Call today for free pet door installation quote! (615) 788-2175
Call today for free pet door installation quote! (615) 788-2175
There are three measurements to take into consideration when choosing the correct size door for your pet: 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.
Width – This is the easy one. Simply measure your pet at the widest point and add an inch or two for safety. If your pet is long haired, don’t forget that this may make them appear wider than they really are. Alternately, you can open a door just wide enough for your pet to pass through and measure the width of the opening, again adding an inch or two for safety.
Height—The pet door flaps should be at least an inch or two above the top of your pet’s back not the head. To get this length, measure your pet from the withers (top of the shoulders) to the floor. Remember that your door won’t be placed completely at floor level.
Rise—This measurement is only applicable for panel models which come with the rise built in. Door, wall, screen, and window models can be mounted at whatever height is comfortable for your pet. If you have a short-legged dog or an older dog that can’t lift his feet very high, or if the door is installed with a step on either side, consider ordering a “no rise” door. Our standard rise is 5” or 10”.
You can also make a sample door opening out of a large piece of cardboard based on the above size chart. Place it in a door opening and experiment with height placement.
Small: 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Very small cats up to 8 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: To 7"
Sample Breeds: Cats (only very small)
Small Medium: 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Most cats, small dogs 6 - 12 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 9" - 13"
Sample Breeds: Cats, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Mini Poodle
Tall Small Medium: 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Small, tall dogs 12 - 25 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 12" - 15"
Sample Breeds: Mini Pinscher, Some Terriers, Maltese
Medium: 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Dogs 10 - 35 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 12" - 15"
Sample Breeds: Terriers, Pug, Corgi, Shiba Inu
Tall Medium: 8 1/2" x 16" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Tall Dogs 30 - 45 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 15" - 20"
Sample Breeds: Cocker Spaniel, Sheltie, Beagle
Large: 11" x 16" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Dogs 40 - 55 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 15" - 20"
Sample Breeds: Basset, Chow, Keeshond, Husky
Tall Large: 11" x 19 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Taller Dogs 50-95 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 21"-24"
Sample Breeds: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever
Tall Large Plus: 11" x 23 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Tall slender dogs to 110 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 25"-27"
Sample Breeds: Standard Poodle, Irish Setter, Greyhound
Extra Tall Large 11" x 27 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Very tall, slender dogs to 120 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 24"-31"
Sample Breeds: Afghan, Irish Wolfhound
Extra Large 14" x 19 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Large dogs to 120 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 22"-24"
Sample Breeds: Rottweiler, Akita, Bulldog
Extra Large Plus 14" x 23 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Larger dogs to 150 lbs.
Pet Shoulder Height: 25"-27"
Sample Breeds: St. Bernard, Newfoundland
Giant 15 1/2" x 27 1/2" Passage Opening
Pet Weight: Most Giant Breeds
Pet Shoulder Height: 25"-31"
Sample Breeds: Great Dane, Mastiff, Great Pyrenees
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