Doggie doors are every fur parents’ savior. You no longer have to stop what you’re doing just to let your barking canine out. Through these flaps, dogs have the freedom to come in and out of the house as they please. The only problem is, things other than your pet can get through these convenient entry points.

The cold winter draft or the warm summer air can seep through the gaps and enter your home. You could rack up a high energy bill as your heater or air cooling system tries to optimize the temperature. Luckily, the best insulated dog doors allow your pet to head out while blocking out weather elements. To make the search easier for you, we’ve listed four products. Read on to find the best rated dog doors that will help insulate your home all year long.

Key Features to Consider

Before you make any purchases, there are some features that you must consider. First, we need to talk about sizes. You should pick something big enough to allow your dog to pass through. But if it’s too big, it could let more air out whenever your dog uses the door, adding to your energy bill. That is why it’s imperative to check the product’s dimensions and your pet’s size beforehand.

Next, you need to decide where you want to put your dog’s entrance. This will help you determine what type of door to buy. If you’re thinking of putting a dog door in brick wall, then you need something with a telescoping tunnel that can extend from your interior wall to your exterior wall. A dog door for patio slider, on the other hand, is thinner and made from materials suitable for wooden, aluminum, or PVC doors.

Lastly, you need to consider the materials of the product. Some of the best insulated dog doors have aluminum frames since it’s durable and easier to secure. But if you’re on a budget, there are also plastic pet entrances. The material of the flaps is also vital. These are often made from vinyl, plastic, or rubber and have magnets for auto-sealing.

Best Insulated Doggie Doors

1. PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Doors with Telescoping Tunnel

Thanks to its telescoping tunnel, the PetSafe Wall Entry is the best dog door for a wall mount. It can accommodate brick, siding, or stucco walls that are 4 ¾ to 7 ¼ inches thick. The frame is made from a durable PVC plastic material that comes in three different sizes.

They have a small one with a flap opening height of 7 ½ inches, making it also perfect as a cat door for interior walls. There’s also a medium variation that’s 11 ¼ inches high and a large door that’s 15 3/8 inches high. The doggie door features a flexible double-flap design with a magnetic button for auto-sealing. It also has a slide-in closing panel to provide better insulation and to control your pet’s access.

Overall, the Amazon reviews gave it a 4.7 rating. Customers liked how the magnet keeps that flap closed and keeps the wind and cold out. However, many complained that this wasn’t easy to install.

2. Freedom Pet Pass Insulated Dog Door

This insulated pet door by Freedom Pet Pass has a magnet around the whole perimeter of the flap. It creates a truly airtight and weatherproof seal, making it the best cat door for cold weather. The pet door is available in multiple sizes (small, medium, to large). Rather than aluminum, it has a cellular PVC frame, which the manufacturer claims to have 3000 times more R-factor.

Although it’s on the more expensive side, many Amazon reviewers are saying that it’s worth the money. It completely blocks out any drafts even with strong winds. However, some pet parents are worried because the door tends to freeze shut, which could lock your pets outside. The snapping sound of the seal is also a bit sharp and loud for those with sensitive ears.

3. PERFECT PET The All-Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door

This product is the solution for pet parents who need an insulated XL dog door for the wall. Aside from the three standard sizes, Perfect Pet also offers super large doors for dogs weighing 90 to 120 lbs. It has adjustable frame telescopes that can accommodate doors ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch thick.

If you want to install it on your wall, you would need to purchase the optional wall kit. It has 3 inches of air pocket between the two soft vinyl flaps, making it great for insulating and energy efficiency. There’s also a removable locking panel in case you don’t want your canine to go outside.

With a 4.7 overall rating, users are praising how it helps save energy and keeps the cold out. They also love that it’s durable and not too tricky to install. The common issue that people raised was that the plastic panel was a security hazard due to how weak it is.

4. BarksBar Plastic Dog Door With Aluminum Lining

BarksBar’s plastic dog door is one of the best dog doors for large dogs. They have a medium-sized version for pooches weighing 40 pounds and a large one for canines that are up to 100 pounds. It features a thermoplastic-impact-resistant frame that’s bite-proof and chew-proof tested. The soft and flexible vinyl flap with magnetic closure is energy efficient and weatherproof to block wind, rain, and insects. There’s also a two-way locking slide panel to restrict access and protect against extreme weather.

Among the 4 products, this is the cheapest doggie door. Although it’s not as expensive as the others, Amazon customers are saying that it’s well-made and easy to install. However, the product doesn’t seem to last for a long time, unlike the best rated dog doors listed above.

Takeaway

For our best overall dog door, we chose PetSafe’s Wall Entry Pet Doors with Telescoping Tunnel. Although it’s not easy to install, the product is affordable, durable, and a great insulator. Our choice for the Runner Up is Freedom Pet Pass Insulated Dog Door. Since it has a completely airtight and weatherproof seal, it’s ideal for families who live in places with extreme weather.

If you’re on a budget, BarksBar Plastic Dog Door With Aluminum Lining is the next best thing. It might not last a long as the others, but it’s easy to install and effective at keeping our cold or warm air. Be sure to check out each item on Amazon to see the full features and specs. Grab your insulated dog door for your fur baby before supplies are gone!

Still unsure which pet to get? Read ”Should I Get a Dog or a Cat?” to learn more.