We currently have two cats who really like to go outside — and they’re very vocal about letting us know it.
Not only that, but they sometimes change their mind after about 10 minutes and decide they want to come back in again.
It made me start wondering if we should look into getting a cat door installed to make things easier for them — and for us.
It turns out that you don’t have to own an indoor-outdoor cat to benefit from a cat door.
According to PetMD, cat doors can be an excellent idea for several possible reasons:
- Allowing your cat to get to their litter box without a nosy dog disturbing them
- Letting a small cat “escape” from a bigger dog or cat in the house
- Introducing a new pet to your household and giving them some space
- Allowing them to explore rooms
According to Gore, “Cat doors can provide increased life enrichment opportunities as well.” For example, if you want to give your cat access to your study or office when you leave, but have the door shut to keep in heat or A/C, a cat door is a great and effective compromise.Here’s a list of what I found to be the best cat doors for windows on the market, which some descriptions of which doors are best for which kinds of cat owners.
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Depets Large Cat Door
Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet DoorOWNPETS Pet Screen DoorHow to Train Your Cat to Use a Pet Door
Even though it’s obvious to you what the pet door is for and how to use it, your cat might not be so sure. Or maybe they know, but they’re suspicious, or maybe even scared of it.
PetDoors offers this advice of how to ease the transition:
- After you unpack the door, leave it on the floor for a few days so your cat can explore it on their own before you even install it.
- Rub your cat with a towel, then wipe the towel all over the door. The cat flap will suddenly start smelling like “their territory.”
- Leave the flap open for them at first so they recognize it as a hole in your door, wall, or window that they can go through. If you have a door with magnetic flaps, you might want to remove the magnets at first, then add them back one at a time to slow let your cat get used to the resistance.
- Stand on the other side of the door with their favorite treat or toy to encourage your cat to walk through. You can do this with the flap either open or closed.
SUCCESS Cat Doors for Exterior & Interior Doors
SUCCESS Cat Doors for Exterior & Interior Doors
Due to my cats being on the heavier and less agile side, I opted for the Success Window Pet Door.
The size of the door allows for a cat of a waist circumference of up to 23.06″ to comfortably exit through the door without any difficulty. While I bought a large door, there are smaller varieties (and an extra-large should you have a really big cat!)
The door is easy to install, either on doors or windows. However, for purposes of this list and my experience, the inclusion of double-sided tape for a window mount was a bit difficult, as it also requires plywood to reinforce the base of the door.
The design of the door is wooden and painted white, resulting in a minimalist finish, while the seal along the edges protects against wind and rain. The door itself is also lined with brushes for noise and friction reduction purposes.
Finally, the door comes with 4-way switch modes. This allows for movement of the door that allows for: exit only, entrance only, both exit and entrance, and fully locked. This is achieved through simple to use, color-coded, manual clips.
Overall, this is the perfect door for owners of larger cats looking for easy access control and a simplistic, modern design.
Pros:
- Various sizes allow for a door size suitable for your cat’s size
- White, wooden finish provides a modern design
- The brushes and seal contribute to longevity and noise reduction
- The 4-way switch mode allows for controlled access
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Installation on windows can prove difficult
Ycozy 4-Way Cat Door with Locking Flap
Ycozy 4-Way Cat Door with Locking Flap
On the other side of the size spectrum, the Ycozy Four-Way Window Cat Door is designed for smaller cats at a circumference of 16″ (although there are larger doors available, these are specifically designed for dogs).
The Ycozy Four-Way Window Cat Door has a 4-way switch access, so you can set it to:
- In-out movement, so your pet can come and go freely
- Open outward only, so your cat can go out, but other animals can’t come wandering in
- Completely lock, for when your cat is inside and you don’t want him to go out
There is also slot with a buckle to allow for the installation of a weather-resistant brush, which help with noise reduction, protection from the elements, and insects entering through the door.
The door is available in both white and brown; this color variety allows for the door to seamlessly integrate with the décor of a similar design.
In conclusion, the Ycozy Four-Way Window Cat Door is the perfect choice for owners of smaller cats and people who may need a white or brown door so as to integrate the door with the color of their window panes.
This Amazon reviewer says that his cats love this door as much as he does:
… The door was actually easy to install and the direction were very clear and made it a simple process … [it’s] larger then I expected and gave plenty of room for our 2 cats to go in and out of.
One of the reasons I choose this door was because you could actually lock it, so if you have people over and you want the cats to stay in one area you can just lock it for that period of time.
I also appreciated that this company thought of the ascetics of the door. It looks clean and simple on our white door and they also include these little caps so you don’t see where the screws are. Out cats started using it right away and its made our life so much easier …
Pros:
- Available in a variety of colors
- Includes a 4-way locking system
- Includes a one-year guarantee
Cons:
- Limited usage for owners of larger cats
- A few reviews have suggested the door tends to get stuck
Lockable Magnetic Pet Screen Door
Lockable Magnetic Pet Screen Door
With its large paw print design on the face of the door, the Luya Pet Screen Door with Magnetic Flap integrates a level of automated technology to allow for improved, hassle-free access.
The magnetic clips on the flap ensure that it remains closed at all times while a pet exits and enters the house. However, this isn’t specific to your pet, as it’s simply a magnetic flap and not a flap with sensors.
Therefore, it should only be installed in areas with minimal stray animals or where break-ins may be common. Especially since the large door size may allow opportunistic criminals to capitalize on a large open space.
In conclusion, this door is probably more suited to dog owners and should only be installed in secure homes, such as apartments in a gated complex.
Pros:
- Large, sturdy design made from high-quality ABS material
- The design of the paw print has means it has a unique charm to its presentation
- Magnetic clips allow for automated exits and entries
Cons:
- In the event the door is not manually locked, it may present a security risk from stray animals or burglars
- Unnecessarily large for the majority of cat owners
Depets 4 Way Locking Cat Flap Door for Interior & Exterior Doors
4 Way Locking Cat Flap Door for Interior & Exterior Doors
The Depets Large Window Cat Door is designed for large cats and medium dogs, allowing for a circumference of up to 23 inches.
With 4-switch modes, brushes for noise reduction, and easy installation on both doors and windows, the Depets Large Window Cat Door is not too dissimilar to my choice of the Success Window Pet Door.
However, I believe the Success Window Pet Door edges out the Depets Large Window Cat Door due to a guaranteed lifetime warranty and the choice of ABS plastic over wood as the primary material.
If you own a large cat and you prefer ABS plastic to wood, this cat door would probably be a good choice for you.
Pros:
- Includes a 4-way locking system
- Includes brushes for noise and friction reduction
Cons:
- Lack of a warranty
PetSafe Adjustable Sliding Glass Door for Cats
PetSafe Adjustable Sliding Glass Door for Cats – Adjustable
The PetSafe Freedom Window Cat Door is a single, large device that can be easily mounted to windows and sliding doors with minimal effort.
While the flap itself is designed with medium cats and small dogs in mind, the entire panel itself is available in five different sizes to accommodate various structures, although they are all rectangular and fairly tall.
The door is made from aluminum, while the flip itself consists of shatter-resistant tempered glass with magnetic flaps for automated access.
The ease of installation means this is the perfect choice for people renting or occupying temporary homes, as it allows for ease of removal, transport, and installation in the event of moving.
Pros:
- Stylish, sleek design in the mold of a French door
- Easy to install, remove, and transport
- Shatterproof, tempered glass, and aluminum finish illustrate its durability
- Reliable customer service based in the United States of America
Cons:
- Some may find the structure unnecessarily large for purposes of housing a small cat flap
Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Door
Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Sash Window Pet Door
Designed for cats between 2 and 25 pounds, the Ideal Pet Sash Window Door sports a white aluminum finish for a modern, sturdy design to complement most modern apartments.
The flap is designed for easy installation by allowing it to slip into the tracks of a sliding window. Provided the sash window has a minimum height of 12.6″.
The flap is made from non-toxic, unbreakable, clear Lexan and includes a rigid locking mechanism.
In conclusion, the Ideal Pet Sash Window Door is ideal for owners of sash windows looking for a cat door that is easy to install.
Pros:
- Easy installation for sliding windows
- Reliable customer service based in the United States of America
Cons:
- Very basic access functionality
- It cannot be installed in horizontal sliding windows
Amazon Link:
Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door with Telescoping Frame
Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door with Telescoping Frame
Designed for very small cats and kittens, with a simple see-through flap to accommodate smaller animals, the Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door is a simple, easy-to-install-cat flap.
As the flap itself has no magnets or advanced locking systems, it allows easy access for pets but also poses a risk of other animals entering your home!
The Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door comes with a telescoping frame, meaning it can be installed on windows with a variety of thicknesses; however, this frame will need to be secured with plywood or plexiglass.
The flaps thermoplastic and the frames tamper-proof mounting system means the door cannot be removed from the outside, allowing for a level of security.
This is the perfect door for owners of kittens and smaller cats that want a flap with minimal accessories that may hamper your cat’s access through the door.
Pros:
- As one of the more basic cat doors on the market, its simplicity allows for ease of use and installation
- The tamperproof design provides a layer of safety against people trying to remove the flap from the outside
Cons:
- Very small size, meaning it is only viable for kittens and small cats
- No brushes to reduce noise or friction
- Basic locking features and access control
Patio Pacific Inc. Cat Door for Horizontal Sliding Windows
Patio Pacific Inc. Cat Door for Horizontal Sliding Windows
Similar to the French door design of PetSafe Freedom Window Cat Door as mentioned above, the Patio Pacific Sliding Window Cat Door seeks to add a level of style and sophistication to the humble cat flap.
The simplicity of the design boasts an easy “tool-free installation,” which includes a horizontal window above the lightweight vinyl flap to allow more natural light into one’s home.
While the flap itself has minimal access functionality, the horizontal window, fortunately, includes a locking mechanism to keep your cat safe and secure!
All this is housed in a high-quality aluminum frame designed to withstand all weather conditions and strong enough to withstand wear and tear.
In conclusion, the flap leaves a lot to be desired, although the lightweight vinyl allows for easy access for cats. The appeal of this high-end design is for those looking for a pet door with the added benefit of increased natural sunlight into the home.
Pros:
- Stylish French door design
- The large horizontal window allows for increased natural sunlight
- Easy to install without any specialized tools or equipment
Cons:
- The vinyl flap itself does not come with access features of some other brands
- No brushes to reduce noise or friction
Amazon Link:
OWNPETS Automatic Lockable Cat Screen Door
OWNPETS Automatic Lockable Cat Screen Door
Similar to the Luya Pet Screen Door with Magnetic Flap, the Ownpets Screen Window Cat Door also features a large paw print as part of its design motif. The primary difference is the mesh patterns in the center of the paw print.
The reason for the mesh pattern is unlike other cat doors on this list; the Ownpets Screen Window Cat Door is specifically designed for fitting a pet door over bug screens as opposed to window glass.
The door is black and made of high-quality ABS material for increased durability and longevity. The door includes all the necessary components for easy installation.
Another nice feature of this door is its built-in magnetic flap closures, so the door automatically closes behind your cat after he leaves.
In conclusion, the Ownpets Screen Window Cat Door is a must-have for any pet owners that live in an environment with lots of flies, mosquitos, or other insects, meaning the need for bug screens over their windows.
Pros:
- Unique in its application as a pet door for bug screens
- The black and mesh design allows the door to seamlessly blend with the bug screen it is secured on
- Magnetic locks allow for improved access control
Cons:
- The flap itself is relatively small, meaning it may not be ideal for owners of larger cats
- It cannot be installed on regular glass
Click here to see several photos and a quick video of this door.Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap
Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap
Finally, the SureFlap Microchip Window Cat Flap has established itself as one of the most high-tech pet doors on the market with unprecedented access control.
Unlike other pet doors on this list, the SureFlap Microchip Window Cat Flap uses sensors to allow access to your pets upon reading your cat’s microchip. This allows for peace of mind regarding unwanted animals entering your house.
In conclusion, this is the perfect pet door for owners of multiple cats or who live in an area with lots of stray animals that may enter their home through the pet door.
Pros:
- The sensors allow for controlled access for your pets while keeping other animals out
- It comes with a three-year warranty
Cons:
- The sensors are battery-powered, meaning an added level of upkeep and maintenance
- Requires your pets to be chipped or to wear an accompanying collar for the sensors to read
