Best dog door for cold weather

When the sun’s out and the weather’s warm, leaving the door open to allow your dog the freedom to come and go as they please isn’t an issue, but it’s a different matter when the weather is cold. The door dance will be familiar to anyone with a dog – as soon as you let your dog out, they want to come back in, and when they come back in, they can’t wait to go out again.

Not only is playing doorman to your dog frustrating, but it makes keeping your home warm in cold weather near impossible. The best dog door for cold weather will give you the best of both worlds; they allow your dog access while keeping the heat in.

Our quick picks are the PlexiDor dog door for overall convenience, weatherproofing, and durability. Still, if you’re looking for the best door for wall mounting, the Endura flap is our top pick.

Best dog doors – How to choose

Dog doors come in all shapes and sizes, as do our dogs. Whether you need to provide access in a wall, wooden door, or pane of glass, there’s a dog door suitable.

In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following dog doors for cold climate.

• Endura Flap wall mount
• PetSafe Freedom patio panel
• PlexiDor dog door
• Ideal Pets Ruff-weather pet door
• Power Pet electronic door

But to help you choose, here are a few things to consider;

Location

Perhaps the most crucial consideration in picking a door is where you want to put it. While the most common installation has historically been in a back door, there’s a growing need for doors that fit walls, glass, and screen doors. The construction of a pet door varies based on where it’s going, so it’s important to get this right before investing.

It’s also worth thinking about how convenient your chosen location is. Once your dog gets used to going in and out without your help, they will likely spend much more time in the area. Furniture, ornaments, or other household objects are in danger of getting knocked over. Not only that, but bad weather means wet paws, so the flooring needs to be dog-proof.

Climate

The best dog doors for a cold climate have energy-efficient door seals. This ensures that your home stays nice and warm while your dog has the freedom to come and go as they please. If you’re lucky enough to live in a more temperate climate, the door seals are less critical but still something to consider.

Security

The security level of the dog door is fundamental if you’ve got a large dog. While few would attempt to access a house containing a big dog, a locking dog door adds an extra security level.

Dog doors have different types of locking devices. Some have manual locks, others have smart locks, and still, others are unlocked by a device that your dog wears. Consider your neighborhood, ease of access to your house, and the size of your dog when considering the security aspect of a dog door. It’s also worth thinking about potential animal intruders, from trash pandas, alligators, and neighborhood cats, locking dog doors to keep unwanted visitors out.

Your dog

It may seem obvious, but you need to think about your dog before investing in a dog door. Are they timid or shy, boisterous or bouncy? Do you have an elderly dog with mobility issues or live in a multi-dog household with dogs of different sizes?

Dog doors differ in the amount of effort it takes to open them, the height of the stepover your dog needs to negotiate, and the sturdiness of the materials. All of which affect the pet door’s suitability for your dog.

Before you buy a dog door

Once you’ve decided on the best place for your dog door, the next step is to measure your dog. While dog doors don’t need to be the same size as your dog, they do need to be big enough for your dog to use them comfortably.

• Height; Measure your dog from shoulder to floor if you have a multi-dog household, measure to the tallest and shortest dogs in your pack. Two inches above shoulder height is ideal.
• Width; Find the fullest part of your dog, usually around the shoulders or hips. Again, two inches bigger than the widest part of your dog is comfortable.
• Weigh your dog; heavier dogs need sturdier pet doors.
• Growing room; If you’ve got a puppy, you need to factor in the growing room and estimate your dog’s final size based on breed statistics to ensure you get the right door size.
• Step-over; this is the height of the pet door from the floor. Some dogs can navigate quite high stepovers, but if you have a dog with limited mobility, it’s a significant consideration.

A good way of getting an idea of the door’s size and how it will look in place is to make a mock-up out of cardboard.

Best dog doors for cold climate

Endura Flap Pet Door for Walls in White | Energy-Efficient Double Flap Design for Wall Installations | All-Weather Protection with Insulating...

• ENERGY-EFFICIENT & WEATHERPROOF: Endura Flap pet door for walls boasts a double-flap design for optimal insulation, reducing energy costs and providing a comfortable indoor environment, regardless of...
• ✔ SAVE ON YOUR ENERGY BILL: Award winning double flap dog doors and cat doors are designed for maximum energy efficiency even in the most extreme weather; doggie door for wall patented technology...
• ✔ EASY TRAINING FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT: Endura Flap wall mount dog door features a three-sided magnet design adjustable for training or for timid pets while providing the strength you need to keep the...

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With a sturdy aluminum frame, the Endura Flap pet door is an award-winning dog flap designed for wall -mounting. It’s an energy-efficient dog door that is wind-resistant, up to fifty miles an hour, so it will stand up to even the most extreme weather.

It features a locking cover, so you can secure the flap when not in use. What’s more, it comes with a double flap that is secured with strong magnets that offer exceptional insulation against cold weather no matter how many times your dog goes in and out. Complete with a ten-year warranty, it comes in four sizes and three frame colors.

Pros

• Excellent insulation against cold weather
• Strong magnets along the bottom and sides hold the flaps in place
• The double flap is energy efficient and increases insulation
• Locking door when not in use
• Complete installation kit included

Cons

• Not easy to install unless you’re a DIY buff
• The magnetic flaps are loud as your dog goes in and out.
• The magnets are so strong that timid dogs may need time to get used to pushing through the flap door.

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PetSafe 1-Piece Sliding Glass Pet Door for Dogs & Cats - Adjustable Height 75 7/8" to 80 11/16"- Small, White, No-Cut Install, Aluminum Patio Panel...

• PERFECT FOR APARTMENTS AND RENTAL HOMES: This rental-friendly door installs easily in 1 piece so you can easily take it with you if you and your best friend move
• 2 ADJUSTABLE SIZES: The patio panel is available in 2 adjustable heights to fit in your existing sliding door track; adjustable up to 80 11/16 in or 96 in
• DESIGNED FOR SMALL PETS: Flap opening is 5 1/4 W x 8 3/16 in H for pets up to 15 lb

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This cold-weather dog door from PetSafe is perfect if you want to give your dog access via a sliding glass door. With a heavy-duty aluminum frame and shatter-resistant safety glass, the PetSafe Freedom panel is an energy-efficient dog door that keeps your home warm using an ultra seal flexible flap system. What’s more, it comes with a cover that secures the door when not in use.

Pros

• Easy to install
• It can be easily removed so great in a rental property

Cons

• The magnets to keep the door flap closed aren’t powerful, meaning that cold air can get in.
• Single pane only so not suitable for extreme cold
• It affects your ability to lock your doors which is a security risk
• It makes the door opening considerably narrower

PlexiDor Performance Pet Doors for Dogs and Cats - Wall Mount Dog Door with Lock and Key - Silver, Medium Size

• Never buy replacement flaps again. Saloon style thermopane panels open fast and close tight. Keeps heating and cooling inside your home.
• Accommodates dogs up to 40 pounds. Promotes exercise, good health, weight maintenance for a longer happier life. Able to withstand abuse from even the most powerful dogs.
• Installs into stud, brick, block or cement walls up to twelve inches thick. Heavy duty springs are concealed in the hardened aluminum main frame. Tunnel will not rust, has no sharp edges and is easy...

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There’s a lot to like about the PlexiDor dog door. Its sturdy aluminum frame, superior insulation, and quiet saloon-style doors are perfect for cold weather conditions. PlexiDor is so confident in their product that they offer a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty as well as a ninety-day money-back guarantee. With a lock and security plate for additional security, the PlexiDor is available as both a door or wall-mount option.

Pros

• Security plate for extra protection when you’re away from home
• Lock to keep unwanted visitors out overnight
• Four sizes
• Ten-year manufacturers guarantee
• Quiet doors which are perfect for more timid dogs

Cons

• It takes some skill to install

Ideal Pet Products Designer Series Ruff-Weather Pet Door with Telescoping Frame, Super Large 15" x 23.5" Flap Size

• Durable, energy-efficient all-weather pet door with inner telescoping frame
• Structural foam molded plastic frame with two vinyl flaps for maximum insulation
• Flap size is 15 inches x 23.5 inches, frame size is 19 inches x 28.125 inches and pet door cutout size is 16.25 inches x 25.75 inches

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This Designer Series Ruff-Weather dog Door with Telescoping Frame from Ideal Pet comes in four different sizes, making it ideal for small and large dogs. Made from molded plastic with double vinyl flaps for superior energy efficiency, the Ruff-weather pet door has a three-inch air pocket between the flaps for additional insulation. The flaps secure with magnets to keep them in place, and there’s a locking mechanism for extra security.

Pros

• Ideal for large dogs
• The double flap system makes it more energy efficient
• Sturdy construction

Cons

• The magnets that hold the flaps in place aren’t strong enough in extreme weather to stay closed.
• The lock isn’t robust, which means you have a security risk.
• It isn’t easy to install

Power Pet Electronic Pet Door - Medium - PX-1

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This dog door from High Tech offers the ultimate convenience, security, and weatherproofing. The electronic operation is activated via a small, waterproof ultrasonic collar that your dog wears. This ensures that your dog can come and go as they please, but nothing else can get in.

There’s no need for your dog to push through flaps as the door panel lifts into its own housing and closes to form an air-tight seal that provides superior protection against cold weather. Controls allow you to choose from in only, out only, full access, or closed and locked. What’s more, this electronic pet door has security in mind provided by a deadbolt and the bulletproof, military-grade resin door.

Pros

• The air-tight seal provides superior protection in cold weather
• Sensitivity is programmable for both inside and outside access
• The time that the door stays open is adjustable, which means you can tailor it to your dog

Cons

• As the collar uses batteries, they need to be replaced regularly at additional expense.
• The propriety collar is not robust, and an active dog can damage it easily
• Collars are universal, which presents a security risk as any collar can open any door

Best dog door for cold weather conclusion

There’s no doubt that dog doors for cold weather are convenient, but don’t expect your dog to use one without some training. Be patient and teach your dog how to push through the door using tasty treats. Timid dogs may take longer than bold dogs to feel comfortable using a dog door, but most get the idea eventually.

Giving your dog the freedom to come and go as they want is a real bonus. But keeping your house warm in cold weather is even more critical. Your choice of the best dog door for cold weather depends on some essential elements such as your location, size of your dog, and in some cases, the potential of outside intruders, both human and animal.

We’ve provided our top picks of dog door – the PlexiDor dog door for overall convenience, weatherproofing, and durability and the Endura flap for walls, there are many more available making it almost sure that you’ll find one to suit.

If providing a dog door is out of the question, but your dog needs to spend time outside when it’s chilly, why not check out our best-insulated dog house for cold weather instead.

Last update on 2023-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API