You’ve probably decided to buy and install a dog door in your home. Approximately 32% of pet owners have installed pet doors to give their little furball easy access to the outside world. It keeps them active, helps them become independent, and reduces problematic behavior.
While selecting a pet door, you have probably considered your dog’s weight, breed, and size. But have you kept in mind the cooler months and the effects these openings can have?
Yes, dog doors can welcome uninvited animals looking for shelter at night or blow cold and crisp air into your house. Moreover, your dog might become sick after escaping through this door during the cooler months. Reports suggest dogs can feel cold if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s why you should consider getting dog doors with features suitable for the cooler months. In this blog, we will discuss a few tips to help you choose a dog door suitable for the colder months.
1. Look For Insulation Features
During autumn and early winter, the weather is still suitable for your furball to play outside for prolonged periods of time. However, heat from your home can escape through these openings and reduce energy efficiency.
A good dog door for the fall with insulation features won’t allow heat to escape or cold wind to enter.
Ideally, you should look for the following features if you want your pet door to offer insulation during the colder months:
- Use of magnetic seals embedded at the bottom of the door flap to reduce hot air from escaping the home (best for bigger dogs)
- Use of low-temperature-tolerant materials to avoid shrinkage or flexing during the cold months
According to Hale Pet Door, pet doors with extruded aluminum frames and heavy-duty magnets can keep your home insulated. These can also allow your dog to have the perfect autumn and winter adventure without harming their health.
2. Go For Dual-Panes
Another dog door feature you should look into is dual-pane doors. For smaller dogs and puppies, opening a magnetic seal might be challenging. That’s when a dual-pane door comes in handy. Your furball won’t have any problem entering or exiting the house through such a door.
Moreover, the presence of two panes or flaps creates an air pocket and keeps your home insulated. For example, the external flap will help keep strong winds and drafts out of your house. They can also keep your home quieter.
Your little munchkin can enjoy sensory delights without mistakenly letting in cold air. Ideally, double flaps mean better insulation in your home without affecting your little dog’s activities during the stimulating autumn season.
3. Check If the Door Has Locking Features
If you live in areas with harsh winters, you might want to limit your dog’s ‘outside’ time. That’s when a dog door with locking features comes into the picture. With these, you can seal the flaps during cold winter evenings. That means your pooch won’t be able to escape the house, and cold winds won’t enter.
Doing so will force your furball to stay inside and be safe. Usually, reputed companies offer slide-in locking covers that are weather-resistant and secure. These use sealing features that will keep the doors closed even during high winds and snow.
Remember to look for frames made from aluminum if you want sturdiness and maximum insulation in your house. Similarly, you should choose locking mechanisms that aren’t too hard to set up or use.
How Do You Winterize a Dog Door?
What if you already have a dog door installed? In that case, you need not replace it when the mercury levels drop. Instead, you can follow these tips to winterize the door:
- Use silicone caulks to close air gaps and holes near the door to avoid air leakage.
- Stick store-bought magnets at the bottom of the door flaps and the frame to keep them closed when not in use.
- Check the door flaps and reinforce them with an industrial curtain to ensure insulation in your home.
- Add weatherstripping along the door frame to avoid air leaks.
Following these strategies will help you save money and energy. This way, you can stop your furry friend from escaping the house during the cold winter months. If they escape, they might get frostbite or develop hypothermia, leading to damaged tissues in their little noses, tails, paws, and ears.
In conclusion, dog doors with cold-weather features can be a holy grail for owners. These include temperature-tolerant materials, magnetic seals, locking features, and more. Before anything, remember to analyze where you want to install the door and decide how to insulate your home.
