The Best Smart Pet Doors
While adding a pet door to your home will give your dog or cat the freedom they desire, it can also come with challenges. Smart pet doors give you more control than traditional ones to ensure your pets only walk through the door on your schedule. And they operate smoothly using collar tags, timers, or microchips to keep your pets safe. We've rounded up a few of our favorites to help you pick one to install in your home.
What to Look For
While researching smart pet doors, we found the best ones are weatherproof, easy to install, and customizable. The PetSafe door uses your pet’s existing microchip to open and close the flap based on your specifications. You can also set timers and adjust the four-way lock to ensure your pet is always safe. Plus, this smart pet door is easy to install in various interior and exterior doors, including wood and PVC. We also love the Ideal Pet Products smart pet door because it has two flaps that keep out strong wind and rain. The flexible flaps have magnetic closures to help them return securely after your pet walks through the door. Keep reading to discover your new favorite smart pet door.
PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor
Lock and key
With this smart pet door from PetSafe, you won’t have to monitor your dog or cat’s movements throughout the day. This door comes with one SmartKey that hangs from your pet’s collar and opens the door whenever they step near it. You can program the door to work with up to five keys to make it accessible for every pet. And you can even control the door manually if you want to keep them in or out.
Pros:
- The collar tags are waterproof
- Easy to install on interior or exterior doors
- Plastic flap always returns to the vertical position after use
Cons:
- Large collar tag isn’t ideal for small cats and dogs
Ideal Pet Products Ruff Weather Dog Door
Safety precautions
Safety is key when it comes to our pets, which is why we love this smart dog door from Ideal Pet Products. The large door can accommodate dogs up to 120 pounds and has two flexible flaps to make it easy for them to walk through the opening. But the best part is the built-in alarm, which sounds whenever you remove the door cover. You’ll know whenever another family member has opened the dog door, and you can respond accordingly.
Pros:
- Flaps have magnets to keep out unwanted weather
- Plastic cover slides in smoothly
- Sliding door prevents outdoor critters from entering your home
Cons:
- Difficult to install in a wall
High Tech Pet Power Pet Automatic Door
Puppy panel
As far as dog doors go, this one from High Tech Pet is huge. The smart door has sensors on both sides to let it know when to open and close. When it slides open, it creates a 16-square-inch space, which is large enough for dogs up to 100 pounds. This advanced pet door has various settings, including adjustment knobs for the indoor and outdoor range. And it even lets you know when the battery is running low, so you always know when to replace it.
Pros:
- Creates an airtight seal when closed
- Doesn’t require key tags
- Includes instruction video for easy assembly
Cons:
- No built-in timers
PetSafe Microchip Cat Door
Modern entrance
Designed specifically with cats in mind, this pet door from PetSafe uses smart features to give your pet the freedom they crave. This door operates using your cat’s existing microchip, which contains their contact information and health details. You can install the minimal model into any wood or PVC door using the included instructions. And you can adjust the door locks to allow your cat to move in and out, or to keep them indoors at certain times of the day.
Pros:
- Battery lasts for up to one year
- Set up this door with up to 40 cat microchips
- Energy-efficient door flap
Cons:
- Programmable tags sold separately for cats without microchips
Cat Mate Elite Cat Door
Complete control
Keeping out unwanted animals can be challenging with a traditional cat door. But with this one from Cat Mate, you can let your pet roam freely and lock out all other critters. When your cat wears the linked identification tag on their collar, the smart door will know they’re near and react accordingly. You can set it up to stay open, lock on one side, or lock completely to control your cat’s movements in and out. And this pet door runs on timers, so you don’t have to manually adjust it along the way.
Pros:
- Brush seal makes this pet door weatherproof
- The clear door is scratch-resistant
- Easy to install in 30 minutes or less
Cons:
- Makes loud noise when locking and unlocking
Why would I want to buy a smart pet door?
Smart pet doors have multiple purposes that make them better than traditional dog or cat doors. Firstly, they usually have a locking system in place. This means only your pets can move in and out of your home, keeping other outdoor critters from entering. And some doors even have built-in timers, so you can set up various schedules to ensure your pets have freedom on days when you go to bed early or want to sleep in.
How do I train my pet to use a smart door?
While there are many advantages to smart pet doors, dogs and cats sometimes find it challenging to learn how to use them. Some designs require a light tap on the door to activate the sensor, while others make a loud noise when unlocking. These changes can scare nervous pets and leave them uninterested. Take some time to get your pet used to this new part of their routine, and use treats when they move through the door successfully. After a few tries and plenty of praise, we think they’ll get the hang of it.
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