Frequently Asked Questions

A: Teaching a pet to use a pet door is usually a quick and easy process. Most cats and dogs learn to use a dog door immediately, although some take several days. Do not push the pet through the door. Start by propping open a panel and coaxing the pet through with a treat. The following steps will make learning easy: Put something your pet really wants on the other side of the door. This could be a favorite toy, or an extra delicious treat. Dogs like things with interesting smells, and most dogs will want to investigate a piece of smelly cheese. Prop the door open and call for your pet. Praise any progress. It's important to be patient and maintain a good mood. Babying the pet proves the door is something out of the ordinary and should be feared. Forcing the pet through has the same effect. If you have a door larger than small, so it has two panels, start with keeping both panels propped open, and when your pet goes through the hole willingly, close one panel, to show that they will swing open. Give more praise. Don't hesitate to call us at 800-749-9609 if you need help

A: Most cats will use a dog-size PlexiDor. The panels swing easily enough for the cat to get through, and the cats figure out that they can open one half of the door. When you choose the door, measure carefully; you may need to go up in size to keep the top of the pet door high enough for the dog and the bottom low enough for the cat. The convenient threshold for cats is around 5" from the floor.

A: You can paint the PlexiDor frames and accessories. Our standard colors - white, silver, and bronze - fit in most environments, but sometimes a custom color would be even better. You can paint the PlexiDor frames and accessories to get exactly the look you want. Talk to an experienced paint sales person to get help choosing the right type of paint. They can also give advice on preparing the surface the best way for the paint you choose; you might for instance need a primer.

A: The manual PlexiDor pet doors come with a 10-year warranty. The electronic PlexiDor pet doors feature a 5-year warranty. In addition to the residential warranty, all PlexiDor products have a 90-day money back guarantee. We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you buy a door, take it home, unpack it, and it isn't what you wanted, return it within 90 days and we will refund your purchase price.

A: The PlexiDor dog doors and cat door are sturdy and constructed to last for many years with little maintenance. You will not need replacement flaps, since the panels are manufactured with PlexiDor’s exclusive K9 COMPOSITE™ - a material similar to that used in airplane windshields. About every 5 to 8 years, the industrial weather seal will need to be replaced. One inexpensive kit will cover both saloon-style panels, and the seals are easy to install. Depending on usage, you may also need to replace the springs that pull the panels closed once or twice during the door's lifespan. PlexiDor is manufactured in Bradenton, Florida, so if you ever have a problem with the door, it is easy to get help and replacement parts.

A: PlexiDor pet doors can be installed in doors, walls, or in glass. The door unit is made to fit the thickness of a standard exterior house door. That means, the frame of the cat door or dog door will protect the cut-out edges of the household door, whether it's wood or metal, and frame the hole in a hollow-core door. Tools needed for installing a PlexiDor through a door are saw, drill, and screwdriver. The wall units are intended for installation through walls up to 12 inches thick. The kit comes with a sloped aluminum tunnel that will give a good looking and professional installation. If your wall is thinner than 12 inches, just trim the tunnel down with the included jigsaw blade. Good to know: the PlexiDor Large is created to fit exactly between studs 16" on center. Installations through glass can be done through our glass series. This is a pre-fabricated product designed to replace the glass in a sliding glass or French door. The kit includes a one-piece pane with a factory-installed PlexiDor.  

A: The PlexiDor is the best pet door for keeping weather outside and not allow water to enter the house. All PlexiDor models have high quality weather seal around the panels, and the panels close tightly and quickly to protect from wind, rain, snow, chill, and heat. Regular rain will not enter through the PlexiDor cat door or dog doors. If you live in an area with regular downpours - or have a pet who likes to lie through the door, propping the panels open with their body - you may want to invest in an awning. The awning also provides shade on hot days. If there is extreme weather, for instance floods or hurricanes, lock the pet door and attach the security plate.        

A: It is possible to use the same collar key to control more than one PlexiDor Electronic pet door. Program the key on the first door, and then on the next door. Read about the programming procedure here.

A: When you cut a hole through a household door or a wall, the edges must be covered. Some doors are hollow, and walls are packed full of insulation. This "tunnel" needs to be framed by something, both to look good and to withstand time and weather. The PlexiDor door series has a frame thick enough to fit a standard household door. This means that you make the hole, install the pet door, and everything in your household door is neatly covered. The PlexiDor wall series comes with an aluminum tunnel that will fit walls up to 12" thick. If your wall is thinner, you or your installer can cut the pieces down. This makes it easy to get a professional look and an end result that will last for many years to come.

A: There are many households that need a dog door for two different sized dogs. It is common that more than one dog shares the same PlexiDor Dog Door. A large dog and a small dog can comfortably use the same dog door. The trick is installing a large enough door low enough for the small dog and tall enough for the large dog. This is not a problem, just make sure you measure properly to get a door everyone can get through. For instance, a Greyhound requires a PlexiDor Large Dog Door, but with the door mounted at the right height for the Greyhound, the threshold might be too tall for a smaller dog. If that is the case, you can go up one size and get an extra-large dog door to accommodate both dogs. Then you would install the extra-large door at an appropriate height off the ground for the smaller dog. A larger opening will allow the top to be the right height for the tall dog while also reaching close enough to the floor for the smaller dog to step through. This dog door for two different sized dogs is a perfect fit for the whole family! To Determine Best Size Dog Door For Two Different Sized Dogs Measure the large dog from the top of the back to the ground. This is how tall the top edge of the door will need to be. You don’t want the dog needing to crawl to get through the opening. Measure the small dog from the bottom of the chest to the ground. This is how low the bottom edge of the door will need to be, so the small dog will be able to step through. Subtract the small dog's number from the large dog's number. This is how tall the opening needs to be. Do not be concerned about the larger sized door being difficult to open for smaller pets. Small dogs and cats can easily open Large and even Extra Large PlexiDor Dog Doors. The saloon style panels swing open easily. The smallest of dogs and even cats have no trouble using the PlexiDor Dog Door of any size. Many households have pets of different sizes that need to share the same PlexiDor. This isn't a problem, just make sure you measure properly to get a pet door everyone can get through.