The Best Cat Doors of 2024
Contents
- Top 5: Pet Door Reviews
- 1. PetSafe Freedom Patio Sliding Exterior Cat Door
- 2. The Kitty Pass Interior Pet Door
- 3. PetSafe New Wall Entry Exterior Feline Door
- 4. Cathole Interior Kitty Door with Cleaning Brush
- 5. SureFlap – Microchip Controlled Door for Cats
- Final Verdict & Review
- PetSafe Freedom Patio Exterior Cat Door
- Pros
- Cons
- Buying Guide
- FAQ
Do you have a kitty who enjoys the outdoors? Would you like to provide them with a way to come in and out of your home as they please? Or, perhaps, you’d like to make it easier for them to access a specific room in your home even if the door is closed.
A cat door help you do all of the things listed above. Some are designed for exterior entrances, while others are meant for interior doors.
We have a lot of cats and a lot of doors, most of which are made cat friendly. Below, we have collected the best kitty door options on the market this year!
Top 5: Pet Door Reviews
You can easily install this kitty door without cutting any holes in your existing doors. This product is designed to securely slide in next to a sliding glass door. Its design also makes it a great option if you are renting your home since you won’t need to ask for permission to cut a hole in a door for your cat.
There are two different panel sizes available, so you’ll be able to select the right fit for your door. You can choose from the 75 7/8 inches to 80 11/16 inches size or the 91 7/16 inches to 96 inches size.
There are also five door size options to allow you to choose the right size for your cat (or dog). You can use the pet size chart to help you select the right size, but most cats should be fine with the small size.
The door’s flap will stay closed with the magnetic closure to prevent cold air from entering your home or warm air from escaping. The panel is constructed using a heavy-duty aluminum that is also water resistant. It includes a shatter-resistant tempered glass as well.
This cat door will also allow you to control your cat’s access to the outdoors. You can lock the door if you do not want your cat to be able to use it at certain times.
You can purchase this product in white, satin, or bronze to match your existing sliding glass door.
Pros
- You won’t need to cut a hole in a door or a wall to use this product.
- There are three different panel color options to help you match your sliding glass door.
- You will be able to control your cat’s access to the outdoors with this option.
Cons
- This product is more expensive than the other options we reviewed.
We love this one! It is meant for interior doors and boy do we have many of them. This cat door is shaped like a cat’s head with ears on one side and a kitty tail on the other.
With this cat door, you can provide your cat with safe passage between the rooms throughout your home. It features a wide and smooth opening that won’t catch your cat’s fur or skin as they walk through. The opening is 7 ½ inches wide and 6 ½ inches tall, making this the perfect size for cats weighing up to 20 pounds.
You can install this tunnel yourself on doors that are between 1.25 and 1.75 inches thick. A pattern comes with the door to help you cut an opening that is the correct size to fit the door. Note that this kitty door is white, so if your doors are a different color, you can paint it before installing it.
Pros
- Features an attractive kitty design.
- A template is included to help you install it quickly and correctly.
- It can be used on doors that are up to 1.75 inches thick.
Cons
- You will need to cut a hole in your doors to use this option.
Another great option to consider if you are looking for a cat door for your home’s exterior is this option. It can be installed on an exterior wall of your home. You can install it in brick, wood, stucco, or siding.
To accommodate walls of different thicknesses, this product includes a telescoping tunnel. This will allow you to use the product in walls between 4.75 and 7.25 inches thick. If your walls are thicker than 7.25 inches, you will be able to purchase an extension kit, so you’ll still be able to use this product.
The PetSafe door is an energy-efficient product. It features a double flap that will help prevent air from escaping your home. The door also has PVC plastic frame and flap which are designed to hold up well to UV exposure.
When you purchase this option, you’ll be able to control your cat’s access to the outdoors. It comes with a slide-in closing panel that will allow you to lock the door and stop your cat from being able to get outside. When you insert the panel, it will also provide an additional layer of insulation to your home.
There are three different sizes to choose from. If you only plan on using this product for cats, you will likely want to choose the small size. If you also have dogs who will use the door, you may want to look at the medium or large sizes.
Pros
- The telescoping tunnel allows this product to fit on walls on various widths.
- You can use the slide-in closing panel to lock the door and prevent your cat from using it.
- A template and clear directions for assembly are included.
Cons
- Even with the double flaps, you still may feel a bit of a draft on windier days.
This one is a great option if you are looking to add a cat door for the area where your cat’s litter box is located. This door allows you to close off your cat’s litter box from your home while still allowing them to access it when needed.
The door features a cleaning brush around the edges, so when your cat walks through it any litter on their fur will be brushed away. This will help keep the rest of your home clean and litter-free. If you don’t want to use the brush, it can be removed from the door.
This cat door is made completely in The United States. It is designed to be easy to install, and you should be able to install it on your own. Installation should only take about 30 minutes.
Pros
- The brush on the door can help remove litter from your cat’s fur.
- You should be able to install this product on your own in about 30 minutes.
- When you use this door, you can shut the door to your cat’s litter box room without preventing your cat from being able to access it.
Cons
- There is only one color option, so you will need to paint it if it doesn’t match your doors.
If your cat is microchipped, the SureFlap door might be the right option for you. Like their SureFeed cat feeder, this cat door uses an RFID scanner to read your cat’s microchip, and it will only open up for IDs that you have programmed. This means that other animals from outside won’t be able to get into your home.
If you have multiple cats, they’ll all be able to use this door. It can learn as many as 32 different identities. If your cat doesn’t have a microchip, you can also purchase programmable collar tags.
The opening on this cat door is 5 5/8 inches wide by 4 ¾ inches tall. You can choose to install this product on a door, wall, or window. SureFlap offers accessories for different installation options that you can purchase separately.
You’ll just need four AA batteries to operate this door. The door should operate for about a year before it will need new batteries. There is a low battery indicator light that will let you know when the batteries are running low and need to be changed.
Pros
- You can choose to purchase a brown or white door depending on where you’ll be placing the door.
- The door can learn up to 32 kitty identities with their microchips.
- The low battery indicator light will let you know when the batteries are about to die so you can replace them.
Cons
- Some raccoons may still figure out how to get in but it’s much less likely than with a simple flap door
After conducting our review of the five cat doors above, we have concluded that the PetSafe door is our favorite option. One of the things that we love most about this product is that you’ll be able to install it without cutting a hole in your door, like so many other cat doors require. Instead, this product will just slide in on the frame for your sliding glass door and connect to the side of your door.
With the PetSafe door, you’ll be able to control your cat’s access to the outdoors by locking the door when you don’t want them to be able to use it. Even when the door is open and freely accessible for your cat, it has a magnetic closure on the outside that is designed to prevent hot air from escaping or cold air from entering your home.
The manufacturers of this product also offer numerous options to help you select the right product to meet your needs. You can choose from different panel sizes depending on the height of your sliding glass door, different door sizes, and different color options.
Buying Guide
A cat door can make it easier for your cat to let themselves in and out of your house or into different rooms in your home. They will be able to enter and exit as they please, and you won’t need to keep getting up and down to let them in or out of a space.
There are a few things you should consider before you purchase a new door for your kitty. Read through our list of features to think about or look for in your purchase to help you decide which product will best meet your needs.
Door Type
One of the first things you need to consider is the door type you are looking for. Some cat tunnels are designed to let your cats access the outdoors, while others are designed to provide your cat access to their sifting litter box or interior rooms in your home.
If you want a door for the outdoors, you will be looking at a different product set than if you are looking for an interior option.
Design
Next, consider the design of the door. Some of this is related to the door type above, as most pet doors that are designed to be used for interior rooms are more open.
If you are looking for a cat door to give your cat access to the outdoors, you will want to consider the design of the flap. Look for more energy-efficient option that will prevent as much air from escaping your house.
Flap Shape and Size
The next factor you should think about is the size and shape of the opening. You may want to measure your cat to compare it with the measurements of the door to ensure that your cat will be able to pass through the opening without any issues.
Controlled Access
If you are looking at a pet door to provide access to the outside, you will likely want to select an option that allows you to control when your cat will be able to use the door. With a controlled access door, you’ll be able to lock the door to prevent your cat from exiting your house when you want, such as overnight.
Installation
Ease of installation is another key feature to consider. Look at the installation directions for each door and be sure to select an option that install without too much trouble.
Some doors attach at the base of your existing door or in a wall, so for these options you’ll need to cut into your door or wall. There are also options that are designed to slide in next to your sliding glass door.
Be sure to pick a product that installs in a way you are comfortable with. If you are renting your home, you may want to look for a door that can be installed without cutting off a piece of a door or wall.
FAQ
How can I teach my cat to use a pet door?
If you have installed a cat door and your cat is not showing any interest in using it, you should be able to teach your cat how to use the door by following a few steps. First, try placing some cat treats just under the door. After your cat has retrieved these treats, try it again, but this time place the treat a little farther under the door.
You can continue this until you place the treats on the other side of the pet door and your cat appears comfortable using it. You may need to repeat these steps a few times until your cat starts to use the door on his or her own.
By the way, if your cat goes outside a lot, you might want to get her an outside cat house apart from providing her with an entryway into your home.
Can other animals enter through a pet door?
Yes, many times if you have a door that allows your cat to enter and exit at will, other animals may be able to gain access to your home.
One thing you can consider to prevent this from happening it to purchase a microchip controlled door. Such a door can be programmed to only open for your cat when it scans their microchip. This means that the door will not open for other animals that try to use it.
What size cat door do I need?
The specific size door you’ll need for your cat may vary. Before making a purchase, you will want to be sure to measure your cat and compare their measurements to the different size options that are offered.
We are the Pet Cat Friends, a dedicated group of pet loving bloggers and product testers for all your meowy needs. We research, test, and review cat related products with the help of our collective 21 cats. Feel free to leave us feedback and treats!