Dogs need plenty of exercises to stay happy and healthy. If they’re not able to get the right amount, it can lead to puppy depression and obesity. The issue is that you don’t have a lot of time during the day to take your dog outside to play.
That’s what having a pet door is for. The dog will be able to slip out whenever they want to get a little sunshine and run around your yard.
Ask yourself what size dog door do I need? We can help you take the right measurements so your pet won’t hurt themselves when they try to go out. Grab your tape measurer, and let’s get started.
Measure Your Dog’s Width
The first thing you’re going to do to get the right measurements for your custom size dog door is to get the width of your pet. Crack open a door, and try to motivate your dog to walk through it. Treats usually do the trick.
Once your pet can fit through the opening without a problem, measure it. That’s going to be the width of the door flap.
Please note that if you have more than one pet, you’ll need to get the measurement of the largest one. That will ensure the opening will work for all your furry friends.
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Measure Their Height
This measurement is a little trickier to get because it requires your pet to stand still. You’ll need to measure the length of the floor to the top of their shoulder.
It’s recommended that you add a few inches to the number you get to be on the safe side.
Account For the Step Over
You’re going to use the height of your pet to calculate the step over. It’s the measurement of the floor to the base of the doggy door.
The general rule of thumb is the lower, the better. You don’t want your dog to have to struggle to make it through the flap. This is especially true if they have health conditions such as arthritis.
Test Your Measurements
Now that you’re done measuring, it’s time to test it out before you you begin the pet door installation process. Grab a cardboard box and cut a hole in it that’s the size of the numbers you got. Make sure to factor the step-over height into your cutting.
Persuade your pet to walk into the box. Again, treats work wonders when it comes to getting your pet to do what you want them to do. If your pet struggles to make it through the cut-out, you’ll need to make a few adjustments.
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Finding Out What Size Dog Door Do I Need?
Are you asking yourself what size dog door do I need? Learning how to measure dog door size is easier than you may think. All you have to do is get your pet’s width and height.
If you’re unsure about your measurements, you can run a test using a simple cardboard box. For more tips that will help you account for all your dog’s needs, visit the
