Pet door facts for kids
Pet doors are special small doors made just for animals like cats and dogs! You might also hear them called cat doors, dog doors, doggie doors, or in places like the United Kingdom, cat flaps.
These handy doors are usually built into bigger doors, but they can also be put in windows or even walls. Most pet doors have a hinge at the top and no latch, so your pet can simply push their way in or out. Newer, smarter models can do cool things like only letting your pet go outside, or only letting them come back in. Some even have a special latch that opens only when your pet, wearing a special tag or microchip, gets close to the door! While they are most often used for cats, pet doors can also be great for dogs, tiny pigs, or other small pets.
The idea for the pet door is often said to have come from the famous scientist, Isaac Newton.
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How Pet Doors Work
Pet doors are designed to give pets freedom to move between inside and outside without needing a human to open a door for them.
Simple Pet Doors
The most basic pet doors are like a small, swinging flap. They usually have a hinge at the top. This lets the flap swing freely when a pet pushes it. There is no lock or handle on these simple doors. This means any animal, even a stray one, could potentially use it.
Advanced Pet Doors
More modern pet doors have clever features to make them safer and more useful.
Directional Control
Some pet doors can be set to allow movement in only one direction. For example, you might set it so your cat can go outside but cannot come back in. This is useful if you want to keep your pet out for a while. You can also set it so they can come in but not go out.
Smart Pet Doors
The newest pet doors use technology to control access. These are often called "smart" pet doors. They work with a special tag that your pet wears on their collar. Or, they might read a microchip that is already under your pet's skin. When your pet gets close to the door, the door senses the tag or microchip. This makes a special latch unlock, letting only your pet pass through. This stops other animals from coming into your home.
Who Uses Pet Doors?
Pet doors are most popular with cat owners. Cats often like to go outside and explore, then come back inside for food or comfort. Dog owners also use them, especially for smaller dogs. These doors give dogs the freedom to go into a fenced yard when they need to.
Images for kids
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A dog exiting through a pet door
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A gatera (farm cat hole) in Rincón de Ademuz, Valencia, Spain
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A microchip-enabled, selective-access cat and small dog door running through a wall
See also
In Spanish: Gatera (gato) para niños
