How To Keep Dog Door Flap From Blowing Open?
Written by Tim de JongAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
Pick by your dog
Swipe ›Our picks
| Pick | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 Top pickUse rubber flaps | — | Check price |
 Use metal shields | — | Check price |
 Use magnets | — | Check price |
 Use silicone caulking | — | Check price |
To keep a dog door flap from blowing open, make the flap heavier or hold it closed more firmly: swap a light vinyl flap for a heavier rubber one, add magnets (or stronger magnets) along the bottom and sides, add a second flap, and seal gaps with weather stripping. On stormy days, a removable metal or plastic cover blocks the opening completely.
If you live in an area where winds hit your house regularly, you probably know how annoying a flapping dog door can be. Below we go through each fix in more detail.
What are dog door flaps, and why do you need one?
Dog door flaps are convenient passageways that allow dogs to get in or out without their owner’s intervention. These doors are simple to use and require a small area for installation. Once installed, your dog can get in and out without bothering anyone.
But why do you need one? As mentioned earlier, dog door flaps make your dog’s life convenient as you won’t have to monitor your dog all the time. Your dog can access indoors and outdoors when they want using the door flap.
However, door flaps also have some issues, especially during the windy season, as they can blow open, especially when you don’t have a secure holding mechanism.
Why should you bother about dog door flaps opening?
Since most dog door flaps feature vinyl construction, they are lightweight and ineffective against rough winds. In short, a strong gust of wind might leave the door flap open for hours.
But why should you bother about this? Although a dog door flap requires less space, it can contribute to larger problems if left unattended for hours.
For instance, in summer an open door flap lets your cooled air escape and hot air in, and in winter your heated home can quickly become cold and drafty, which drives up your energy bills.
Likewise, unwanted guests like rodents, snakes, or other animals might make their way inside if your dog door flap remains open.
How to prevent dog door flap from blowing open
Preventing a dog door flap from blowing open is crucial, especially during winters, to keep your house insulated. Besides checking the dog door flap manually, you can use some techniques to prevent your dog door flap from blowing open.
Here are some useful tips that will undoubtedly help your cause.
1Use rubber flaps
Vinyl flaps are excellent for dog door flaps as they can withstand extreme temperatures without losing their shape. However, vinyl flaps are lightweight, which makes them ineffective, especially during the windy season.
In short, you need a replacement that stays closed in the wind but is still easy for your dog to push through.
Rubber flaps can be an ideal alternative as they are heavier than vinyl flaps. Furthermore, rubber flaps will repel wind more comprehensively than vinyl flaps, preventing the door flap from blowing open.
You can find factory-made rubber flaps in most stores or make them yourselves with minimal fuss.
2Use metal shields
A metal shield or security cover slides in over your standard vinyl flap and blocks the opening completely, so wind can't get through at all. Most are removable, so you can slide them in during a storm and take them out again afterwards.
The catch is that your dog can't use the door while the shield is in place, so you have to put it in and remove it yourself and let your dog out in the meantime.
If you can live with some manual work, metal shields offer complete wind protection on the worst days, and they double as a lock when you're away.
3Use magnets
One of the most efficient ways of securing and strengthening a dog door flap against unruly winds is to install magnets around the door.
You can chart a layout and install magnets at specific points to allow the vinyl flap to close automatically. These magnets will keep the door flap in place without compromising your dog’s in-and-out experience.
Furthermore, you can also install an additional door flap to enhance wind protection – double-flap dog doors create an air pocket between the flaps and are much more wind-resistant. However, make sure the magnets are neither too strong nor too weak: too weak and the flap still blows open, too strong and your dog may struggle to push through or get a fright when it snaps shut.
4Use silicone caulking
Silicone caulk seals the air gaps between the dog door frame and the door or wall it's installed in, so wind can't whistle around the edges. Weather stripping or brush seals around the flap opening go one step further: the flap closes against them, which cuts drafts and makes the flap less likely to rattle and lift.
Just never caulk or glue the flap itself – it has to swing freely so your dog can always get in and out, especially in an emergency.
Overall, sealing the gaps is a cheap fix that works best combined with a heavier flap or magnets.
Things you need to consider when installing these preventive measures
Here are the things you need to consider while installing a metal shield or rubber door flap.
- Always run a mock test by letting your dog pass through the door flap before completing installation.
- Ensure that the replaced door flap (rubber flaps) are not too heavy for your pet.
- Ensure that you remove the metal shields after evaluating the weather.
- Do not install excessive magnets to hinder your dog’s in-and-out process.
- Measure the dog door flap accurately and leave enough passageway for smooth entry and exit.
- If you're installing a new dog door, put it on the side of the house that is most sheltered from the prevailing wind, if possible.
Final Thoughts
A dog door gives your dog the freedom to go in and out of the house without having to wait for you.
However, you might face problems if the wind blows your dog door flap open, especially during the summer and winter seasons. We hope that this article has solved your problem and helped you prevent your dog door flap from blowing open. If your dog has an outdoor kennel too, see our picks for the best dog house door flap.
Get The Ideal Dog Routine, free
A 10-page guide written by a vet: a sample daily routine, exercise and alone time, and grooming and vet check schedules.
We'll email you the download link. Unsubscribe anytime.
