Can Coyotes Go Through Dog Doors?

If you have a pet door, you might be worried about what comes into your home through the same entrance your dog uses. Just owning a dog is often enough to deter burglars and small critters. But many pet owners worry if coyotes will get into their homes through their pet doors.

Their concern makes sense. While raccoons and possums are tricky creatures who will try to get into your home through a pet door, they are often smaller than your dog and more scared of them. You can rely on your dog to defend your home.

However, when up against a coyote, your dog may be in trouble. Coyotes are known to attack smaller dogs, and if your larger dog attacks them, you can guarantee that the coyote will fight back.

But do you have to really worry about a coyote coming into your home through a doggie door?

Can Coyotes Enter Your Home Through a Dog Door?

Unfortunately, a coyote can use your dog’s pet door to get into your house. There have even been a few reported incidences of this happening, especially during the summertime in California.

However, while news stations love to report on this story, it happens infrequently. A coyote has to be very motivated to boldly enter a person’s home. Often, they will only do so if they smell food that they believe they can easily reach.

If you live in an area with coyotes, you do not need to be anxious about a coyote using your dog’s pet flap. It is rare, and the coyote is likely to leave on their own. If you do find a coyote inside your home, call your dogs into a different room and keep your distance. If it is safe to do so, calmly open another door outside to give the coyote an easy way to leave. Call animal control as well for further assistance.

What Are Some Anti-Coyote Pet Doors?

If you want to get a pet door that will keep coyotes out of your home, then you have a few options.

But first, make sure you do not have an excessively large pet door. If you have a large pet flap that only your cat uses, this is your sign to switch over to a smaller cat door. Coyotes can only enter your home through an opening big enough for them to squeeze through. That means that you should only invest in a pet door that is appropriately sized for your pet.

While you should look into getting your cat or small dog an electronic pet door that only unlocks when they are using it (such as the PetSafe Electronic Smart Door or the Cat Mate “Elite” 355 and 305 Cat Doors), it is extremely unlikely a coyote will be able to squeeze through the opening.

Next, you want to look for pet doors that have some kind of locking feature. That way, you can block off your pet door at night to prevent coyotes from crawling in. Here are a few of our recommendations:

High Tech Power Pet Smartphone Controlled Wifi Pet Door for Doors

This pet door has an electronic locking system that ensures that your pet door is used by your pet only. The door’s sensor detects a key attached to your dog’s collar that lifts the pet flap up and locks it when your dog is through.

While the entire brand is dedicated to making the most secure electronic pet doors, this model in particular can also be controlled with an app on a smartphone. This allows you to lock up your home while your away. That way, you don’t have to worry about being greeted by a coyote when you come home.

Endura Flap Pet Door for Doors

This energy efficient pet door comes with a free locking cover that slides into place from the inside of your home. The cover is as strong as 16 gauge steel to prevent any animal from breaking through. This is great for families that only want to block off their doors at night when security is the greatest concern.

Watchdog Steel Security Pet Door Cover

If you have a pet door you’re not willing to replace, then a Watchdog Steel Security Cover is the best option for you. It installs over your pet door flap to provide a super secure lock that no one can break into. We’ve always recommended it for summer vacation homes that are empty for most of the year due to how secure the lock is.

Gun Dog Drop-In Closing Panel

This panel is made to accompany the Gun Door House Dog Door models. If offers a slide-in panel that is made of ¼” thick polypropylene. It’s one of the best heavy duty closing panels that can even keep out humans.

It is unlikely overall that a coyote will come into your home, but it never hurts to be prepared. Taking the appropriate measures now will ensure that you won’t have to worry about a harrowing experience later on, and you and your dog can enjoy their pet door all summer long.