If you have a doggy door...

[vegasgrl]

...how do you keep animals other than your pets from coming in? Is it a bigger problem in my head than in reality, or do you often have the stray bird, squirrel, or stray wandering around your home?

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

It depends on where you live. I used to have a cat door designed to fit inside a window. I took it with me to several hoses and apartments that I lived in. (before I decided that an indoor life was better for my cat) Most of the time I never had a problem with other animals coming in. I think that my own cat was territorial enough to keep other cats out and the smell of her kept prey animals like birds out. The door was too small for a dog to fit through. In one apartment building I lived in though the cat population was much braver and I was constantly finding cats in my house. One night I woke up with three cats in bed with me and none of them were mine!:

So I would investigate what your neighborhood is like, how many animals do you see wandering around? Do any of your neighbors have pet doors, have they had problems with animals getting in? Do you have a problem with skunks or raccoons in your neighborhood? They are likely to be braver than birds or other smaller animals. Will the pet door open into a fenced Or otherwise enclosed area? Do you often see animals in that area? Try leaving your door ajar for a while When you are home and see what happens.

[Peony]

We live rurally and have a dog door. We invested in a door that only opens with a magnet attached to the dog's collar. I really didn't fancy coming home and finding a coyote or some other creature in my house!

[greenmagick]

Originally Posted by Rhiannon Feimorgan

It In one apartment building I lived in though the cat population was much braver and I was constantly finding cats in my house. One night I woke up with three cats in bed with me and none of them were mine!:

that visual is just too much...I cant imagine!

[lifeguard]

My Mom has a cat door. The problem is the cats bringing in their dead prey.

[Love_My_Bubba]

I have a dog door and have never had a problem with other animals (that I know of ) My biggest worry was how to keep my cat inside and she has never given it a lick of interest and we installed it in March.

I'm in the "don't worry so much about it" camp but apparently the wild animals in Rhode Island aren't as smart as where the other posters live .

[Sailor]

I wouldn't worry about wild life. I'd be more worried about burglars. It's a great way, not only for the dog to have access to the house, but also any semi-skilled intruder.

I'm a fan of the doggy doors that lock automatically and open only for the dog - based on a sensor in their collar. It's safer all around that way.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I wouldn't worry about wild life. I'd be more worried about burglars. It's a great way, not only for the dog to have access to the house, but also any semi-skilled intruder.

I'm a fan of the doggy doors that lock automatically and open only for the dog - based on a sensor in their collar. It's safer all around that way.

we used to "break in" to our own house by reaching up through the doggie door to open the door to the garage.

we never had any other creatures go in that way though.

[mistymama]

Well now we have a dog door out to a 2nd floor patio - so no problems.

When I used to have a large dog door out to a fenced backyard, I did once have a HUGE crow come inside. But I actually think our cat who was quite the hunter might have brought him in.

My biggest problem was the cat bringing me "gifts" - I'd have much rather those stay on the back porch vs. finding them next to my bed in the am.

[liberal_chick]

Our backyard is fenced, so we've never had a problem with animals just wandering in.

However, I have one cat who is a pretty proficient hunter (and another cat who likes to hunt but isn't that great at it) and they brought me presents all spring. We had several birds, lots of garter snakes (I just about DIED when they brought those in, I used our grill tongs to chunk them out with), and even a bunny.