Looking for the best cat doors? Look no further. Your cat may need to move from room to room within the house or go outside sometimes. To avoid the hustle and bustle of your cat scratching and banging its head on the door trying to get assistance, you can get yourself a cat door.
It is also convenient when the cat is alone at home and there is no one to help the feline to enter or exit the room. Give your cat some freedom and independence by getting one of the best cat doors and it will enjoy its short exploratory trips in and out of the house or just within your home.
The best cat doors can be installed on both permanent and temporary homes.
Types of Best Cat Doors
There are different types of cat doors to choose from depending on what you might deem as most suitable and convenient. Knowing the available options is great as it helps you to choose the best fit for your feline furballs. Here are some of the most popular options to choose from:
- Cat Flaps for Doors–This is the most common type of cat door and it is installed on doors. It makes accessibility either to the front yard or backyard quite convenient. It also makes it easy for your cat to move from one room to another. When purchasing this type of door, ensure that you consider your door’s thickness and get the measurements to get the right alignment.
- Cat Door for Walls–Technically this type of door is installed like the door type. The difference is that it is installed on the wall and it might be longer due to the length between the interior and exterior wall. Pet doors for walls help pet owners avoid damaging interior and exterior doors. These also offer another advantage over the door cat flaps. When you choose to remove the flap in the future, amending the wall will be easier than amending the doors.
- Flaps for Sliding Doors–These cat doors are ideal for homes that have sliding doors. The installation process is not complicated and you do not have to install a new sliding track as you can use the same track your door uses.
- Pet Door for Windows–These are cat doors designed to be installed on the windows. They are not very common and their installation is more complicated. They are however a better option than leaving your window open for your feline to get in and out of the house.
- Electronic Doors–These are very safe modern types of cat doors especially if there are other cats around your home. They have a sensor that detects your cat when it approaches and allows access. For your kitty to be sensed, it needs to wear a collar or a microchip that has a transmitter.
10 Best Cat Doors for Doors & Walls
Without further ado, we have reviewed some of the best cat doors to make the task less daunting. Let’s take a look:
#1) PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Patio Panel Sliding Glass Pet Door for Dogs and Cats
This pet door is installed between a sliding door and the door frame creating a glass section that your pet can use to get in or out. You do not have to cut through doors to fix this cat and dog door making installation and uninstallation a simpler process thus suitable for a rented residence. It has a tinted and flexible flap that uses a magnetic closing system and is weather sealed
The frame is made of lightweight, strong weather-resistant aluminum and tempered glass that is also shattered resistant. This pet door has controlled access as you can slide a closing panel to ensure that your pets do not go in or out. Not only is it suitable for cats but also dogs. It comes in different sizes and colors.
Features
- Simple installation and uninstallation process.
- Ideal for tenants as you do not have to cut through doors to fix this cat and dog door.
- The tinted and flexible flap uses a magnetic closing system and is weather sealed
- Lightweight frame.
- The frame is made of strong weather-resistant aluminum and tempered glass.
- Controlled access as you can slide a closing panel
- Can be used by both cats and dogs.
- Comes in various sizes and colors.
#2) Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door
This cat flap door is one of the best cat doors and features a telescoping frame that fits into doors of various sizes and a waterproof flap. It is a simple door that lets your cats in and out of the house and you can easily lock the flap to control accessibility. The flap is clear thus your cat can see through to the other side and is made of weather-resistant and unbreakable Lexan material for durability.
This cat door is suitable for cats of up to 12 pounds and it has dimensions of 6.25 inches by 6.25 inches. It is easy to install and uninstall and you can easily mount the door into a board and place it on a sliding door.
Features
- Has a telescoping frame.
- Waterproof flap
- Clear flap for visibility.
- Made of weather-resistant and unbreakable Lexan material for durability.
- Suitable for cats of up to 12 pounds.
- It has dimensions of 6.25 inches by 6.25 inches.
- Easy to install and uninstall.
- Allows control as you can lock the flap to control accessibility.
#3) CATHOLE Cat Door the Original Interior Pet Door
Cathole cat door as one of the best cat doors is the ultimate pet door to use for your fur babies. This is mainly an interior cat door that can be used to separate your cat’s litter box and the rest of the living space.
Through this cat door, your cat can easily access the litterbox and you can keep away the litter box from your children. The installation process is very easy and it will take you not more than 30 minutes.
What stands out for this door is that it comes with removable grooming brushes that clean your cat as it passes through thus suitable for cats that cannot stand vacuuming. Suitable for cats of up to 20 pounds, this cat door comes in dimensions of 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches. You can easily paint the cat door to blend with your door color as it comes in wood color.
Features
- Interior cat door.
- Comes with removable brushes that groom your cat as it passes through.
- Easy and quick installation process.
- Suitable for cats of up to 20 pounds.
- Has dimensions of 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches.
- Can be used to keep the litter box from the children while still giving your cat access to the litter box.
- It comes in wood color and you can easily paint it to blend it with your door color.
#4) The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door Hidden Litter Box Pet Door
As one of the best cat doors, the Kitty Pass pet door is designed for interior use purposes mainly to separate the litter box from the living space while still letting your cat easily access it.
It can also be used to allow your feline to access other rooms in the house. It has a cute and adorable design and smooth sides that allow your furry friend to pass through without any hitches.
The pet odor is aesthetically pleasing as it has no annoying screw holes thus complimenting your door. The door is 7.5 inches high and 6.6 inches wide allowing both kittens and large cats to pass through.
It suits both traditional solid doors as well as hollow interior doors and perfectly fits into doors that are 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches thick.
Features
- Designed for interior purposes.
- Has a cute and adorable design.
- Smooth sides that allow your furry friend to pass through without any hitches.
- Aesthetically pleasing as it has no annoying screw holes thus compliments your door.
- The dimensions of the door are 7.5 inches high and 6.6 inches wide.
- Suits both traditional solid doors as well as hollow interior doors.
- Fits into doors that are 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches thick.
#5) Ani Mate Cat Mate Large Cat Door
This cat door is designed for the largest of cats and some small breeds of dogs. It has a cut-out size of 8.25 inches by 9 inches and overall size of 9.25 inches by 10 inches.
It has a 4-way locking system that makes control easy and you can set the door to open in only, open out only or stay fully locked. The flap is self-lining to 2 inches thick and is fitted with an external frame seal that is rainproof as well as a magnetic closure seal that is weatherproof.
The Ani Mate Cat door as one of the best cat doors comes with complete instructions for installation and usage making it a convenient purchase for a new user. It also has a brush strip that prevents energy loss which also gives the flap an almost silent operation so that it does not scare your cat.
Features
- Designed for the largest of cats and some small breeds of dogs.
- It has a 4-way locking system
- Easy control.
- The flap is self-lining to 2 inches thick.
- The flap is fitted with an external frame seal that is rainproof as well as a magnetic closure seal that is weatherproof.
- The door comes with complete instructions for installation and usage.
- It also has a brush strip that prevents energy loss giving the cat door an almost silent operation.
#6) Purrfect Portal Cat Door Built-in Interior Pet Door
If you have small children and you want to keep them off the cat’s litter box while still allowing your feline to access the litter box with ease, then this is the cat door for you.
This cat door will help to keep odor off your living room as the cat’s ‘bathroom’ is in another room. It has a fun cat design and has a simpler installation process as you just screw both sides and top them with screw caps. The screws make this door secure than most doors and will be fixed on your door or wall for a long time.
The plastic molded material makes this cat door very durable. It is suitable for both hollow doors and solid doors that are 1.25 to 1.75 inches thick. Its clever design makes it safe for both toddlers and your pets. Safety and convenience are just some of the positive facets that make this pet door one of the best cat doors.
Let your curious fur babies roam freely in the house by installing this pet door in their favorite rooms. The pet door is made to last and since its installation doesn’t use glue or tape, the drilling screws ensure your pet stays in place for years.
Features
- Has a fun cat design.
- Simple installation process.
- For interior use.
- Secure and will be fixed on your door for a long time.
- Suitable for both hollow doors and solid doors.
- Fits into doors that are 1.25 to 1.75 inches thick.
- Its clever design makes it safe for both toddlers and your pets.
Related Post: Best Cat Treat Dispensers with Camera
#7) SureFlap-Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap
The SureFlap-Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap guarantees security as it only allows selective entry hence neighbors cats and other animals will not be able to access your home.
It is compatible with all microchips worldwide. If your cat does not have a microchip and you are not intending to implant one, you can use programmable collar tags.
This door can be programmed to only open at certain times of the day. Also, the microchip or collar tag can be used as a tracker of some sort in case your cat goes missing. The doors’ dimensions are 7 inches wide by about 6.75 inches tall thus suitable for most cats.
This cat flap is battery-powered with a battery life of up to 12 months. The door can be used by more than one cat as you can store multiple cats in its memory making it one of the best cat doors to use in a house with multiple furry friends.
Features
- Multiple cats can be stored in the door’s memory.
- Maximum security as only authorized cats can access the door.
- Can use either a microchip or a programmable collar.
- The door’s dimensions are 7 inches wide by about 6.75 inches tall thus suitable for most cats.
#8) PetSafe Interior and Exterior Cat Door
PetSafe cat door as one of the best cat doors features a transparent flap that gives your cat visibility. The flap is molded in plastic for durability and has a magnetic weather seal.
It has a 4-way locking system that allows you to control the door’s accessibility. The door can be used in the interior to allow access to the litter box or food or for the exterior where the cat can use the door to go in and out of the house.
It uses microchip technology to allow access thus secure. The dimensions of the flaps are 7.125 inches by 7.25 inches and suitable for cats of up to 25 pounds. It perfectly fits indoors that are 0.1875 inches to 2 inches thick and comes with a cutting template for easier installation.
Features
- Has a transparent flap for visibility.
- The flap is molded in plastic for durability.
- Uses microchip technology to allow only selective accessibility.
- Has a 4-way locking system for control.
- Can be used for both interior and exterior purposes.
- Suitable for dogs of up to 25 pounds.
- The dimensions of the flaps are 7.125 inches by 7.25 inches
- Perfectly fits indoors that is 0.1875 inches to 2 inches thick.
- Comes with a cutting template.
#9) Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door with Telescoping Frame
This is a traditional cat door that can be used for both interior and exterior purposes. The flap seals itself with magnets until your cat pushes the flap. You can easily control accessibility by locking the door with a slide-down mechanism. This cat door features an inner telescoping frame that perfectly fits indoors that are 1 1/14 inches to 2 inches thick.
The clear impact-resisting thermoplastic flap allows visibility for your pet and it comes in two sizes depending on how big your feline is. It is easy to install using a simple 4 step process that takes less than 20 minutes. The mounting system is tamper-proof and cannot be removed from the outside.
Features
- Used for both interior and exterior purposes.
- The flap seals itself with magnets until your cat pushes the flap.
- Accessibility can be controlled by locking the door with a slide-down mechanism.
- This cat door features an inner telescoping frame.
- Perfectly fits indoors that are 1 1/14 inches to 2 inches thick.
- Clear impact-resisting thermoplastic flap for visibility and durability.
- Easy to install using a simple and quick 4 step process.
- Tamper-proof mounting system.
#10) Depets Medium Cat Flap Door
The Depets Medium Cat Flap Door as one of the best cat doors features a clear flap door for visibility which makes the training process much easier. It has a waterproof exterior screen and also a brush strip that gives the door an almost silent operation for your pet’s peace of mind. It can be used for both interior and exterior purposes.
This cat door uses magnetic technology to open and close. It is easy to install and comes with a complete instruction guide. You can switch its modes of operation to swing in only, swing out only, swing both in and out, or locked giving you control of the door’s accessibility. It is suitable for cats of up to 16 pounds and perfectly fits into doors that are up to 50mm thick.
Features
- Clear flap for visibility.
- Waterproof exterior screen.
- Brush strip that gives the door a quiet operation.
- Suitable for both interior and exterior purposes.
- Use magnetic technology to open and close.
- Easy to install and comes with a complete guide.
- You can switch its modes of operation to control accessibility.
- Suitable for cats of up to 16 pounds.
- Fits into doors that are up to 50mm thick.
Related Post: Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Best Cat Doors Buying Guide & FAQs:
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Best Cat Doors
Size
The size of the cat door should be able to accommodate your cat. Most of the best cat doors are designed for average-sized cats of between 9 pounds and 12 pounds. If your cat is big, ensure that you get a cat door specified for large cats.
To be precise, get the length and width of your cat before buying cat door. You don’t want to install a pet door that won’t serve it intended work because it’s too small for your feline.
To get the width of the flap, measure your kitty’s body width and add an inch to the measurement. For the height, measure the cat’s torso’s height and add an inch to the measurement.
Depth
The depth of the cat door should match the thickness of the door, wall, or any other surface you want your cat door installed. Ensure that the cat door entirely covers the door or wall you are intending to install on.
Security and Access Control
If you live in a neighborhood that has other cats or wild animals, security is key. You want to ensure that no other animal apart from your furry friend gets in and out of the house. This is where an electronic door is most suitable.
The electronic doors have features that will only allow your cat to get in and keep the rest of the animal outside. Electronic cat doors have 2 types of locking systems, a 2 way where the cat door unlocks to allow your cat to pass through then locks to ensure that no animals get in or out. The 4 way allows either an in access only or an out access only.
Shape and Color
The shape of your cat door of choice is mainly determined by the shape of your cat. For wide-bodied cats, it is advisable to get a square-shaped cat door. Cats like to see their way and destination before going through the cat door and for this reason a door with transparent flaps is more recommended. The colors of the door should amalgamate into your home and not seem too conspicuous.
Installation
Most of the doors are easy to install if you have the right tools. If a door installation is too complex you might need to hire a professional to do it for you. To avoid the trouble, it is easier to get a door that you can easily install. If you live in a temporary home, it is wiser to ensure that you can uninstall the door when you need to move houses.
Related Post: Best Cat Window Perches
Benefits of The Best Cat Doors
Cats are wanderlust creatures and often will disturb their pet parents to let them out. Some cat owners have been woken up in the middle of the night by their cats who want to out and minutes later the cats are again out there calling you to allow them back in.
Such experiences can be stressful to the pet parents and cat doors can be the solution. The cat doors allow the cats to explore as they please. There are several benefits of considering a cat door:
Heath Benefits
Cat doors promote good health among cats. Since they provide freedom to the felines, cats openly explore the outdoors at their pleasure. This not only keeps the pups mentally stimulated and alert but gives them a daily dose of exercise.
Running about in open spaces helps cats stay fit. A cat that roams freely in wider spaces will have a lower risk of health issues such as obesity and diabetes. The cat doors also relieve the cat’s boredom of spending the whole day indoors especially when pet owners are not at home.
Related Post: Best Interactive Cat Toys
Helps Instill Behavioral Obedience
Potty training is a struggle for most pet owners. Even the most behaved pets can have accidents. The situation is made worse if the bet soils when you are not at home to deal with spills right away.
To reduce the occurrence of accidents, pets need extra attention and activity which you can provide if you are not at home. Outdoors is always an intriguing space for pets and allowing the pets to experience the outdoors at their pleasure will keep them occupied.
Installing the best cat doors adds enrichment to your cat’s life and hence keeping your home accidents free.
See Also: Top-Rated Cat Beds
Promotes Safety of Your Cat
While exploring outdoors is great for pets, it has its share of drawbacks. Mother nature is unpredictable and while your cat is out by itself a sudden downfall can catch it by surprise. You might not be home to let the cat back in when it starts to pour and a cat door will come to its rescue when the cat comes running back.
In other places, there are predaceous animals outside the homes and cat doors will help evade the predators unarmed. Cat doors also help prevent conflict among pets in the house. If you keep cats and dogs, the days may attack cats during mealtime and the cat doors help separate the feeding areas.
Convenience
One thing about cats is like roaming around. Cat owners can attest to this and sometimes after a long day you get home worn out and find your pet eagerly waiting for you to take a stroll outdoors. You can’t refuse but feel robbed of your resting time.
To avoid such experiences, a pet door will let your kitty go out as many times as they want without bothering you to open the doors. This helps improve the quality of life for both you and your pet.
Read: Why You Might Need Cat Door
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Cat Doors
Q: How Do I install a Cat Door?
A: Installing a cat door is an easy task if you have the right tools. Besides most manufacturers send instructions on how to go about the process. Below are some steps that you can follow to successfully install a cat door.
- Most cat doors come with a cutting template for your wall or door. The first step is to attach the template or the actual car door (if the cat door did not come with a template) and trace the outline with a pencil.
- On the major corners of the outline, drill some holes using a power drill and cut out the outline with a jigsaw. The materials used to cut out the outline will however depend on the material of the door or wall.
- Insert the door into space and secure the door.
Tip: If you are installing the cat into your door, take the door off its hinges if possible to make the task easier.
Q: Is It Okay to Let Your Cat Go Outside?
A: This is entirely up to you but you should let your kitty go outside once in a while. This will help it explore its instincts like climbing up trees, running and playing which will excite your feline. However, just like dogs and children, letting your cat go outside will expose it to diseases, parasites, harassment from some people and other animals, car accidents and a whole lot of other dangers. Therefore, this is entirely up to the cat owner depending on what they want their cat to experience.
Q: How Do I Measure my Cat?
A: To get the right measurements of a cat door, you need to get the right measurements for your cat. For the height of your feline, you are supposed to measure how tall the torso of your cat is. Get the length from the lowest part of the chest up until the top part of the shoulder and add an inch. For the width, measure your furry friend from side to side and add an inch.
Conclusion
Having a cat door or flap will give you so much peace of mind even when you are away from home especially if you have given your cat the liberty to move in and out of the house. You will not have to constantly worry if your cat will be able to access the house or a certain room. When purchasing the cat door, consider all the factors we have listed above and ensure that you get the size of your cat right. That way, you will be able to get the best cat door.