Harness or Collar: Which Is Better for Your Dog?
Harnesses are quickly becoming the preferred alternative to dog collars, but are they really worth the switch? The answer depends on your dog! Investing in a quality harness and a large dog door could be the ideal solution for your dog’s needs. Collar Pros and Cons Collars remain the most common pet accessory, but some recent backlashes have caused many dog owners to reevaluate using dog collars. Pros Dog collars are affordable, widely available, and make it easy to attach your dog’s ID tags. Plus, unlike harnesses, you won’t need to put a collar on your dog every time...
more infoWhich Dog Is Right for You?
Bringing a dog into your family can mean lots of memories and the opportunity to make special bonds, but so many breeds, sizes, and temperaments can make choosing the right one a challenge. Here are some things to consider, including the purchase of a pet door. A Long-Term Commitment A dog, or any domestic animal for that matter, should be a conscious decision you make with your family. Always be sure that this is something everyone will commit to for the rest of the dog’s life before making a final decision. Puppy vs. Adult Puppies are undeniably adorable, but,...
more infoDog Training 101
Bringing a dog into your home is exciting. However, it can be an adjustment for the pet and its owner. Fortunately, canines can be trained to behave properly. Using a microchip dog door can help (especially for outdoor potty training), but these basic training tips should help guide your dog towards good behaviour. When to Start Training House training should begin within a puppy’s first three months. Puppies learn fast and adapt quickly but can become aggressive and fearful if not properly trained now. Train your dog to walk on a leash, socialise with other dogs, or use a...
more infoHow to Litter Train Your Kitten
Cats naturally seek to relieve themselves on soil or sandy, granular surfaces. Unless a kitten learns to use a litter box from its mother, it will need some encouragement. Aside from training your feline to use a cat door, you’ll have to train it to eliminate the right way. Use the Right Litter Box A kitten litter box size should be about one and a half times longer than the cat. The cat litter box can have a cover or not, depending on what your cat prefers. If your home has multiple levels, have a litter box on each...
more infoCat Language (Ears and Tails)
We all know how expressive dogs can be, but cat behavior can tend to be more of a mystery. Felines do have their own language, and a lot of what they feel is expressed by their ears and tails. Here’s the scoop on cat body language. Ear Emotions Your kitty’s ears are wired for sound. Their design can pick up even the highest pitches, which helps cats find prey. Their ears can also rotate 180 degrees, which means many potential movements to use for communication. If their ears point up and slightly forward, your kitty is feeling playful, happy,...
more infoDo Hypoallergenic Dogs Really Help People Allergic to Dogs?
In recent years, hypoallergenic dogs have become very popular with people who are allergic to dogs. However, what most people don’t know and are surprised to learn is there no difference between a non-hypoallergenic dog and a hypoallergenic one when it comes to being allergic to dogs. If you are allergic to dogs, you are allergic to ALL dogs, including hypoallergenic ones. So, why the big hype, then? The hype came about because hypoallergenic dogs are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in someone with a dog allergy. However, depending on the extent of the allergy, the person...
more infoFoods Your Dog Should Not Eat
Dogs and humans have a lot of biological similarities. However, each metabolizes food differently, which is why some human foods are toxic—even deadly—for dogs. Even if you’ve kept your canine safe with pet doors, these foods can put your dog’s health in serious danger: Grapes and Raisins: Contain toxic substances that, even in small amounts, can lead to rapid kidney failure and death. The toxic substance is unknown, so prevent your pet from accessing fruits you’re growing, even if a is used to go outside. Chocolate: Methylxanthines, theobromine, and caffeine cause vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst/urination, dehydration, tremors, hyperactivity,...
more infoIs Catnip Good for My Cat?
Feed your feline catnip and a positive response is likely. Genetically related to basil and oregano, the catnip plant, or nepeta cataria, contains a chemical stimulant called nepetalactone. It generally doesn’t put pet safety at risk. As for the ethical debate, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supports using “reasonable amounts of high-quality catnip” along with keeping pets safe using products such as cat doors. What Does Catnip Do? The stimulant in catnip is said to produce a marijuana- or LSD-like “high.” Catnip can act as a sedative or trigger intense euphoria when eaten. Seen in about...
more infoTraining Tips for Puppies (and How to Get Them Used to Their Pet Door)
A pet door can be an innovative way to housebreak your dog. By completing a pet door installation, you can give your dog the freedom to come and go when they need to. Yet most dogs don’t automatically know the door is for them, or how to use it. How to Teach a Dog to Use a Doggie Door At some point, you’ll want to transition your dog from relieving themselves indoors to going outside. The best puppy training tips to accomplish this are to: Set up an outdoor safe haven: Familiarize your dog with the yard, setting up...
more infoDebunking Pet Door Installation and Other Pet Door Myths
For dog and cat owners, pet doors are a great addition to your home to give your pet the freedom they need to in and out and when they want. Most pet owners, though, do have some concerns about pet doors which has led to several different myths relating to pet door installation and others which we are going to debunk. Myth #1: “Pet Door Installation Is Just for Doors” There is a wide range of pet door products on the market today. You can find pet doors that work with traditional doors, sliding glass doors, screen doors, windows,...
more infoDos and Don’ts of Travelling with Your Pet
Pet owners know how hard it can be to leave their furry friends behind. Of course, travelling with a pet isn’t exactly easy, Rules and regulations about how pets can and can’t fly leave many pet owners feeling as though they should just let their pet experience the world through a secure pet door, instead. Here’s the secret, though—travelling with your pet isn’t as hard as it appears. All you have to do is follow a few easy Dos and Don’ts. Dos Do make sure your pet has all its necessary papers. Health certificates are a must, and, if...
more infoThe Rise of Vegan Pet Food
As more people have turned to vegan diets, more have considered such diets for cats and dogs. There’s been some debate as to whether a vegetarian diet is nutritionally balanced for companion animals. In addition to pet doors for safety and convenience, pet owners have become increasingly concerned about connections between diet and their pets’ health, the environment, and climate change. An estimated 1.5 billion people globally were vegetarians in 2010, with vegans being a subset of that population.1 Studies have found many feed pets vegan food due to moral, ethical, and animal welfare concerns. Pet food companies have...
more infoUber for Your Pup? Let’s Talk Dog-Walking Apps
A dog door makes having a pet convenient, but have you ever considered a dog-walking app? Neighborhood dog walkers are nothing new. Nowadays, dog owners and dog walkers can more easily connect through apps like Wag! or Rover. Similar to Uber or Ola, these let you book a dog walker or pet sitting service using your smartphone. For an app such as Wag!, these useful features can make life easier: Order a dog walker up to 30 minutes in advance Schedule a local dog walker regularly Schedule a meeting with them Track your dog using the app See a...
more infoKeeping Your Pet Safe in a Natural Disaster
In case of an emergency, it’s important to have a disaster plan for your pet and your family. A cyclone, fire, earthquake, or flood can mean you’ll need to evacuate and possibly be separated from your pet. Even a pet door can help, but here are a few more suggestions. Plan in Advance There may be no warning of an impending disaster, so make sure your pets are microchipped (which can help locate them after being separated), have up-to-date collars and tags, and keep a leash and/or pet carrier near the front door. Also: Arrange for a safe haven...
more infoHow to Avoid Dehydration in Dogs
When it comes to keeping dogs healthy, we often think of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Water, however, is more essential than any of these. After all, your dog cannot sweat (except through its paws) and is covered in warm fur, on top of the air temperature and strong sun. A dog door is great for giving them the freedom to go indoors to cool off. Dogs lose water every time they pant and relieve themselves. Losing just 10% to 15% of water in their body can be potentially fatal. To protect your dog, track how much water is...
more info5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active This Summer
Summer is the time for outdoor fun in the sun. You want your dog to enjoy this time too—but it can get quite hot for our furry friends. A dog door enables them to seek cool relief indoors. It’s just one way to make sure your dog stays active and your cat stays safe. Keep your canine active with: Shade A backyard sheltered from the wind can get dangerously hot. Make sure there’s a shaded area for them to cool off. You might intend to be around for them, but your one errand can turn into a few...
more infoFleas, Ticks & Mites Problem in Pets
There’s nothing better than giving your pet time each day to romp around outside. Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are the cure for just about any ailment your pet may face! While the great outdoors is a wonderful place, it also has its downside. The more time your dog or cat spends outside, the greater risk there is of fleas, ticks, and mites. These little critters are often hard to detect—that is until you notice your pet constantly scratching or nipping. If you have a sliding door pet door installed in your home or if your pet spends a...
more infoHow to Help Your Pet with Anxiety
Just like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from anxiety. Some pets are anxious by nature while others are anxious based on situational factors. Fear, aging, and separation can all cause anxiety. Anxious pets can become aggressive, depressed, and restless; others are more likely to pant, bark, or get into destructive behaviors like chewing. The good news is that there are many things you can do in order to ease your pet’s anxiety. Here are some proven ways to keep your pet calm and stress-free. Try Distracting Your Pet Is your pet afraid of loud noises or strangers?...
more info5 Reasons to Get Outdoors with Your Dog
Spending time outdoors benefits both you and your dog. Exercise, mental stimulation, and fresh air are a must for your dog’s health, happiness, and overall well-being. If your dog is like most dogs, hearing the word “outside” or “walk” results in plenty of excited barking and a non-stop wagging tail. Keep reading to learn five reasons while getting outdoors with your dog is so important. With a sliding door pet door, your dog can enjoy fresh air even when you’re not home. 1. Daily Exercise & Weight Control Dogs that spend too much time indoors are at a higher...
more infoThe Dangers of Pet Boredom
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could stay home with your pet all day long? Nothing sounds better than all-day cuddling, playing, and relaxing. But the reality is most pet owners have to work, which means your pet is left at home. To make your pet’s alone time as enriching as possible, there are certain things you’ll want to do. Otherwise, you risk a bored pet who is more likely to bark and be destructive. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of pet boredom and how having a sliding door pet door can help. A Bored...
more info5 Tips for Owners of Extra-Large Dogs
Considering buying an extra-large dog? Currently own an extra-large breed and want some tips and tricks for making your life and your pet’s life as enjoyable as possible? Having a bigger dog means that there’s even more to love! Yet, owning a big dog can pose certain challenges. Here are 5 tips you’ll want to know if you own an extra-large dog breed. 1. People Will Be Super Interested Most people eww and ahh over smaller dogs, but larger dogs tend to get even more attention. Owning a large-breed dog means you’ll want to be prepared for strangers wanting...
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