How Does an Electronic Pet Door Work?

Installing an electronic pet door to give your cat or dog the freedom to go outside will stop them from waking you up at night when they need to go to the bathroom. One of the primary benefits of this style of pet door is it helps keep uninvited guests from getting inside your home.

Electronic doors work in different ways, depending on the technology used. They can be controlled by a magnetic collar or a microchip. There are also apps you can use with your smartphone to control various features, such as when your pet can open and close the door, alerts when your pet leaves or enters the home, and more.

Magnetic Collar Pet Door

cat passing through catflap

Your pet will need to wear a collar to be able to open the door. There are magnets inside the collar that trigger magnets in the door to release it and open it. The magnets in the collar are the same charge as the magnets in the door.

When two magnetic charges are brought near each other, they will push against each other, thereby opening the door. Alternatively, the door could use electric magnets. Inside the collar is the “switch” to shut off the electricity to the magnets and allow the door to open.

Microchip Pet Door

The door scans for the matching microchip code and, when it detects it, it unlocks and opens. The door can be operated with either a microchip in a pet collar or the microchip your pet may already have. These doors use radio or wireless technologies to read the microchip your pet is wearing. Some newer models now include a mini-key fob that you can attach to your pet’s collar.

Which Pet Door Is the Best?

Shy Basset hound peeking out of doggy door

Both magnetic collar and microchip doors function similarly. If your pet already is microchipped, then a microchip door would be a better choice. On the other hand, if your pet doesn’t have a microchip, then either type of door would be a good choice.

It really comes down to the style of the door and where you want to install it, such as an electronic pet door for a sliding door or an electronic pet door for a wall. Ideally, you want a door that looks aesthetically pleasing and which matches your home’s exterior and interior design.

To find “smart” electronic pet doors for your home, please feel free to shop online at Australia Pet Doors or contact us at 0437-644-330 if you have further questions or need assistance today!