Frequently Asked Questions

A: When considering pet doors safety, remember to weigh in on security. Security is an important factor in today's world, and many might hesitate to install a pet door because it is one more opening in the home that might let in unwanted persons. These are valid concerns, and we here at PlexiDor pet doors have taken measures to help you feel safe. Every PlexiDor dog door and cat door comes with a lock and key. The lock features a steel cam inside a hardened metal cylinder. The doors also come with a steel security plate that is easily attached to the door frame and can be installed when leaving home for an extended period of time. For those who wish to use the security plate on an everyday basis, the PlexiDor sliding track system is a convenient accessory. Slide the plate down the track and lock it in place with a handy flip lock feature. There is also an electronic version of the PlexiDor that will only open for pets with a key. The door is controlled by RFID and the pet carries the key on the collar. When the pet comes close enough to the door it slides open - but only for collar keys with the right combination. Don't hesitate to contact us with any security concerns you might have.

A: In many houses, the best route to the outside goes through a glass door or even a window. Historically, mounting a pet door in glass has been nearly impossible, but with the PlexiDor Glass Series we are working to provide you with a pet door in your french doors, sliding patio door, or glass patio door. To install a PlexiDor pet door through glass, an installer will come to your house and measure the width, thickness, and height of your existing pane. The dog door or cat door is mounted in a new pane, which will be installed exactly the same way as the original glass. Thus, the old pane can be put back if you were ever to sell your home to someone without a pet, or if you no longer require a pet door. For more information, visit the Glass Series page or give us a call at 888-PET-DOOR!

A: Cats and cardboard boxes have long been strange bedfellows. It's no secret, cats have a strange affinity for cardboard boxes. But, what is it about a box that's so fun? Why do they love sitting in boxes, and sleeping in boxes? A study conducted at Utrecht University in the Netherlands points towards boxes providing relief from stress - they're likely to feel safe and be left alone when hiding in a box. In the wild, a hiding place like this would be perfect to relax, safe from predators. Another theory is that boxes helps keep cats warm. Cardboard boxes are generally layered and become great insulators that keep cats safe from drafts.  

A: The easy to install PlexiDor awning creates a roof for the pet door and prevents rain, sun, and snow from entering the house. This accessory comes in three sizes, perfect for the PlexiDor pet doors. The awnings are made from durable aluminum with a baked-on finish that will last for many years. They are available in white or bronze. The small awning is 12" wide and 8" deep. The medium awning is 16" wide and 12" deep. The large awning is 23 1/4" wide and 16 5/8" deep. Click here to see more.

A: Many everyday things that look innocent and are perfectly safe for humans can be dangerous to pets. Easter lilies, for instance, can poison a cat just from the cat rubbing up against a vase, getting spores on the coat, and licking them off. Here is a list with five categories that should be kept out of reach at all times. 5 Items Dangerous to Pets Prescription medications This includes anti-inflammatory medications, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, antidepressants, and more. A safe course of action is to assume all medications are dangerous to pets unless specifically prescribed to the pet. This includes items you can buy at the grocery store, like Tylenol. If your pet needs a medication, check with your vet, or at least look the substances up on pet poison helpline. Insecticides Most people keep bug poisons, rat poison, ant traps, and similar out of reach for their pets, but also make sure to be careful with flea and tick products. Pay close attention to dosage and never apply a product intended for a dog on a cat. Dogs and cats are very different and their products have different compositions. A dosage appropriate for a dog can be dangerous to a cat, even if the pets are of the same weight. Household products This is a wide but important category. Laundry detergent, laundry pods, soap, fertilizer, lawn products, and other cleaning products should all be stored out of reach of pets and children. Be particularly careful with pods filled with detergent - they often look like toys or candy, and cause accidents with children, dogs, and cats every year. People food We eat many things that pets can taste, but other things are toxic to cats and dogs. Some items to never give a pet include chocolate, alcohol, xylitol, grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts. Plants Many pets aren't inclined to eat plants at all, but others are all too happy to munch down on greenery and things on the ground. This naturally goes for whatever they find in neighboring yards and along walks, and not just in your own yard. Examples of toxic plants include sago palms, bulbs of tulips, daffodils, and similar, azaleas, easter lilies, and rhododendrons. What to do If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call your vet at once. The sooner your pet gets the appropriate treatment, the better.

A: Pet sizes - and pet door sizes - can seem confusing, because it's relative to a person's frame of reference. If a person is used to Rottweilers, a Beagle looks like a small dog. To a person used to teacup Yorkshire terriers, the Beagle is pretty big. To make this more confusing, the right size dog door often looks small compared to the pet. Dogs tend to duck their heads and lift their feet when they go through, so the opening doesn't have to be as tall as the pet. If you have larger and smaller pets together, the PlexiDor opens so easily that a smaller pet can generally use a larger pet door. The weights in the list below are guidelines. If your pet is right on the spot you might need to measure him or her and compare with the opening size. Or, contact our customer service. They are experienced and happy to help. Get the Right Size Dog Door for Your Pooch PlexiDor size small This pet door is small, and has a single pane design. The opening is 6.5 x 7 1/4 inches. It is suitable for cats up to 24 pounds and dogs up to 9 pounds. Common breeds are chihuahuas, papillons, yorkshire terriers, and pomeranians. PlexiDor size medium This dog door is intended for dogs up to 40 pounds. The opening is 9 x 12 inches, and common breeds are corgis, dachshunds, beagles, pekingese, cocker spaniels, shelties, and many terriers. PlexiDor size large The large PlexiDor dog door has an opening of 11 3/4 x 16 inches, and it is intended for dogs up to 100 pounds. Common breeds are Labradors, Collies, German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Golden Retrievers. PlexiDor size extra large The extra large PlexiDor dog door has an opening of 16 x 23 3/4 inches and is intended for dogs up to 220 pounds. Larger dogs might be able to use it, depending on their build. Common breeds are Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Old English Sheepdogs, and Irish Wolfhounds. More sizing help and information You can download an overview of sizes - with opening sizes and needed cut holes - with examples of dog breeds and installation heights here. And naturally, if you need help, contact customer service.

A: A nursing home is a place for a person who needs more care around the clock than can be reasonably given at home, but who doesn't need to be in a hospital. Many nursing homes strive for a home-like environment. Some allow residents to bring their pets, but this isn't always possible, and many nursing homes around the USA have opened their doors to therapy dogs who come visit on a regular basis. Therapy dogs in nursing homes has become a common sight across the country. Dogs have an instinctive way of knowing when they are needed, and a visit from a dog can calm and soothe someone, or lift the spirits of a person who is sad and lonely. The dogs provide a physical touch and many love the feeling of soft fur. They also bring warmth, joy, and a patient ear that will always listen. Some believe only a certain breed can become a therapy dog, or that they are raised for this purpose as puppies. Therapy dogs come in all breeds and sizes, and many are rescue dogs. If you're interested in doing therapy work with your dog, start by training some basic obedience, and bring your dog to many different environments so he or she gets used to noises and people. Then, find a therapy-dog organization in your area. Many states have animal-assisted therapy organizations that offer training programs. To become a certified therapy dog, a trainer will evaluate you and your dog and suggest courses to take. Then, you're ready to volunteer. Many organizations will help you find volunteer opportunities. Here is a list that can help you get started.

A: There are many recipes for dog treats around the Internet, and most of them contain some form of wheat, even if it's whole wheat. Here are some wheat - and gluten free dog treats or carob cookies you can make for your four-footed friend. Carob is a chocolate substitute often used for dogs, because it lacks both the substances toxic to pets and caffeine. It is naturally sweet and looks a little like chocolate, but has a unique flavor and texture. There are also carob chips. If you've seen doggie cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies they're made with carob. Carob Gluten Free Dog Treats What you need: 1 cup of white rice flour 1/2 cup of carob powder 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 cup of water What to do: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, so it gets properly warm while you mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. The order doesn't matter, you can just pour them together and mix away. It's supposed to become a smooth dough. If the dough becomes very dry, add a little more water. When you bake the dough out, it helps to sprinkle the baking surface with rice flour or carob powder. Use the latter if you don't want white sprinkles on the cookies. Roll out the dough until it's about a quarter of an inch thick and cut cookies with a cookie cutter. Or, cut it into squares. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for ten to fifteen minutes. Let the cookies cool and store them in the fridge.

A: No one likes to step in dog poop, and there are many reasons to pick it up. Dog poop is the number three cause of water pollution, the water treatment systems aren't designed to filter dog waste, and it can spread diseases and viruses, to name a few. Many dog owners are still bad at picking it up. Carmel has a new million dollar dog park, and if dog waste becomes a problem, they're considering hiring a poop police. The company PooPrints specializes in DNA analysis of dog waste and currently has contracts with apartment complexes and condos in 45 US states, Canada, and the UK. If the system is put in place, dogs with passes for the dog park would be subject to a gentle DNA swipe from their mouth, and if anything is left behind on the ground, the owner could get a notice and a bill in the mail. Several apartment complexes currently use the system with great success; the threat of public shaming has been enough to make residents pick up after their dogs.

A: Bringing dogs to work can help reduce stress Sandra Barker is a professor of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth's School of Medicine, and she has been involved in several studies researching dogs in the workplace. The results may not come as big surprises to dog lovers, but are interesting nonetheless. A study was made in 2012 at a large manufacturing company. The study included 76 employees, and having just three dogs present on any given day reduced the stress level by 11 percent during the day. Employees with their dogs left at home, however, had an increase in stress level of 71 percent. As the day progresses, dog owners clearly worry about their furry friends! Bringing dogs to work can serve as a buffer against stress - things still happen, but humans react less to stress factors with pets around. Nationally, around 2 percent of dog owners take their pets to work, and this adds up to around one million dogs in workplaces around the country.