While it might be that time of year when many of us are actively thinking about opening our advent calendars, there’s another type of door that’s on pet-owners’ minds…we are, of course, talking about cat flaps and dog doors! After all, the colder weather and dark nights mean that tracking your four-legged friends’ comings and goings has never been more important for everyone’s peace of mind.
Here at Closer Pets, we understand that it can be a little overwhelming to know quite where to begin in the search for the perfect pet door – but there’s no need to get in a flap. Help is at hand, as we offer a range of options that will suit you and your precious pets down to the ground, whether you’re new to these handy installations or are looking to upgrade.
Why buy a pet door?
We hear you if you’re tired of constantly opening and closing the back door or are in need of a hassle-free way of letting your kitty stretch its paws without having to react to any fervent carpet-scratching. And the answer may just be a pet door. There’s certainly plenty of benefits to be had…for both of you. Read on to find out more…
- Well-being – in mind and body: Having reliable, easy access to the great outdoors means that your cat or dog is encouraged to keep up their step count, as they’ll always have the opportunity to pop into the garden to stretch their legs and have a sneaky sniff around. Not only that, but being out in the fresh air provides some all-important mental stimulation for your pet – especially in between walkies.
- Toilet tactics: It can be harmful for your pet to hold their bladder for too long on a regular basis, as it increases the risk of urinary tract infections and also heightens anxiety levels. Having the freedom to roam into the outdoor space when nature calls eliminates this problem – plus not having to think about letting your pet out for loo breaks throughout the day can ease the pressure on you when you’re hard at work. In fact, you could say that a pet door provides some light ‘relief’ for all!
- Safety first: As a pet owner, your cat or dog’s safety will undoubtedly be of the utmost importance to you. But what if your home were to catch fire and your furry companion happened to be alone indoors while you popped out? Fortunately, a pet door addresses this concern. With the right settings, it would safely allow your furry bundle to escape unharmed until help was at hand – without compromising your home security.
What types of doors are available?
When it comes to dog doors and cat flaps, it’s certainly not a case of ‘one size fits all’. This is a good thing, however, as no two pets or homes are the same, and so having a choice is key to ensure that the size and type of your trusty companion is fully accommodated. After all, nobody wants to endure the trot of shame by ending up stuck en route outside! What’s more, you need to consider the type of material the door is being fitted to and what type of control is needed.
- Cat flaps suitable for cats and small dogs
Microchip Cat Flaps – Using either your cat’s microchip or an ID tag attached to their collar, this type of cat flap will allow your cat to enter your home – alone. Powered by batteries, they’re simple to install, reliable and provide selective opening.
Locking Cat Flaps – Ideal if you want to keep your cat either indoors or outdoors, or for deterring curious neighbourhood cats, the lockable type work using either a microchip, chip you put on your cat’s collar or by manually locking them.
UPVC Door Cat Flaps – UPVC doors are the most common door type, so the Closer Pets range of cat flaps for UPVC doors is really popular, providing weatherproof access while keeping the worst of the weather out.
Glass Door Cat Flaps – Closer Pets offer two cat flaps for glass doors – the Glass Fitting Cat Flap and the Large Glass Fitting Cat Flap. Both are designed with glass doors and patio doors in mind, and are manufactured from tough polymer and include soft closure for minimal noise, plus a four-way locking system for extra security.
Wall Cat Flaps – Using one of our wall cat flaps and a wall liner, you can enable your cat to come and go as they please. Wall cat flaps can be installed by a competent DIYer or approved installer (more on these below), and offer the flexibility to provide easy access for your cat in situations where a cat door flap isn’t possible.
- Large dog doors
Large dog doors offer all the benefits of standard dog doors but are suitable for larger breeds – plus of course, cats and smaller dogs can easily use them, too. All large dog flaps in the Closer Pets range are lockable, meaning you can control when your dog pops out. Lock it when you want to keep them safe and sound indoors or when you take your furry friend on your trip away, and leave it open whenever you’re happy for them to go and explore.
What next?
Still scratching your head a little? Fear not! The Closer Pets team have recently added a ‘Door Support’ section to our website, including a Pet Door Guide and list of approved installers to help you every step of the way. Our Pet Door Guide clearly explains which pet doors go through different materials and which pets the doors are suited to, so you can choose the perfect one for you and your furry companion. Then, once you’ve made your decision, our list of approved installers tells you exactly who you can contact to get it installed with ease.
Discover our range today!
Having a pet is one of the greatest things you can do, and installing a pet door is the answer to your prayers when it comes to certain aspects of ownership. It empowers your beloved friends to tend to some of their essential needs when necessary, while giving you the peace of mind that they’re safe as houses while you’re otherwise engaged at certain times of the day.
Here at Closer Pets, we’re sure that you and your cuddly companions will reap the many benefits to be had from our comprehensive range of cat flaps and dog doors – so discover our range today and make life easier for you and your pet throughout the winter months and beyond.