Choosing the Right French Doors with Doggie Doors for Small and Large Pets
- Nathan Fillion
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Pet owners realize that their pets come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Each pet has its distinct needs. A very important feature of a pet-friendly house would be that it has a door which allows the pets to move indoors and outdoors without hindrance.
French doors with doggie doors combine beauty with practicality. Picking the right one is a hard task as the behavioural differences between small and big pets must be considered. From playful little pets to loyal companions, the ideal doggie door provides the free access for your pet to go in and out whenever they have to do their thing outside.
In this blog, we will explore the important factors to consider when choosing the ideal French doors with doggie doors to meet your pet's unique requirements.

Proper Size Adjustment of Your Pet Door: Getting the Measurements for Pet Comfort
You will have to look into different sizes, so as to select a doggie door that will match your French door perfectly. The size of the door itself is one factor, and you want to consider how good that opening will fit your pet. Very small openings may lead the pet into discomfort, frustration and trying to squeeze through. The very large openings may become security hazards or safety threats.
Height: Take the measurement of your pet from ground level to the highest point of the shoulders to get the required minimum height for the doggie door.
Width: You will also want to keep in mind the widest part of your pet's chest area so the door will be wide enough for easy entrance without squishing.
Weight: It gets tricky for the larger dogs. Keep their weight in mind as most larger dogs would require bigger and heavier dog doors made from stronger materials. It will endure the long-term use from your larger pet.
Best Materials For Door Durability
The major concern when it comes to choosing French doors with doggie doors is that they must be durable. Pets can really ruin the door as they get excited moving in and out.
Scratch-Proof Glass: Most French doors with pet door have big glass panels, which are mostly prone to scratches due to heavy activity by pets. Try to pick up glass options that are scratch resistant or toughened glass to avoid damage from claws. It keeps the beauty of your doors and ensures longevity.
Reinforced Panels: The doggie door itself should have an internal structure reinforcement so that it can stand pressure imposed by the pet pushing itself against it repeatedly. This occurs with very large breeds, and they chew-up cheap flimsy panels because of their size and strength. The prefabricated and reinforced doggie doors with a strong aluminium or steel frame are perfect to give durability and security.
Pet Safe Finishes: The finishes should be non toxic and pet safe. Some finishes use chemicals that will harm your pets upon scratching or also chewing. Choose eco friendly finishes or non toxic paints and coatings, which will benefit both your pet and the environment.
Weather Striking ability: As the door may be left exposed to the atmosphere, the material should really be able to take such wear from rain, wind, and even sunlight without warping or degrading. Vinyl and fiberglass are good materials for superior endurance in the face of all weather types.
Adjustable Flaps vs. Standard Entryways: Which Works Better for Your Pet?
When looking for a doggie door for any type of French door, the decision between using an adjustable flap or a standard entryway is an important choice. There are pluses for each, but which is best depends upon the size, habits, and needs of your pet.
Advantages of Adjustable Flaps
Advantages: The installation of adjustable flaps allows the user to change the size of the opening according to his needs. When not needed, the flaps are held in place by magnets. The sort of flap which you should opt for if you have pets that might either grow up or lose a few pounds.
Good For: Adjustable-flap doors are best for puppies that are still growing or for houses with a mix of sizes of pets. A good adjustment also gives you control over access, so in windy conditions, you can set the flap to stay closed or tightly sealed in the cold months.
Standard Entryways
Advantages: Simpler doors of fixed size, standard entryways have lesser features. These patio doors with doggie door built in are generally easier to install and cheaper than adjustable flap doors. They are a simple point of ingress and egress for your pet.
Good For: In determining a choice, you should consider standard entryways for fully grown pets, which do not ask for any opportunity of adjustments. It is relatively easy to manage for pets with consistent size and behaviour.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right French door with a doggie door is a real boost for convenience and comfort for both you and your pet. Careful consideration of pet size, door material, and doggie door function, ensures that your pet gets the good life of being able to come and go without hassle. It is all about ensuring durability, safety and comfort. Small enough for a tiny dog, or sufficiently big for a large breed, choosing the right door for your pet's needs promises to deliver the future of satisfaction.
At Doors 4 pets and People, we specialize in helping pet owners to choose the perfect French doors with doggie doors. We make custom solutions for smaller and larger pets to ensure them the utmost comfort, safety and ease of coming in and out.
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