Frequently Asked Questions

A: The large PlexiDor dog door has a spring on each side that closes the saloon-style panels once the pet has gone through. It's easy to change the springs, and the spring replacement kit contains these step-by-step instructions. Besides the spring kit, you will need: 3/8 inch nut driver 5/16 nut driver Vise grip/locking pliers Phillips head screwdriver Flathead screwdriver The springs aren't accessible when the door is mounted, so the first step is removing the interior frame from the house door or wall where it has been installed. Just unscrew the four retaining screws in the inner frame and slide it out of the hole. Remove the spring hoods by unscrewing the hex-head screws and lifting the hood over the rivet head. If your door is manufactured before 2008, the new springs may be too tall to fit under the spring hood. If your springs end up touching the top of the spring hood or won't fit, just leave the spring hoods off. If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-749-9609 option 3. One the spring hoods are off, it's time to remove the pivot screw that holds the bent arm in position. Use a 5/16 nut driver and remove the old bent arm and spring. This is a good time to clean the frame. You can use warm water with Dawn to wipe it down. Cleaning it will make it easier to install the new springs, and it will ensure you don't get dirt and grime in the new spring assembly. Once all the parts of the old spring have been removed: Push the new pivot pin into the frame with the notched end on top. Put the gray nylon shoulder washer over the pivot pin, with the wide part on top. Put the nylon tube spacer over the pivot pin. Put the spring on the top of the nylon tube One side of the spring has a tail that points up slightly, and this part should be on the bottom. Using a pair of small wire gripping pliers, grab the top spring tail, wind it around, and hook it over the vertical plate. (As you face the door, the slightly bent spring tail will be in front of the vertical plate on the left spring side. On the right side, the slightly bent spring tail will be behind the vertical plate.) Snap the bent arm onto the pivot pin Place the internal tooth washer on top of the bent arm and slide screw down into the pivot pin Hold the pet door panel in the center of the frame and tighten the pivot pin screw. It should be snug, but not overtigthened. Repeat for the other side. You may need to trim the spring tail ends so they extend about 1/16" beyond the vertical plate. Check that the spring tails don't touch anything and hinder the door's operation when the panels are fully opened. The parts come together in this order: When you have made sure the springs are installed right and don't touch anything when the door panels are fully opened, apply a high quality grease to the spring. We use marine grease for longevity. Do not use WD40 as grease - it's a cleaner and not the same thing as grease. Replace the spring hood - don't over-tighten the hood mount screws - and slide the pet door back into its mounting hole. The following video shows the procedure step-by-step.  

A: The panels in a PlexiDor don't need to be replaced often, but it can happen. The springs that close the panels once a pet has gone through must be removed, and this is a good opportunity to replace these as well. The effort will make your PlexiDor look and feel like new! Start with removing the interior frame from the installation spot in your house door or wall. Unscrew and remove the spring hoods and spring assemblies. Instructions for this can be found here. Slide the panel out of the frame. Insert the new panel in the frame, bottom pivot first. Make sure the 0.092 gray nylon thrust washer is in place between the bottom of the panel and the aluminum frame. Replace the spring mechanism. Make sure you follow the instructions, so the springs are charged, or they will not work. Check that the panels open and close like they're supposed to, and put the door back in your house door or wall. Brand new panels with brand new weather seal can seem like an invitation to dogs who like to chew. It's a good idea to smear the edges with "Bitter Apple" - a cream available in most pet stores.  

A: The PlexiDor springs have a long lifespan, but can break with years and usage. Luckily, it's a cheap fix - you can see the kit with spare parts here - and they are easy to replace. The spring kit comes with instructions. The replacement procedure varies slightly with door size, so you can also find the instructions for your door here: PlexiDor Small PlexiDor Medium PlexiDor Large PlexiDor Extra Large PlexiDor Extra Large manufactured before 2008   You can also watch a video with that shows how to change the springs step by step:

A: The medium PlexiDor dog door has saloon-style panels, and there is a spring on each side. Changing it is easy and the spring replacement kit contains these step-by-step instructions. Besides the spring kit, you will need: Small wire grip pliers 3/8 inch nut driver 5/16 nut driver Phillips head screwdriver Flat head screwdriver To be able to access the springs, you need to remove the pet door's interior frame from the door or wall. Unscrew the four retaining screws and slid it out of the mounting hole. The springs are protected by a spring hood. Unscrew the hex head screws and lift the hood on each side over the rivet head. If your door is manufactured before 2008, the new springs may be too tall to fit under the spring hood. The new springs should not touch the top of the spring hood. If this happens, just leave the spring hood off. The next step is removing the pivot screw that holds the bent arm in position. Use a 5/16 nut driver. Remove the old bent arm and spring. Putting everything back together will be easier if you take a moment to clean the frame. You can use warm water with Dawn to wipe it down. This will also ensure you don't get old dirt in the new spring assembly. Once all the parts of the old spring have been removed: Push the new pivot pin into the frame. The notched end should go on top. Put the gray nylon shoulder washer over the pivot pin. The wide part should go on top. The nylon tube spacer goes over the pivot pin. Put on the dark gray nylon 0.092 thrust washer. Next, put on an opaque white flat nylon washer Put the spring on the top of the nylon tube One side of the spring has a tail that points up slightly. This part should be on the bottom. Take a pair of small wire gripping pliers, grab the top spring end, and wind around and hook it over the vertical plate. Snap the bent arm onto the pivot pin Place the internal tooth washer on top of the bent arm and slide screw down into the pivot pin Hold the pet door panel in the center of the frame and tighten the pivot pin screw. It should be snug, but not overtigthened. Repeat for the other side. You may need to trim the spring tail ends so they extend about 1/16" beyond the vertical plate. Check that the spring tails don't touch anything and hinder the door's operation when the panels are fully opened. The parts come together in this order: When you have made sure the spring is installed right - the door works as it should - apply a high quality grease to the spring. We use marine grease for longevity. Do not use WD40 as grease - it's a cleaner. Replace the spring hood - don't over-tighten the hood mount screws - and slide the pet door back into its mounting hole. The following video shows the procedure step-by-step.

A: The small PlexiDor intended for cats and small dogs has a single panel and only one spring. Changing it is easy and the spring replacement kit contains these step-by-step instructions. Besides the spring kit, you will need: Small wire grip pliers 5/16 nut driver Flat head screwdriver Start with removing the interior frame of the pet door from its installation site through unscrewing the four retaining screws and sliding it out of the mounting hole. Remove the spring hood by unscrewing the hex head screw and lifting the hood off. Now when you can access the spring, remove the pivot screw that holds the bent arm. You will need a 5/16 nut driver. Remove the old bent arm and spring. This is a good time to clean the pet door frame, to make sure you don't get old grime in the new spring. You can for instance wipe it down with warm water and Dawn. Once all the parts of the old spring have been removed: Push a new white tube spacer into the frame. Put the white thruster washer over the tube spacer and push it down to the frame Put the white flat washer over the tube spacer Put the spring on top of the nylon tube One side of the spring has a tail that points up slightly. This part should be on the bottom. Take a pair of small wire gripping pliers, grab the top spring end, and wind around and hook it over the vertical plate. Put on the external tooth washer Snap the bent arm onto the pivot pin screw Place the internal tooth washer on top of the bent arm, and slide the pivot pin screw down through the spring assembly, into the pet door frame Next you need to lock the pet door. Hold the pet door panel in the center of the frame and tighten the pivot pin screw. Do not over-tighten - it should be snug, but not hard. Make sure the panel stays in place and centered as you tighten the screw. You may need to trim the spring tail ends so they extend about 1/16" beyond the vertical plate. Check that the spring tails don't touch anything and hinder the door's operation when the door is fully opened. The parts come together in this order: When you have made sure the spring is installed right - the door works as it should - apply a high quality grease to the spring. We use marine grease for longevity. Do not use WD40 as grease - it's a cleaner. Replace the spring hood - don't over-tighten the hood mount screws - and slide the pet door back into its mounting hole. The following video isn't specifically for the small PlexiDor, but the principle is the same:

A: The PlexiDor cat door will not wear out from normal use, and it comes with a ten-year residential warranty. Many cats seem to always be on the wrong side of the door, meowing, "Let me out so you can let me in again." It doesn't matter how many times they go through their PlexiDor cat door every day - it will last. If you have many cats and they are really eager, running through the door many times every day, you might have to replace the springs after a few years. This is an easy operation. We are so confident your cat door will last that it comes with a ten-year residential warranty. If something goes wrong, contact us and we will help make it right.

A: Some dogs will chew their doggy door, but the good news is: The PlexiDor Extra Large has a protective trim around the panels.  The Extra Large PlexiDor dog door is constructed to take the daily use - and abuse - of very large dogs. It is intended to stand up to 220 pound dogs running through it at full speed several times a day, or being chewed on. If your chewer is a small dog, they can use the door too; the panels swing so easily that they can open it. Just make sure it's at a height appropriate for the small dog. Small dogs and cats usually open one side of the door to get through. Of course, having a chew-proof dog door won't automatically prevent a dog from chewing on other things. Most puppies chew things they aren't supposed to, and that behavior usually solves itself as they grow up. Their teeth itch, their gums hurt, and much like babies, they learn about the world through putting things in their mouth. Chewing is natural for adult dogs too and something they need to do, but an adult dog that has access to chew toys and still munches down on someone's shoes or the remote control may be bored, stressed, or suffer separation anxiety. Some scientists believe chewing releases dopamine in dogs' brains, which means it decreases stress and increases their sense of well being. A dog door in itself won't solve those problems - a dog can be just as bored outdoors as indoors. Or feel just as lonely outdoors as indoors. Most adult problem chewers destroy things when they're home alone. If your dog chews on things when you're home, they probably want attention. (Yelling or scolding won't help - it's still attention.) Some ideas to help your dog can include: Physical exercise - for instance playtime before leaving the house. Mental stimulation such as training. It is difficult to exercise a dog tired, but having something to think of can make the most energetic pup want a nap. Things to do, such as food puzzles. A dog trainer can also help with tips on how to alleviate separation anxiety.  

A: The PlexiDor security plate is attached inside the home and can not be removed from the outside. PlexiDor sizes medium, large, and extra large are delivered with a metal security plate that is screwed onto the frame from the inside of the house. The small PlexiDor doesn't have a security plate since it's too small for anyone to get through. There is a sliding track accessory for the PlexiDor that screws on the frame and allows the security plate to be slid into place instead of screwed on. This is also located inside the house. It is very difficult to force a locked PlexiDor open, and when the security plate is correctly attached, getting through the door from the outside is virtually impossible.

A: To get the right size PlexiDor, you should measure your dog, even though you know what breed it is. We have breed examples in the size guide, but these are examples - dog size can vary greatly between individuals in the same breed. Your furry friend will use the door many times every day, and they will like it better if it's the right size. It's a good idea to cut out the opening size in a piece of cardboard and call your pet to go through. That way you'll see if the hole is the right size. Read more about measuring your pet and what size door you may need in our guide, "What Size PlexiDor do I Need" This article also provides information abut smaller and larger pets sharing a door, and things to think of as your pet gets older.

A: Assuming there's enough room in the closet, the cats probably won't mind their litter box in the closet and installing a cat door in the closet door is a great solution. They like to do their business in a sheltered and quiet space that's easy to access. Most cats will prefer a closet to a basement, attic, or laundry room. You may want to consider the thickness of the closet door. The PlexiDor door kit is designed to fit a standard household door, and if the closet door is thinner, you may need to use some extra pieces of wood to build up under the frame. It isn't a problem or difficult to do, just something to keep in mind. Will you have other things in the closet? In such a small area, you are likely to get some kitty litter dust on things. Depending on the closet size you may also need some type of ventilation, because the "litter box smell" will be concentrated to such a small area. Another things to consider is light. Cats see much better in the dark than we do and most cats won't have an issue with the dusk inside the closet, but they may still appreciate a night-light.