A typical dog door will cost $400, but prices can be as low as $20 or as much as $3,500 depending on how elaborate the door is and who you hire to install it.
When it comes to dog door installation, expect to budget around $400 on average for the project. However, the cost can vary from $20 for a DIY installation to $3,500 or more for a high-end, electronically activated dog door professionally installed on an external concrete wall. If your pooch constantly wakes you up in the middle of the night for a potty break, or you’d like to offer your fur baby more freedom and fresh air, investing in a dog door or cat flap could be an appealing option.
There are a few pet door installation cost factors to consider to get an accurate estimate, some of which are outlined below.
Plastic or PVC pet doors are the least expensive option. You can buy a small flap insert—sometimes called a cat door or a cat flap, but you can use these for small dogs as well—for just $20. However, they aren’t as durable as those at the top of the price ranges, like aluminum or stainless-steel frame varieties, which usually cost upwards of $150.
The material that frames the flaps will also play a role in your total costs. You could minimize your installation cost by opting for a less durable plastic or vinyl frame. Aluminum, stainless steel, or fiberglass frames will cost significantly more, but they will also last much longer, on average.
The table below includes a quick breakdown of dog door prices based on the frame material. Keep in mind that these are for the materials only, so they don’t include the cost of labor.
| Frame Material | Average Dog Door Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $120 |
| Fiberglass | $400 |
| Plastic | $60 |
| Stainless Steel | $200 |
| Vinyl/PVC | $100 |
It’s worth mentioning that these materials differ in their insulative value, as well, and not just durability. Fiberglass is the ideal material if you’re installing your dog door on an exterior door, especially if you live in an extreme climate. Plastic and vinyl might be better suited for a dog door on an interior door, where insulation isn’t necessary.
Sturdy, extra-large dog doors that are wide and tall enough to allow secure access for giant breeds, like Great Danes, are more costly. It’s still possible to purchase them for less than $100, depending on the frame material, but installation costs will likely be higher because of the additional work, and they won’t be as insulative or durable as models with a higher price tag.
The table below includes some average costs based on the height of the dog door you need. Again, these prices only take materials into consideration. Keep in mind that labor costs will increase a bit with dog door size as well.
| Dog Door Size | Average Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (up to 7-inches tall) | $60–$250 |
| Medium (up to 15-inches tall) | $100–$400 |
| Large (up to 20-inches tall) | $150–$500 |
| Extra Large (up to 25-inches tall) | $200–$800 |
Before deciding on the measurements for your door, you should measure your pup to make sure they’ll fit and can comfortably clear the space underneath the dog door. You should always leave at least 3 inches of door beneath the bottom of the dog door, which should be no more than 1/3 of your dog’s height. Measure from shoulder to shoulder to get a width, and floor to head for a height. Add 1 to 2 inches to each to allow space for comfortable access.
You’ll have several dog door styles available to choose from, and depending on the type you want, you could pay as little as $20 or over $2,000. The table below includes a quick look at pricing for the different styles.
| Dog Door Style | Average Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Interior door | $20 to $300 | Interior doors |
| Sliding glass door insert | $150 to $1,500 | Exterior sliding glass doors |
| Wall mounted | $150 to $2,000+ | Access from areas without an exterior door |
| Pre-installed | $500 to $2,000 | Door replacement with pet door |
| Bump out | $1,000 to $3,000+ | Maximizing energy efficiency |
The days of a simple plastic flap being your only option for a dog door are long gone; now you can buy technologically-advanced doors to maximize security, control, convenience, and efficiency.
For example, an electronically activated dog door offers additional security and can prevent uninvited animals from entering your home. Some even have timers that you can set wirelessly to restrict or grant access at different times of the day.
Budget varieties for advanced dog doors cost as little as $100, but a model with the most advanced technology might set you back as much as $1,000 or more, excluding labor. Some doors are more energy-efficient than others and have better insulative properties too.
The labor cost to install a dog door will usually account for between 40% to 60% of your total cost, or between $200 and $1,500, depending on a few factors. Larger doors will take a little more work to install and will come with higher labor charges, and something like building a bump out for your dog door will cost more than most other options.
Additionally, the type of door or wall in which you want your dog door to be installed will play a role in your total. Cutting into a concrete exterior wall takes far more work than cutting a hole in an exterior door, which, in turn, is more involved than installing a dog door in an interior door. Your professional will also need to seal and weatherproof dog doors leading to the exterior of your home, which will push labor costs higher.
Accurate door measurements are essential for a successful installation. Height and width matter, but jamb width, door swing, and clearance are also key. A professional installer can assess these details and recommend the best solutions.
Dog doors average around $400 to install, but the cost to install a cat door will usually be lower, somewhere around $150, on average. There are a few reasons for the lower pricing.
First, cat doors tend to be much smaller than dog doors, which means a lower material cost as well as less labor involved in cutting a hole in the door. Cat doors are also more likely to be located on interior doors to provide access to a litter box rather than the yard. Interior pet doors are easier to install, which brings labor costs down, and they don’t need to be insulated or weatherproofed, bringing down material costs and labor charges ever further.
Many homeowners will stop at nothing to pamper their pups, but installing a doggie door sometimes means compromising your home’s security and energy efficiency. There are some common add-on features you might need to factor into your cost, some of which solve these problems.
Pet doors can be super convenient, but they can also make it easy for someone to reach in and unlock your door from the outside. You can choose from a variety of security features to keep your pet door secure, but they will all add to your total installation cost.
Locking pet door: $300–$600
Collar-activated door: $400–$1,000+
Pet door security system: $100–$500
You can opt to have a small aluminum awning installed outside your dog door, and it’s not just to keep your pup dry as they step outside. Awnings can prevent water from entering through the hole in your door, potentially saving you from leaks and water damage. You can expect to pay around $250 for the materials and labor to install a pet door awning.
If you live in an extreme climate but still want to give your pet the convenience of free access to the yard, you can install an insulated pet door or invest in an insulated cover that snaps over the door. These will cost you between $50 and $250 in most cases, but it depends on the size of your dog door and the quality of the cover.
Installing a dog door for a miniature breed can present challenges because you need to maintain clearance below your dog door, but doing so might make the door too high for your pup to enter and exit comfortably.
A good solution is a small ramp or steps to help your pup access the door, especially if you have the dog door installed in an exterior wall. Dog door steps cost between $20 and $200, depending on the size, material, and quality.
While you can save yourself between $75 and $1,000 by installing a pet door yourself, it’s not a DIY job for everyone. Even installation of basic pet doors on wooden doors can be challenging, especially if you don’t have the right tools.
If you don’t cut to the correct size and seal it properly, there can be issues with security, moisture ingress, and drafts on exterior doors, and the dog door might not fit or function if installed improperly on an interior door.
While you’ll pay more to have a handyperson install your dog door, we recommend investing in the service if you’re uncomfortable doing the work yourself, you don’t have the tools, or if you want your dog door on an exterior wall, exterior door, or glass door. These take extra skills and preparation that are best left to a local handyperson.
Becca Lewis contributed to this article.
Although some pet doors allow easier access for burglars or stray animals, there are ways to make pet doors more secure. Opting for locking or electronically-activated doors, using additional motion sensor security cameras, and installing pet doors on a wall where door locking mechanisms are difficult to access all help maintain your home’s security after installing a pet door.
Adding a doggie door can allow a burglar access to knobs and locks on your door. If your pet door doesn’t come with an alarm, you can opt to add a weight sensor alarm that will trip if anything heavier than your pet enters through it. Adding a motion sensor light to the room your pet door is in can also help deter burglars.
It’s not safe to install a pet door on your garage door. Garage doors that tilt upwards can roll up with your dog inside the door without you realizing, making them dangerous and potentially deadly. Most dog doors also won’t fit on traditional garage doors, as they would need to span the panels, compromising the stability of the door.
Introducing your dog or cat to a pet door gradually and positively sets them up for success. And make sure the door you order is the right size—your pet is even less keen to use one that’s a tight squeeze to fit through.
Where possible, start training before you install the door. Keep the flap fully open at first, too. For very wary pets, build up positive associations without them having to go through the pet door initially. Use their favorite treats and keep desensitizing sessions short. Your goal is for them to associate the door with good things.
