Wall Liner and Tunnel Kits

If you plan to install a wall mount dog door or cat flap, it is vital for the wall to be properly framed out before doing so. A wall kit for an in-wall dog door will have a complete liner, which will act as an all-in-one piece. However, cat wall tunnel pieces are generally only about 2" or so long, so you will need to add as many pieces as necessary to line the entire length of your wall entry

If you have the skills to frame the wall yourself, that's fine. However, we think that the serious potential for damage during dog door in-wall installation (leaking rainwater into the wall), or damage to yourself (from cutting into an electrical cable in your drywall), is large enough that it's a good idea to leave dog door wall mount and cat door tunnel installations to a licensed contractor.

Regardless of whoever will install your through-the-wall dog door, choosing a manual or electronic dog door with a wall kit or tunnel liners will greatly simplify the job. Remember that a wall tunnel kit is specific for that particular model or manufacturer, and they are not interchangeable.

A few pointers about installing a pet door in a wall:

• To install a doggie door in a wall, it’s best to install as low as possible, while keeping the top of the opening at least as high as your pet’s withers. However, you cannot cut down into the mud that runs around your foundation (that's as low as you can go).
• You may not want to cut into your molding. Steps or a ramp may make the pet door accessible even though it is raised up above the molding.
• The same height problem probably comes up on the outside as well. A platform, steps or a ramp might be helpful there as well.
• If you're concerned about security, here's a great way to hide your pet door. You can also get a microchip flap door, like those sold by Cat Mate and Sureflap, which will only let your small dog or cat pass through the door.
• Yes, you can purchase tunnel liners or a wall kit here and then navigate to the Pet Doors for Doors or the Electronic Pet Doors for Doors section to get the corresponding pet door. However, you'll find complete package of pet doors for walls (kit and pet door) on our Dog Doors for Walls and Cat Doors for Walls page.
• Some manufacturers (like Petsafe) only offer tunnels for certain products like the cat and dog mate wall liner tunnels. They are only available for the smaller through wall cat door or dog door, so we have had quite a few customers build their own tunnels.
• If you have larger pets that also might be going through a thicker wall, keep in mind they might step onto the dog tunnel while going through. For this reason, we would recommend going with a pet door that has a more sturdy aluminum tunnel or framing under the tunnel with wood to brace it.

Where can I install a wall liner?

Wall liners protect the wall your pet door is installed into. This can be for both interior and exterior walls. There are some cat owners who use wall liners for their interior cat door. By installing a cat door into their interior wall, they can create a separate space for a hidden litter box. Not only can they block off the cat litter in the laundry room, but they can also create a special DIY cat entrance to a cat house or cat tree.