More often than not, it’s doors and furniture that bear the brunt of a pet’s destructive tendencies, especially if they struggle with separation anxiety. Large dogs in particular can make light work of an interior door when stressed, so it makes sense to do what you can to protect them.  

Petproofing your home is all about making life as easy as possible for both you and your pets. Here, we’re going to offer up some tips and advice on how to prevent any potential door damage, how to repair a door if it does get damaged by a pet and why internal doggie doors are a really fab idea…

What types of internal doors are most resistant to pet damage?

Go for interior doors made from durable materials such as solid hardwood or composite. 

These materials are less prone to damage from scratching or chewing than hollow core or a softwood door such as pine, making them more suitable for homes with pets.

Dog-Proofing Doors

Prevention will always be better than cure, so dog-proofing doors is always a good idea. There are a few special measures you can take to ensure the safety, comfort and of course convenience, for both pets and humans. 

Here are our tips on how to make internal doors more pet-friendly:

Consider Scratch-Resistant Finishes

Choose doors with scratch-resistant finishes or laminates that can withstand the wear and tear caused by claws. High-pressure laminate (HPL) or polyurethane finishes are excellent options for maintaining the appearance of doors.

Install Doggie Doors

Consider installing pet doors in interior doors to allow pets to move freely between rooms. Pet doors come in various sizes and styles to accommodate different types of animals and can be installed in wooden, metal or composite doors.

However, we must stress that they aren’t suitable for fire doors as it will compromise their ability to prevent fire and smoke spreading.

An interior door with a pet door built in can be a real cost saving exercise in the long run, so we recommend you seek professional help if you’re not confident enough to install a dog door yourself.

Use Door Guards

If installing a doggie door isn’t an option, install door guards or scratch protectors on the lower portion of interior doors to prevent damage from pet scratching.

These guards can be made from materials such as metal, plastic, or vinyl and are available in adhesive or screw-on designs.

Add Reinforcements

Make interior doors a little more heavy duty by adding reinforcements such as metal kick plates or door jamb guards to protect against damage. Reinforcements such as these can help extend the lifespan of doors by preventing scratches and chewing. The guards are also great for protecting little fingers if you have young children too.

Provide Safe Passage

Create safe passages for pets by leaving interior doors partially open or installing door stoppers to hold the doors in place. Doing this allows your pets to move freely between rooms without the risk of getting trapped or injured by closing doors.

You could even move away from hinged doors all together in favour of pocket doors, to completely eliminate any chance of your pets getting stuck.

Choose Glazed Doors

If privacy between rooms isn’t so much of a concern, consider installing full length glazed internal doors to allow pets to see through the door.

This can help reduce anxiety and prevent them from scratching or pawing at closed doors. As an added bonus, you’ll also increase light flow throughout your house. Winner!

Train Pets

This one might seem obvious and while it’s easier said than done, train pets to respect interior doors and discourage behaviours such as scratching, pawing or jumping on doors.

Positive reinforcement techniques and reward-based training can help encourage better behaviour and give them confidence which will (hopefully) reduce the likelihood of them causing damage, especially if it’s due to separation anxiety.

Regular Maintenance

Maintain interior doors by regularly inspecting them for signs of damage and addressing any issues quickly to help mitigate any further issues. Clean doors regularly with pet-safe cleaning products to remove dirt, debris and pet hair.

How do you install a pet door in an interior door?

Installing a pet door in an interior door is a relatively straightforward process for someone with the right tools and confident DIY skills.

With the help of Helen Foster, the wonderfully pet-crazy designer behind Rollerdog, we’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install a doggy door or cat flap in an interior door and provide your pet with convenient access to different parts of your home without the need to leave doors open.

What is the difference between a cat door and a dog door?

The main difference between a cat door and dog door lies in their size and design, which is tailored to the specific needs and behaviours of cats and dogs. Ultimately, a cat door and dog door will serve the same fundamental purpose of allowing them to move freely between spaces, but there are some slight variations between the two.

A cat door is typically smaller than a dog door to accommodate the size difference between cats and dogs. Cat doors are designed to allow cats to pass through comfortably, while dog doors are larger to accommodate dogs of various sizes.

The design of the flap on the door may differ between cat and dog doors, too. Cat doors often have flaps that are lighter and rigid, making it easier for cats to push through while also preventing them from scratching. A dog door on the other hand needs to be more heavy duty to withstand the weight and force of larger dogs and the flap is often soft and flexible to prevent damage.

Cat doors are usually installed closer to the ground due to the shorter stature of cats, while dog doors may need to be installed higher in a door to accommodate dogs of different heights.

While you can put a cat flap in an internal door, due to their smaller size, you might even consider creating a cat corridor instead of a cat door, thus eliminating the need for a flap altogether. As a doggie door tends to be larger, you might not feel this is suitable as far as aesthetics go.

Can you put a pet door in a hollow core door?

Yes, you can install a pet door in a hollow core door, but they’re not as heavy duty as solid doors so it will likely need additional reinforcement to frame the pet door to maintain stability and durability. Most commercial doggie doors sold will be supplied with a frame, which should make precise fitting easier.

If you’re planning your own doggie door design, then you’ll need to factor in a suitably robust frame. Hollow core doors are typically made of thin moulded plywood or composite materials with a cardboard honeycomb core (often known as egg boxing), which may not provide sufficient support for a dog door installation on its own. 

How to Repair Damage to Interior Doors Caused by Pets

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into preventing door damage, things “accidentally” happen. Repairing damage to interior doors caused by pets can vary depending on the type and extent of the damage. Here are some common methods for repairing different types of damage:

Scratches and Surface Damage

Light scratches: Use a wood filler or putty to fill in shallow scratches, then sand the area smooth once dry ready for repainting.

Deeper scratches: For deeper scratches, sand the area first to smooth out any rough edges, then apply a matching wood filler or putty. Sand again once dry, and finish with a matching paint or stain.

Surface damage: For minor surface damage such as gouges or dents, sand the area lightly to smooth out any rough spots, then apply a matching wood filler or putty. Sand again once dry, and finish with paint or stain.

Chewed or Damaged Edges

If your pet has chewed the edges of the door, you may need to use wood filler or putty to fill in the damaged areas. Sand the filled areas smooth once dry, and finish with paint or stain to match the rest of the door.

For more extensive damage, you may need to use wood glue and clamps to repair broken or splintered areas. Apply the glue to the damaged edges, press them together, and secure with clamps until the glue dries. Sand and refinish as needed.

Stains and Discoloration

If your pet has caused stains or discoloration on the door surface, start by cleaning the area with a mild soap and water solution. For stubborn stains, you can use a stain remover or wood cleaner.

If the stain has penetrated the wood, you may need to sand the area lightly to remove the stained wood before refinishing with paint or stain.

Holes and Tears

For small holes or tears in the door surface, use wood filler or putty to fill in the damaged area. Sand smooth once dry, and finish with paint or stain.

For larger holes or tears, you may need to patch the area with a matching piece of wood or a wood veneer patch. Secure the patch in place with wood glue, then sand and finish as needed.

Reinforcing Weak Areas

If your pet has caused structural damage to the door, such as weakening the hinges or door frame, you may need to reinforce these areas with additional screws, brackets, or metal plates. Make sure the door is properly aligned and secure before reattaching any hardware.

Preventative Measures

To prevent future damage, consider installing protective coverings or barriers such as pet gates, door guards, or scratch-resistant film. Providing alternative outlets for your pet’s behaviour, such as scratching posts or chew toys, can also help redirect their attention away from the doors.

If you’re unsure about how to repair the damage or if you feel it’s too extensive, it’s always best to consult with a professional carpenter or door repair specialist for guidance and assistance.

Pet-Resistant Internal Doors for a Happy Home 

We hope you’ve found our pet-proofing tips useful! When choosing a pet-resistant door, consider the specific needs and behaviour of your pets, as well as your budget and design preferences. 

While it’s important to always provide alternative outlets for your pet’s behaviour, sometimes something as simple as an interior door with a doggie door or cat door built in can be the perfect remedy to help minimise damage from your furry friend.

If you’re unsure which type of internal doors are best for pets, just get in touch and one of our friendly door experts will be on hand to help answer all your questions!