If you are looking to have a dog door installed in a brick wall, then it is likely going to run you anywhere from $300 up to $700 at minimum and this will not include the price of materials needed to fabricate or install and seal the doggy door that you want put in place.
While this seems a bit steep, keep in mind that by hiring a professional your work will be insured, so that if there are any issues during install you won’t have to worry about having a damaged brick wall that requires expense out-of-pocket repairs.
Just be sure to go with a good dog door, such as one with a sturdy aluminum frame, so that it will help to keep your wall strong and so that you’ll have a quality door that won’t need replacing or repair anytime soon.
For the remainder of this article, we’re going to address popular questions regarding brick wall doggy doors – read on for important information that you need before installing this popular type of door.
Table of Contents
- Does a brick wall dog door affect my insurance?
- Are brick wall dog doors a security risk?
- What can I do to improve security on my brick wall dog door?
- Can other animals use a brick wall dog door?
- How do I keep coyotes from using my brick wall dog door?
- How do I keep snakes from using a brick wall dog door?
- Do brick wall dog doors last a long time?
- Will rats try to use my brick wall dog door?
- Can I install a brick wall dog door myself?
- How do I keep the cat from using a brick wall dog door?
Does a brick wall dog door affect my insurance?
Yes, it is quite possible that it will affect your insurance. Installing a door in a brick wall essentially creates a weak point in the wall’s integrity and if it opens outside, then it’s also considered a bit of a security concern.
While not all insurance providers will charge you an extra premium for this, you need to check with your specific provider to make sure that one will not be required. Otherwise, you might find that you are not covered when you need it – so checking this is vital before installing your door.
Are brick wall dog doors a security risk?
They can be, yes, especially with larger doors where someone small enough could wiggle through. Even if the door is small, someone could also push a pole through and attempt to fish to for items or even put a remote-control drone inside to look for keys or clues to get inside that way!
As such, you should consider adding security in the form of a door alarm for when you and your dog are not home, a locking microchip door, or even the addition of motion sensors and cameras to help reduce the chances that someone might try to exploit your dog’s door to get into your home.
What can I do to improve security on my brick wall dog door?
With something like a brick wall dog door, you should consider a good microchip door that will lock into place when the door is not in use.
You can further improve security by installing an alarm in this door and the addition of security cameras lets you enjoy watching your dog use the door while also providing some added security. Finally, motion sensor lights can be installed inside and this will help to deter both human and animal intruders making use of the door.
Can other animals use a brick wall dog door?
Yes, there are a number of animals that can take advantage of your brick wall dog door, especially if it is only using ‘flaps’ rather than an electronic door that locks into place. Coyotes, snakes, raccoons, and even the occasional possum or stray cat might try to use the door, especially if they smell food.
As such, locking dog doors are best, and try to keep food away from the area where the door is installed, as this will help reduce the chance of an animal finding this door in the first place.
How do I keep coyotes from using my brick wall dog door?
Coyotes live in all of the U.S. states with the exception of Hawaii, so if you have them in your area then it is vital to upgrade your security. Coyotes can and do sometimes use dog doors, and in California cases have been reported where dogs have been injured or killed by this.
Motion lights can help to keep them away and you should also consider a microchip door. A microchip doggy door can lock safely in place when it’s not in use and while a quick coyote might be able to follow your dog inside, it should lock before the other coyotes can follow!
It’s not a perfect solution, but it definitely increases your dog’s chance of survival in a worst-case scenario.
How do I keep snakes from using a brick wall dog door?
While you can use snake repellant sprays to help to keep snakes from using your dog door, you also have a good option in your kitchen pantry right now that you can use.
Snakes are very scent-oriented and when you see them flicking their tongues, they are actually catching scent particles to analyze them with their ‘Jacobsen’s organ’. This helps them like scent radar, but also makes them quite sensitive to strong scents and the oils found in cinnamon.
Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon around the dog door and on the other side of the opening to exploit this vulnerability and to help make snakes think twice about coming inside through the dog door.
Do brick wall dog doors last a long time?
Yes, provided that you don’t choose a cheap style door. After all, if you are doing an expensive installation into the brick, it only makes sense to go with a high-quality door option. Look for dog doors with aluminum framing, for instance, as these work well and can last for many years before needing repair or replacement.
It’s in the wall, after all, so you want to use something strong — anything else can seriously weaken the overall integrity of the brick wall.
Will rats try to use my brick wall dog door?
Rats might try to get in though your dog door, especially if they smell food. Try not to leave any food in the area near the door to help minimize the chances of this.
Beyond this precaution, unless the door doesn’t lock or you’ve decided to use plastic flaps in the door, there is not a huge amount of worry needed regarding rats.
These animals are adept at chewing their way inside just about anywhere, so even with a dog door they are still more likely to come in from somewhere else where there’s not a risk of your dog catching them. After all, they’ll smell your dog’s scent in the door and this will act as a deterrent most of the time.
Can I install a brick wall dog door myself?
You can, but it’s not recommended that you do so, unless you are absolutely confident that you can do it without damaging your wall in the process.
While it certainly costs to hire a contractor, this comes with the advantage of the work being insured so that if something goes wrong, you won’t be stuck repairing your wall on your own. You’ll also need to have masonry tools at your disposal to even try, such as a reciprocating saw, a hammer drill, and more.
It’s better to simply hire a pro when it comes to brick walls in your home – too much can go wrong too easily and it’s not worth what you’d save if that happens.
How do I keep the cat from using a brick wall dog door?
Keeping your cat from using a brick wall dog door is tricky and there are no guarantees. With a microchip door, that door will only lock and unlock when your dog uses it, but if the cat is on their tail then they could still get outside and get locked out in the bargain.
Your best bet is a GPS collar or putting the door in an area that the cat cannot access. Beyond this, cats are simply too fast and sneaky and short of an ‘invisible fence’ option, you aren’t going to be able to keep them from using that door.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
