[LuvBigMutts]

Hi, I am trying to find a dog door for our (moderately sized) Great Pyrenees which is hard enough as is but we also have a cat that cant go outside but REALLY wants to go out so I was hoping for a door with a magnetic collar (presumably more robust than some electronic thing) that will allow the GP in/out but not the cat.

Any suggestions, especially battle tested suggestions!!!

 

[Knute]

Suggest to look into the systems that use the RFID type collars or the dog's microchip.

When the system senses your dog's chip, the door will open. This type of system will allow only select pets to open the door. You could allow the dog and prevent the cat.

RFID systems are battle tested and very tough. Any product you buy in a store is typically equipped with an anti-theft tag. These are RFID tags. Microchips in pets use the RFID technology. The RFID chip is a passive device. It only returns a signal when excited by the systems range and frequency.

If you are really hard pressed to find a proper door, then there are options to make an RFID controlled door using the Adriuno software coupled with a couple solenoids to control the door locking.

Some people are installing the Adriuno system on motorcycle ignition system. The rider scans a fob to "unlock" the bike. Motorcycles live in a pretty tough environment, wet, heat, cold, vibration.

 

[sydneynicole]

Why do you need the dog door in the first place? Typically I don't recommend them or think they are a good idea. I would also be concerned that the cat will slip out with the dog - especially since you note that the cat really wants to go outside. That seems like an easy opportunity. I could see the cat waiting for the dog to start to go through and just kind of scurry through at the same time as the dog.

 

[Lillith]

There are devices like that (such as this door)...but I guarantee you the cat will quickly figure out the door opens for the dog and just slip out right under him! All of the doors are quite expensive, so you will basically be purchasing a very expensive way for your dog to let your cat out.

If I were in the same situation, I would create a run attached to the house that a regular old dog door leads into, a run that contains a top and is cat proof as well as dog proof. That way, your dog can still get out of the house, but if your cat gets out, too, she can't go beyond the run. Put some high places in the run where the cat can climb. A catio. Both your dog and your cat can safely enjoy the outdoors, now.