Pros of Having a Cat Door
The biggest benefit of a cat door is that it often eliminates the need for a litter box. If cats can come and go at will, they may not need a litter box. This is the main reason pet owners install cat doors.
Cats also have an annoying habit of wanting outside when they are in and inside when they are out, and pet owners are volunteered as doormen. Installing a cat door means cats can come and go without the annoyance of having them meow several times a day for their owner to open the door for them.
Cons of Having a Cat Door
One consideration a cat owner should have before installing a cat door is that you will have to make a hole in the existing door. Once you have decided, there is no turning back. It will cause damage to the door that may have to be repaired or replaced if you change your mind, or if you decide to sell the house or no longer have pets.
Another factor about having a cat door that people often don’t think about is that not only household cats but outside intruders now have easy access. Any animal that can squeeze through the door is likely to enter. We’ve had anything from neighborhood cats to a good-sized raccoon come in through our cat door. Keeping the door closed at night helps make sure no strangers are sneaking in and eating the cat food.
How to Decide Whether or not to Install a Cat Door
Whether or not to install a cat door depends upon the location of your home and the personality of your pets. If you live in a more rural neighborhood, then a cat door may be a big advantage as long as you keep it secured at night to prevent unwanted visitors. People who live near busy streets and have cats that may roam might be better off without a cat door.
