Hale Pet Door
Sizing Tips and Information
 
Two dogs squeeze through door
But I Can Fit...
We've all seen the funny internet videos and photos of animals squeezing through pet doors that are obviously too small for them.  But while we may laugh at their antics choosing the correct size pet door is actually a matter which can affect your pet's long-term health and well-being.
Dog squeeze through too small pet door
Matching the Door to Your Pet is Important
If a door is too short it can injure your pet's hips and back over time.  If it is too narrow it can damage their fur or skin when squeezing through. If it is too tall (off the ground) it can hurt their underneath sides as they scrape over it.  Pick the door that is comfortable for your pet.

Hale Offers Lots of Choices

One of the things that sets Hale Pet Door apart from its competitors is the wide variety of standard sizes we offer to fit almost any animal and almost any application.  Many pet door companies only offer small, medium and large sizes but we have 12 standard sizes that are designed to work with not only the size of your pet but the size of the installation location.

We also offer custom-made doors of almost any size if your dog is larger, your space is constrained, or your installation location is unique. For more information on custom sizing, pricing, and ordering, please click here

We are pleased to be able to provide you with the following information to make choosing the correct pet door easy.

 
Hale Pet Door Standard Sizes
From "Small" to "Giant" our 12 standard sizes work for most situations.  Shown in our "Door" model.
 
Size Passage Opening Rough Opening Tip to Tip Pet Width Pet Shoulder Height* Pet Weight
Small 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" 7 3/8" x 9 3/8" 8 3/8" x 10 3/8" Up to 4" Up to 7" Very small cats up to 8 lbs.
Small Medium 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" 8 1/2" x 11 1/2" 9 9/16" x 12 9/16" 3"-5" 9"-13" Most cats, small dogs 6-12 lbs.
Tall Small Medium 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" 8 1/2" x 14 1/2" 9 9/16" x 15 3/8" 3"-5"  12"-15" Small, tall dogs 12-25 lbs.
Medium 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" 10 1/2" x 14 1/2" 11 9/16" x 15 3/8" 6"-8" 12"-15" Dogs 10-35 lbs.
Tall Medium 8 1/2" x 16" 10 1/2" x 18" 11 9/16" x 19 1/16" 6"-8" 15"-20" Tall Dogs 30-45 lbs.
Large 11" x 16" 13" x 18" 14 1/16" x 19 1/16" 8"-10" 15"-20" Dogs 40-55 lbs.
Tall Large 11" x 19 1/2" 13" x 21 5/8" 14 1/16" x 22 9/16" 8"-10" 21"-24" Taller Dogs 50-95 lbs.
Tall Large Plus 11" x 23 1/2" 13" x 25 5/8" 14 1/16" x 26 9/16" 8"-10" 25"-27" Tall slender dogs to 110 lbs.
Extra Tall Large 11" x 27 1/2" 13" x 29 5/8" 14 1/16" x 30 9/16" 8"-10" 24"-31" Very tall, slender dogs to 120 lbs.
Extra Large 14" x 19 1/2" 16" x 21 5/8" 17 1/16" x 22 9/16" 11"-13" 22"-24" Large dogs to 120 lbs.
Extra Large Plus 14" x 23 1/2" 16" x 25 5/8" 17 1/16" x 26 9/16" 11"-13" 25"-27" Larger dogs to 150 lbs.
Giant 15 1/2" x 27 1/2"  17 5/8" x 29 5/8" 18 9/16" x 30 9/16" 12"-14" 25"-31" Most Giant Breeds
*This measurement varies depending on whether your pet door is installed in a door, wall, screen, window, etc. and how far off the ground the bottom of the pet door is.  Please make sure you order a door tall enough for your pet.
Small and Medium Hale Pet Doors
For Cats and Small or Medium Dogs
Large Hale Pet Doors
For Larger Dogs
Extra Large and Giant Hale Pet Doors
For Larger and Wider Dogs
Measure width of dog or doorway
Measurement 1 - Width
measure height of dog at shoulders
Measurement 2 - Height
measure the rise height
Measurement 3 - Rise
Measure Your Pet for the Correct Size
There are three measurements to take into consideration when choosing the correct size door: 1) the width of the passage opening, 2) the height of the opening, and finally, 3) the “rise” or the lip at the bottom of the door that the pet must step over to use the door. Use the following guidelines to ensure a proper fit for your pet.
 
An Easy Way to Measure Your Pet
Measure Your House to Make Sure It Fits
Measure Your Pet Door To Replace the Flaps

Still Need Help?

For more sizing suggestions, please see our breeds page.

If you need a custom sized door, please see our custom orders page.

Call us at 800-646-4773 or email us at info@halepetdoor.com and we will be happy to assist you with sizing recommendations.

 

Other Things to consider

Older pets don’t like to use pet doors that are uncomfortable. Make sure you get a door that your pet will always be able to use. If you currently have a kitten or puppy, remember that they will grow.

Mount the pet door so that it is low enough for your pet to comfortably step over. Young pets can raise their legs up to their chest but older pets may have trouble with this.

Make sure the pet door is tall enough for your pet. Hunching over can be hard on your pet’s hips, especially as they age. And the flaps on your door will last longer if your pet isn’t rubbing against the top of the door as he passes through.

If you have more than one pet, make sure you get a door that will work for all of them: low enough for the shortest one to step over but tall enough for the tallest one to fit through comfortably.

Don’t forget that your pet needs access from both sides of your pet door. If you are installing the door in an area that has steps outside, please take into consideration how your pet will have to get through the door. This is especially true of our panel models. They have a standard rise of 5” but can be ordered with no rise (actually about 1” of frame to step over) instead to make it easier for your pet.