How to Install a Cat Door in an Exterior Door - By a Novice
The problem: how to give our cat, Lily the freedom to leave and enter our house without our assistance.
The solution:
Step 1: install a cat door in our kitchen exterior door that opens into the garage. Since Lily is accustomed to exploring and napping in the garage, it made since to give her access first to the garage. We could leave the garage doors cracked open for Lily to exit and enter into our front and back yards at will.
Step 2: if step 1 works well, install a second cat door in the exterior garage man-door that opens into the backyard.
Background:
When Diane and I brought Lily, our Flame Point Siamese kitten home from the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society in August 2018, 3+ years ago, we thought that she would be an indoor cat. But during her first year with us, we couldn’t resist introducing her to our fenced-in back yard and beautiful gardens. And Lily took to the exciting world outdoors like a bird in the air. We were conflicted over allowing Lily the freedom to go outside unattended, knowing the risk of the busy road in front of our house, the local wildlife including hawks, eagles, raccoons, coyotes, the many local deer, not to mention feral cats and loose dogs. But Lily always returns home, and still does, to get a meal and treats, drink some water, take her daily afternoon naps, snuggle with us in bed overnight, and of course to get tons of love and attention from us.
For two years now, we have allowed Lily independent access to the outdoors by keeping the kitchen door to our garage cracked open, securing the man-door to our backyard open with a bungee cord, and keeping the garage door raised high enough to let her enter. This worked well, but at the expense of cold or hot air entering our house, along with a reduction in the security of our home.
Пікірлер: 38
This guy is the Mr. Rogers of home improvement and I am so here for it
Great video! Easy to see and understand. As a jigsaw and cat door installer novice myself I found that the "mistakes" you demonstrated were an excellent teaching tool. Real life!
So wonderful to see a novice attempt this. And a mature novice to boot. Thank you for giving me the courage to try it myself. The other videos make it look so easy, you make it look real!👍🐈⬛
Good video - have to fit one of these again shortly. I’ve fitted quite a few in my time, but couldn’t quite remember the details of what to look out for. They work fine until the neighbourhood cats work out how to pick the lock, or maybe my cat was inviting friends to a free night buffet while we slept - either way it was quite a shock finding FOUR other cats availing themselves of my hospitality.
He put the frame over her head, and Lilly was like, what the f was that!!
Nice video with Lily, too! Thanks!
This is so helpful, thank you
Ahhh I have the exact same door...thanks!! My only Caveat...I have the dreaded metal door to cut 😛👍
Great video! And Lilly is adorable,!
This was the perfect video for me! It have me the exact and clear guidance/instruction to do this myself for my three cats they have been coming and going as they please out of our back basement window that we keep cracked for them, but it's time for a more secure solution and your video made it very easy to decide what and how. Thanks for helping make this job so much easier!! Hello Lily!!
@randallwingett
Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
This is great! Thank you so much! It's exactly what I needed! Best to you and Lily!
I like how humble you are. Job well done!
Just what I needed! Thank you 👍😁
A good video, and you are a good narrator. Thank you!
Very helpful. Much respect to you and Lilly from us in England. Thank you.
Thank you for this! Very helpful and very appreciated!!!
@randallwingett
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Love this video. I'm installing one myself this week. Keep em coming!
the only video i understood!
Thanks for sharing !! Great video !!
Nice!! Good job 👏
Great video - thank you! Looking at getting one for our cats and this was the purrfect (😉) tutorial!
Great video sir...calm cool collective instructions...you should be a teacher..very easy install with your instructions. Thanks!!
Thankyou
10/10 video thank uou
Thank you!!!!
@ariellagrange1779
Жыл бұрын
I literally didn't know I could drill to fit the screws 😮 10:12
Heads up! If that's a door to your garage and it's a 1-hour fire-rated door, the future buyer of your home may get a home inspection and require you to install a new door to complete the sale. However, the downside of voiding the 1-hour rating may be worth it to some people.
@randallwingett
Жыл бұрын
Good point! Eventually, I will replace this door. Thanks for your comment!
Great video
@randallwingett
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I’m planning on installing a second cat door in our garage people door. Not sure if it is worthy of a video. Your thoughts?
@MsBrwnNProud
Жыл бұрын
@@randallwingett Go for it!!
@kyleewebster5964
Жыл бұрын
yes its worthy! any and all projects you do are worthy! because yours is the easiest I’ve found to understand so far. thank you for keeping it simple and not dragging it out for 30 minutes and making it so much more difficult than it needs to be! (As some others are that way😂)
hello thank you for this video. My door is 1.1/4'' wide and i don't know if this will work?
This worked on my Larson storm door , cause went on my shop which has a steel interior door . My kitty doesn't get out but once a day when I go let her out and refresh her water and food and clean the liter box daily .
@j.j.8741
Жыл бұрын
A glass storm door? Why bother even wasting time asking such a ridiculous question?!
@marshallborder9089
Жыл бұрын
@@j.j.8741Bottom of mine storm isn't glass ..😀