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For the last five thousand years, domesticated animals have been incredibly important to their owners – their happiness, livelihood, and protection of our pets have become huge points of focus in our lives. Some take this idea to the extreme, by knitting their pets sweaters and buying them slippers, by feeding them at the table and giving them plush beds upon which to sleep. But others take a more simple approach: they allow their pets free entrance into and out of their home, removing the old problem of cats meowing to get out or dogs pawing frantically to get in. A pet door removes the discomfort of the animals trying to get in or out and the discomfort of the owner trying to deal with it.
Pet Doors come in many shapes and sizes, depending upon the necessity of their use; some are made specifically for cats, and others for dogs; some are easy to install by the owner, and others require the hiring of a professional to get the job done. If a pet owner wishes to install their own pet door, they should be aquatinted with the use of saws and screws; if they have no previous experience with the use of these tools, it would likely be a wiser choice to hire a professional, usually someone called in from a pet store in the local area. The pet door can be placed somewhere at the bottom of the owner’s entrance door, or in the wall of the house, or even in the window to allow the entrance of more spry animals such as cats. Along with the price of the pet door – which can cost anywhere from twenty dollars for a small cat flap to six hundred dollars for a patio setup which can be used to replace the current patio door – the professional will generally charge a fee of somewhere around fifty dollars for the half-hour of work that will be required to install the door. Other than price, important factors to consider while buying a pet door are insulation (ensuring that the pet door will not let in extra cold), common insects in your area (ensuring that the pet door will not let in any unwanted bugs), and neighborhood pets (who could enter just as easily as your beloved pet can). By taking all these factors into consideration, a pet door can be installed quickly and at a relatively small cost, a thoughtful gift to your pet and to yourself. |
