting hit by a car.
You’ll also want to consider what critters might visit your backyard. “While your neighborhood may seem safe when you’re walking with your dog, things can change when your pup is out on their own,” Dr. Phillips said. “Depending on where you live and the size of your dog, you’ll need to consider predators like coyotes and even birds of prey like hawks when it comes to smaller dogs and toy breeds [because] these animals will generally avoid humans but may be bold enough to go for your dog.”
Remember, too, that you need to make your yard safe for dogs, which means routinely checking for toxic plants and weeds, as well as holes in the fencing, and making sure your dog has a flea collar or other flea and tick preventative.
In really hot climates, you’ll also want to make sure your pets don’t stay outside too long, which puts them at risk for heatstroke. That’s why several of the vets we spoke with recommended keeping an eye on your pet through the window, even if you do allow them free access outside through a dog door.
Remember, too, that any critters in your backyard can also come inside your home through a dog door—which is why you’ll want a locking one or an electronic one. This can also protect against burglars if you have a larger dog.
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How do I properly install a dog door?
The dog door style you select and the type of door you have will determine how to properly install it. All of the models we recommend come with directions that are easy to follow, but you might need to purchase tools if you don’t have them on hand. If you are unsure of how to best cut your door and install your dog door, we strongly recommend turning to a handyman in your area for help.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This roundup was updated with tested results by Anna Mejorada, an editor for The Spruce Pets. Mejorada shares her home with a happy Pomeranian named Gidget. A previous version of this article was written by Steven Rowe, a writer for The Spruce Pets with a beagle at home.
For insights into dog door best practices, we consulted veterinarians Georgina Ushi Phillips, Sara Ochoa, and Brandi Tucker.
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