How do I install a cat door?

Most cat doors include a template for installation. Along with the template, you'll need the following materials: Drill with 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drill bit Jig saw Measuring tape Pencil Start by measuring the distance from the bottom of your cat's stomach to the floor. This is approximately how many inches you should place the bottom of the cat door from the floor. Remove the door from its hinges and set it on two sawhorses. Place the template on the door, using the measurement from Step 1 to determine where the bottom of the cat door should be positioned. Keep in mind that the opening you cut should be at least 3 inches from any edge of the door. Trace around the template with a pencil and/or use tape to keep the template in place. Using the drill, make a hole in each corner of the template. Keep in mind that if you have a metal door (common for exterior doors) you'll need to use a drill bit specifically designed for this material. Starting in one hole, use the jig saw to make a straight cut from one corner to the next, following the template as closely as possible. Repeat until you have cut out the opening for the cat door. (Similar to the drill bit, be sure to use a jig saw blade intended for use on metal if cutting a metal door) Finally, if you're using a self-framing cat door, insert the interior and exterior sides of the cat door frame. Attach using the included hardware, according to the instructions. If you're not using a self-framing door, you'll need to cut four pieces of wood to match the dimensions of your door, attach them to make a frame, and install this before the cat door can be installed.

Where should I put my cat door?

Install a cat door in a place that will give your cat easy access to a location frequently visited. For cats that spend time both indoors and outdoors, a common location for a cat flap is an exterior door. However, a cat door is also useful on interior doors to give your cat quick passage into a room where the litter box or food bowls are located. Many homeowners choose this solution when they set up their cat's litter box or food bowls in a laundry room, bathroom, or bedroom but don't want to keep the door to that room open all of the time.

The 7 Best Cat Doors of 2024

A cat door we recommend on a green background — The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley

Installing a cat door is a great way to give your pet some agency, allowing them to come and go as they please. Cat doors can also be used indoors— a cat door can give your cat access to rooms where the door is frequently closed. Doors can be wooden, aluminum, or plastic, as long as they are lightweight and easy to push through.

Finding the right cat door starts with taking your cat's measurements. Cat doors come in varying sizes, so it's important to look for an option that will easily accommodate the size of the largest cat using the door.

Keep in mind that most cat doors designed for use on exterior doors can also be used on interior doors, but the opposite isn't always true. You also will want to decide what type of locking mechanism you need on your cat door in order to protect your pet, and also to prevent strange animals from wandering in.

Our favorite cat door is the Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door, which has a clear, Lexan polycarbonate door, multiple locking options, and a telescoping frame that can fit a range of door widths.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door at Amazon ($23)

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Best for Indoors:

The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door at Thekittypass.com (See Price)

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Best Screen Door:

MYPIN Reinforced Cat Screen Door at Amazon ($24)

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Best for Sliding Glass Doors:

PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Sliding Glass Pet Door at Amazon ($205)

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Best Outdoor:

PetSafe Plastic Pet Door at Amazon ($48)

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Best Microchip:

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door at PETCO ($230)

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Best for Screen Doors:

Ownpets Screen Dog Door at Amazon ($55)

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Best Overall

Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$19 at Amazon $19 at Chewy $19 at Home Depot

What We Like

Affordable
Telescoping frame fits multiple door widths
Durable magnetic flap stays closed
Four locking options

What We Don't Like

4-way lock settings are hard to see

The Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door can be used on both interior and exterior doors, and has a four-way locking mechanism: in only, out only, open or locked closed. It also has a magnetic, self-closing flap to keep unwanted pests (including stray cats!) out of your home.

Made with durable Lexan polycarbonate, this cat door will hold up against everyday use and harsher weather conditions. Plus, it’s easy to install—the frame mounts to any standard interior or exterior door with screws.

The door is designed for cats 12 pounds or under, with a flap that’s 6.25 by 6.25 inches—larger cats may be able to squeeze through (there’s also a “Hefty Kat” version of the door), but households that need to accommodate both cats and dogs will want to look for something larger.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 6.25 x 6.25 inches | Overall Dimensions: 7.9 x 8.1 inches | Materials: Plastic (Lexan polycarbonate) | Colors: White}

Best for Indoors

The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Thekittypass.com

What We Like

Simple
Easy to install
Cat-like motif

What We Don't Like

Won’t hold large cats
Made of PVC

Perfect for any cat up to 20 pounds, the PVC frame of The Kitty Pass will fit into any door between 1.2 to 1.8 inches thick. The design of the door is simple—a silhouette of a cat’s head. Not only is Kitty Pass’s Interior Cat Door cute (look at the little ears!), but it’s the easiest way to let your cat access closed interior doors, too. The entrance is 7.5 by 6.5 inches, and should be easily traversable for cats under 20 pounds.

The Kitty Pass is designed to fit doors from 1.25 to 1.75 inches thick. To install, you’ll need a jigsaw or other way to cut the circular template from the bottom of the door. The Kitty Pass frame comes in semi-gloss white, but is easy to repaint.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 6.5 x 7.5 inches | Overall Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches | Materials: PVC | Colors: White}

Best Screen Door

MYPIN Reinforced Cat Screen Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$24 at Amazon

What We Like

Fills entire door frame
Sticker applied to the door for easy install
Available in wide size range to fit interior doors

What We Don't Like

Tape can damage or leave marks on painted surfaces

The MYPIN Reinforced Cat Screen Door can be installed in nearly any doorway, with a bilateral zipper allowing you to open or shut the passage through the mesh door. The screen itself is made of alloy steel and can stand up to cat claws.

The door can be installed by placing the included tape around your door frame and attaching it to the outer area. Uninstalling is as simple as peeling the tape off the wall. This door frame won’t give your cat the same level of freedom as a traditional cat door, but it can be a useful way to close off areas of your room while still allowing for airflow.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 80 x 35 inches | Overall Dimensions: 82 x 35.5 inches | Materials: Alloy steel | Colors: White}

Best for Sliding Glass Doors

PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Sliding Glass Pet Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$180 at Amazon $180 at Chewy $165 at Wayfair

What We Like

Easy to install
Three color options and five sizes
Easy to use locking cover

What We Don't Like

Reduces your door’s walkthrough space

The PetSafe 1-Piece Sliding Glass Pet Door is made from aluminum and tempered glass to be weather and shatter resistant. The door comes with a separate cover, which locks in place when the door flap is not in use. While the installation does involve a few screws, installation is unobtrusive enough that the PetSafe 1-Piece will be a good option for renters in particular.

The door flap on the PetSafe Sliding Glass Pet Door is tinted vinyl, with a magnetic latch at the bottom that holds the flap on to the frame. It’s also easily replaceable.

_{Flap Dimensions: 10.25 x 16.38 inches (large) | Overall Dimensions: 80 x 96 inches | Materials: Aluminum, glass | Colors: White, bronze, or satin}

Best Outdoor

PetSafe Plastic Pet Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$43 at Amazon $32 at Chewy $37 at Wayfair

What We Like

Won't rust
Allows through pets up to 40 pounds
Protects against drafts or weather

What We Don't Like

Labor intensive installation

A pet door that’s installed on your front or outside door needs to be able to handle the elements and the needs of your pet. PetSafe offers a fantastic door that can snap shut, giving you power over when and what goes through. The door can be installed on wood, PVC, and metal, whatever requirements the door needs. The exterior is also paintable, allowing you to blend in the door with any surroundings.

Installation does require a bit of handiwork, and will require a jigsaw and other tools to saw the proper opening size from the door.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 8 x 12 inches | Overall Dimensions: 10 x 15 inches | Materials: Plastic, vinyl | Colors: White}

Best Microchip

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$230 at PETCO View on Surepetcare.com

What We Like

Stores up to 32 pet identities
Keeps unwanted animals out
12-month battery life

What We Don't Like

Only opens with RFID in one direction

Not everyone wants to have a hole in their door that any animal can go through. That’s where The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap can only be accessed by your animals. Up to 32 different pet identities can be programmed into the door, each using its own RFID or identification microchip to allow the door to open. The door can also be locked at any time or can be set up to work on a certain timed schedule.

The door is made of glass and will allow any animal to exit, but will only open up on the other side to animals with the right chip. To program it, all you have to do is click the program button on the door with the microchip near it.

This cat door measures 8.2 inches square, and so should work for small and large cats.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 7 x 6.7 inches | Overall Dimensions: 10.5 x 11 inches | Materials: Glass | Colors: White, brown}

Best for Screen Doors

Ownpets Screen Dog Door

PHOTO:

Amazon

$41 at Amazon $38 at Wayfair $46 at ownpets.com

What We Like

Magnetic flap closures
Multiple sizes
Easy installation

What We Don't Like

Tricky to use lock

OwnPets offers a unique magnetic door that can be installed in any screen door, allowing your pet to get in or out. Magnetic locking mechanisms on the side can be used to keep anyone from getting in or out.

The door is sturdy enough to handle tough weather. It’s also incredibly easy to install since all you need to do is cut a hole in the screen the correct size and plug it in. This door is perfect for cats up to 30 pounds, though larger options are available.

_{Entrance Dimensions: 8 x 10.2 inches | Overall Dimensions: 9.4 x 11.4 inches | Materials: ABS plastic | Colors: Black}

Final Verdict

Our favorite cat door is the Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door, which is easy to install, with multiple magnetic locking options. If you’re looking for a passageway for your cat through an inside doorway, then check out The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door, which is a PVC-framed opening shaped like the silhouette of a cat’s head.

What to Look for in a Cat Door

Size

Look for a cat door that is plenty large enough to allow your cat to enter and exit freely. Review the opening dimensions of any door you are considering, along with the recommended weight range for cats using the door. A good rule of thumb is to measure the widest part of your cat, along with the distance from the bottom of your cat's stomach to its shoulders. Add two inches to both of these measurements to find the ideal width and height of a cat door.

Door Type

Some cat doors are designed to be installed on any type of door, including interior, exterior, hollow core, and solid doors. Typically, cat doors for exterior doors will include a flap to seal the opening created by the cat door. When selecting a cat door for interior use, you'll see that most versions are open passages with no flap. Some of these cat doors feature a frame that can be easily stained or painted to match your interior door. In addition, some cat doors can also be installed on a wall to give your kitty a quick passageway from one room to another.

Locking Mechanism

A cat door is designed to provide easy access for your feline, but there may be occasions when you want to limit access. For this reason, many cat doors feature a locking mechanism. The most simple version is usually a plastic piece that slides down and prevents the flap from opening. However, a more advanced four-way locking mechanism provides greater control. With this type of locking system, the cat door can be set for your cat to enter only, exit only, enter and exit, or allow no access. The most advanced locking mechanisms on cat doors use a magnet on your pet's collar to allow the flap to open or use a chip-reader to recognize your cat's unique microchip before opening.

FAQ

How do I install a cat door?
Most cat doors include a template for installation. Along with the template, you'll need the following materials:
- Drill with 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drill bit
- Jig saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
1. Start by measuring the distance from the bottom of your cat's stomach to the floor. This is approximately how many inches you should place the bottom of the cat door from the floor.
2. Remove the door from its hinges and set it on two sawhorses.
3. Place the template on the door, using the measurement from Step 1 to determine where the bottom of the cat door should be positioned. Keep in mind that the opening you cut should be at least 3 inches from any edge of the door.
4. Trace around the template with a pencil and/or use tape to keep the template in place.
5. Using the drill, make a hole in each corner of the template. Keep in mind that if you have a metal door (common for exterior doors) you'll need to use a drill bit specifically designed for this material.
6. Starting in one hole, use the jig saw to make a straight cut from one corner to the next, following the template as closely as possible. Repeat until you have cut out the opening for the cat door. (Similar to the drill bit, be sure to use a jig saw blade intended for use on metal if cutting a metal door)
7. Finally, if you're using a self-framing cat door, insert the interior and exterior sides of the cat door frame. Attach using the included hardware, according to the instructions. If you're not using a self-framing door, you'll need to cut four pieces of wood to match the dimensions of your door, attach them to make a frame, and install this before the cat door can be installed.
Where should I put my cat door?

Install a cat door in a place that will give your cat easy access to a location frequently visited. For cats that spend time both indoors and outdoors, a common location for a cat flap is an exterior door. However, a cat door is also useful on interior doors to give your cat quick passage into a room where the litter box or food bowls are located. Many homeowners choose this solution when they set up their cat's litter box or food bowls in a laundry room, bathroom, or bedroom but don't want to keep the door to that room open all of the time.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets

This article was written by Steven Asarch, a freelance writer and product expert, for The Spruce. A devout cat dad of two, he has expert experience figuring out which products are perfect for them. Steven has previously analyzed testing data, tried out products at home, and provided recommendations for other categories of cat products, including catnip toys, wand toys, litter disposal systems, and also wrote an exhaustive list of the essentials you should have before welcoming a new kitten into your home.

To get the best understanding of what makes an ideal litter box enclosure, Steven spoke with Dr. Uri Burstyn, Medical Director of the Arbutus West Animal Clinic. Using his knowledge of the subject, Steven examined the durability, quality, and ease of use. He compared materials and the ability to open or close the door.

A previous version of this article was written by Christina Donnelly.

The 6 Best Cat Litter Disposal Systems 2024

Updated by

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