Tired Of Opening Doors For Your Cat? Top 12 Picks and Reviews for the Best Cat Doors

When it comes to giving your curious and adventurous cat freedom, cat doors are a perfect solution and addition to your home. Cat doors provide your courageous friend free passage from the indoors to the outdoors and vice versa. Or it allows them to go from room to room without relying on you.

With an exterior cat door, your feline friend can go in and out without you having to get up and let them out and in. It is both convenient and gives more freedom to your cat. Outdoor cat doors not only give your cat full access but can have features that keep wild animals or stray cats from wandering into your house uninvited. Indoor cat doors allow your cats to access their litter box space without leaving a door open, allowing odors out or dogs to go in.

To help you shop, we have rounded 12 best cat doors to meet every cat parent's need while allowing your friend to roam while you are away or too busy.

12 Best Cat Doors For Indoor And Outdoor

For pet owners looking for a cat door that has it all, look no further than the PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Dog and Cat Door. With four size options available, you can select one that can accommodate your cat.

Sturdy and durable, this great all-around cat door is made of a durable aluminum frame that can handle wear and tear and high-quality PVC plastic cat flaps. It also comes with a weather strip and a tinted magnetic flap with UV sun to protect your home from the draft.

A cat door is built to last with a slide-in closing panel to keep your pet indoors or to keep wild animals outdoors while allowing you to be in control when your pet comes and goes.

The CEESC Cat Doors Magnetic Pet Door is a win for a cat door on a budget. This affordable cat door packs a lot of value at a reasonable price.

It comes in medium, large, and extra large, and you can find one that is suitable for your cat. It comes in white and black colors so you can best match your house's decor. A convenient lock will give you control over your cat's access. The four-way rotary allows you to set the door to a specific access setting, in only, out only, in and out, and locked. The weatherproof brush strip can help reduce noise and stop rain drops, wind or pests from getting in.

The Ownpets Pet Screen Door is the best cat door that uses magnets to stay reliably closed. This cat door is made for use on doors, screen door, window, sliding door, panels, and patios. It has powerful magnets that ensure a tight closure when your cat enters or leaves the house. With the added slide lock, you can be in control when you want your pet to stay indoors.

Crafted from high-quality ABS material, resistant to cold and heat, sturdy, and durable. With two sizes available, even your dog can use this door, so you can allow your pet to be independent.

For cat owners who want a cat door that reads a microchip so that only our cat can enter your house, the SureFlap-Sure Petcare Microchip Cat Flap is a great choice.

SureFlap cat doors can learn up to 32 identities, and separate collars and IDs can be purchased separately for cats without microchips. With this microchip door, it can prevent wild animals or stray cats from entering your house uninvited. This door is battery powered by four AA batteries, with a low battery indicator light that flashes when batteries are getting low. Battery life with average usage is up to 12 months. 

If your cat does not microchip, don't worry, you can still use this cat door. By having your cat wear a programmable collar tag, she/he can still gain access.

The PetSafe Exterior/Interior Cat Door for Large Cats is the perfect answer for those pet parents with bigger-size kitties. It is designed for cats up to 25 pounds and can withstand regular and heavy use.

With a transparent flap, it will provide visibility for your cat. Designed with a durable, high-impact plastic flap that can stand up to frequency use—making this door perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. With the four-way locking system, this locking cat door can be set either in, out, both, or locked. It will give you full control of your pet's access.

Regular cat door size is available.

If you are looking for a stylish and practical cat door for your indoor space, this Purrfect Portal Cat Door may just be what you are looking for.

This cat door is intended for indoor use only, as a doorway between rooms, and it has a cute cat silhouette shape and is built to last for years. With a clever design, this door can be installed in solid or hollow doors, making it the perfect addition to laundry rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, and basements.

Cats are very particular about everything, even their door, and some cats simply don't like walking through a flap. You must check out Purrfect Portal No Flap Cat Door if this sounds like your cat.

This adorable door is in the shape of a tiny door that will blend in with the rest of your home design. Just like any door, this cat door can be locked in both an open and closed position. This makes this door the perfect cat door to use to give your cat a safe space and away from other pets or to keep the odor of a litter box down while still allowing your cat to access it.

Are you seeking a cat door to install on your interior or exterior wall? Check out Baboni Pet Door For Wall. Designed to be easily installed in all types of interior and exterior walls.

Durable and safe, Baboni Pet Door For Wall is crafted with a metal laser welding process and high-quality steel aluminum alloy oxidation. A soft and flexible double flap and strong magnetic closure provide weatherproof and energy efficiency to help protect against bad weather and air drafts. The attached slide-in panel helps protect against extreme weather and provides security to your home when the door is not in use.

Not many cat doors come with their own windows, and the Ideal Pet Products AluminumSash Window Pet Door is one of the best.

This impressive door comes in various configurations, so you can fit small or large cats and choose whichever window width you prefer. The rigid locking flap is made of unbreakable clear Lexan to allow a pet to see through the opening and is non-toxic for added safety. This door will fit in most aluminum sash windows and is made to be durable and long-lasting.

Does your cat need some extra grooming help? This Cathole ECO Cat Door is the cat door for pet parents who want a door that can brush the cat's fur lightly as the cat goes through it.

Cathole Eco Cat Door is flapless and comes fully assembled. With it, you can keep a cat's letterbox out of sight and keep your cat looking well-groomed at the same time. The door has a sleek, unobtrusive design that makes it an easy addition to any house.

The PlexiDor Performance Pet Doors Electronic Automatic Wall Mounted Cat Door functions like a mini garage door for your pet.

This electronic cat door can be installed into most walls and doors to create a safe outdoor portal for your pet. A waterproof collar key activates the identification device that will allow for the automatic door opening, ensuring that only your pet gets in or out. The door stays securely locked when not in use with a stainless steel deadbolt, so you don't have to worry about the security of your house.

Double flap doors are one of the best ways to be energy efficient when you have a cat door. The Endura Flap Double Flap Door Mount Cat Door comes in three sizes and three colors so that you can outfit your home with the perfect cat door that will not only allow your cat access to the outside world but ensure that your house doesn't suffer from the forewent ins and outs.

Designed for maximum energy efficiency even in the most extreme weather. With a magnetic design and wall patented technology, this door is made to withstand winds up to 50 mph, and the double flaps are UV resistant to prevent yellowing or hardening in the sun or cold.

What to Look for in the Best Cat Doors

What you look for in a cat door depends on your specific needs. Do you want to give your cat a space safe away from your dogs? Are you looking for a door that lets your feline friend outside when needed? Do you need a door that can keep the weather out? Or are you looking for a cute indoor cat door?

Size

Before searching for the best cat door, first, measure your cat. The right cat door will provide plenty of space for your cat to enter and exist freely.

When measuring your cat, measure the widest part of your cat and the height. Add about two inches to both measurements to find the desirable cat door size. Cats are more agile than dogs; therefore, precise measurements aren't as important for cat doors as for dog doors.

Door Type

There are a few types of cat doors. Some are designed to be installed on the interior, and some are designed for the exterior. Some can be installed on any type of door, and others can only be installed on a solid one. And if you have sliding doors, there are cat doors that are designed to fit into a track of sliding glass doors or a sliding door with a screen.

Exterior Doors

A cat door typically doesn't let a lot of cold air come through. However, if you live in a cold or harsh climate, you may want to get cat doors designed with an installation that can trap the draft.

Interior Doors

Many interior cat doors are open passages with no flap. Some of these doors even feature an easily stained frame, so you can paint it to match your interior door.

Design

You can choose from a range of cat door types, including double flaps, insulated pet doors, automatic, and smart or microchip-activated cat doors. A microchip-activated cat door is the most expensive option, but it works with your cat's existing microchip and keeps stray or wild animals out.

Locking Mechanism

A cat door is designed to provide easy and convenient access for your cat, but there are times when you don't want your cat to leave.

For whatever reason you are getting a cat door, many cat doors feature a locking mechanism. Some have a plastic piece that slides down and prevents the flap from opening. A four-way locking is also more advanced and provides more control. It allows you to set your cat to enter only, exist only, enter and exist, or have no access. The most advanced option in the cat door is the magnetic closure. It uses a magnetic one on your cat's collar or a microchip to open the flap.

Installation

Installing a cat door can be a little tricky but doable, as it does involve some drilling and a jigsaw to cut the shape of your cat door. Depending on the type of cat door you purchase, it's best to check with the manufacturer's instructions for the best way to install it.

Price

You can find most cat doors cost anywhere between $30 to $200. The cost can vary depending on the type of door you choose and the material.

FAQs

How do I install a cat door?

To install a cat door, you will need:

• Drill with a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drill bit

• Jig saw

• Measuring tape

• Pencil

1. Measure the distance from the bottom of your cat's stomach to the floor. This is approximately the space you should place at the bottom of the cat door from the floor.

2. Remove your door from its hinges and set it on two sawhorses or your workstation.

3. Place the template on the door, using the measurement from Step 1. It's recommended that your cut should be at least 3 inches from any edge of the door.

4. Tape the template in place and use a pencil to trace around the template.

5. Using the drill, make a hole in each corner of the template. If you have a metal door (common for exterior doors), you'll need to use a drill bit specifically designed for this material.

6. Start in one hole and use the jigsaw to cut straight from one corner to the next. Follow the template as closely as possible. Repeat until you have cut out the opening for the cat door. For metal doors, be sure to use a jig saw that is intended for use on metal.

7. If you're using a self-framing cat door, insert the interior and exterior sides of the cat door frame. Read the manufacturer's instructions and install using the included hardware. 

8. 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 it before installing the cat door.

Can You Install A Cat Door To Window?

Yes, you can install a cat door into any pane of glass if it's large enough to fit the door. There should be at least 50mm of space all around.

Can You Install A Cat Door To A Sliding Door?

Yes, you can! You will want to consider a narrow design to fit between the door and window.

How To Get A Cat To Use A Cat Door?

Whether your cat will use it will depend on your pet. With positive reinforcement, you can encourage your cat to go in and out of the door and help to get your cat comfortable with the cat door.