Are Doggy Doors Safe?

If you don’t want to interrupt your conference call to let your pleading pooch into the yard for a potty or play break, a dog door could be a welcome addition to your home. But are doggy doors safe, or are they a home security risk not worth taking?

We spoke to security experts to find out how real the risks are and what you can do to help keep your home and its inhabitants safe if you plan to install a dog door.

Are Doggy Doors a Security Risk?

Burglars tend to be opportunists, and an unlocked doggy door can be an entry point to your home that they might try to exploit, especially if it is suitable for a large breed, like a Labrador Retriever.

“As both a home security professional and a pet owner, I understand the convenience dog doors offer—but they can create a vulnerability if they’re large enough for a person to crawl through or placed in an area that isn’t monitored,” Sara Harshbarger, a security expert and Senior Vice President of Direct to Consumer at Brinks Home, says.

It’s not just the door itself that can be an issue. Kirk MacDowell, a home security expert at Batten Safe and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors, explains that cutting an opening in your door or wall compromises its integrity. “If there’s a hole, and someone kicks [the dog door] hard enough or uses a block of wood or another tool, it presents the same security risk,” he says. Even if a burglar can’t fit through the dog door or kick it out, they may be able to reach through it to unlock the main door.

However, although burglaries through dog doors occur, entry through main doors or windows is more common. There is an argument that a dog door could act as a deterrent for some burglars, as they might not want to deal with a potentially barky, bitey resident.

Security Tips for Homes With Doggy Doors

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce the security risks that come with installing a dog door and protect your home.

Pick the Right Location

Harshbarger recommends “installing a dog door in a discreet location that’s not visible from the street.” A wall-installed dog door in that fenced-off side alley of your home will be less noticeable than one on your front door—the most common entry point for burglars.

Pick the Right Type of Dog Door

Select a lockable dog door with advanced features. “Basic flap models provide minimal protection, while advanced designs—like automatic or electronic pet doors that respond only to your pet’s collar or microchip—offer much stronger security,” Harshbarger says. These models also mean other unwanted intruders, like rats, raccoons, squirrels or other critters won’t be able to enter.

Some of the best smart dog doors even have sensors that trigger a bell or alert you via a smartphone app whenever something or someone enters it. However, it could get tiresome quickly if your pup is a frequent dog door user.

Pick the Right Size of Dog Door

The bigger the doggy door, the easier it is for burglars to squeeze through it. Carefully measure your pet and order a size that they can fit through comfortably and no more.

Lock the Pet Door When Not in Use

Don’t forget to lock the pet door when it’s not in use. It’s probably not a good idea to let your dog roam the yard at night unsupervised, and it’s a time when a burglar can slip through the doggy door unseen.

Add Other Security Measures

MacDowell recommends monitoring your yard and the doggy door entrance with a home security camera or alarm system for additional peace of mind. “Motion detectors are a more cost-effective option and would still offer some benefit,” he says. Outdoor motion sensor lights can also be a helpful burglar and wildlife deterrent.

Frequently Asked Question

Does a doggy door make my home insurance more expensive?

According to independent insurance agent Colleen Parsons, having a doggy door does not make home insurance more expensive. While coverage specifics of home insurance policies vary depending on the type, Parsons hasn’t seen theft exclusions related to dog doors. “However, it is best to be upfront with your agent about owning a dog door and they can double check with their insurance carriers,” she says. “Also, there could be other [policy] concerns when owning a dog, such as breed and biting history.”

Harshbarger also points out that being proactive and pairing a dog door with a professionally monitored and installed home security system could even lower your insurance premium.

About the Experts

• Sara Harshbarger is a security expert and Senior Vice President of Direct to Consumer at Brinks Home, a leading home security provider; email interview, May. 5, 2025.

• Kirk MacDowell is a home security expert at Batten Safe, CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors, and a 40-year veteran of the security industry; email interview, May. 1, 2025.

• Colleen Parsons is an independent insurance agent with World Insurance Associates. She’s been helping homeowners in Western New York with their insurance for over twenty years; email interview, May. 6, 2025.

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