The Best Dog Door for Sliding Glass Doors: Reviewed and Ranked

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: December 27, 2022
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Having a dog door that easily allows your furry friend in and outside of your home as they please is incredibly convenient. Imagine that you’re a busy pet parent and can’t make it home to let your dog out in the middle of the day. That’s where a doggie door for sliding glass door comes in handy. 

Not every dog door is made the same and that’s why we wanted to figure out what was the best dog door for sliding glass doors on the market today! Most dog doors you see are designed for standard front doors, but we found four reliable and durable options that will fit right into your patio or deck door.

Throughout our search for the best choices for you, we’ve discovered a handful of features that are important to consider as well; especially when you’re comparing one product to another. Let’s take a look at which dog doors made the cut to give your pup a bit more freedom! 

  1. PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door
    • Easy to install
    • Easy to adjust the door size as needed
    • The sealing on the door is excellent
    • Comes in a number of color and size options
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. High Tech Pet Products Medium Power Automatic Sliding Glass Pet Patio Door
    • Opens and closes via a sensor on your dog’s collar
    • Spring-loaded top section
    • Special features built-in to prevent hot air from escaping your home
    • Weather stripping keep out any rain or snow
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Modular Pet Doors
    • Affordable price
    • Easy to install and remove
    • Easily adjustable and can fit in just about any doorway
    • Ideal option for someone who lives in an area with moderate weather
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Endura Flap Pet Door Thermo Panel
    • Keeps your home insulated
    • Fits seamlessly into a vinyl sliding glass door
    • Made out of aluminum
    • Very easy to assemble
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals Top Picks For Dog Doors for Sliding Glass Doors

#1 Best Overall: PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door 

The best dog door for sliding glass doors is the PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door.

One reason why this door stands out from the rest is that it’s easy to install. There is an insert that simply gets placed between the wall and your sliding door. This makes it easy to adjust the door size as needed if you have a larger dog. Another great feature is that is has plenty of sealant to keep drafts out and your electric bills low. 

PetSafe provides a number of color and size options to ensure this door will match the surrounding elements of your home. Plus, it’s suitable for doors measuring between 3/8 and 2 inches thick. Also, another reason this choice takes the cake is that it’s a renter-friendly option because it can quickly be detached when needed. 

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that this door is not suitable for extreme weather conditions as it can crack and warp in cold temperatures.

Pros and Cons of the PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door 

ProsCons
This door is easy to install as it’s simply an insert that fits between the wall and the sliding door.It is not able to withstand cold winter temperatures.
It is easy to adjust the door size — making it an ideal choice for larger dogs.
This door can be detached easily — making it ideal for renters.
Overall Best
PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to adjust the door size as needed
  • The sealing on the door is excellent
  • Comes in a number of color and size options
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Large Dogs: High Tech Pet Products Automatic Sliding Glass Door  

If you have a large dog then the High Tech Pet Products Automatic Sliding Glass Door may be for you.

One of the best features of this door is that it opens and closes via a sensor on your dog’s collar. It will start to open as your dog gets within three feet of the door and after they passed through it will tightly close until your pup is ready to come back inside. If you’re tired of getting woken up in the middle of the night to let your dog out, this is a great option! Plus, it’s even reinforced with an automatic steel deadbolt lock for added security.

The spring-loaded top section easily slides easily into the track of the sliding door. Plus, there are special features built-in to prevent hot air from escaping your home and cool air from coming in. There’s also weather stripping to keep out any rain or snow from getting inside. Because of the sensor operation and the high-quality materials, this is a more expensive option. Plus, customers have reported that installing it is a two-person job.

Pros and Cons of the High Tech Pet Products Automatic Sliding Glass Door  

ProsCons
This door works via a sensor on the dog’s collar.It is a more expensive option.
It opens when the dog is within three feet of it and then closes once they are through.Installation of this door requires two people.
The spring-loaded top section easily slides easily into the track of the sliding door.
It is reinforced with an automatic steel dead-bolt lock.
It features weather-stripping to keep out adverse weather.
Best Large Dog Door
High Tech Pet Products Medium Power Automatic Sliding Glass Pet Patio Door
  • Opens and closes via a sensor on your dog’s collar
  • Spring-loaded top section
  • Special features built-in to prevent hot air from escaping your home
  • Weather stripping keep out any rain or snow
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best on a Budget: Ideal Pet Products Alumunum Modular Pet Patio Door

Speaking of cost, are you looking for a dog door for your sliding glass door and don’t want to break the bank? If so then consider the Ideal Pet Products Aluminum Modular Pet Patio Door.

Not only is this door an affordable price, but you’ll also love how easy it is to install and remove. This is another great option for renters as there are no tools required. It’s easily adjustable and can fit in just about any doorway. Made out of aluminum, this doggy door has a sleek look that pairs perfectly (and only) with aluminum sliding glass doors. 

There’s a handy insert that comes with the door to prevent rodents and unwanted critters from getting into your home. It also has a lock-out slide panel to allow you to keep your pet either in or out as needed.

This is an ideal option for someone who lives in an area with moderate weather and is not a great choice for areas with extreme weather conditions. Also, some customers have unfortunately reported that the opening is smaller than they expected.

Pros and Cons of the Ideal Pet Products Alumunium Modular Pet Patio Door

ProsCons
This door is easy to install and remove.It is not suitable for extreme weather conditions.
It is easily adjustable and fits almost any door.Customers have reported that the opening is smaller than they expected.
It is made from aluminum.
This door features a lock-out slide panel so pets can be either locked in or out as needed.

4. Most Weatherproof: Endura Flap Pet Door 

If you’re in need of a weatherproof dog door for your patio or deck door then the Endura Flap Pet Door is a wonderful choice!

This door is essentially a weatherproof patio panel that has a built-in door for your pup! It fits seamlessly into a vinyl sliding glass door and as it’s aluminum it’s lightweight and easy to assemble. Also, this door keeps your home insulated while giving your pet the freedom to come and go as they please thanks to the strong aluminum frame and the energy-efficient LoE glass.

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that this door can freeze in extreme winter temperatures.

Pros and Cons of the Endura Flap Pet Door 

ProsCons
This door is lightweight and made from aluminum.It can freeze in extreme winter weather.
It fits into vinyl sliding glass door panels.
It’s easy to assemble.
This door features energy-efficient LoE glass to keep homes warm and insulated.
Best Weatherproof
Endura Flap Pet Door Thermo Panel
  • Keeps your home insulated
  • Fits seamlessly into a vinyl sliding glass door
  • Made out of aluminum
  • Very easy to assemble
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

So, now that you know about the top choices available, how did we decide what made the cut? There are a handful of features we suggest considering when shopping around for a pet door for your sliding glass door. 

Dog Size

Start with the size and breed of your dog. While cats can easily slip through small spaces, dogs aren’t quite as flexible. Make sure the panel is big enough for your pup to fit through without scraping any area of their body.

Your Door

Next, take a look at your sliding glass door. You’ll want to consider what material it’s made out of, what size the tracks are, and if you need to use the door as well. Many pet doors that get installed into sliding glass doors make the door inoperable for humans. 

Your Outdoor Space

While it totally depends on the pet parent, we suggest using one of these doors if you have a fenced-in backyard or if your pet is trained not to leave a certain area. As it gives your pup the opportunity to come and go as he pleases, it’s essential to make sure that it’s safe enough for him to do so. 

Dog doors are intended to give your pets easy access. But they can also provide an entryway for criminals and wildlife. So whether your neighborhood attracts raccoons or cat burglars, consider your options of keeping them away from the dog door. You might buy a lockable door that you can snap shut at night. Or a door that only opens when it spots your pet’s ID chip.

Local Weather

As you read in some of the reviews, not all dog doors for sliding glass doors are made for all-weather types. If you live in an area that experiences heavy rain, make sure you get one that has weather sealing. If you’re in a state that has extreme heat or cold, you’ll want a weatherproof dog door. 

The Different Types of Dog Door for Sliding Glass Doors: Pros and Cons Compared

Not all dog doors for sliding glass doors are the same. Let’s take a look at some of the most common benefits and disadvantages. 

  • Sensor-Activated: This type of dog door is great because it prevents other animals from coming in. It will only open if the sensor is within three feet. The main downfall of this type of dog door is that they tend to be more expensive for added security. 
  • Flap Panel: We suggest this type if you have a trained dog with a fenced-in yard. A flap panel gives the most freedom to your pet. The disadvantage to this style is that it isn’t the most weatherproof option available.
  • Aluminum: Dog doors that are made out of aluminum are incredibly lightweight and easy to install. They’re great for renters as this type of dog door doesn’t require tools. Most of them only fit in aluminum sliding glass doors. 
  • Weatherproof: In general, weatherproof dog doors for sliding glass doors are good for anyone. It doesn’t matter where you live, as the weatherproofing can handle cold, heat, rain, snow, and wind. This is an option that tends to be on the pricier side of things. 

Our Criteria: How We Chose the Best

The choices we selected are made to stay airtight. The seals and linings, some made of aluminum, help prevent outside air from seeping though. Plus, the doors themselves seal tightly, some using magnets. We love this feature because it helped us cut down on electric bills.

Our selections provide options for easy installations if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person. The PetSafe Freedom Aluminum Pet Door, for example, comes with easy-to-follow instructions including a template for cutting the hole in your door.

We hope that this product review has provided you with some useful information to help you to choose the perfect door for your pet.

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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

The Best Dog Door for Sliding Glass Doors: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

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Yes, in most cases, installing a dog gate shouldn’t be too complicated or require too much time.

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