I need to know how to let my cat go in & out, not messing up A/C

Syl
by Syl
I'm moving to southwest Florida. My cat loves to wander in & out of house whenever he pleases. The A/C will be running, so, I can't leave doors open. Help. Any pet owners know how to handle?

  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 07, 2018

    put in a cat door

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 07, 2018

    I used to live in Florida and had 2 small dogs. Put in dog door along with some extras. Rubber molding on side like you use on your front house door-works wonders. Also make sure flap they go in and out of is longer so it acts as a seal. Cats learn very quickly. By the way, don't get caught-there is a leash law for cats as well as dogs in this state.

    • See 1 previous
    • What? A leash law for cats? That is ridiculous . . . Now that being said, my previous cats were used to a leash as I took them camping, but I acquired them as wee kittens so they didn't know any different. The 6 rescues I have how were outdoor cats and are now indoor / outdoor cats, and they were too old when I rescued them. Never gonna happen with this set.

  • They make all types of pet doors. I have an after market pet door for the sliding glass door from the kitchen to the back yard (only backyard access). Just Google "pet door" and check out all the wonderful options.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Feb 07, 2018

    My cat has a pet door between the kitchen and the basement. It has a door that swings closed. It was easy to install in the basement door and has locks on it if I want it to stay closed.

  • Kay Kay on Feb 07, 2018

    Install a 'pet-door' in your back door. This is a basic DIY project. You just need to buy the kit (lowes, amazon etc) and any necessary tools needed. Instructions will be included in the box, just read and FOLLOW them!

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Feb 07, 2018

    We have a doggy door for our four dogs that does not interfere at all with heat or air conditioning. Of course, ours is an extra large for the size of two of our dogs. It is a weather proof door that has two vinyl doors that seal shut really well and you won't need anything extra. We got ours online because nowhere around here carries the extra large. Home Depot carries them as well as most pet stores. That would be the best bet for anywhere with weather extremes.

    • See 2 previous
    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Feb 15, 2018

      Most companies that sell pet doors also sell slider pet doors and also doors that you can put through walls if you are that ambitious. Home depot and other places sell whatever style you may need. My local home depot carries the slider pet doors. They should have everything that you need to put them in and the slider ones are probably easier to put in because you don't have to cut holes in doors or walls.

  • M. M.. M. M.. on Feb 08, 2018

    There are pet doors that work only with the small activator on your pet's collar.This will prevent any other animals, wild or domestic, from entering. MY friend's cat was running from the neighborhood bully cat once. She ran inside her door, and the door locked quickly enough that the bully cat ran smack into it and wasn't admitted. I believe it's only a magnet, not something that would hurt a pet. Please be sure to have your pet(s) micro chipped by the vet before you go, and don't let the cat out the first week or two as they can quickly become lost or try to cross busy,unknown streets, etc.Your vet can give you more ideas for pets in new surroundings. Chipping is no longer just a luxury item-it is used world wide, and madatory for many places. It has reunited lost or stolen pets back to their families faster than any other method like posters, etc.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Feb 08, 2018

    Install a pet door. It will have a magnetic flap that will keep it closed. Works great with A/C.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Feb 08, 2018

    There are doggie doors for sliders, most places that carry doggie doors have them also, I saw one even at Home Depot. Take a look at them and see if there are any you can use. There are also doors that you can put through a wall if you can't use one any other way.

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 08, 2018

    That's wonderful! Just don't forget about the extra seal to keep the cool in when the cat goes out. Good luck. Have a great time in Florida.

  • Sharon Sharon on Feb 15, 2018

    You gave me a good laugh. Good luck with everything. P.S. sneak them out.

  • Barry Smith Barry Smith on Feb 15, 2018

    doggy door