Microchipping your pet isn’t just about identification – it also unlocks the convenience of a microchip pet door. Keep unwanted animals out, give your pet the freedom to come and go safely, and enjoy greater peace of mind every single day
Everyone who loves their pet would agree that pet safety should be the number one priority. Getting our pets microchipped is one of our first responsibilities as pet owners, giving us peace of mind against several worst-case scenarios, but most of us don’t think much about microchips after they’re implanted. Unless our pet goes missing, they’re only a precaution.
However, you may be surprised to find that microchips can be useful in other ways. An electronic pet door might seem a bit high tech, but in reality, they’re easy to install, easy to use, and surprisingly affordable. If you’d like to know more about this popular option for pet safety, here are a few reasons to make sure your pet is microchipped and a few benefits of getting a microchip pet door:
The benefits of microchip identification for pets
In case you may have skipped this valuable step in the process, it’s good to know the benefits of getting your pet microchipped. Not only will this ensure that you can enjoy the convenience of a microchip pet door, but it also provides permanent and reliable identification for your pet. Collar tags are also important for this reason. Often, these are the easiest ways to find a lost pet. But due to being easily removable, there are some situations where they fall short.
Microchips increase the chances of a lost pet being reunited with its owner, no matter what the circumstances. This short, one-off procedure can help prevent pet theft by giving you the means to legally reclaim your precious dog or cat in situations where ownership is called into question.
Now, here’s something a lot of pet owners don’t realise straight away – getting your pet microchipped doesn’t just protect them when they’re lost or stolen. It also opens the door (quite literally!) to a whole range of smart home solutions, including the microchip dog door. Think of the microchip as your pet’s own personal key to your home. No fumbling around with special collars or remote controls – the door simply recognises your furry mate and lets them through. It’s one of those little upgrades that genuinely makes everyday life smoother for everyone in the household, pets included.
It’s also worth knowing that in many parts of Australia, microchipping is actually a legal requirement for dogs and cats. So if you haven’t had it done yet, it’s well worth a chat with your local vet. The procedure itself is quick, causes minimal discomfort, and once it’s done, you won’t need to think about it again. The microchip sits just beneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, and it lasts for your pet’s entire lifetime. That’s a lot of peace of mind from a very small device.
The benefits of microchip dog doors for pet safety
In some cases, a microchip can make all the difference for your pet’s safety, but a microchip doggie door or cat flap can have safety benefits as well. Not only are they a convenient way to give your pet access to the home and garden, but microchip pet doors also work to keep your home safe for you as well.
A non-electronic dog door is basically just a hole in your home’s security with an easily movable flap, and if your dog can go in and out, so can other things! This might not seem like such a big deal when it comes to small dogs, but in Australia, this could include anything from huntsman spiders to dangerous snakes. If you have a particularly large dog, this could even include burglars. Microchip dog doors stop anything other than your pet from entering your home.
And let’s be honest, if you’ve ever come home to find a neighbour’s cat helping itself to your pet’s dinner, or discovered an uninvited possum making itself comfortable in the laundry, you’ll understand exactly why that added layer of security is so worthwhile. A quality microchip-activated dog door means only the pets you’ve registered get through. Full stop. Everyone else, be it a two-legged or four-legged, stays outside where they belong.
There’s another benefit that often gets overlooked, and that’s the peace of mind it gives your pet. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit, and having the freedom to come and go on their own schedule reduces stress and anxiety, especially when you’re away from home during the day. Rather than spending hours waiting by the back door, your dog can pop outside for a wander, do their business, and come back in when they’re ready. It’s a simple change, but it makes a real difference to your pet’s overall well-being.
How microchip dog doors work
Microchip cat doors and dog doors work by using a sensor to detect when your pet is approaching. A good quality microchip pet door will have a range of different settings, giving you better control over your pet’s movements. For instance, you may only want your pet to have free access during certain hours, so you can program the door to lock itself at other times. Or you might choose for the sensor to only operate from the outside.
Good quality microchip pet doors open for multiple pets as well. If you have a multi-pet home, it’s a simple enough process to program all of your pets’ microchip numbers into the control system. Most run on batteries, with a blinking light feature to let you know when they need to be charged.
If you’re wondering about the practicalities, most microchip dog doors are compatible with the standard 15-digit ISO microchips that Australian vets use. So if your pet is already chipped, chances are you won’t need to do a thing – just register their chip number with the door, and you’re good to go. For pets that aren’t microchipped yet, or for households where a microchip isn’t suitable for some reason, many doors also support RFID collar tags as an alternative. It’s a flexible system that works for a wide range of situations and household setups.
Installation is another area where a lot of people have questions. The good news is that a microchip-activated dog door can be fitted into almost any type of door or surface – timber doors, glass panels, security screens, or even walls. Whether you’re renting and need a removable solution or you own your home and want something more permanent, there’s an option that’ll work for your setup. That said, for tricky installations like glass doors or cavity brick walls, it’s always worth getting a professional in to make sure the job is done properly and safely.
Is a microchip dog door right for your home?
If you’re weighing up whether to make the switch, here are a few situations where a microchip dog door really shines. If you live in an area where wildlife is common – think possums, echidnas, or snakes making their way into suburban gardens – a smart pet door gives you much greater control over what comes and goes. If you have multiple pets with different access needs, a microchip-activated dog door lets you set individual permissions so each animal has exactly the right level of freedom. And if you’re a busy household where someone isn’t always home to let the dog out, a pet door that your furry mate can operate independently is genuinely life-changing.
Even for smaller households with one pet and a straightforward setup, the convenience and security benefits are hard to argue with. Once it’s installed and programmed, a microchip dog door practically runs itself – giving you one less thing to think about in your day.
Your range of microchip doors with Aussie Pet Doors
If you have any more questions about microchip pet doors, or if you’d like to organise an installation, Aussie Pet Doors are here to help! Shipping pet accessories all over the country and installing them in homes across Melbourne, this team of pet-loving experts have everything you and your pet could need. Whether you have glass doors, security screens, timber doors or glass windows, installing a pet door is easy with Aussie Pet Doors.
Ensure your home is as safe as possible for your furry friends. With trade-qualified glaziers and experienced specialists, you can decide how far from the door frame you’d like your pet door installed, or how high off the floor. Enjoy the freedom and security of a microchip pet door, with customised placement and a professional finish. Just call 1300 558 577, or email sales@australianpetdoors.com.au.
