Frequently Asked Questions

A: Most pets take to the PlexiDor pet door, because they can see the outside through the panel, and it is easy for them to open the dog door or cat. Teaching a cat or dog to use the Plexidor pet door usually takes somewhere between a few seconds and a week. If your cat or dog doesn't immediately go through the pet door, try propping the panels open and calling for the pet. Put something they really want on the other side, like some stinky treat. The smellier the better, and small pieces of cheese or meat usually does the trick. Be patient, and praise progress. When it comes to the electronic PlexiDor pet door, the trick is to get the pet close enough for the panel to open. Place the treat on the bottom lip of the pet door. When your pet approaches to get the treat, the collar key will open the door. Most pets catch on quickly. Pets are different, just like we are. Some will get it and love their dog door or cat door at first sight, others need a little longer. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need help!

A: Many find pet door sizing counter-intuitive. It's easy to fall into the thought-trap that the dog door needs to be as tall as the dog is, and the right size can look small compared to the dog. Remember that most dogs bow their head and lift their legs when they go through the door. This means the dog door can be shorter than the dog. A correctly installed dog door is raised from the floor, making  a threshold for the dog to step over. Look at the image top right. Why not make the door taller? It might be an option for a family with fairly small pets. If you have a large dog, that would give an enormous hole in the door or wall. Besides being inefficient, a door panel the size of a Great Dane would be very heavy for the dog to open. What if I have smaller and larger pets? The PlexiDor dog doors are easy to open, and a smaller pet can generally open and use a larger door. You might have to adjust the height from the floor to find a position where the large dog doesn't have to crouch to get through, and the smaller dog can still reach to get in and out. PlexiDor dog doors come in sizes from small to extra large, and can accommodate everything from the smallest Chihuahua to an Irish Wolfhound. Click here to download a size chart with recommended dog weights and dog door measurements. If you have any questions about door sizing, don't hesitate to contact customer service. They have extensive experience and will help you find the best door for your pets.

A: Petco withdraws pet treats from China. Cases like this have made the news for several years. The first cases were reported in 2007, and ever since they have been connected to pet deaths, but authorities have been unable to pinpoint exactly what is wrong. By now, over 1,000 dogs are reported dead in connection with Chinese jerky treats, and Petco has decided to withdraw all pet treats made in China. Petco has over 1,300 stores nationwide, and the Chinese treats will be removed from each one, including Unleashed by Petco and online at Petco.com. The process will be completed before the end of the year. According to a recent FDA report, over 4,800 complaints have come in regarding chicken, duck, and sweet potato jerky treats from China. These reports mostly involve dogs falling sick, but also 24 cats and three people. The FDA cautions pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet, and to consult with a veterinarian before feeding this type of treats and if noticing any symptoms. Follow this link to learn how to report a complaint to the FDA.

A: Police dog training is rough, as are their jobs. They climb metal stairs in the dark, crawl through narrow tunnels, physically fight people when needed, and still have to be gentle enough to approach victims.  There was recently a police dog training meet in Oregon. To be certified, a dog needs to score 100 percent in a series of tests. That level of perfection requires around 200 hours for a drug dog, trained to sniff out drugs hidden in secret compartments, and around 360 hours for a patrol dog. The latter have physically tough jobs, are trained to track humans, and even sniff down objects a certain person has touched. Many trainers use commands in another language, to make it easier for the dog to understand if a word is a command to do something, or said/shouted to a suspect. Many also uses different types of toys at home and as reward at work, to make it easier for the dog to know when it's on duty.

A: Real estate agents see and hear a lot of things, but Australian cat Tiffany might still be something new. Or rather, the commotion around her.  Tiffany's owners sold their home on an auction, and the top bid came in at $2,060,000 Australian. The top bidders had an unusual request; their daughter fell in love with Tiffany when touring the house and they offered to raise their bid with $140,000 Australian if Tiffany would come with the house. The owner's 19 year old son is not happy about losing his pet. Thus far, Tiffany herself hasn't voiced an opinion.

A: Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. Zeus is currently the biggest of them all. This world record holder is a Great Dane from Michigan and with 44 inches from foot to withers he measures the same size as an average donkey. If he stands on his hind legs, he reaches 7 feet 4 inches. Zeus weighs 155 pounds and eats around 12 cups of food every day. He's too big to ride in the back of a car, and his family had to buy a van to be able to transport him. The world's smallest dog is a 2 year old Chihuahua from Puerto Rico. Milly stands 3.8 inches tall when measured from backbone to paw, and weighs around 1 pound. She is shorter than a can of soup. When Milly was born, she weighed less than an ounce and fit in a teaspoon. She was too small to nurse from her mother, and the family gave her milk every two hours from an eyedropper. Today she eats twice a day and prefers small meals of salmon or chicken. The smallest dog in terms of length is also a Chihuahua. Brandy lives in Florida, weighs two pounds, and measures 6 inches from her nose to the tip of her tail.

A: MacDill Air Force Base is located right outside Tampa, Florida. The area has large numbers of birds, which don't go well together with the massive KC-135 aircraft that take off and land on a daily basis; a bird strike can cause serious damage to an engine, and cost large amounts of taxpayer dollars to repair.  The air force base has found an innovative solution. They employ Sonic - a border collie rescue dog - to keep the runways clear of birds, and she performs this duty on a daily basis. Sonic doesn't hurt the birds, but scares them off, and does so more efficiently than more high-tech options.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ddXiNYCbO4

A: Cats and dogs are just as susceptible to teeth problems as humans, and problems with teeth can lead to other health issues.  Luckily, you can prevent toothaches and tartar. Some of the most common warning signs for tooth and gum problems include: Bad breath Sensitive mouth Loss of appetite Deposits on the teeth Inflamed, bleeding, or withdrawn gums Loose teeth Missing teeth Pawing at the mouth Problems chewing You can teach your dog or cat to let your brush its teeth at any age, but it will be easier the earlier you start. Always give plenty of praise and rewards. Start by wrapping some gauze around your finger and rub your pet's teeth with this. This will help your pet get used to the brushing process. Show  your pet a dog or cat toothbrush and let them get used to the brush. There are specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste - don't use human toothpaste. Focus on the gumline, and make a routine of brushing at least a few times per week. Every day is the best.

A: Cats and humans have walked side by side on land for thousands of years. It is less known that cats have shared the seas with us. They have a great ability to adapt to their surroundings, and thrive on ships. In today's society many people consider black cats bad luck. At sea, it was the complete opposite. Cats, particularly black cats, were believed to protect ships from dangerous weather. Fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home, hoping they would protect the men at sea. The US Naval Institute writes, "It is likely that the ancient Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize the true value of having cats as shipmates." The kitties protected the ships from rats and mice, served as company, and could to some extent warn for foul weather. Cats have sensitive inner ears, and low atmospheric pressure often make them nervous and restless. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into provisions, chew through ropes, and spread disease. It was also common to adopt cats from foreign lands to serve as souvenirs and remind the crew of their pets at home.

A: Ralphee is an adorable kitten with feline cerebellar hypoplasia. Those big words translate into, "neurological disorder that affects motor skills." It shows in jerky and uncoordinated movements. Many cats with this condition falls often and has trouble walking. They also suffer tremors. The condition can come from a bacterial or viral infection, malnutrition, poisoning, injury, or an accident. The cat can learn to compensate for the disease, and can live a fairly normal life with a normal life span. When it comes to Ralphee, he is lucky. He was rescued from a horse stable, and now he has his very own cattle dog to look after him. Love and caring really spans the species. Ralphee might not have the physical grace of many other kittens, but he is cute as a button, healthy, and filled with mischief. //youtu.be/f31m5-5-xUY