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Post by stacmac on Aug 15, 2022 11:48:09 GMT
So, I haven't posted in a while, but the peas are always good at solving dilemma:
We have a young cat, and we're thinking of getting a new puppy. It's been about a year since our last dog passed away, and we've never had a dog and cat together at the same time.
Where we live, cats have a 24 hour curfew - they're not allowed outside at all, except into a cat run.
Our problem is, if we get a dog, how do we stop the cat from getting out a doggy door? Is it even possible? Has anyone had this problem before? I have seen electronic dog doors online, so there's that option, but I have no idea if they're actually good or not. I know we'll be letting a puppy in and out a lot, this is more for in the future when it's old enough to go in and out alone.
Any tips or ideas would be great!
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 15, 2022 12:10:38 GMT
I’ve never lived in a house with a doggy door. I either leave the door open for the dog to wander in and out, or just let her in and out myself.
I swear I’ve seen ones that are activated by a chip on the collar. That prevents another dog (yours or a stray) from using the door. I would think it would work if the cat wasn’t also wearing the collar chip.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 15, 2022 12:38:41 GMT
You're looking for an electronic pet door. They can be opened by either a collar chip or a microchip. Only the pet with the chip can get through. I've heard of them, but don't have any experience with them.
I've never heard of a ban on outdoor cats -- is it because they kill the local wildlife?
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 15, 2022 12:40:08 GMT
We have always chosen not to have a doggy door. I have too many friends who have had unwanted visitors via their doggy door (possums, snakes, other cats, squirrels), not to mention they ruin the look of the door or wall you install it in. They do make a doggy door that is activated to open by a tag on the dog's collar. Perhaps one of those and just don't put one on the cat?
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 15, 2022 12:51:49 GMT
Don't underestimate the intelligence of either dog or cat. Remember you want them to be 'friends'. They would likely learn to go threw together over time, chip or not.
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 15, 2022 13:01:35 GMT
I wouldn't risk it, cats are savvy. We had dogs almost all my life and never had a doggy door. We just let the dogs out and in when they notified us they wanted to go out.
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 15, 2022 13:04:17 GMT
You're looking for an electronic pet door. They can be opened by either a collar chip or a microchip. Only the pet with the chip can get through. I've heard of them, but don't have any experience with them. I've never heard of a ban on outdoor cats -- is it because they kill the local wildlife? Killing wildlife is one aspect for a lot of cat owners, but in general cats that are inside have longer life expectancy. Less disease and obviously less chance of unnatural causes of death (car, coyote, dog attack, etc). |
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artbabe
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Post by artbabe on Aug 15, 2022 13:48:47 GMT
My sister's cats and dog work together to cause trouble. For example, the cat will knock stuff off of the counter so the dog can eat it. It is not an accident- I've seen them do it. They do a lot of stuff together- they are a team.
So I wouldn't be surprised if the dog and cat learn to work together to get out of the house. I wouldn't use a doggy door- cats are pretty smart.
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Post by rune2484 on Aug 15, 2022 14:01:06 GMT
Unfortunately, I think an automatic doggie door system likely underestimates just how opportunistic cats really can be. I personally wouldn't put in one unless I had also created a catio on the other side (obviously you would need to make sure it was big enough for your dog as well) |
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jeanninem
Junior Member
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Post by jeanninem on Aug 15, 2022 14:02:18 GMT
If you don't want your cat outside then don't get a doggy door, chip or no chip. They will find a way; they always do.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 15, 2022 14:40:43 GMT
We don’t let the cats in our bedrooms, but we have one who is super quick and even though we actively try and keep her out, she’ll sneak in. I wouldn’t do a doggy door…if your cat wants out, they’ll find a way.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 15, 2022 14:48:23 GMT
rune2484 That video is hilarious! He had no idea about George's nocturnal visits.
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anniebeth24
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Post by anniebeth24 on Aug 15, 2022 15:07:25 GMT
We have both a cat and an electronic dog door that is programmed to the dog's electric fence collar. You can program it to unlock only certain hours of the day or as we do, just take off the collar when we don't want her going out (at night, for example).
Our cat came first and has never been outside so she is pretty fearful of it and appears to have no interest in ever going outside.
Invisible Fence company may have suggestions for cat-proofing the door for a more ambitious kitty than ours. They have a bunch of indoor barricade options and might offer a collar for the cat that keeps cat out of the room with the dog door or something along those lines.
Are you getting another Brittany like your avatar pup? We have two - they're the best!
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Post by myshelly on Aug 15, 2022 15:14:15 GMT
You're looking for an electronic pet door. They can be opened by either a collar chip or a microchip. Only the pet with the chip can get through. I've heard of them, but don't have any experience with them. I've never heard of a ban on outdoor cats -- is it because they kill the local wildlife? Outdoor cats are illegal here, too (thank god). Here the code says it’s because pet owners are supposed to have their pets under control at all times. You can walk your cat outside on a leash or in a stroller, but, just like a dog or any other animal, it should be under your control at all times. It can’t just wander the neighborhood. It can’t be on other people’s property. |
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 15, 2022 15:48:29 GMT
You're looking for an electronic pet door. They can be opened by either a collar chip or a microchip. Only the pet with the chip can get through. I've heard of them, but don't have any experience with them. I've never heard of a ban on outdoor cats -- is it because they kill the local wildlife? Outdoor cars are illegal here, too (thank god). Here the code says it’s because pet owners are supposed to have their pets under control at all times. You can walk your cat outside on a leash or in a stroller, but, just like a dog or any other animal, it should be under your control at all times. It can’t just wander the neighborhood. It can’t be on other people’s property. I'd never heard of that. There are codes about dogs here, but not about cats. It makes good sense. |
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Post by Linda on Aug 15, 2022 15:55:32 GMT
can you have the dog door lead to a fully fenced/roofed area in the yard - where the dog can run around a bit and do his business and the cat can go out but not into the world in general?
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Post by cakediva on Aug 15, 2022 16:06:11 GMT
So my question would be - why do you need a doggy door?
We've had several dogs and never had a doggy door. I get the appeal, but I wouldn't be having one if my cat could also get out by chance.
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Post by Zee on Aug 15, 2022 16:28:26 GMT
If you don't want the cat to go out, don't have a door. Even the electronic ones, he'll just slip out with the dog.
I have 5 cats and none of them are allowed outside. We go out with the dog every time (I pick up her waste immediately, it's a small yard). One of my cats likes to come with just to see what's going on, but he likes the view from my arms.
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Post by lisae on Aug 15, 2022 17:33:36 GMT
There has never been a door made that a cat doesn't want to be the other side of. If there is a way through, the cat will find it.
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Post by hopechest on Aug 15, 2022 18:14:25 GMT
Following. My cats are assholes and go out the doggy door every.single.time. Then, one gets lost for a few days and eventually finds her way back. Then the two of them pretend like they've never seen each other in their lives and hiss and spit at each other for 2 days. Ugh. Dang furbags.  |
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Deleted
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Oct 6, 2024 19:18:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2022 18:37:32 GMT
I’ve never lived in a house with a doggy door. I either leave the door open for the dog to wander in and out, or just let her in and out myself. I swear I’ve seen ones that are activated by a chip on the collar. That prevents another dog (yours or a stray) from using the door. I would think it would work if the cat wasn’t also wearing the collar chip. We had that for our cats and their specific bowls of food. Only their collar could open their bowl of food. If they're fast enough though, they could reach into another bowl and it would remain open. Probably the same with a doggie door.
Cats are QUICK and I'd be so afraid of having a doggie door if I had a cat. Nope!!!!!!! Plus, I'd worry that snakes, mice, rats, etc., could all come in via the doggie door too.
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Gem Girl
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Post by Gem Girl on Aug 15, 2022 19:49:50 GMT
You're looking for an electronic pet door. They can be opened by either a collar chip or a microchip. Only the pet with the chip can get through. I've heard of them, but don't have any experience with them. I've never heard of a ban on outdoor cats -- is it because they kill the local wildlife? In our neighborhood, loose cats kill the gentle rabbits that live in our yard, and they poop in the vegetable garden, which fencing hasn't been able to keep them from. DH once chased one away with a super-soaker water gun in his pajamas. I tried to be done laughing before he came back in. |
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Gem Girl
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Post by Gem Girl on Aug 15, 2022 19:51:08 GMT
There has never been a door made that a cat doesn't want to be the other side of. If there is a way through, the cat will find it. Yeah, they're big on having all options available to them, it seems. |
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Post by katlady on Aug 15, 2022 20:35:54 GMT
We don't have a doggy door because we have coyotes in the neighborhood. We don't even let out dog outside in the backyard unless a human is with him. Coyotes can easily jump over an 8' fence. My friend has a doggy door. They came home one time to find a stray cat on their bed! |
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Post by compeateropeator on Aug 15, 2022 20:40:59 GMT
I don’t think I have ever known anyone with a doggie door. That has always been a seen in the movies thing for me. Wasn’t sure they actually existing. 😉😉. Sorry I am no help. I am in the manually let them in and out club.
Peas are amazingly resourceful, I hope you get some good suggestions.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 15, 2022 20:51:22 GMT
Ive never known anyone in real life to have a doggie door. Id be too afraid that raccoons and skunks would find their way in!
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Gem Girl
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Post by Gem Girl on Aug 15, 2022 20:53:46 GMT
We don't have a doggy door because we have coyotes in the neighborhood. We don't even let out dog outside in the backyard unless a human is with him. Coyotes can easily jump over an 8' fence. My friend has a doggy door. They came home one time to find a stray cat on their bed! Surprise! LOL I really hope that cat didn't have fleas, blech. |
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Gem Girl
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Post by Gem Girl on Aug 15, 2022 20:55:37 GMT
Ive never known anyone in real life to have a doggie door. Id be too afraid that raccoons and skunks would find their way in! They would! Both have kind of a "this is my street" attitude, and raccoons are flat-out nosy. |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Aug 15, 2022 22:55:41 GMT
I have doggie doors (one to the garage, one from garage to outside) that have been locked since our cats got old enough to climb the back fence. I tried every solution imaginable except the automatic door, but one of the cats already gets the dogs to pretend to come inside then runs away so that he can escape and I suspect he wouldn't have any trouble getting the dog to let him out.
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Post by Lexica on Aug 16, 2022 0:01:36 GMT
What size of dog are you considering? My dog is 10 pounds and I trained him to use a potty pad instead of going outside all the time. My current house is two stories and when my pain is really bad, I cannot handle going down the stairs. I kept a small fridge in my closet filled with protein drinks and cut up fruit and some cheese and crackers. Just something to allow my the option of not having to go downstairs at all when I am really bad.
Because my health can vary and I don’t know when I am going to have a bad day and be unable to take the dog out, I opted to train him to use a potty pad. I put one on the shower floor and leave the shower door cracked enough for him to get in. If he poops in there, it is so easy to just pick it up with tissue and flush it. I put down a fresh pad daily and it is so easy.
Downstairs I have one of those plastic trays that you put under your washing machine to catch a leak. His pads fit in the tray perfectly and I put it in the area that my ex built for firewood. It fits perfectly. That way, whether we are upstairs or down, he can go when he needs to.
I have a pool in my back yard and not having to worry about someone stepping in dog poop when running around near the pool is nice. It’s funny, he will pee in the backyard, but he waits to go back in the house to his potty pad to poop.
If you are getting a small dog, consider training it to use the pads.
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