Do it Yourself Pet Door

Measuring the Door Frame

• Determine the size of the opening you will need for your pet. Use the largest pet in the household as your measurement for the frame of the pet door. Use a tape measure to get the height of the door needed by measuring from the top of the pet's shoulders to a knee joint. Pets will lower their head to walk through an opening and any ground clearance will be offset when the pet lifts its leg. Measure for the width of the pet door by using the same pet and measuring between its shoulder blades. Add 2 inches on either side to allow for good clearance.

Making the Door

• On a thick section of cardboard, draw the measurements to make two sides of a square, then repeat on the opposite sides to finish the template. Cut the opening and throw away the cutout; the hole you create is the size of the dog door. Have your largest pet step through the hole; alter the measurements on the cardboard before cutting the actual opening in the door.

Making the Door

• Using a thick section of cardboard, draw the measurements to make two sides of a square, then repeat on the opposite sides to finish the template. Cut the opening, and throw away the cutout; the hole you create is the size of the dog door. Get your largest pet to step through the hole; alter the measurements on the cardboard before cutting the actual opening in the door.

Prep Work

• Gather all the tools, the template, the pet door frame you bought and safety glasses. Get a small stool to sit on while working to help keep you from cramping. Make the pencil marks for the bottom of the pet door, and then line up the template with the markings. Use the template to mark the remaining sides; use a level to draw the sides of the frame, making sure the square is level as you go.

Installation

• Drill a hole in each corner for starting points to cut the lines. Using a jigsaw, cut outside the pencil lines to make sure you have enough room, then push out the hole. Put the two sides of the pet door snug into opposite sides of the opening; use thin wood strips to fill in any gaps between the frame and the pet door. Line up the holes, and put in the screws. Have a pet go through after you're finished to make sure it works.