How to Install the PetSafe® Plastic Pet Door

Measure and mark your pet’s shoulder height on the door with a pencil using either method:

• Have your pet stand next to the door and mark their shoulder height.
• Use a measuring tape to measure your pet from the floor to their shoulder. Then apply that measurement to the door.

Use a level to draw a horizontal line through the height marking to extend it.

Decide where on your door to install the pet door.

• The pet door does not have to be installed in the center of your door. You may choose to adjust it to the left or right.
• If you are installing it in a paneled door, align it within a panel for ease of installation.

Use a level to draw a vertical line for the pet door to be centered on. If you are placing the pet door centered on your door, draw a vertical line for the center of your door.

Remove the pins from the hinges using the flat-head screwdriver and hammer to remove the door from the doorframe.

Place the door, interior side up, on a raised level surface suitable for drilling and cutting, such as a pair of sawhorses. Clamp or weigh down the door to prevent it from moving.

Cut the template according to your pet door size and tape it on your door, aligning the height and center lines you marked to the ones on the template.

Make sure the template is at least 3 inches from the bottom and sides of the door to keep the structural integrity of the door. If it is less than that, you will need to adjust your lines accordingly to ensure the 3-inch minimum.

Carefully trace around the template, making sure to trace underneath the tape and connect the corners. Then remove the template.

Ensure the area underneath where you have marked for removal is clear before drilling and cutting.

Drill 3/8 inch holes on the inside corners of the traced outline. Hold the drill steady at a 90-degree angle and use a framing square to keep it straight.

Place the jigsaw blade into a corner hole, making sure the blade goes entirely through the door, and cut along the marking. Continue until an opening is made. You may need to finely trim the corners to create a 90-degree angle for the door to fit.

Measure the thickness of your door. Add 7/8 inch to the measurement and notate this measurement.

On each core cover piece, measure and mark the notated measurement. Cut along the grooved edge that the plastic core covers to remove the excess.

Snap the core covers into the tabs on the interior frame. The core covers may need to be trimmed to meet at the corners. Use duct tape around the corners to improve weather resistance. Trim any excess tape.

Check the fit of the frames in the opening. Place the interior frame into the cutout from the interior side of the door. Then, place the exterior frame into the underside of the door, aligning the core covers into tabs of the exterior frame. If either frame does not easily fit inside the opening, you may need to make adjustment cuts to the opening before proceeding with installation.

Hold the two frames together. Insert the nylon screws into the frame, then twist a hex nut on the screw from the exterior side until snug.

Using a Philips screwdriver, evenly tighten the screws moving from one screw to the next in a Criss-Cross pattern as much as possible, until all screws are hand-tight. It may be necessary to adjust screws to make sure the pet door fit is correct.

Please ensure you do not over-tighten the screws.

Cut off excess screw lengths with wire cutters. Hold wire cutters flush with the frame for a clean, level cut. Any rough edges of nylon screws left by wire cutters should be removed with a metal file.

Caulk around the exterior frame and inside threshold where the core covers meet for weather resistance. Fill in any gaps between the door and the frame with caulk.