Pet doors can be helpful for your cat or dog, but they may give wild animals access to your home. If you are considering adding a pet door to your home, there are a few things you should consider first.
Pet Doors and Wild Animal Access
Pet doors can open up your home to all sorts of different wild critters. Depending on the size of the pet door you install, animals such as raccoons, opossums, skunks, and snakes can all gain access to your house. In some cases, rodents can use them to enter, but some pet doors can be too heavy for them. Usually, wild animals may use a pet door if they understand that there is warmth, shelter, and other necessities on the other side.
Pet Doors and Animal Behaviors
Many animals watch others to learn about foreign objects. If they see your dog or cat using a pet door, they may assume that they can safely use it as well. Raccoons and squirrels are especially adept at determining potential safety by watching other animals.
Locking Door Mechanisms
Generally, you will want a pet door that can lock. Firstly, this helps prevent wild animals, or even humans, from using it to gain entry into your home. Next, it helps control when your pets can leave the home. Because it is generally not a good idea to leave pets unsupervised outside, a pet door is best for letting your pets travel in and out of the house while you are outside. When not in use, the pet door should be able to lock from the inside. You should never leave a pet door unlocked and unattended.
Microchip-Accessible Doors
Some high-end pet doors feature mechanisms that react to your pet’s microchip. In theory, this can be a good way to limit access for wild animals. However, these doors can unlock if your dog is barking at a wild animal close to the pet door. Be sure to consider all options before choosing to install one.
What to Do if a Wild Animal Enters Your Home
If a wild animal does enter your home, contact a professional wildlife removal service. NY/NJ Wildlife Removal Inc. offers 24/7 emergency services for wild animal exclusion and removal. Capturing and removing the wild animal is important to ensuring the safety of you, your pets, and your family.