The Best Pet Doors for Vacation Homes

Most of us think of the classic door mount or wall mount when we think of a pet door. While these are two great options for allowing your pets to come and go, they are permanent installations and are not always the right choice for a vacation home.

Many vacation homeowners don’t want to make permanent modifications to the property but still want to allow their pets the freedom to come and go when they’re staying there. It can also be a big investment to install a pet door in your permanent home and your vacation home.

Luckily, there are plenty of removable, portable pet door options that allow your pet to enjoy the freedom of a pet door in both locations—without breaking the bank. We’ll go over our top vacation home pet door picks that install in sliding doors and windows.

Pet Doors for Sliding Glass Doors

Pet doors for sliding glass doors are the perfect option for vacation homes. Installing a pet door in a sliding glass door doesn’t require tools or modification, making it the perfect option for a vacation home or rental property.

For Weather Protection:

For insulation value, we recommend the Endura Thermo Panel 3e. This panel has a built-in Endura Flap Pet Door, the best pet door for severe weather protection. The panel is made with dual-pane, Low-E glass, which keeps your home insulated for a lower energy bill. It installs tool-free in just a few minutes for easy removal and re-installation in the sliding door of your vacation home.

Check out the Endura Quick Panel for a slightly lighter option for easier transportation The Quick Panel features the same great flap but has a single-pane glass instead of dual-pane to reduce the weight.

For Shopping on a Budget:

For vacation homeowners or renters shopping on a budget, we recommend the Dragon Pet for Aluminum Sliding Doors. This competitively priced pet door is perfect if you don’t want to sacrifice quality. The two-piece flap design fully seals the pet door opening, providing excellent insulation for mild climates. Check out the Double Flap for a more insulating option.

For Multiple Pets Sharing:

For multiple pet sharing, we recommend the Hale Standard Patio Pet Door. Chances are you spend time at your vacation home with friends and family members who have pets of all sizes. Or maybe you have multiple pets sharing the pet door. If this is the case, you’ll want a pet door that fits pets of all shapes and sizes.

The Hale Patio Pet Door comes in flap sizes ranging from small to giant, with a flap light enough for small pets to push through regardless of the flap size. The Hale is a great option for decent insulation and excellent sizing options. Check out the differences between Hale and Endura Flap pet doors if you’re deciding between the two.

Pet Doors for Windows

Whether you have a sash window or a side-sliding window, we have something that will work for you. A window pet door is a great option for vacation homes. Window panels are smaller and lighter than sliding door panels, making them an even more portable option than sliding door panels.

For Weather Protection:

For keeping your home and your vacation home insulated, the Endura Thermo Sash 3e is the best option. The Thermo sash fits pets of all sizes from cats to large dogs and keeps the interior of your home cozy with dual-pane, Low-E glass, and an insulating flap. The spring-loaded design allows you to install the panel in a matter of minutes with no tools.

For Shopping on a Budget:

The Dragon Window Pet Door is an excellent option for those shopping on a budget. For mild climates, the Dragon is the perfect option. The flap is nice and light for pets of all sizes to use, and the panel is easy to take with you between two properties.

For Cats:

If you prefer a vacation home pet door made just for cats, check out the Whiskers & Windows Cat Door. The side-sliding window panel is quick and easy to install, allowing your cat to enjoy the freedom to come and go in your permanent residence and your vacation home. Many cats prefer the rigid flap style of this door, which doesn’t bend the way a flexible flap does as they come and go.

If you’re looking for something that keeps bugs out while allowing hands-free access to a door, check out the Magnetic Bug Screen for Doorways. This hanging mesh screen keeps bugs away while allowing you to keep the door open for you and your pets to come and go. It’s the perfect option for stress-free summer barbeques at your mountain getaway.