Frequently Asked Questions

A: Spice is a cat from New Mexico who bolted from her home when her human opened the door for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. The kitty didn't return home, and she was nowhere to be found. That is, until she showed in in Maine a few days later - 2,500 miles away. Spice was found in a duffle bag with food and kitty litter, and when she was turned in to an animal refuge they tracked her owner down through the microchip. Spice is currently being treated for a mild respiratory infection, and a Maine businessman has promised to pay the cat's transportation cost back to New Mexico. Hopes are, she'll be home for the holidays. //youtu.be/cIgWTW8aRHI

A: A rat terrier isn't a big dog physically, but they're still brave at heart. This was proven the other day when Jennifer Jones' daughter was on the way to school and a man in a pickup truck pulled over, got out of the truck, and grabbed the girl's wrist. Without the dog, anything could have happened.  Luckily, the dog was there and bit the would-be abductor at the ankles. This was enough for the girl to get free and flee. //youtu.be/u3TK9hZod3U

A: Most pets are eager to explore the outside, and once they realize they have the option to go in and out as they please, they will jump on the opportunity. Teaching the pet generally takes somewhere between five seconds and five days. Using the PlexiDor comes naturally to most dogs and cats, even if they are reluctant to use a traditional rubber flap door. They can see the outside through the clear panel, and the panel swings open easily. If the pet doesn't take to the door, try propping one of the panels open and coaxing the pet through with a treat. When it comes to cats, it generally works well to put something they want on the other side of the door. For the electronic door, it usually works well to put a treat on the bottom lip of the pet door. The dog or cat approaches to get the treat, and the collar key triggers the door to open. It doesn't take long for the pets to figure out that the door will open when they come close. Some pets need longer than others. It is important to stay patient and calm, and give praise once they do come through. When the get the hang of it, they'll be happy to run in and out without having to wait for a human to get the door.

A: Most pets take to the PlexiDor pet door, because they can see the outside through the panel, and it is easy for them to open the dog door or cat. Teaching a cat or dog to use the Plexidor pet door usually takes somewhere between a few seconds and a week. If your cat or dog doesn't immediately go through the pet door, try propping the panels open and calling for the pet. Put something they really want on the other side, like some stinky treat. The smellier the better, and small pieces of cheese or meat usually does the trick. Be patient, and praise progress. When it comes to the electronic PlexiDor pet door, the trick is to get the pet close enough for the panel to open. Place the treat on the bottom lip of the pet door. When your pet approaches to get the treat, the collar key will open the door. Most pets catch on quickly. Pets are different, just like we are. Some will get it and love their dog door or cat door at first sight, others need a little longer. Don't hesitate to contact us if you need help!

A: Many find pet door sizing counter-intuitive. It's easy to fall into the thought-trap that the dog door needs to be as tall as the dog is, and the right size can look small compared to the dog. Remember that most dogs bow their head and lift their legs when they go through the door. This means the dog door can be shorter than the dog. A correctly installed dog door is raised from the floor, making  a threshold for the dog to step over. Look at the image top right. Why not make the door taller? It might be an option for a family with fairly small pets. If you have a large dog, that would give an enormous hole in the door or wall. Besides being inefficient, a door panel the size of a Great Dane would be very heavy for the dog to open. What if I have smaller and larger pets? The PlexiDor dog doors are easy to open, and a smaller pet can generally open and use a larger door. You might have to adjust the height from the floor to find a position where the large dog doesn't have to crouch to get through, and the smaller dog can still reach to get in and out. PlexiDor dog doors come in sizes from small to extra large, and can accommodate everything from the smallest Chihuahua to an Irish Wolfhound. Click here to download a size chart with recommended dog weights and dog door measurements. If you have any questions about door sizing, don't hesitate to contact customer service. They have extensive experience and will help you find the best door for your pets.

A: Dogs come in many shapes and sizes. Zeus is currently the biggest of them all. This world record holder is a Great Dane from Michigan and with 44 inches from foot to withers he measures the same size as an average donkey. If he stands on his hind legs, he reaches 7 feet 4 inches. Zeus weighs 155 pounds and eats around 12 cups of food every day. He's too big to ride in the back of a car, and his family had to buy a van to be able to transport him. The world's smallest dog is a 2 year old Chihuahua from Puerto Rico. Milly stands 3.8 inches tall when measured from backbone to paw, and weighs around 1 pound. She is shorter than a can of soup. When Milly was born, she weighed less than an ounce and fit in a teaspoon. She was too small to nurse from her mother, and the family gave her milk every two hours from an eyedropper. Today she eats twice a day and prefers small meals of salmon or chicken. The smallest dog in terms of length is also a Chihuahua. Brandy lives in Florida, weighs two pounds, and measures 6 inches from her nose to the tip of her tail.

A: Cats and dogs are just as susceptible to teeth problems as humans, and problems with teeth can lead to other health issues.  Luckily, you can prevent toothaches and tartar. Some of the most common warning signs for tooth and gum problems include: Bad breath Sensitive mouth Loss of appetite Deposits on the teeth Inflamed, bleeding, or withdrawn gums Loose teeth Missing teeth Pawing at the mouth Problems chewing You can teach your dog or cat to let your brush its teeth at any age, but it will be easier the earlier you start. Always give plenty of praise and rewards. Start by wrapping some gauze around your finger and rub your pet's teeth with this. This will help your pet get used to the brushing process. Show  your pet a dog or cat toothbrush and let them get used to the brush. There are specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste - don't use human toothpaste. Focus on the gumline, and make a routine of brushing at least a few times per week. Every day is the best.

A: Cats and humans have walked side by side on land for thousands of years. It is less known that cats have shared the seas with us. They have a great ability to adapt to their surroundings, and thrive on ships. In today's society many people consider black cats bad luck. At sea, it was the complete opposite. Cats, particularly black cats, were believed to protect ships from dangerous weather. Fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home, hoping they would protect the men at sea. The US Naval Institute writes, "It is likely that the ancient Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize the true value of having cats as shipmates." The kitties protected the ships from rats and mice, served as company, and could to some extent warn for foul weather. Cats have sensitive inner ears, and low atmospheric pressure often make them nervous and restless. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into provisions, chew through ropes, and spread disease. It was also common to adopt cats from foreign lands to serve as souvenirs and remind the crew of their pets at home.

A: Ralphee is an adorable kitten with feline cerebellar hypoplasia. Those big words translate into, "neurological disorder that affects motor skills." It shows in jerky and uncoordinated movements. Many cats with this condition falls often and has trouble walking. They also suffer tremors. The condition can come from a bacterial or viral infection, malnutrition, poisoning, injury, or an accident. The cat can learn to compensate for the disease, and can live a fairly normal life with a normal life span. When it comes to Ralphee, he is lucky. He was rescued from a horse stable, and now he has his very own cattle dog to look after him. Love and caring really spans the species. Ralphee might not have the physical grace of many other kittens, but he is cute as a button, healthy, and filled with mischief. //youtu.be/f31m5-5-xUY

A: This is a baking time a year for many, and holidays line up. It's tempting to give the pets some of our treats, but human foods and cookies aren't all that good for them. Better to make them something of their own. To make this recipe, you need: 2 cups wheat germ 3 jars of chicken baby food (check so it doesn't have onion) 1 tbsp water To make the cookies, you need to strain the baby food and mix it with wheat germ and water. Make balls of the dough, flatten the balls with a fork, and bake in 350 F in 20-25 minutes. Super easy, and dogs love them!