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Use Caution When Cutting A Pet Door

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

People love their pets. They want to make the pets comfortable and make them part of the family. Instead of giving the pet a key to the house, they often choose to make a pet door or two so the pet has unfettered access from the backyard into the house, maybe clear through the house into the garage.

When there is a large pet door, such as the one shown here, it is a potential security breach into the home. A human could easily go through that door. And often they allow rain and moisture into the home as well. The other location, where people cut pet doors, is in the garage/house door. We are talking a "firewall" breach here.

My advice to homeowners is to be carefully when hacking doors apart. It might be better to give Rover and Tabby a key. Of course, since they have no thumbs, it might be tough getting them to use it.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Posted by

Steven L. Smith

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Comments (10)

Nancy Conner
Olympia, WA
Olympia/Thurston County WA

Although they always seem convenient for those of us who have pets that constantly want in, no  out, no in...I've never wanted to add a pet door.  Besides your cautions, I know my cats would bring in WAY too many wild creatures to play with inside!

Aug 29, 2010 04:56 AM
Jack Mossman - The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Stockton
The Nines Team At Keller Williams - Stockton, CA
The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Stockton

Steven:  Pet doors also have an impact on listed homes.  For buyers with pets - it might be OK - if it is the right size - for buyers without pets - it leaves a negative thought - another expense in getting this house ready to become our home ...

Aug 29, 2010 05:01 AM
Stephanie Reynolds
Integrity First Financial Group, Inc. - Santee, CA
East County San Diego Homes 619-838-4408

I was in a house the other day that had a door that two first graders could have crawled through TOGETHER! Fortunately it had a wood slide that came down over the door when not in use. However, you are right, even with the slider, it could be a BIG security issue.

Aug 29, 2010 05:02 AM
Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS
ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA
'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Wow, that's a big opening! Thanks for your input Steven!

Aug 29, 2010 05:04 AM
Julia Odom
Select Realty Professionals - Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Homes for Sale

I would love to have a pet door, but then my dogs are small enough that it wouldn't be easy to get in through a Peenut sized hole.

There are some pet doors that stay locked until a sensor is tripped. Put the sensor on the collar and voila! Wonder how secure they are though?

Aug 29, 2010 05:07 AM
John Mulkey
TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA
Housing Guru

Steven - A friend had a raccoon enter their pet door, grab a bag of dog food and drag it back to the door.  Unfortunately, the bag (25#) was too big to pull through the opening. I'm not a fan of pet doors for the reasons you point out.

Aug 29, 2010 05:25 AM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

I've never been a fan of pet doors. I think they look tacky. I'm always into decor! I have always owned dogs and have lived just fine not having to hack a hole in my nice doors. Why not train your dog to tell you he has to go out?

Aug 29, 2010 05:56 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Raccoons, snakes, bob cats and all sorts of creatures can come in - besides the dog --  if putting in one, be sure you put it in right side up, saw a home owner who put in one upside down , oops ---- and if you have one , please please keep it clean !

Aug 29, 2010 06:49 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

I think I could get through that door without much thought or effort.  They do make pet doors that have covers that will lock down when the owner is not home.  As for compromising the fire intergrity of the door, once it is cut it is toast, so to speak.

 

Aug 29, 2010 07:37 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

A teenaged burglar ring was busted around here.  They used doggie doors and gable vents to get into houses.  Either is big enough for small, thin teens to access the house!

Aug 29, 2010 02:51 PM