Pros And Cons Of Dog Doors

Here we share our pros and cons of dog doors including how they work, reasons for and against, cost, if a dog door is a good idea, and if installation works with glass doors.
A dog door is a perfect addition to your home if you have a furbaby to take care of. And while it may be tempting just to keep our dogs indoors, they also need the exercise and to stretch their legs outdoors. 

Will it really improve both you and your fur friend’s lives or will you just be making your life and responsibility for your pet a complicated one?

Before you buy the needed materials or hire a professional to build that dog door for you, learn as much as you can about dog doors first. Let’s start with the basics. How does a dog door work?

How Do Dog Doors Work?

A dog door is a flap that’s usually installed on the door, wall, or window to act as the pet’s personal entrance and exit too. It is also among the few parts of a house exterior that allows access outdoors and indoors for pets without supervision. 

The main idea is that dogs can easily pass through the flap as they walk through it by pushing it. There are however different types of dog doors that might work differently like the electronic dog door the operates either through electronic programming or high sensitivity. 

Do you need more information to make an informed decision? Here are the pros and cons you can check out to make an informed decision. 

Dog Door Pros

When dealing with dog doors, there are guaranteed benefits you can take advantage of. Here are some notable ones. 

• Extreme Convenience: When taking care of a dog, getting every convenience you can have is a blessing. Here are the conveniences it offers:

1. Freedom: Dog doors give your pet the freedom to come in and out of the home when needed and wanted, giving them the freedom to play and explore and giving you the freedom to have more time for yourself. You don’t have to take your dog out since they can do that on their own. 

2. Home Cleanliness: Since dog doors can freely go in and out of the home to do their business outdoors, you won’t have to worry about indoor messes and the inconvenience that come with it. 

• Better Pet Health & Behavior Management: Dogs are prone to anxiety, boredom, and loneliness when kept alone indoors. They can benefit from the mental stimulation it gets being outdoors and with nature, as well as exercise from the physical activities.

With dog doors, they can do these things without your presence needed. You can also guarantee that your dog has an outlet for its energy with these activities.

• Ideal for Busy Schedule: You can be extremely busy and work and sometimes it will be difficult to find time to even walk your dog. That’s not going to be a problem if you have a doggy door at home. 

• Improves Pet Safety: If things go bad and your dog’s life will be put at risk at home (like fire or flood), the dog door can act as an emergency exit that can save your dog. 

Dog Door Cons

Now to discuss the other side of the coin, there will definitely be drawbacks you will encounter when you install a dog door at home.

The trick is to weigh them together with their benefits and see for yourself if it’s worth all the hassle. 

Here are some of the disadvantages you can expect with a dog door:

• Safety Concerns Regarding Outdoor Dangers: With a dog door installed at home, you have open access from the outside (Yes, even though it’s just a little flap). Here are the possible safety issues that come with it.

1. High chance of your dog getting stolen (Especially if it’s one of the expensive and most desired breeds)

2. Higher risk of burglary if you have a large dog and thus requires a large dog door

3. More access to potentially dangerous animals (like coyotes), insects, plants, and objects (Like sharp objects)

4. Stray animals may come inside your home through the dog door, bringing dirt, disease, and bacteria along

5. Pests may freely come and go your home, which can be a scary thought especially if you don’t know what’s lingering in your home anymore

• Potential Permanent Home Alteration: Wherever you install a dog door (on the appropriate types of windows, walls, and doors), it will permanently be part of that structure.

This can be a big disadvantage if you plan to sell your home or rent it out in the future and you happen to find buyers without dogs. (It can be an advantage though if you’re lucky enough to find buyers who are also dog owners.)

• Energy Efficiency: Depending on the kind of dog door you install, there is a possibility of losing a bit of energy efficiency in your home, especially if the latch is not secured well. 

How Much To Install A Dog Door 

Installing a dog door at home is an expense you have to take note of. On average, the installation cost of common dog door sizes can fall between $100 and $2000 (including the cost of the dog door itself). 

The installation labor though is just between $75 to $300. Some of the factors that can affect the cost include the material, size, and style of the dog door chosen, as well as where you’ve chosen to install it. 

Are Doggie Doors A Good Idea?

Answering this question is a relative thing because it depends on your circumstance. Do you have a busy schedule with a well-behaved dog? 

A dog door might be a great option for you! You’re always at home with your dog who’s not as well-trained? Well, maybe you can just go out with the dog and take a walk. 

It will all depend on your situation if it’s good for your family or not. 

Can You Put A Dog Door In A Glass Door

The straightforward answer is yes, you can put a dog door in a glass door, whether it is a sliding glass door or even a window. You can install a small and circular polycarbonate dog door that usually comes with 4 locking options. 

This dog door can range from a small one that can accommodate dogs that weigh up to 13 pounds or 6 kg to a bigger dog that can weigh up to 48.5 pounds or 22kg. 

For dogs more than 48.5 pounds or 22 kg though, it has a 2-way locking system and self-closing magnets for more security.

See more related content in our article about the best floors for dogs on this page.