9 Best Dog Doors for Small Dogs (November 2026)
The best dog doors for small dogs include the PetSafe Plastic Dog & Cat Door for most small dogs, the PETLESO Dog Door for Screen Door for screen doors and rentals, and the PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Door for wall installation.
On this page (8 sections)
- The best dog doors for small dogs, by fit and mounting type
- How these dog doors for small dogs were compared
- What flap size does a small dog need?
- Which mounting type suits your home?
- How do you keep drafts out of a small dog door?
- Should you choose a plastic or metal frame?
- Which small dog door is easiest to install?
- Verdict: the right small dog door for your home
The best dog door for small dogs is the PetSafe Plastic Dog & Cat Door, because its 5 1/8 by 8 1/4 in flap is sized for pets up to 15 lb and its paintable frame fits wood, PVC, metal and paneled doors. If you can't cut a human door, the PETLESO screen insert is the simplest option, and the PetSafe Wall Entry is the strongest fit for a wall.
Small breeds need a smaller opening than most dog doors offer. A flap built for a 40 lb dog leaves gaps around a 10 lb Yorkie, and those gaps leak heat and let in drafts.
The picks below were chosen around flap size first, then mounting type, locks and weather sealing.
Use our dog door buyer's guide for the full category, and our roundup of the best doors for large dogs if you also have a big breed in the house. Our wall and exterior door guide covers the install side in more detail.
Our picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for screen doors and rentalsPETLESO Dog Door for Screen Door
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Best metal wall frameCheck it - 5
Best for insulated home doorsCheck it - 6
Best for keeping the heat inCheck it - 7
Check itTrixie Pet Products 2-Way Locking Dog Door
Best for indoor room dividers - 8
Best black finish for exterior wallsCheck it - 9
Check itPetoasis 3-Flap Heavy-Duty Dog Door
Best for active chewers
The best dog doors for small dogs, by fit and mounting type
The top score goes to a standard door model with a genuinely small flap. The rest of the list covers the cases that one door can't: a screen door you can't cut, a wall with no door to spare, a black exterior wall and a heavy-duty build for a dog that works its flap hard.
PetSafe Plastic Dog & Cat Door: Best for most small dogs
- 5 1/8 x 8 1/4 in flap for pets up to 15 lb
- Snap-on closing panel
- Paintable plastic frame
- Fits doors 1/16 to 2 in thick
A small flap in a paintable frame that fits most household doors, with a closing panel to lock it when needed.
Pros
- Fits pets up to 15 lb
- Frame can be painted to match
- Snap-on closing panel included
Cons
- Single flap offers less insulation than double-flap doors
The PetSafe Plastic door is the safe first buy for most small-dog homes. Its flap measures 5 1/8 in wide by 8 1/4 in high, which is the size range most dogs under 15 lb need, and it installs in interior or exterior wood, PVC, metal and paneled doors from 1/16 to 2 in thick.
The frame is plastic and paintable, so it can match your door color instead of standing out as a white rectangle. A snap-on closing panel lets you shut the opening when your dog is inside or when you're away.
Installation is a do-it-yourself job with a cutting template and step-by-step instructions in the box. The kit includes the interior frame with flap, exterior frame, nylon screws, hex nuts and plastic core covers.
PetSafe backs the door with a limited lifetime warranty when you buy from an authorized retailer.
The trade-off is the single flap. It's fine for a mild climate, but it won't insulate as well as the double and triple flap doors further down.
For most small dogs on a standard door, though, it's the best balance of fit and simplicity.
PETLESO Dog Door for Screen Door: Best for screen doors and rentals
- 8 x 10 in flap for small pets
- Two sliding locks
- Magnetic auto-close
- ABS plastic frame with screws
A screw-on insert for a screen door or window screen, so a small dog can reach the yard without a door cutout.
Pros
- Fits screen doors without cutting the main door
- Two sliding locks
- Magnetic flap closes on its own
Cons
- Mounts on a screen, so it carries less weight than a wall tunnel
PETLESO solves a different problem: getting a small dog outside when the only exit you can modify is a screen door. The outer frame is 9.4 by 11.4 by 0.4 in and the flap opening is 8 by 10 in, aimed at cats and small breeds like Pomeranians, Yorkies and Shih Tzus.
Two sliding locks on the bottom of the flap let you keep your dog inside when nobody is watching. A built-in magnet closes the flap quickly after each pass, so it doesn't hang open and invite bugs.
The ABS plastic frame screws onto the screen for a firm hold, and the cute paw design keeps it from looking like a plain utility cutout. It also works on window screens or any other screen area you want to use.
Screws and an install manual come in the box.
Choose it for a rental, a screened porch or a balcony door where a full cutout isn't allowed. It won't carry the same rigidity as a wall tunnel, so a dog that launches itself through the flap will push it around more.
PetSafe Wall Entry Pet Door: Best for wall installation
- 5 1/4 x 8 1/8 in flap for pets up to 15 lb
- Telescoping tunnel for walls 4 3/4 to 7 1/4 in thick
- Double flap for weatherproofing
- Slide-in closing panel
A through-the-wall door for homes where no human door can take a cutout, with a double flap to cut drafts.
Pros
- Double flap adds weatherproofing
- Telescoping tunnel fits common wall depths
- Slide-in closing panel for extra insulation
Cons
- Extension kits for thicker walls are sold separately
When there's no human door to cut, the PetSafe Wall Entry is the pick. The flap opening is 5 1/4 by 8 1/8 in for pets up to 15 lb, and the telescoping tunnel fits walls from 4 3/4 to 7 1/4 in thick.
PetSafe sells extension kits for deeper walls.
The double flap is the reason to choose it over a basic door model. Two flaps plus a slide-in closing panel give you real weatherproofing and energy savings, and the plastic frame won't rust and holds up to UV exposure.
It installs in interior and exterior walls of all types, with a cutting template and instructions included. The door arrives as a single kit with everything needed for the tunnel fit.
That makes it a weekend project for a handy owner, and a job for a contractor if the wall is masonry.
The cost is more cutting and more mess than a door model. Pick it when your only practical exit is a wall, or when the exterior door is glass or metal and can't take a flap.
Baboni Pet Door for Wall: Best metal wall frame
- Steel frame with aluminum lock
- 5 1/4 x 8 1/8 in flap for pets up to 12 lb
- Telescoping tunnel for walls 4 3/4 to 7 1/4 in thick
- Double flap with magnetic closure
A steel-framed wall door with a double flap and a slide-in panel, built for small pets up to 12 lb.
Pros
- Steel and aluminum frame
- Double flap with magnetic closure
- Slide-in metal closing panel
Cons
- 12 lb limit is lower than the other wall picks
Baboni's wall door is the metal-framed alternative to the PetSafe. The frame is steel with an aluminum lock, built with laser welding for a sturdier feel than a plastic frame.
The flap opening is the same 5 1/4 by 8 1/8 in, but the weight limit is 12 lb rather than 15.
That lower limit matters. If your dog is a stocky 14 lb, this door is a tighter fit and you should lean toward the PetSafe.
For a 9 or 10 lb dog, the smaller target is an advantage because the flap sits closer to the body.
The telescoping tunnel covers walls 4 3/4 to 7 1/4 in thick, matching the PetSafe's range. A double flap with a magnetic closure seals the opening, and a slide-in metal panel adds security and insulation when your dog is indoors.
The frame measures 9 1/4 by 13 1/8 in and the wall cutout is 6 3/4 by 10 in, so check your marking twice before you cut.
Go with Baboni if you want a metal frame and don't need the extra 3 lb of weight headroom. Skip it if your small dog is at the top of the small-size range.
Baboni Dog Door for Door: Best for insulated home doors
- Fits doors 1 3/8 to 1 31/32 in thick
- Two vinyl flaps plus an insulated middle flap
- Thickened outdoor-grade plastic frame
- Designed for pets up to 15 lb
A triple-flap door model for standard insulated doors, aimed at cutting drafts while letting a small dog pass.
Pros
- Three flaps for better weather sealing
- Thickened frame material
- Fits standard insulated door thickness
Cons
- Fits only doors within a narrow thickness range
This Baboni model is for the exterior door itself rather than the wall. It fits doors from 1 3/8 to 1 31/32 in thick, which covers most standard insulated home doors, and it's rated for pets up to 15 lb.
The draw is the flap stack: two vinyl flaps plus an insulated middle flap, all with magnetic closures. That's the most sealing in this group for a door-mounted model, and it's aimed at keeping heat in during winter and cool air in during summer.
The frame is a thickened outdoor-grade plastic, chosen for durability and thermal insulation rather than looks. Installation uses a cutout template and instructions, the same as the other door models here.
The narrow thickness range is the catch. Measure your door before ordering, because a thinner interior door won't take this frame.
If your door is in that range and drafts are your main worry, it's the better door-mounted choice.
VOSOIR Cat Door for Wall: Best for keeping the heat in
- All-aluminum frame
- 10 x 6.5 in flap for pets up to 22 lb
- Telescoping tunnel for walls 3.95 to 7.5 in thick
- Sliding lock panel with locks on both sides
A metal wall door with translucent double flaps and a wide weight range, including locks on both sides of the closing panel.
Pros
- All-aluminum frame
- Flaps block UV and insulate
- Locks on both sides of the panel
Cons
- Wide flap opening gives less snug coverage for the tiniest dogs
VOSOIR takes the wall door in a different direction with an all-aluminum frame and a wide weight range. The flap opening is 10 by 6.5 in and it's rated for pets up to 22 lb, which covers small dogs plus a fair number of cats.
The flap material blocks UV rays and VOSOIR says it insulates over 50% better than traditional flaps. Enhanced magnetic seals and dust strips tighten the closure against wind, dust and insects.
The closing panel locks on both sides with aluminum locks, so it can't be opened from outside when locked from within.
The telescoping tunnel fits walls from 3.95 to 7.5 in, a wider range than the PetSafe and Baboni wall models. VOSOIR also offers a replacement flap if your dog damages one in use.
The kit arrives with instructions, screws, a latch, the slide-in closing panel and the flap set.
The 10 in width is the trade-off for the tiniest breeds. A 6 lb Chihuahua has more room around the flap than it needs.
Pick it when your dog is closer to the top of the small range and you want a metal wall door.
Trixie Pet Products 2-Way Locking Dog Door: Best for indoor room dividers
- Lockable with removable metal rear panel
- Tunnel element extends depth 0.75 to 1.25 in
- Silent action transparent flap
- Sturdy metal bar at the base
An interior door with a transparent flap and a removable lock panel, sized for small to medium dogs up to 45 lb.
Pros
- Silent flap action
- Removable metal lock panel
- Three-year warranty from Trixie
Cons
- Frame and cutout are larger than a small dog needs
Trixie's door is the indoor specialist. It's meant for a garage, laundry or back room door rather than an exterior wall, and its transparent flap opens silently.
A metal bar at the base keeps the bottom edge steady.
The removable metal rear panel locks the door and blocks weather. A tunnel element extends the depth from 0.75 to 1.25 in so it can fit a few door thicknesses.
Trixie rates it for small to medium dogs up to 45 lb and covers it with a three-year warranty.
For a small dog, though, the frame is bigger than needed. The outside frame is 11.75 by 14 in with a 9.75 by 12 in rough cutout and an 8.75 by 11.5 in flap.
That's a lot of opening for a 12 lb dog, and it takes a bigger bite out of the door.
Choose it to keep a small dog out of a specific room or to give it access to a screened area. Skip it for an exterior door where a tighter flap would seal better.
VOSOIR Cat Door for Wall: Best black finish for exterior walls
- All-aluminum frame in black
- 10 x 6.5 in flap for pets up to 22 lb
- Telescoping tunnel for walls 3.95 to 7.5 in thick
- Closing panel with aluminum locks on both sides
The same aluminum wall door as the silver VOSOIR, finished in black to suit darker siding and trim.
Pros
- Black finish suits dark walls
- Quick-release flaps for cleaning
- Locks on both sides of the panel
Cons
- Same wide flap opening as the silver version
This is the same VOSOIR wall door in a black finish. The frame, flap size and tunnel range all match the silver version: 10 by 6.5 in flap, pets up to 22 lb, walls 3.95 to 7.5 in thick.
The wall cutout measures 6.8 by 10.5 in.
The black aluminum frame suits dark siding, a black door surround or a modern exterior. The double flaps are heat and cold resistant, with magnetic strips and dust-proof strips on the frame to block wind and insects.
Quick-release flaps make cleaning and replacement easy without tools. The closing panel locks on both sides, and VOSOIR offers free replacement flaps if your dog damages one.
If your dog is on the smaller side, the wide flap leaves more of a gap than the PetSafe or Baboni wall doors. Pick this one when the finish matters and your dog sits nearer 20 lb than 10 lb.
Petoasis 3-Flap Heavy-Duty Dog Door: Best for active chewers
- Thickened aluminum alloy frame
- Three flaps with an insulating middle layer
- Double locking panels
- Petoasis offers a replacement flap
A heavy-duty door built around three flaps and a reinforced aluminum frame, sized well above what a small breed needs.
Pros
- Reinforced aluminum frame
- Insulating middle flap
- Petoasis includes a spare flap
Cons
- Sized for dogs up to 100 lb, so the opening is oversized for small breeds
Petoasis builds its door around three flaps and a reinforced aluminum frame. The middle flap has an insulating layer that Petoasis says blocks heat, cold and humidity, and the outer flaps are thickened to resist cracking.
It's rated for dogs up to 100 lb, so a small breed is well inside its limit.
The heavy-duty build makes sense for a dog that hits the flap at speed or chews at the edges. Petoasis includes a spare flap and offers three years of after-sales service, which takes some of the sting out of wear.
All three flaps can be removed separately, so a weaker dog can pass with fewer layers in the way.
Double locking panels on the inside and outside give you control over when the door opens. The frame fits doors up to 2.4 in thick, the widest in this group.
For a small dog, the main drawback is the opening size. A 100 lb rating means the flap is far larger than a 10 lb dog needs, and all that extra space works against weather sealing.
Choose it for a big dog household that also has a small one, or when durability matters more than a snug fit.
How these dog doors for small dogs were compared
We started with flap size and weight limit, because a door rated for 40 lb leaves a 10 lb dog standing in a draft. Each pick had to offer a flap in the small range or a clear reason to go wider.
A 5 by 8 in opening covers most dogs under 15 lb, while a 10 by 6.5 in opening suits dogs pushing toward 22 lb.
Then we weighed mounting type. A door model, a screen insert and a wall tunnel each solve a different problem, and the best pick changes with what you're allowed to cut.
Locks, closing panels and flap count came next, since those decide how secure and how weather-tight the opening stays. Frame material closed out the comparison, because plastic and aluminum age differently.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. That's why a heavy-duty door with a 100 lb limit sits lower than a simple small-flap door here: for this keyword, fit beats brawn.
What flap size does a small dog need?
Measure your dog's chest at its widest point and its height from the floor to the top of its back, then add a little clearance. Most dogs under 15 lb fit a flap around 5 by 8 in.
The PetSafe and Baboni wall doors both use a 5 1/4 by 8 1/8 in opening.
When to size up
Go wider when your dog is near the top of the small range or still growing. A 10 by 6.5 in flap, as on both VOSOIR doors, gives a 20 lb dog room to pass without scraping.
The Petoasis tip applies too: if your dog measures close to the opening, buy the next size up for comfort.
When to stay tight
A snug flap seals better. If your dog is 12 lb or less, the smaller openings keep less heat from escaping and leave less gap for wind and rain.
A flap that's 3 in wider than your dog is just a hole in your wall.
Which mounting type suits your home?
A standard door model is the easiest install and the cheapest option. A screen insert avoids cutting the main door, and a wall tunnel works when no door can be modified.
Our wall and exterior door guide walks through the difference.
Door-mounted models
The PetSafe Plastic, Baboni door model and Petoasis all fit into a human door. The PetSafe needs a door 1/16 to 2 in thick, the Baboni needs 1 3/8 to 1 31/32 in, and the Petoasis fits up to 2.4 in.
Measure before you cut.
Screen inserts and wall tunnels
PETLESO screws onto a screen with no door cutout at all. The PetSafe Wall Entry and both VOSOIR doors cut into the wall, keeping the human door intact.
That's the right call for a glass or metal exterior door.
How do you keep drafts out of a small dog door?
More flaps mean less draft. A single flap is fine in a mild climate, but a double or triple flap with a closing panel holds heat better in cold weather.
The PetSafe wall entry, both VOSOIR doors and the Petoasis all use two or more flaps.
Flap count and materials
The Baboni door model uses two vinyl flaps plus an insulated middle flap. The Petoasis uses three flaps with an insulating layer.
The VOSOIR flaps block UV light and have magnetic and dust seals. The PetSafe Plastic uses a single flap.
Closing panels and locks
Every pick here has a way to shut the opening. PetSafe and Baboni use a slide-in or snap-on panel.
VOSOIR locks its panel on both sides. PETLESO uses two sliding locks on the flap, and Trixie uses a removable metal rear panel.
Should you choose a plastic or metal frame?
Plastic is lighter and cheaper, and it can be painted to match your door. Metal resists chewing and warping better and holds its finish longer.
For a calm small dog, plastic is usually enough. For a dog that hits the flap hard, the extra money for metal buys years.
Plastic frames
The PetSafe Plastic, PETLESO and Baboni door model use plastic. PetSafe's frame is paintable.
Baboni uses a thickened outdoor-grade plastic for better insulation. These are the budget and mid-range choices.
Metal frames
The Baboni wall door uses steel with an aluminum lock, and both VOSOIR doors and the Petoasis use all-aluminum frames. These cost more but stand up to a dog that works the flap hard.
Our roundup of the best electronic dog doors covers the powered options if you want a lock that responds to a collar tag.
Which small dog door is easiest to install?
A screen insert is the quickest, since it screws onto the screen with no cutting. A door model needs a cutout and a template.
A wall tunnel takes the most work, especially through masonry.
Screen and door models
PETLESO installs in about the time it takes to fit a screen patch. The PetSafe Plastic, Baboni door model and Petoasis all come with a cutting template and instructions.
Allow an afternoon for a neat job.
Wall models
The PetSafe Wall Entry and both VOSOIR doors need a wall cutout and a tunnel fit. PetSafe includes a template.
If your wall is masonry or you're not comfortable with a saw, budget for a contractor.
Verdict: the right small dog door for your home
For most small dogs, buy the PetSafe Plastic Dog & Cat Door. Its 5 1/8 by 8 1/4 in flap fits pets up to 15 lb, the paintable frame suits wood, PVC, metal and paneled doors, and the closing panel handles security.
It's the best dog door for small dogs when you have a standard door to work with.
Pick the PETLESO screen insert if you can't cut the main door. Go with the PetSafe Wall Entry or the Baboni wall door when a wall is your only option.
If drafts are the main worry on an exterior door, the triple-flap Baboni door model seals best. And if you have a big dog too, read the best doors for large dogs before you buy two different sizes.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for screen doors and rentals
PETLESO Dog Door for Screen Door
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a dog door in a sliding glass door?
Yes, but not with the wall and door models here. Sliding glass doors need a panel insert that sits in the track.
If your only exit is a slider, choose a sliding glass door kit rather than cutting the glass or the frame.
Do dog doors for small dogs lock?
The picks here all lock. PetSafe, Baboni and VOSOIR use a sliding or snap-on closing panel.
PETLESO uses two sliding locks on the flap, and Trixie uses a removable metal rear panel that also blocks weather.
Will a small dog door fit my thick wall?
Check the tunnel range first. The PetSafe wall entry and Baboni wall models fit walls 4 3/4 to 7 1/4 in thick, while the VOSOIR doors fit 3.95 to 7.5 in.
PetSafe sells extension kits for walls deeper than 7 1/4 in.
How do I stop drafts from a small dog door?
Pick a double or triple flap model and keep the closing panel in place when your dog is indoors. The PetSafe wall entry, both VOSOIR doors and the Petoasis use two or more flaps, and the VOSOIR flaps block UV light as well.
Is a wall dog door better than a door dog door for a small breed?
A door model is cheaper and easier to install if you have a wood or paneled exterior door. A wall model keeps your human door intact and works when the door itself is glass or metal.
Choose by what you're allowed to cut.
