How Do You Permanently Close a Dog Door? (Solved & Explained!)

When you want to permanently close a dog door then this is easy to do, just keep in mind that as a large chunk has been cut out of the door, that this procedure is basically a ‘patch’ at best. That said, if you want to seal up the hole permanently, then we have a  method that you can use.

Simply select a piece of wood at the appropriate thickness and cut it to the specifications of the hole, making it minutely smaller so that you can coat the edges with wood filler, and push the cut-panel into place.

Using a putty knife, you can smooth the areas around the edges and when it dries later, you can sand it down to smooth up the texture a bit. After this, you can repaint the door and if you have sanded closely enough, then no one will know that it’s been repaired.

For the remainder of this article, we’ll answer some questions about closing up unneeded doggy doors and things that you can do if you want to keep your dog door, but are worried about energy costs or security issues. Read on for important information about sealing up or strengthening your dog doors!

How do you restore a sliding glass pane after removing a dog door?

Restoring a sliding glass panel is not really a DIY open or would be slipshod at best. While you could certainly drill a cut-to-spec fiberglass plate in place, it won’t be very aesthetically pleasing, so if you had the existing pane cut for the install then you’ll need to put in a new pane for the sliding glass door.

Can you easily close a brick wall dog door?

Yes, permanently closing a brick wall dog door is a piece of cake – if you’ve got the tools for cutting bricks when necessary. If you do, then once you’ve removed the framing, it’s just a simple matter of mixing up a little cement and laying each brick, row, just as you would with fixing any brick wall.

This is the easiest type of installation to clean up, incidentally, and shouldn’t take more than a few hours – and most of that will be drying time.

Can you patch a plywood hole after removing a dog door?

Yes, you can, and what you will need to do is to get a small panel of plywood and or whatever you prefer for the filling and cut it into shape, just enough to fill the hole. Coat the edges with a heavy epoxy so that you can push it into place and once the epoxy dries, you can sand off the excess around the edges.

Once you’ve painted it, depending on the thickness of the paint and how well you have sanded, it should be barely noticeable or practically good as new!

Is it better to replace a door after removing a dog door?

Overall, yes, it is best to simply replace a door if this is not too expensive of an option. This is especially the case with hollow doors, as any repairs are still going to be quite vulnerable and make your door a security risk if it is facing outside.

Patching is makeshift at best and not always the most aesthetically pleasing choice, so replacing the door should definitely be considered.

Can I permanently close the hole in a security door after removing the dog door?

You can, but just keep in mind that fixing the door will not be warrantied, as installing the dog door in the first place would have voided this. That said, the hardest part is securing it up to spec. Flat, steel panels with holes drilled that align with the previous door are a simple, but effective option.

Aside from this, other than welding a patch in the metal security door, you might well have to effect a costly replacement if you are worried about the security – security doors simply aren’t the same after a dog door is installed and this is most avoid this choice.

Should I permanently close a dog door if the electric bill is getting too high with it installed?

No, you don’t have to permanently close the dog door if it’s simply affecting your electric bill. You can easily give the door install a bit of a tune-up by caulking installation cracks or even installing weather stripping to help minimize the mount of air coming in and out.

If your bills are still adversely affected, then sealing might well be in order, but you can often make a noticeable difference simply by ‘tidying up’ the original install.

Should I permanently close a dog door if I’m worried about security?

Dog doors are indeed a security risk. An enterprising burglar could simply reach in to try to unlock the door or if it is big enough and the burglar is small, they might even try to wiggle inside. Rather than permanently seal it however, you can try other options.

Microchip doors, for instance, lock and unlock based on the proximity of a microchip housed in your dog’s collar. You can also install added security, such as an alarm for the dog door for when you and your dog are out, motion sensor lights, and security cameras.

You don’t have to seal the door – just secure it.

Should I permanently close a dog door if I am worried about other animals using it?

If you live in an area with coyotes, then sealing up the dog door permanently might be a good idea. While it is uncommon, there have been news reports in places such as California where coyotes have gotten into the house by means of a dog door and harmed or injured dogs inside.

A microchip door is an alternative option, as this will lock, although a coyote could still get I if they are chasing your dog and right on their heels. As such, it might well be better to simply seal the door if coyotes are a problem in your area.

How do I install magnets in a flap-style dog door?

If you just want the door to stay closed when it’s not in use, you can install a metal strip at the base of the door and affix magnets to the flap by means of glue or epoxy. This is a simple way to provide a makeshift seal when your dog door is letting too much cold air inside due to a thin vinyl flap.

You can also upgrade to a thicker flap, however, and this function much the same, as the heavier flap will b much more resistant to the wind.

Can I insulate a dog door better for the summer and winter?

Yes, you can weatherize your door, and it’s easy to do. Weatherstripping added around the door frame is one way that you can do this and you can also go over cracks with silicone caulk to seal them up and reduce the amount of cold air coming in or going out.

Finally, installing a second flap also works a treat reinforcing the door against the heat and cold, while still keeping it easily usable for your dog.

Kevin "Ken" Davies

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.