Choosing the right dog door isn't as simple as you may think. There are many different types of dog doors, and their sizes range from small to extra large. The PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog Door is specifically designed for homes located in extreme climates.
The first thing you'll need to consider when purchasing a dog door is the region that you live in. Weather can be an issue if you live in a state where a lot of snow and heavy rain are prevalent. Bad storms can cause a problem when you have a dog door installed, but there's more to it than that.
If you live in a rural area, unwanted animals may wander in through your pet door. In this instance, it's best to buy a pet door that can be locked at night and when you're not at home. You can also purchase automatic pet doors that are activated with a microchip or sensor so your pets are the only ones that can get in.
The PetSafe Extreme Weather Door may not be suitable for every home, but it's definitely one of the best options if you live in a region with an extreme climate. I live in Maine, and our winters are tough. This door has kept the snow, wind and rain out of our home.
PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog Door Review
In my video above, you can see that this dog door has 3 flaps. While most similar products have one rubber/plastic flap, this one has an insulated flat sandwiched between 2 rubber/plastic outer flaps. There is also a magnetic seal that ensures the door stays shut even during windy storms.
I've been using this door for the past few months. It was installed in February. When it's February in Maine, winter is in full force. I haven't had any problems with the flap blowing open or snow blowing into the house.
The installation was similar to that of other in-door dog door products. The strong metal frame is reinforced with aluminum corners to prevent bending or damage. As you can see in my video review, our dogs have no trouble going through this door.
I have four dogs ranging in size from a 75-pound Labrador to a 25-pound Beagle mix. When you're choosing the right dog door for your pets, you'll need to select a size that is best for your largest dog. The smaller pets will be able to fit through a larger door, but it wouldn't work if it were the other way around.
One of the must-have features that I look for when buying a dog door is a lock of some kind. This door is equipped with a slide-in closing panel that completely locks the door when you don't need it. I lock the door at night to prevent my dogs from being able to go out after dark. It's also necessary to keep other critters from coming into my home.
PetSafe offers this door in 3 sizes: Medium, Large, and Extra-Large. It is also available in a Small size with a plastic frame instead of an aluminum frame. If you're wondering how to measure your dog for a pet door, check out our guide on the subject.
The Medium size is for pets weighing up to 40 pounds. The Large size is for dogs weighing up to 100 pounds, and the Extra-Large size is suitable for dogs weighing up to 220 pounds. The door featured in my video guide is a Large size.
You can purchase the PetSafe Extreme Weather Dog Door on Amazon for $139.99-$209.99 at the time of this review. While this is more expansive than many other similar flap-style in-door dog doors, it's also much higher quality and offers the insulated flap feature. Take it from someone who lives in a region with a very harsh climate: this dog door is worth the price if you need to keep out the elements.
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