Cat Doors 101: Three Reasons to Get One

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A dog door might seem like an obvious purchase for anyone with a new furry friend. However, if you’re more into feline friends and have a curious cat that likes to be outside, or needs access to parts of the house you would otherwise like to keep behind closed doors, it might be time to consider a cat door.

There are some arguments against letting your cat outside, however, some cats are more curious and adventurous than others and thrive with some time outside. But, outside access isn’t the only reason you should consider buying a cat door for your cat. Here are three reasons we think cat doors are useful and why purchasing one should be on your to-do list.

1 – Cat Doors Hide The Litter Box!

One of the harder, and smellier, elements of owning a cat is the fact that their litter box usually has to be inside, and, let’s be honest, isn’t cleaned as often as maybe it should be. As great as some of the odor-masking litters are, or the automatic boxes that clear away waste as soon as your cat leaves it behind, there is always that lingering litter box smell.

A cat door allows you to keep your cat’s litter box locked away, out of sight and out of smell, while still giving them access. A small wall model cat door through an interior wall in your home is the perfect option to give your cat access to virtually any room, while allowing you to keep the people door to that room shut. 

This is advantageous in more situations than just the litter box room. If your cat’s favorite nap spot is tucked away in a closet or in another part of the house you try to keep closed off in order to save money on your heat or AC bill, a cat door still gives them the opportunity to get to their favorite spot. You save money, and your cat still gets in their nap.

2 – Give Access to a “Catio”

Two cats enjoying a catioSome cats are shy and prefer to stay indoors. Others are more adventurous and long to be outside. If you find yourself with a curious cat, but are too nervous to give them full access outside, consider a cat door that leads to their very own catio.

A catio is an enclosure outside that gives your cat the fresh air access they crave, while keeping them safe. These catios can be as big or as small as your cat is comfortable with, and a cat door can lead them straight to it.

There are several models that could work for catio access. For example, an in-glass cat door in a window or door that leads outside would be the perfect option for those looking to keep their view, but also give their cats the outside time they need.

3 – Cat Doors Give Shy Cats A Quick Escape

If you have a cat that is more shy and likes to stay indoors, and is easily frightened or skittish around visitors or other pets, a cat door gives them the perfect escape option. Not all cats love other cats, and we all know the longstanding feud between cats and dogs. So, a cat door in an interior door will allow them to run off and hide when they feel threatened.

This allows your cat to continue to feel safe in your home without you having to permanently lock them away when guests are over. Give your cat their space, and, who knows, maybe they’ll slowly come out of their shell and learn to love visitors.

No matter what, a little freedom can go a long way for your feline. Learn more about the quality, styles, and models we have available. Shop cat doors now.

The Best Pet Door – Choosing the Right One for Your Home

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Choosing the best pet door for your home might sound like an easy task. However, there are more things to consider than you might think. You want to give your pet the freedom they need. You also want to make sure the security of your home, the safety of you and your pet, and your pet’s overall health aren’t compromised. Maybe you are a new pet owner, or are finally getting around to that to-do list. When you need to install a pet door for your cat or dog, here are some things to consider.

Model Type

Pet doors come in all sizes. However, one of the first decisions you need to make when choosing a cat or dog door for your home is the model type. If you plan to install your pet’s access door in a “people door” that leads outside, a door model pet door is your best option. These models can be easily installed in virtually any type of door. This gives your pet the same outdoor access that you have in the same convenient location.

Screen model pet access doors are designed to be installed in screen doors or windows. This option is perfect for screened patios or for those homeowners who like to let in a fresh breeze but want to keep out pesky insects.

Wall model cat and dog doors can be installed in just about every wall in your home, whether an interior or exterior wall. You can keep your cat’s litter box, and its smell, behind closed doors, but still give them access with a small cat door through an interior wall. Or, give your dog outdoor access from the garage by installing a wall model pet door in one of the exterior walls.

Or course, other types of pet doors are also available for sliding glass doors, windows, and unique locations like RVs and even fences.

Pet Size

Pet door Sizing Graphic

The size of your pet is the next consideration to think through when choosing a pet door. You want to choose a door that will outlast their lifetime growth. Obviously, a small access door will work when your German Shepard is a puppy, but when they’re fully grown, that smaller door will need to be replaced. Planning ahead and purchasing a larger door upfront will save time and money in the long run.

A good guideline when choosing the right-sized pet door is to buy one size bigger than your pet’s full-grown size. This will account for changes in height and width over time. It helps to ensure that they always have extra space and won’t have to squeeze through too small of a door.

Determine the correct size of pet door by measuring your pet’s height and width at the shoulders.  Weight is not the best determining factor when choosing a pet door.

Pet Door Placement

Dog struggling to get through a too tall pet doorOnce you’ve decided on the model type you need for your home and your pet, placement is a huge consideration. You need to put yourself in your pet’s shoes. Can they comfortably come and go through the opening in the spot you have chosen?

If your pet’s door is installed too high, your cat or dog constantly has to jump through the opening. This risks chronic wear and damage to their shoulders. A pet door that’s installed too low also poses joint risk. This is especially true for larger dogs who will inevitably have to duck everytime they use the door.  In addition, it can cause additional wear on the flaps making them fail sooner.

Ultimately, your pet should be able to take a normal, easy step in and out of the pet door you install. Have them stand next to the spot you plan to install your pet door and mark an outline.  (You can use a cardboard cutout to avoid any damage to your home).  If it seems it will be too high or low, make adjustments before making any permanent changes to your home.

Other Pet Door Considerations

Children, neighborhood critters, and environment are other considerations to think about as a final step in choosing an access door. You want a dog or cat door that will give your pet freedom, but also won’t allow for anything or anyone else to come or go from your home. Common features or add-ons to pet doors are security barriers, weather stripping and magnets, and security covers.

Make the Right Choice For Your Pet

Clearly, there’s lots to think about when choosing a pet door. You may find deciding on the perfect door is more of a process than you may have originally thought. If you take these considerations into account, you can choose the right pet door for your home and your pet. Keep yourself and your furry friend happy.  Shop pet doors now.

How to Pick the Best Dog Door Online

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Let’s face it, life is busy. You have a lot of things to do. You don’t necessarily have time to spend an entire day, or several days, hopping around from store to store to find a good dog door for your furry friend.

Shopping for dog doors online can be overwhelming at first. You have the entire world of pet doors at your fingertips, but you can’t see them in person. We’ve put together a list of factors to consider and key features to keep in mind for finding the best dog door online.

Look for a Sizing Chart

The best place to start when comparing dog doors online, aside from the price, is the size offerings. Door size is incredibly important when buying a dog door. Buying the wrong size could result in your dog not using the door correctly, or suffering health problems or injuries.

A good pet door company will offer a wide variety of dog door sizes. A chihuahua is obviously going to need a different door than a Great Dane. Good pet companies will take into consideration the range at which they need to offer their products. If you aren’t sure how large your dog door needs to be, a good general rule is measuring their weight and height then sizing up one size.

Extra room will allow for growth overtime and extra fur during colder months. It will make the overall process of using the door easier and safer for them. It will also help prevent the pet door from wearing out prematurely.

Pick the correct size pet door for the health and safety of your dog and the longevity of your pet door.

Consider Your Placement and Installation

pet door varietyAnother indicator of a top quality pet door product is the variety of models that are available and the installation requirements of each type. Every home and pet is different. Therefore different models need to be offered in order to accommodate a large variety of pet-owner needs.

If the pet door company you are considering only offers one type model and insists that it will fit into any space, that’s an immediate red flag. Wall model pet doors are designed differently than screen model pet doors, which are both different from in-glass doors, and so on. As convenient as it would be, dog doors are not a one type fits all kind of product. A quality pet product company should provide for that.

Bonus Dog Door Features

Other features to look for while shopping online for your dog door that prove a company has gone the extra step to provide a quality product are things like:

  • energy efficiency
  • safety precautions like security barricades
  • and replacement parts like flaps.

Dog doors are an investment in your dog’s health and happiness. It’s better to invest in a top-quality product now with features that will extend the life of the door or help keep your pet and home safe.

Make That Investment

As we said, a good, long-lasting, well-designed dog door will be a financial investment. But, if you choose the right doggy door for your home and your pet, it will be a one-time cost. Invest in a good dog door now. You won’t have to worry about replacing it later as your dog grows and uses it over time.

Your dog deserves their freedom, and a pet door is the perfect solution. Reward your four-legged friend for the lifetime of love and affection they will give you with the mobility and access a good doggie door will give them. Shop dog doors now.

Spruce Up Your Hale Pet Door Before Fall

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It’s hard to believe that summer is already slipping away.  While many of us are still dealing with record high temperatures and drought conditions, we are all seeing the days getting shorter and in many cases the kiddos are already heading back to school.  Fall and winter are right around the corner and will be here before we know it.  Every year we usually see an uptick in replacement flap sales when cold weather arrives.  Why not beat the rush and spruce up your Hale Pet Door to be ready before Old Man Winter starts blowing and snowing?!  Here are a few tips you can use to keep your pet door in tip-top condition.

Dirty pet door flap compared with a clean Hale Pet Door flap

Clean the flaps regularly (and other parts too)

We all love cold, wet puppy and kitty noses giving us kisses but they can leave a residue on your pet door flaps that can make them virtually opaque over time.  Regular cleaning is the best way to prevent this buildup and extend the life of your flaps.  We recommend cleaning your flaps once every month or two to help keep them looking your best. 

We clean our flaps with Simple Green and paper towels.  If you don’t have Simple Green, you can use a mild detergent like dish soap and lukewarm water and any soft cloth.  You may have to use a little more elbow grease but never ever use an ammonia based cleaner (like Windex or most other glass cleaners) to clean the flaps as this will cause the vinyl to dry out and actually shorten the life of your flaps.

If desired you can also occasionally apply a vinyl protectant (such as Armor-all) or Turtle Wax to your flaps to help prolong their life.

Clean and Maintain All Parts of Your Pet Door No Matter What Model It Is

  • You can use this same method to wipe down the pet door frame and the security cover on any of our models to help keep them looking their best.
  • Check the magnets and weatherstripping around the edge of your pet door flaps.  Make sure the magnets are touching the strikes on the flaps and the flap is still sealing well.  Adjust or replace any as needed.
  • If you have a wall model pet door, vacuum the carpet in the tunnel using the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner.  This helps prevent your fur baby from tracking in dirt or snow from outdoors.  If the carpet gets stained you can use any carpet spot cleaner to remove the stains.  If the carpet is coming loose from the sides or bottom of your pet door, you can reattach it using a cheap caulking found at any hardware store.  Do not use anything with silicone as the odor can get trapped between the flaps of the pet door.
  • If you have a screen model pet door, make sure the screen material around the pet door is still nice and taut and the spline is firmly in the spline frame channels on both the pet door and your people door.
  • If you have any of our window, panel, or storm window replacement models, in addition to caring for the pet door itself, take the time to clean the glass with any glass cleaner of your choice.  Make sure all weatherstripping around the unit itself or on your window or door is in good condition and replace if needed.
  • If you have one of our pet ramps, make sure to vacuum and spot clean the carpet regularly to keep it in the best possible condition.

Replace Your Flaps or Any Other Parts If Needed

As with all movable parts our flaps do eventually wear out and need replacing.  The time frame for this can vary greatly depending on the size of your pet door, the installation location, the number and size of pets using the doors, the weather in your area, and many other factors.  If cleaning and regular maintenance aren’t enough anymore and it is time to replace the flaps on your pet door here are some tips to make it easier.

  • Measure carefully for the correct size.  Flaps can shrink or expand over time.  The best way to measure your pet door is to measure the metal frame at the outside edges.  We call this the tip to tip measurement.  Measure across the top of the frame from corner to corner and down one side from corner to corner.  Use the chart on our website to find the size that corresponds to your tip to tip measurement.
  • Make sure whether you need an interior or exterior flap especially on our single flap models.  Although the flap sizes for both sides of the pet door are the same, the magnet and strikes locations are different depending on the side and the model of pet door.  Use our handy graphic to determine which pet flap you need to order.  Look under the “Additional Info” tab on any of our Replacement Flap Product Pages to determine which flap you need.  You can also click on “more info” under the “Which Side” question when placing an order to see a chart listing which pet door flap is used for each model.
  • We offer replacements for virtually all parts of your pet door: flaps, carpet, flashing, magnets, raincaps, stabilizer bars, covers, tunnels, and more.  If you need to replace a part of your pet door, visit our website and see what parts work best for you.  Please feel free to give us a call at 800-646-4773 or email us at info@halepetdoor.com if you need assistance in purchasing the correct parts.

Following these simple steps will help keep your Hale Pet Door looking its best and ensure its reliability for years to come.

Tips to Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy

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Having a pet is a large responsibility and can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, there are some simple things you can do consistently to keep your little guys healthy and happy. 

Spay or neuter your pets. There are a myriad of reasons why this is so important, not the least of which is because there are already so many animals in need of a home. However, there are health implications as well. Spaying your female pet helps prevent disease, such as ovarian cancer. It also stops her from going into heat, thus eliminating her desire to roam away from home in search of a partner. It will also aid her when it comes to the threat of aggressive male cats or dogs. Neutering your male will avoid the risk of certain cancers, such as testicular cancer. It will also alleviate his desire to get out and roam the neighborhood in search of a female, where he can become victim to cars and more aggressive animals. It’s also a great benefit to the pet parent as the urge to spray and mark furniture will be greatly reduced. 

Keeping comfortable is just as important for them as it is to you.

Keep a nice soft bed available for them. Some pet parents allow their pet to sleep in their bed. This is great but just remember that you may have times when your little guy doesn’t have access to the bed. Make sure there is a comfy alternative for him when your bed isn’t the appropriate choice. It is recommended that your pet have a clean, dry, soft bed in a temperate area that is always an appropriate choice, so he knows he always has a place that is for him. 

Keep up with veterinarian visits and, of course, vaccinations. When you first bring your pet home you need to take him to the vet. Your vet will set up an immunization schedule and recommend yearly checkups. Regular checkups help to catch health problems before they become overwhelming, and vaccinations keep your pet free of communicable disease. 

Proper identification is so important. Keep an id tagged collar or harness on your pet at all times. Even if you don’t expect your pet to be out, the unexpected can happen at any time. An identification should have your pet’s name and pet parent’s phone number that is current. If you have both, a cell and home number are a good idea. It’s just as important to have your pet microchipped. Many shelters do this automatically, but be sure to check with your vet’s office and be sure that your pet receives a microchip if he doesn’t have one already. Don’t forget to update the chip company if you move or change phone numbers.

Watch your pet’s weight. It’s estimated that half of pets in the US are overweight or obese. It’s important that your pet is fed a nutritious and properly portioned diet and receives plenty of exercise. Talk to your vet about the best food choices for your little guy as well as the proper portions. It’s a great idea to make good choices when it comes to treats too. Many dogs love carrots and  other produce, there are also great, healthy choices when it comes to premade biscuits and cookies. If you’re unsure, give your vet’s office a call for recommendations. Also, keep in mind that there are foods that are good for us but poisonous to our pets, such as avocados, grapes and raisins. Check an online-accredited pet food reference or with your vet’s office to be sure. 

Exercise is just as important, put aside time for playing with and walking your dog as much as possible, and be sure there are plenty of toys and places to climb for your cat. We recommend our HALE PET DOOR for safe and easy access to the back yard for your dog any time of day as well as access to covered runs for your cat. 

Practice good hygiene from the beginning. It’s never too late to begin a good hygiene regimen, but the earlier the better. Your dog will become accustomed and even sometimes comforted by bathing, combing, nail clipping and tooth brushing, if you start early enough. Your cat will require nail trimming and sometimes brushing or occasional wipe downs depending on the breed. There are many alternative tooth cleaning products on the market if your pet isn’t keen on the tooth brush. Check your local pet store for great ideas and products. It is recommended to do one thing for your pet’s tooth health each day, whether tooth brushing, tartar control bones or teeth cleaning toys. Make a plan of care with your veterinarian if you are unsure. Also, look for cleaning products that work best with your breed, some pets need moisturizing shampoos or hypoallergenic products. 

As always, Hale Pet Door hopes you, your pet and your entire family to stay happy and healthy. We know that this is a trying time for the entire world, we hope your family is safe and comfortable during this pandemic. We applaud the fact that, amid all of the world’s chaos, you are persevering at being the best you can be for your pet’s happiness and health.  http://www.halepetdoor.com

Standard Security Barrier Hiatus

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Hale Pet Door has been proud to offer our line of security products, ramps, and more for many years to complement our pet doors. However, we are facing unprecedented challenges in receiving materials from some of our suppliers due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This has led to materials shortages, greatly increased supplies and shipping costs, and extremely long lead times for our customers and dealers when placing orders.

Instead of passing on these increased costs to our customers, causing greater frustration due to not receiving products ordered in a timely manner, or settling for building our products with inferior materials, we have made the decision to temporarily discontinue selling our standard doghouse style barriers at this time. You can still purchase a simple security barrier if you need extra protection for accessing your pet door. However, the cedar façade for these barriers will not be available for the foreseeable future as well.

We will revisit this issue in the future and hopefully bring back the entire security barrier line when supply chains are more stable. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your pet door security, please feel free to contact us at info@halepetdoor.com and we will try to assist you with your unique situation.

An Announcement From the Hale Family

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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Bill Hale. He was the father of three, the grandfather of 8, and the founder, inventor and owner of Hale Pet Door. 

Bill passed away peacefully in his bed on May 18th, surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren.

We will cherish his ideals and his dedication to life. He will be remembered fondly by family and friends for his tenaciousness, his creativity, and his ability to always problem-solve. His innovative mind created jobs for many people, and he has left behind a wonderful business that will continue to make pets happy around the world, both through the products themselves, and through his extensive work with pet rescue.

The Hale family has not set a date for services, due to the constraints of Covid. We will be keeping friends and family informed as the plans become more firm. 

We thank you all for your sympathies and your continued support of this big project called Hale Pet Door. Each person who has been a part of our story was special to our Dad. 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, our request is that donations be made in his memory to the Humane Society of Fremont County in Canon City, CO. Their website can be found here: https://www.fremonthumane.com/ 

With love and gratitude,

The Hale Family

Tips to Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy Throughout Their Lifetime

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Keeping your cat healthy and happy can be easy and painless if you follow a few simple guidelines. Consistent daily habits are a great start to your felines best life.

First things first, find a veterinarian that’s a good fit for your kitty and your family.

It’s generally recommended to have a vet that’s close by in case of emergency, and willing to receive phone calls for advice when needed. It’s so important to have a great vet that is happy to receive a call when you’re not sure if something is serious or even when it comes to thoughts on food choices and grooming. Be sure to get all recommended vaccinations and please spay or neuter your kitty. This is important for their health and wellbeing as well as helping by not adding kittens to a world that already has more cats than homes.

Pay attention to the food you chose for your kitty. Cats, unlike dogs, cannot be vegetarians, even for short periods of time. They have adapted to rely on meat as the foundation of their diets. Too much dry food gives your cat too many carbs and can cause your cat to become obese and even develop type two diabetes. It is recommended to feed your cat at least one meal of meat per day and keep dry food to a minimum. Check labels and be sure that the food you choose is high in protein and low in carbs. A can of tuna or other canned meat can also be a great dietary choice in combination with small amounts of high quality dry food.

Pay attention to your cat’s hydration. Cats don’t have the same thirst drive as most other mammals as they have evolved from desert dwelling ancestors. They are most comfortable getting most of their hydration from foods, wet food generally contains 70% or more water while dry food is generally 5% to 10% water. Even though you may not see much water being consumed, it’s so important to keep a clean full bowl of water available for your feline all of the time. Pay attention to signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes, panting or lethargy. This is especially important in nursing kittens and elderly cats. As always, if something seems wrong call your vet immediately.

Be sure you give your kitty enough litter boxes. The rule of thumb is one per cat, plus one extra. So one cat needs two but five cats should have six. Many cats feel vulnerable when using the litter box, so if you notice that your kitty is having trouble using the litter box, try putting it in a place where he has a view of all that’s around him. In the wild they developed the strategy of being in the open where they could watch for predators around them when they were in this compromised state. For the same reason, a litter box with a top may be difficult for some cats. If having the kitty box out in the open is not good for you then you can move it a little each day until it is where you want to keep it. If you are having trouble with your cat peeing outside of the box, even when doing the right thing with placement, it could potentially be a medical issue like a urinary tract infection or other illnesses, so check with your vet.

Do yourself a favor and train your cat to use the scratching post. Start with it in the middle of the room and sprinkle with catnip to make it extra appealing. As your cat gets used to using the post you can skip the catnip and slowly move it to a more out of the way place. If you notice scratching on the furniture in the future repeat the steps over again to remind your kitty of the correct place to scratch.

As gross as it seems, it’s really important for cats to be able to adorn their loved ones with gifts. So if you are presented with a dead lizard or some other gruesome gift, try to be thankful and give your kitty positive attention. This is her way of showing love and feeling autonomy. You may be surprised by her reaction as you will get lots of snuggles and purrs. You can discard the “gift” after she has received her desired attention.

Cats love the outdoors, but having free reign outdoors can be quite dangerous. Cats do especially well with a Hale Pet Door exiting into an enclosed outdoor area such as a catio or cat run. These outdoor areas can be quite inexpensive and give your cat the happiness and freedom of the outdoors without the dangers of being an outdoor cat.

Bathing isn’t generally necessary for cats, but daily brushing goes a long way towards a healthy kitty. This keeps his coat clean and removes dead hairs before your cat ingests them while self cleaning. Removing the dead hairs through daily brushing will cut down on furballs as well as keep that coat soft and shiny. It’s a great way for your cat to get used to daily handling and feel love. It’s also a good habit to be in because you will notice lumps, bumps or irregularities right away.

As always, Hale Pet Door wants you and your family to have a rich and wonderful life with your furbabies. Please log onto www.halepetdoor.com for the highest quality pet doors, pet ramps and security barriers as well as info about our Rescue Rewards Program and tips on how to help your pet live its best life.

Have a Safe and Happy Easter for You and Your Pets

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Easter is a favorite holiday for a lot of us. A day spent with time with the familiar, delicious food and treats, and fun activities. However, it also brings items into your home that can be very hazardous to your pets. We’ve compiled a list of some of the dangerous Easter items that your pet may come in contact with this holiday so you can feel more knowledgeable about what to keep out of reach!

Chocolate

This is probably something most of us already know about – chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. Not only does it contain caffeine, but it also has a chemical in it called theobromine. Cats are most likely affected by it as well, but typically wouldn’t be interested in eating something sweet like chocolate. All types of chocolate are dangers, so it’s very important to always keep it safe and out of reach at all times. If you suspect your pet has consumed any chocolate, or is showing signs of illness such as breathing problems, diarrhea, or vomiting, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Egg Dye

A lot of the egg dye you’ll find in stores are non-toxic, since they’re usually made to be used by children. However, that’s not always the case and you always check the packaging before you choose a product. And although consumption of a non-toxic food dye is not likely to cause harm, our pet’s stomachs can be very sensitive and their system’s can sometimes react in unexpected ways so it’s best to avoid sharing anything with your pet that contains food dye.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener that is prevalent in many, many foods including peanut butter. This ingredient is highly toxic to dogs and can easily cause death. Even a small amount can make your dog extremely ill. Xylitol causes a rapid release of insulin into a dog’s bloodstream which causes a huge drop in blood sugar. Be sure to read the label of everything you bring into the house and if anything contains this ingredient, keep it safe and impossible for your pooch to reach.

Easter Basket Fillers

The plastic eggs, plastic grass, and other enticing items that often go in baskets can be quite tempting to both dogs and cats. These items can easily cause obstructions in your pet’s digestive tract and can be extremely dangerous. Keep a close on eye on all your pets so that they don’t chew on these things and become sick. If you see any signs of ingestion of these items, such as vomiting, lack of appetite, dehydration, or any other unusual symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

Keeping these tips in mind will help you and all your four-legged friends all have a fun, happy, and above all safe Easter celebration.

The Important Benefits of Having a Pet Door

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It’s an interesting question, why get a pet door for your pet when you’ve gotten along all of this time without one? Well, it’s simple, you and your pet have managed without his or her own door, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for you or your pet. Just like most things in life, we learn to do better for ourselves and our loved ones as we become aware of better and healthier ways.

Surprisingly, pet doors can be an attractive, sturdy and beautiful addition to your home. Hale Pet Doors look beautiful, keep your AC and Heat on the inside, and are hand-made with built in features that do not allow pests inside. These are all good reasons to pick Hale, but here’s why you and your best friend need a pet door:

Avoid Health Problems

Just like humans, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and even cause health problems for your pet to hold their bladder and bowels for long periods of time. We are accustomed to being able to use the facilities whenever we need them, just think about how uncomfortable it is on those few occasions when we can’t. This is an issue that your pet has every day when you and your family are away from the house. A pet door solves this problem for your pet.

Your pet’s potty privileges will make your life easier too, he’ll have fewer accidents, and no more scratches on the door or wall from him asking to be let out. He’ll need fewer walks and there will be no more need to get up to let him in or out, usually when you have just sat down and gotten comfortable.

Promote an Active Lifestyle

Access to the outdoors helps to promote an active lifestyle. Instead of lying around all day waiting for you to come home, your pet can come and go at will, this way he will be up and moving, enabling him to stay fit and trim.

Him staying active is good for you too, you won’t feel guilt pangs when you don’t take him for long enough walks after work each day, and you will be secure during vet visits knowing that your pet is fit and a healthy weight.

Give Your Pet Mental Stimulation

The outdoors provide your pet with mental stimulation, helping him to keep his thoughts and mind active. Just like us, we need daily mental stimulation to be our best. Spending time outside gives your pet access to the sights, smells, and sounds of the backyard.

Your pet will tend to bark less and be less needy when he has an active mind and lifestyle.

Decrease Boredom

Having the opportunity to spend time outside helps reduce boredom. Boredom is the usual culprit when our pets chew our shoes, tear the sofa apart, or scratch the furniture. For the same reasons that we tend to eat too much or watch too much TV when our minds are idle, pets get into trouble when they’re bored.

Allow Your Pet the Freedom to Choose

Freedom gives your dog or cat autonomy, which improves their confidence and attitude. Just like us, animals like to feel like they have control over their environment. The ability to choose when to explore, run, or nap gives them the confidence all living creatures need for a healthy self concept.

Save Your Pet in an Emergency

A pet door allows your dog or cat to escape in the event of a fire or other emergencies. This is such an important thing. If we’re not home we need our pets to be able to rescue themselves if something happens in our home.

By the same token, leaving your pet outside without access to the indoors can be just as dangerous. They need to be able to escape the outdoors as well. Weather is unpredictable and heat or cold can be deadly, they need to have the ability to access the shelter of their home at all times.

Give Yourself Peace of Mind

The biggest benefit to owning a pet door may be your peace of mind. Imagine being at work and not having to worry about your dog and whether he needs to be let out. Imagine being able to stop for dinner on the way home instead of hurrying home to check on him. And perhaps the most important thing of all, imagine walking in the front door and not feeling the guilt of having left your pet at home bored all day.

At Hale Pet Door we always want to give pets their best possible lives and we do this by providing the best possible pet doors and pet door products to pet parents and by supporting the pet shelters that keep pets safe and comfortable while waiting for their forever homes. To find out more about our products of for information about how we support pet shelters log into: www.halepetdoor.com.