Doggy doors, also known as pet doors or pet flaps, were once a popular home feature that allowed dogs to come and go from the house at will. A small door or flap was installed in an exterior door, with a swinging flap that the dog could push through. This allowed the dog to go outside to relieve itself without needing the owner to constantly open and close the door. However, doggy doors have reduced in popularity over the years for several reasons.
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Safety Concerns
One of the main reasons doggy doors are not as common is due to safety concerns. While convenient for pet owners, doggy doors can allow more than just pets to enter the home. Stray animals, wild animals, burglars, or intruders may take advantage of the free access provided by a doggy door to get into the house. This poses risks to people, pets, and property inside the home. Doggy doors are an easy entry point that bypasses locked doors and home security systems. Some homeowners associations have even banned doggy doors due to the safety issues they present.
Climate Control
Doggy doors allow constant air flow between the inside and outside of the home. This can make climate control more difficult and costly. Warm or cool air escapes every time the pet goes in and out, causing heating and air conditioning systems to work harder. In very hot or very cold climates, this wasted energy can add significantly to utility bills. Caulking and weatherstripping around doors helps keep indoor temperatures comfortable and reduces power usage, while doggy doors undermine these efforts.
Noise
The flap of a doggy door slapping against the frame creates noise whenever the pet uses it. This flap can bang loudly against the door multiple times a day (and night). Light sleepers may find this annoying or disruptive if it occurs in a bedroom wall or near their heads. The constant noise can make relaxion or falling asleep difficult. Avoiding the noise is a compelling reason to skip the doggy door.
Training Pets
While doggy doors are intended to make life easier for pet owners, they can have the opposite effect if the pet is not properly trained. Very young puppies may not understand how to use them. Even older dogs may be afraid to use them at first or get “stuck” halfway in or out. Any pet that is not fully house-trained may turn the yard into a toilet instead of waiting until they are brought outside on a leash. Taking the time to properly train pets, instead of relying on a doggy door, creates better behaved companions in the end.
Appearance
Many homeowners, condominium associations, and neighborhoods have regulations about the external appearance of homes. A visibly-installed doggy door can be considered an eyesore and not meet community standards or rules. Homeowners may need to get approval before installing one, and approval is not guaranteed. Individual preference also plays a role, as some homeowners may not like how a plastic or metal flap looks on their meticulously-painted front door. A discreet installation in a less visible location can help avoid issues with appearance.
Dangers to Pets
While the intention of a doggy door is to benefit a pet, there are some risks involved. Other animals from outside can enter through the door and attack a pet. Larger prey animals like deer can kick pets with their sharp hooves if suddenly startled inside the home. Smaller pets may be injured if a larger pet shoves past them aggressively through a small flap. doors provide easy access for animal cruelty cases where someone throws harmful substances into a home. An unlimited exit tempts some pets to roam and risk getting lost, stolen or hit by a car.
Alternatives
There are ways to provide pets access outside without using a constantly open doggy door. Some options include:
Pet-Activated Doors
These doors only unlock and open when the pet approaches with a magnet, radio frequency ID chip or other sensor. This prevents access by other animals.
Sliding Pet Doors
A sliding panel operated by the pet moves across an opening integrated into a full door. This provides outdoor access when needed while keeping the door closed.
Smart Collars/Apps
New technology allows doors to unlock on command using WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wireless signals. This works via smartphone apps or collars with built-in sensors. Owners can remotely “buzz in” pets from work or relationships.
Pet Sitters
Hiring a professional pet sitter to come by and walk or play with a pet provides exerciour without the need for a doggy door. Sitters are available for daily visits or overnight stays if an owner is out of town.
Security Cameras
Cameras positioned outside the home allow owners to watch and communicate with pets and let them in and out as needed without actually installing a doggy door. Video doorbells with apps make this very convenient.
Conclusion
Doggy doors used to be very popular for convenience, but safety issues, climate control challenges, noise, appearance factors and training problems have made them less common in homes today. Homeowners concerned about security, energy costs, community rules or pet safety are choosing to find alternate ways to give pets outdoor access rather than installing pet doors. New technology provides safer options, but despite their drawbacks, traditional doggy doors still work well in some situations when properly installed and when pets are fully trained. Homeowners should consider all factors carefully when deciding what works best for their home and pet.