Pet Doors, Security and Life with Pets
Living in Australia means hot summers, outdoor lifestyles, and active pets who want to move between your air-conditioned house and the backyard throughout the day. Pet owners face a common challenge: how do you give your dog or cat the freedom to come and go while keeping your home secure and insect-free?
A pet door is a small, hinged panel or flap installed in an exterior door, wall, or window that allows cats and dogs to enter and exit a building on their own. The most common locations include sliding door panels, timber doors, hinge screen doors, and fixed window screens. There are various types of pet doors available, including traditional flap doors, sliding glass pet doors, and wall-mounted pet doors, each designed to accommodate different installation needs and pet sizes.
This article explains why security doors and security window screens themselves cannot contain pet doors, how we safely add pet access to non-security screens and doors, and the pros and cons of different options.
Our information aligns with Australian Standards and industry bodies such as the National Security Screen Association and manufacturers like Petway.
Can Security Doors Include Pet Doors? (Short Answer: No)
No. Compliant security doors and security screens cannot include pet doors. Cutting any opening into a security door fundamentally compromises its tested integrity and voids the Australian Standards compliance.
Security doors in Australia must comply with AS 5039 (Installation of Security Screens), as outlined by nssa.org.au. These standards require testing to prevent forced entry methods like impact, jemmying, and cutting.
Cutting a hole in the mesh for a pet door breaks the tested integrity, and provides a ‘probing’ point for intruders to either enter through, or reach through to provide access to locks.
Key reasons why pet doors cannot be added to security doors:
- The mesh loses tensile strength, creating vulnerability points
- Intruders can pry, cut further, or reach through the opening
- The locking system integrity becomes compromised
- Australian Standard compliance is immediately lost
Petway Pet Doors: Functionality for Dogs and Cats
Petway is a well-known Australian manufacturer of pet doors commonly integrated into aluminium doors and screens. Prowler Proof offers Petway products for their proven functionality and durability in Australian conditions.
Petway pet doors are suitable for dogs and cats, and feature durable plastic frames and flexible UV-stabilised polycarbonate flaps (3-5mm thick). These are designed specifically for installation into mesh on screen doors.
Petway size guide:
- Small (155x170mm opening): Suits cats and small dogs up to 10kg, such as Jack Russells
- Medium (200x235mm opening): Suits dogs up to 25kg, such as Border Collies
- Large (265x280mm opening): Suits dogs up to 45kg or more, such as Labradors or Mastiffs
Key functionality features make Petway doors practical for everyday use. They are designed with magnetic, self-closing flaps to block out wind and rain. They also include a locking mechanism (style varies by door size) to control access at night or when owners are away. The UV-stabilised materials handle Australia, and in particular Queensland’s intense sun exposure and humid without sagging.
When installing a pet door, it is important to consider the size and breed of your pet to ensure the door is appropriately sized for easy access.
Petway doors work for both dog doors and cat doors—even in homes with multiple pets. Your Prowler Proof dealer can advise on height placement so older dogs, large breeds, and cats can all use the same opening comfortably. Proper measurement ensures that the pet door is large enough for comfortable passage and does not cause joint damage or discomfort.
Prowler Proof Pet Doors: Customised for Your Screens
A Prowler Proof pet door is an excellent choice for your screen door or window screen because it combines convenience for your pets with the strength, durability, and premium finish that Prowler Proof products are known for. Unlike plastic pet doors, the Prowler Proof pet door features a fully welded aluminium frame for superior strength and long-term durability, making it ideal for busy households and active pets. The tinted clear flap provides easy visibility for pets while maintaining a sleek appearance that blends seamlessly with modern screens. The biggest benefit of selecting a Prowler Proof pet door is its custom sizing capability — while most pet doors are available in standard small, medium, and large options, Prowler Proof manufacture the pet doors in custom sizes to suit your pet and installation requirements. Designed to integrate perfectly into hinge door screens, sliding door screens, and window screens, the pet door maintains airflow and insect protection without compromising the integrity or appearance of the screen system. With its premium construction, clean design, and compatibility with the trusted Protec and ForceField screen ranges, a Prowler Proof pet door delivers a practical, stylish, and durable solution for pet owners.
Best Locations for Pet Doors: Sliding Doors, Hinge Doors and Window Screens
Choosing the right location for your pet door requires considering your existing entry points, your home’s layout, and how your pets move through the house.
Sliding Door Options
For homes with a sliding glass door leading to the backyard, you have the option to fit a pet door into a sliding screen door.
- The key consideration is maintaining security by using your main glass sliding door while providing pet access through the screen. We always recommend locking your screen while you’re home, even if it isn’t a security screen, to stop the opportunistic burglar, and making sure you lock your glass door while out.
Hinge Door Options
Fitting a pet door into a hinged screen door is a practical solution for high-traffic areas such as laundry exits and back doors, where pets frequently move between indoor and outdoor spaces. A pet door allows your dog or cat to access the backyard or cata enclosure independently, reducing the need to constantly open and close the door — especially useful when you’re busy with household tasks or entertaining. Installed directly into a hinged screen door, means the main door can be left open while you’re home, thereby maintaining ventilation and natural airflow throughout the home while still keeping insects out. This is particularly beneficial in laundry areas, where airflow helps reduce moisture and heat buildup.
Window Screen Options
Installing a pet door into a window screen is an ideal solution for homeowners wanting to give cats safe and convenient outdoor access through low double hung or sliding windows. This setup is especially popular for connecting indoor living spaces to secure cat enclosures or “catios,” allowing pets to move freely while remaining protected. By incorporating the pet door directly into the window screen, you can maintain natural airflow and ventilation throughout the home without sacrificing insect protection. It also avoids the need to leave glass windows permanently open or modify walls and doors, making it a neat, space-efficient option for modern homes and apartments.
Climate Considerations
- Place pet doors in shaded or sheltered areas to minimise rain ingress during summer storms
- Combine with screens for insect control during warm evenings
- Consider prevailing winds and afternoon sun exposure
Your Prowler Proof dealer’s site assessment will check clearances for two doors to operate together (for example, timber door plus screen door), ensures the pet door doesn’t foul locks, thresholds or steps, and recommends the most practical and secure layout for your specific property.
Why Pet Lovers Should Consider Adding a Pet Door
Pet doors offer numerous benefits for both pets and owners, improving daily routines, health, and mental well-being. Choosing the right pet door involves balancing your pet’s comfort with your home’s security, energy efficiency, and installation constraints. For homeowners, the advantages are particularly relevant given our climate and outdoor-focused lifestyle.
Health and Welfare Benefits for Your Pet
A pet door allows pets 24/7 access to the outdoors, helping to prevent indoor messes by enabling them to relieve themselves as needed. Free access to the outdoors encourages exercise and play, helping to manage pets’ weight and prevent obesity—research suggests obesity rates drop in dogs with unrestricted outdoor access.
Pets, especially dogs, can become anxious or bored, which may lead to destructive behaviours. Pet doors help by providing:
- Storm refuge without waiting for owner intervention
- Immediate access to shade or shelter during hot days
- Reduced stress from being unable to reach outdoor areas
- Better mental stimulation through independent exploration
Owner Benefits
Convenience and Freedom: A pet door allows pets to enter and exit without requiring the owner’s assistance, thereby allowing owners to focus on other tasks or rest without interruption. Owners commonly report:
- Reduced door interruptions (saving time throughout the day)
- Reduction in door or frame damage from scratching and chewing
- Better airflow—pet doors allow doors and windows to be fully open, resulting in more air-flow than propped-open doors and windows
- Fewer disturbances at night when pets need to go outside
Key Takeaways
- Australian Standard-compliant security doors cannot have pet doors cut into the mesh or frame—doing so removes the security rating.
- Prowler Proof installs security doors alongside matching non-security barrier screens that can incorporate purpose-built Prowler Proof or Petway pet doors.
- Pet lovers benefit from pet doors through improved convenience, better airflow, pet independence, and reduced door scratching and frame damage.
FAQs
You can have a Prowler Proof dealer add a pet door to an existing security screen. You need to be aware that cutting a pet flap into an existing security door will remove its compliance with the Australian Standards AS 5039 however.
A non-security barrier screen or door with a pet flap is not a security product and should not be relied on as the primary barrier against intruders. The recommended approach uses your existing glass or timber door, or glass window system as the main external barrier for security, with the screen providing pet access as required. This system ensures you don’t have to decide between security and convenience—you can have both working together safely.
Any opening presents some risk, but quality pet doors such as Petway include magnetic closures and close-fitting flaps that significantly reduce gaps. Brush seals around the frame block potential insect entry points.
To minimise wildlife issues:
– Place pet doors in well-lit, regularly used areas
– Keep lawns and gardens maintained at ground level to discourage snakes and toads
– Combine with good yard fencing and pest management
– If concerned, lock the pet door at night when most snake activity occurs
Measure your pet’s shoulder height and widest chest or hip point, then select a flap size that gives a few centimetres clearance in both height and width. For a kitten or puppy, measure their expected adult size to avoid needing to purchase a replacement door later.
General sizing guide:
– Small (up to 10kg): Cats, Jack Russells, Chihuahuas
– Medium (up to 25kg): Border Collies, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles
– Large (45kg+): Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds
Your Prowler Proof dealer can measure pets during the in-home visit and recommend the most practical size, including for homes with both cats and dogs sharing the same pet door. Getting the right fit helps your pet pass through comfortably while maintaining the best possible seal.
Yes. Petway pet doors include manual locking options—either slide-in covers or rotating toggles—that allow owners to lock the pet door fully closed. This gives you control over when pets can access the outdoors.
Ready to give your pets the freedom they deserve?
Contact your local Prowler Proof dealer for a free in-home measure and quote. Our dealers will assess your home, measure your pets, and recommend the best combination of products for your specific needs.