Yes, cats can share a dog door, even with a much larger dog.
The pet door should be mounted at a height optimized for the tallest pet (detailed in the instructions). Depending on the size difference, there may need to be some accommodation for the cat to get back up and into the pet door.
Yes, pets of all different sizes can share the same pet door.
When used for different-sized pets, the pet door should be mounted at a height optimized for the tallest pet (detailed in the instructions). Depending on the size difference, there may need to be some accommodation for smaller pets to get back up and into the pet door.
There is no single “best” mounting style. There are positives about every type of installation that need to be balanced with your needs, budget, and installation skill level.
Door-mounted pet doors are the most common, and they’re relatively easy to install. There is typically a human door leading to the area where pets go outside, so it’s often convenient, as well. The downsides to a door-mounted door include having pets and humans share an entrance and the requirement of cutting a hole in one’s exterior door.
Wall-mounted pet doors are nice to give your pet its own entrance in a place that is convenient. This is balanced by the more complicated installation.
Window-mounted doors are the easiest to install and uninstall, but they aren’t a good fit for every pet or situation. They also can look less elegant or permanent than other styles.
Putting a pet door into glass (French door, sliding glass, etc.) can often be the best or only placement. The drawback here is cost and complexity, as a glazier (glass contractor) is required.
It is typically not recommended to use a door-mounted pet door in a wall application.
For a skilled installer, it is possible to make use of a door-mounted door in a stud wall system. There is typically a greater amount of trim work necessary, and adapting the locking panel can take some extra work.
It is not recommended to use a wall-mounted pet door in a door application.
A conversion is not absolutely impossible, but it would take significant alterations to the wall-mounted pet door frame and fabrication of trim pieces. Even advanced craftsmen should consider this a last resort.
Installing a pet door into glass is a highly-technical job, and it requires the assistance of a glazier – a specialized glass contractor.
In most cases, they cannot just cut a hole in your current glass. This is because most residential glass is tempered for safety, and the tempered glass cannot be cut in this way.
Typically, a glazier will design a piece of replacement glass, cut the hole for the pet door, and then temper this new piece. They will then replace the old glass with the new, pet-door-ready glass.
