Cats
Cat doors
Little things. Happy cats.
6 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
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All cat doors
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing cat doors
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
This page covers cat doors: a 4-way lockable cat flap, an automatic self-closing pet door, and an adjustable window cat door for sliding windows, so cats can come and go without you holding the door. It is for owners of indoor-outdoor cats, cats that need access to a catio or porch, and anyone tired of being a doorman.
Types of cat door
A cat flap fits into a door panel and swings both ways. A 4-way lock lets you set it to in only, out only, open, or closed, which is the most useful feature on any cat door: you can let your cat in at dusk and stop it going back out overnight.
A window cat door fills the gap in a sliding window with a panel that has a flap built in, so you can give access without cutting a door. It suits renters and homes where cutting into a door is not an option. Self-closing doors use magnets or weighted flaps so they shut behind the cat and keep drafts out.
Measuring your cat and your door
Measure your cat's shoulder width and the height from the floor to the top of the shoulders. The flap opening should be a little wider than the shoulders, and the bottom of the flap should sit at about the height of your cat's belly, so it steps through rather than climbing or crawling.
Then measure the door or window. Check the door thickness against the flap's tunnel or frame range, and for a window door measure the full height of the window track. Keep the cut-out away from the lock and hinges, and check whether a glass or metal door needs a professional fitting.
Training a cat to use a flap
Most cats learn quickly with encouragement. Prop the flap fully open with tape at first so your cat can see through, and toss treats on the other side. Once your cat walks through confidently, lower the flap partway, then fully, so it learns to push.
Some cats dislike the flap touching their back. Patience and treats help, and so does a flap that swings freely. Never push a cat through, which can make it wary of the door for weeks.
Security and outdoor safety
A plain flap lets in any animal that fits, including neighborhood cats, raccoons and opossums. Use the lock settings at night, when visitors are most likely, and keep pet food away from the door.
Before giving outdoor access, make sure your cat is microchipped and vaccinated and that parasite prevention is current; your vet can advise on what your area needs. Many owners use a cat door only into an enclosed porch or catio, which gives fresh air without the risks of free roaming.
Keeping drafts and weather out
A flap with a magnetic closure and a brush or rubber seal around the edge keeps heat in and rain out. In cold climates, check the seal each fall, since worn brushes let in drafts and wind can rattle a loose flap.
Clean the flap and frame now and then, because hair and grime build up at the edges and can stop it closing properly. Replace a cracked flap, which lets in cold air and can pinch a tail.
Cat-door placement and closure options
| Option | Physical arrangement | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Door-panel flap | A flap fitted through a cut opening | Cutout dimensions and panel thickness |
| Four-way locking flap | A selector controls permitted direction | Available in,out,open and closed settings |
| Window panel | A flap built into a window insert | Window opening and panel fit |
| Self-closing flap | Magnet or weighted return closes the panel | Closure mechanism and opening size |
What size cat door do I need?
Measure your cat's shoulder width and height. The opening should be slightly wider than the shoulders, with the flap's bottom edge around belly height, so your cat steps through rather than climbing.
Can I put a cat door in a window?
Yes. An adjustable window cat door fills the gap in a sliding window and has a flap built in, so no cutting is needed. Measure the full window track height first.
How do I stop other cats using my cat flap?
Use the lock settings at night and when you are out, and keep food away from the flap. A 4-way lock lets you set it to let your cat in but not out.
How do I teach my cat to use a cat door?
Tape the flap open, reward your cat for walking through, then lower the flap gradually. Keep sessions short and positive, and never push your cat through the opening.