General Information for
Electronic Pet Doors for Doors

 There are three main reasons to get an 'electronic' pet door:

•   To let your pets in and out while keeping out neighborhood pets and other animals.
   

•   Keep one pet in, often a cat, while letting others out.
   

•   To improve security--a person can't get in either.

In addition to these, there are a few more less common ones:

•   To lock baby in while letting the pets out.
   

•   To prevent the wind blowing the pet door open--electronics are wind-proof.

If you haven't got one of these reasons, we recommend you select a manual pet door. It will be simpler, less expensive and more reliable.

On the other hand, if you're not sure then consider the CatWalk Wood Fitting. It's an inexpensive manual cat flap that can be easily upgraded to a magnetic cat flap.

Once you decide to get an electronic pet door, there are a whole set of issues to think about.  We think you should take a look at our "Suggestions" page first. It will give advice for the most common situations.

If you need additional collar keys, you'll find them at "Collar Keys".  It's always a good idea to keep a spare handy in case of loss.

Some of the smaller sized ones--the "cat flaps"--will accept tunnel sections which enable installation through a wall. These tunnels sections, or "liners" are found at "Cat Door Tunnel Sections".

If you're on this page because your flap is broken, don't replace the entire pet door! You can find a replacement flap for most cat flaps at "Flaps 'n Parts"

To install a large electronic in a wall, use one of the choices above and frame out the wall first. We recommend a licensed contractor for that job unless you are particularly skilled in construction. Note that the Cat Mate Elite Series, the Staywell 500 and the PetSafe Cat Flap Magnetic 4-Way White (formerly Staywell 400 Magnetic) may be equipped with additional tunnel sections making them  "self-framing" in a wall installation!  Tunnel sections are available at "Cat Door Tunnel Sections".

For larger pets both the PlexiDor Electronic and Power Pet Door have "self-framing" options.

Hot Tip: Don't assume that your new electronic will keep the cat in and let the dog out! Read about which way does it control?

Hotter Tip: What about keeping out raccoons?  

Staywell 861
Infrared
Discontinued