If you are looking for the best doggie door for cold weather, the process of finding one could become easily overwhelming. There are so many options available on the market that you might find it challenging to decide.
Even if we count on the fact that all Doogie doors in this guide will not disappoint you, the Perfect pet product might be just what you need.
- We love the fact that you can adjust the thickness of the telescope frame as you see fit.
- The vinyl flap is ideal in terms of insulation and protection.
- You can install it on your door or wall as you want.
- The color of this doggie door is perfect for all types of backgrounds as well.
We have put together a detailed guide to help you invest in the best door for your dog to use during winter days in a safe manner. Furthermore, we will discuss important things like why you should consider buying such a product and its advantages.
Keep reading to find out the best doggie door to get as well as the aspects to consider before pulling your credit card out!
Table of Contents
Best Doggie Doors For Winter – Comparison Table
How does the doggie door help in winter?
Before you choose the best doggie door for you, it is essential to understand why you need one in the first place. A doggie door appropriate for winter will keep the heat inside your house and the cold air outside of it. This will give you the best of both worlds.
First, your dog will be able to run in and out of the home as they please, and second, you will not have to overload your heating bill.
Keep in mind that not all doggie doors offer you such comfort during winter days. You need a door with proper insulation to conserve the heat in your home and still be as efficient as you need it to be.
How do you keep a dog door from freezing?
Ideally, doggie doors meant for the winter season will not freeze quickly, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Especially if you live in a cold climate, this risk could be more present, and you should try your best to prevent it.
To prevent this, you have a few efficient options. Doggie doors freeze when there are too much condensation and cold temperatures.
You can double the insulation area with weatherproof foam to empower it. This will not allow your doggie door to freeze so quickly. This will help you place an extra layer between the door and the frame or the wall and the frame.
Another option you have is adding heat tape to the frame of the doggie door. If you are not sure what heat tape to add, you can go to a hardware store near you, and you will most likely find several options. A great tip to apply when you use heat tape is to add it behind the frame so your pet will not scratch it off when they are playing.
Using a dehumidifier in your home will also reduce the risk of freezing up your doggie door. Dehumidifiers reduce condensation, and the cold alone will not freeze your door.
Do dog doors let in mice?
One of the main concerns you might have before installing a doggie door is to allow mice or other beings to enter your home. Unfortunately, if your doggie door is not installed correctly, it could facilitate rodents’ entrance into the house.
To avoid such an inconvenience, you can install the door a bit higher. Make sure you place it high enough to make it hard or impossible for mice to get through it but not higher than your pet can jump. This shouldn’t be hard as most dogs and cats have no problem jumping a few inches to get out or in the house.
Locking your doggie door at night will also help. Unfortunately, this is not going to be enough, even if it will prevent the access of mice in your home for the time the doggie door is locked.
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Do dog doors decrease home value?
Another important aspect you might wonder about is the impact of a doggie door on your home value. This is a very relative discussion as it depends a lot on the preferences of your potential buyer. If you plan to sell your house to someone who owns a dog or a cat, the doggie door will actually be a plus.
However, if you find a buyer who doesn’t own a pet and doesn’t intend to get one, it might negatively impact your home value. Either way, the difference in value is not significant, so this is not a worry you should have.
Can you buy a door with a dog door built-in?
If you are thinking of replacing your entrance door anyway, choosing one that comes with a doggie door already could be a great decision. There are many models on the market that you can choose from and accommodate all budgets.
The significant aspect of investing in a door that already comes with a doggie door is that you will not have to worry about installing one. All you have to do is install the main door to your home, and both you and your pet will be happy.
But if you don’t plan to replace your entrance door, you can simply invest in a doggie door to add to it. It all depends on the situation you are in and the condition of your home.
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What to look for?
Before you pull your credit card out to invest in a doggie door for winter, there are some things you should pay attention to. Here are some features you might be interested in if you want to have the best doggie door for your home!
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A) The size and shape of the door
One of the most important aspects to consider is the size and shape of your doggie door. Measure the widest part of your pet’s body and add at least two inches on each side. This will help you get an idea regarding the size of the doggie door you need. You will find all the information you need in the size chart that comes with each doggie door so make sure you check that.
B) Installation
The installation of your doggie door is also essential. You want a door that is easy to install and doesn’t require any extra tools. Most doggie doors come with all you need in the package, including the instructions. But some products require you to purchase an installation kit separately. It will be more difficult if you choose to install the doggie door on the wall, but you can do it with proper instructions and tools. If you install the door on the wall, make sure you don’t break any plumbing parts.
C) Safety
Safety should be one of the main concerns when purchasing and installing a doggie door. This is why it is vital to get a door that locks safely to close it as you need. You can even purchase a safety door to install over the doggie door for those times when you are not home. Your door shouldn’t be bigger than you need it, also for safety reasons. You don’t want other animals or even humans to be able to enter through it.
D) Features
Different doggie doors will come with particular features. There are doggie doors with an awning to add extra protection to your floor and the door’s frame. You can also find electric doors. These doors connect to a unique collar, and they open and close automatically as your pet jumps through it. Consider these features before purchasing your doggie door, as not all products have them.
E) Colors
The color and overall design of your doggie door are also important. You want it to match your home door as well as your background. Ideally, a doggie door should be discreet so go for colors that blend in with the rest of your space.
Best doggie door for cold weather
Here are the best doggie doors for cold weather on the market today:
1. Endura Flap Pet Door
The first doggie door you might be interested in comes from Endura, and it is very functional.
- You can find this in different sizes and three different colors. This variety allows you to choose the one that will work for your place best.
- This extreme weather dog door is ideal for all seasons, so you can use it all year round with no concerns.
- It is the type of pet door that will work for dogs and cats, so you can purchase it regardless of what pet you have.
- Each door has a magnetic system, so it doesn’t remain open. There is also a safety lock to use that will help you keep it closed when needed.
- What makes this door ideal for winter is that it will not aggravate energy loss in your home. It will resist temperatures of even -40 degrees F.
- Since this is a double door for your pet, you can choose to open one layer or both as you see fit.
- Easy to install a doggie door.
- Double layered
- Perfect for dogs and cats.
- Magnetic system
- Safety lock
- The magnet might not be as resistant.
- Difficult to clean
2. PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog and Cat Door
This PetSafe doggie door is ideal for all types of homes that have a puppy. It enhances your pet’s safety and allows you to relax as they go in and out when they please.
- You can get this doggie door in different sizes to accommodate your dog best. It comes in small, medium, and large as well as x large.
- There is also the option to choose between a plastic frame or an aluminum frame. This choice should depend on the weather conditions as well as the material of your door.
- This extreme weather dog door comes with a three flap system, and it is a lot more efficient when it comes to energy than a regular single flap door.
- Since this door is very insulated, you can use it in all weather conditions. It will keep the warm air inside your home and not allow the cold air to get in through it.
- If you choose the plastic version, you will be pleased to discover that you can paint it as you want to match your background.
- Different sizes available
- Three flap doors
- Great for all weather conditions.
- Simple design
- Easy to paint in different colors.
- It doesn’t come in different colors.
- Might be insulated as useful as expected.
3. PERFECT PET The All-Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door
Another doggie door that you will love is this Perfect pet model. It has all the features you might be interested in and a straightforward design.
- You can find this door in four different sizes from small, medium to large and super large. Each size has the dimensions specified in the product description, so you will know if it will work for your dog.
- This best heavy duty dog door is made of foam plastic, and it will conserve energy in a very efficient way. The warm air will stay in, and the cold air will stay out, so you can use it during any season.
- The frame can be easily adjusted in terms of thickness levels, so you can use it just the way you want.
- To install it more comfortably, you can purchase a wall kit that is sold separately.
- Different sizes available
- Resistant foam plastic material.
- Simple and modern design.
- Energy efficient
- Ideal for all seasons.
- Only one color available.
- More difficult to set up than other similar doggie doors.
4. Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Ruff-Weather Pet Door
This Ideal pet doggie door is perfect for your pet to have their freedom when they need it.
- You can find this product in all the sizes you might be interested in. It comes in a small, medium, large, and even extra-large size. So, you can get the one that will work best for your dog.
- The inner telescope frame makes this door that much more efficient, and you will not waste energy with it either.
- Even if this product comes in only one design, it will fit all the backgrounds, so you don’t have to worry about the aesthetic aspect.
- This doggie door is ideal for all seasons, so you can count on it even during cold days.
- If you need help installing this doggie door, you will be pleased to find out it comes with an installation kit sold separately. You can purchase the wall mount kit and get it done faster.
- Universal design
- Different sizes
- Weather-resistant
- Will not waste energy.
- Inner telescope frame
- It only comes in one color.
- Might not resist to extreme weather conditions.
5. Extreme Weather Aluminum Dog Door for External Door Mounting
The last but definitely not the least doggie door you will love to use comes from the Extreme Dog Door store.
- This door comes in a resistant aluminum material that you can count on during any weather conditions.
- You will find this door in different sizes as you see fit to accommodate your pet’s needs.
- A significant aspect of this product is that you can choose from a double flap, a single flap, and a double flap for walls.
- You will find this door very easy to install as all you need are screws to mount it on the wall or in your door. The package comes with all you need, so no further investment is required.
- Being waterproof and weatherproof, you will not have to worry about storms or rainy days.
- The frame is rust free, so you can count on this product for the long run with no concerns. Also, it requires a very low maintenance level, which can only work to your benefit in the long run.
- Easy to install
- Resistant aluminum frame
- Different designs available
- Different sizes on the market.
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- You can’t paint it in different colors.
- Might not insulate extreme winds as well as other doggie doors.
Even if we count on the fact that all Doogie doors in this guide will not disappoint you, the Perfect pet product might be just what you need.
- We love the fact that you can adjust the thickness of the telescope frame as you see fit.
- The vinyl flap is ideal in terms of insulation and protection.
- You can install it on your door or wall as you want.
- The color of this doggie door is perfect for all types of backgrounds as well.
As you can see, choosing the right doggie door for your home doesn’t have to be complicated. By using this guide, you will avoid making the most common mistakes in such a process.
You can rely on all the five doggie doors we added to our selection, but ultimately what you choose will be up to you and your preferences. Your pet will thank you for your investment in their own, loving way!
Key References
- “Welcome to the Science of Pet Safety!”. Accessed November 24, 2020. Link.
- “How Do Mice Get In Your House | Arrow Exterminating”. Accessed November 24, 2020. Link.