Archive for the ‘Pet Doors’ Category
When Cats Collide
A few months ago, I agreed to take care of my friend’s cat while she’s studying in London. I didn’t have any qualms about the agreement at first, but I failed to consider how my own cat would react to the new roommate. We planned to try an introduction one week in advance of the drop-off date. My cat had never acted in a territorial manner before, but she really let the new cat have it, and it went sprinting out the window cat door.
Aggressive cat behavior is characterized by hissing, spitting and growling – noises that will only come out in your cat when a perceived threat or rival is in the area. I’ve learned in the time since that cats eventually learn to covet smaller territories. Even if they don’t learn to share all toys and furniture equally, most cats will eventually grow accustomed to each other and stick to their own space.
Pet Portal to the World
None of us can be home as much as our pets would like us to be. (I always say my cats want me to stay home from work just so they can ignore me.) If you need pet doors, you need to choose and measure carefully to get the proper size and type for your dog or cat. Modern pet doors are constructed of soft vinyl and other durable, carefully developed materials that combine practicality with comfort.
For a dog less than eight pounds or a cat less than 15 pounds, a flap size of 5″ x 7″ should suffice. For a dog between 8 and 35 pounds, consider a flap size of about 8″ x 11″. If your dog is between 35 and 80 pounds, the flap size should measure 10″ x 15″. For a dog over 80 pounds, a flap size should be 15″ x 20″. If you doubt your measurements, open a door the minimum width necessary for your pet to comfortably walk through, measure the door opening, and add one inch. Another method of measurement is to stand above your pet and use a ruler to measure your pet at his widest point, adding an inch for the number you’ll need. The reason for adding the inch (or two) is to prevent your pet from rubbing the door as she passes through. To determine your pet’s height, measure from the top of your dog’s belly or chest and add two inches.
Puppy Care for Working Owners
When it comes to puppies, it can be difficult for people who have a full time job to provide the needed care. For puppies under six months old, it will be necessary for the owner to be home for at least some of the day, but for older puppies, a few convenient pet accessories can provide assistance for those times when at work. It’s important to have a dog doors installed for owners who work. The dog door allows the pet to go outside when needed and the owner won’t have to worry about house-trained pets having an accident while not at home. It’s also a good idea to have an automatic pet feeder and waterer to provide food and water throughout the day. While some dogs can be trained to have food in their bowls at all time and regulate their weight through physical activity, a lot of dogs will continue to eat until they’re too full, which can be unhealthy.
When owners do arrive home, it’s important that attention be paid to their dog right away. All dogs are pack animals, and when the leader arrives home, they will want to be near them for the rest of the day. Plan on taking a walk and spending time together often after work!
A Refuge for My Older Cat
When I came home from the humane society with a new kitten several months ago, my older cat Daisy was none too pleased. I had hoped that her maternal instincts would kick in and that she’d look after the new arrival. No such luck – at least not right away. Cats can be fiercely territorial, and Daisy was used to thinking of the entire house as her turf. She started yowling to go outside constantly, and the incessant noise started driving me up the wall.
I decided to install a cat door leading out to the backyard, allowing Daisy to come and go as she pleased. That way, whenever the kitten got on her nerves she could seek refuge outside. The door features a cat flap that keeps heat inside the house and cold air out where it belongs. In the last week or so, the cats have been acting much more civil toward each other, and I hope that adjustment process continues.
Getting Your Pet Ready For Spring – Part 10
So Now you’ve set up your Cat to come and go as he pleases, he goes out and get into mischief and you decide you want to restrict his movement but you don’t want to take away his outside privileges. How do you do that? Very simple. Get him a Cat Veranda
. Make him forget he’s an indoor cat. Now he’s an outdoor cat who’s indoors but doesn’t know it.
This unique veranda lets your favorite feline take in the sights, sounds and scents of the outdoors while enjoying the safety of the indoors. A locking cat flap gives you control of the veranda, letting your cat come and go as he pleases – or restricting access when you choose. The interior of the veranda features a washable carpet and a covered roof to ensure shady comfort.
Lockable entry flap Weather-tight Durable metal construction with rust-resistant coating Installs into vertically opening windows from 24 1/2″ to 34″ Supports cats up to 20lbs. If your cat is more than 20lbs and won’t fit thru the size opening listed here, you might want to consider a doggie door cause you got a big cat!
Getting Your Pet Ready For Spring – Part 9
Do you have a house cat, an outside cat, or a house cat that likes to go outside? Cats are pretty independent creatures and they like to come and go as they please, when they please, and how they please. So if you want to please you cat and let him think he’s doing it his way get him a Cat Windoor.
How big is that kitty in the window? This cat flap is available in one size only (the manufacturer says cats to 20 lbs but your mileage may vary. We think you should simulate the opening and call your cat through before ordering one, just to be sure he fits. This innovative window mount lets your cat come and go from apartments and condos – or any other dwelling where you don’t want to alter the doors or walls. The secure, water-tight design locks into any double-hung window.
4-way manual locks control your cat’s access Magnetic catch Clear face plate Weather-tight design. Easily installs into vertically opening windows from 24 1/2″ to 34″ wide
Getting Your Pet Ready For Spring – Part 8
Here’s a novel idea for cat owners. Get the litter box out of the house! If you install a Cat Flap, you can let your cat pass through any interior door and give your cat access to her litter box without giving her litter box access to your home!
A Cat Flap type cat door is a hinged flap set into a door, wall or window to allow cats to enter and exit a house on their own without needing a human to open the door, while offering a degree of protection against wind and rain entering the dwelling.
A quality durable cat flap fits any interior door that’s 1” to 2” thick. Your cat can come and go from the room where her litter box is housed – even when the door is closed. Ad a sliding lock and this will give you the option to bar access whenever you choose.
Cat flaps are designed and meant for cats 12 pounds and under. A transparent flap made of high-impact plastic is provided and comes with an Easy-to-use slide lock.
Getting Your Pet Ready For Spring – Part 7
When it’s time for Fido to go outside, if you have a pet door, you bid him farewell and off he goes. He’s going out to take care of business and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. If you have a pet screen door You can let the fresh air in while letting Fido out. A Pet Screen Door
is perfect for screened porches, screen doors, and some window screens. Most models are available with a flap and does not use a security cover.
A quality design attaches to the frame around the screen and not to the screen mesh fabric. Some brands of pet doors attach only to the screen mesh fabric, which is only as good as the strength of the fabric. Flaps and weather stripping make help to make the door “bug-proof”.
As an additional option, you can get a screen stabilizer kit. This has a cross bar that can be added to your people door directly above the pet door for added strength and stability. This type of installation is recommend for pet doors for large and extra large pets.
Getting Your Pet Ready For Spring – Part 6
Fido doesn’t always want to be on the couch. When the weather is nice your dog loves to be outside. It’s spring after all and there are new adventures to be explored. Pets love to have the freedom to come and go. And their owners love the benefits of that freedom.
A Pet Door 
will allow you to have that freedom. When you install a Pet Door you’ll finally have the flexibility to opt out of getting up early, in the middle of the night, or during dinner to let the dog outside. The fact is, allowing your pet to come and go at will build his confidence. His behavior will improve because this will eliminate boredom from having nothing to do when you not home. He will be less likely to get into things in the house, He’ll find things to get into outside instead.
High-quality pet doors come in a wide range of styles and sizes. Not only can you accommodate the smallest cat to the largest dog, you can also find a door to match your personal aesthetic needs and lifestyle. Best of all, you’ll never have to worry about safety – the entrance/exit panels on most pet doors has been designed to so that paws, ears and tails pass through with ease.