Things to Consider: Garage Door Pet Doors Can Pose a Safety Risk
At first glance, garage door pet doors can seem like an ideal solution, allowing your pets outdoor access while protecting the interior of your home from unwanted pests. However, given a closer look, it becomes apparent there is an obvious problem with this approach.
Why Installing a Pet Door in a Garage Door May Not be the Best Choice
Many pet owners inadvertently overlook the dangers of installing a pet door in a garage door. Animals are creatures of habit. Once accustomed to the rewards of completing a certain act, they expect the same outcome each time. In this case, pets expect the garage door to remain stationary. When the garage door opener engages, they are ignorant to the potential of the door moving up and down, putting them at risk of physical harm.
Avoid Doggie Danger by Sticking to Traditional Installations
For those looking to add a cat door or doggie door, sticking to the usual installation method is best. Pet doors installed into entryway doors are ideal. With this type of installation, a swinging door presents minimal risk to pets. This traditional installation is not without its downside however, granting pests easier access to the interior of your home. You can avoid this by:
- Placing your pet door in a basement door or window.
- Installing the pet door in a laundry room door, porch door, or another location with a ‘door behind a door’ layout. Your pets will have access to shelter, but an adjacent locked interior door prevents pest/intruder access to the rest of your home.
- Purchasing an electronic pet door that only allows access for pets wearing collar-based sensors.
Don’t leave an unsafe garage door pet door in your El Cerrito, Fairfield, Lafayette, Oakland, Berkeley, Vallejo, Hercules, Walnut Creek, or Pleasanton area home.
