The Best Interior Cat Doors

Cats love to roam around and explore spaces, but sometimes a door gets in the way of their free movement from place to place. That's where cat doors come in handy, creating a small passage for cats to go through even when a door is shut. Interior cat doors are an excellent option for separating various rooms within your home. They also provide easy access to a basement or laundry room litter box, helping contain odors in a specific part of your house. With so many cat doors available, choosing the best one for your feline friend can be challenging. To help you with your search, we've rounded up some of the best cat doors the internet has to offer.

What to Look For 

We recommend keeping the following questions in mind when shopping for an interior cat door: Is the opening large enough to allow your cat to enter and exit freely? Is it easy to install? How durable is it? Our top pick was the cat door from Petsafe, which is easy to install and has a lock so you can control when your pet can access certain areas of your home. We also really liked the cat door from Lesotc, which has brushes to help keep your kitty well-groomed at all times. Read on to learn more about our top picks and discover the best one for your cat.

Petsafe Tinted Interior Cat Door

Keep it moving

This cat door will give your kitty the freedom to roam around without asking for permission.
Best Overall

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If you’re looking for an easy-to-install cat door that delivers a lot of bang for the buck, it’s hard to go wrong with this cat door from Petsafe. It comes with a template and all of the hardware you need to install it quickly. The door features a two-way lock making it easy to limit your pet’s access to certain parts of the house, like feeding areas. It also has a magnetic flap closure that stays sealed until your cat pushes to open it.

Pros:

  • Easy DIY installation
  • Sliding lock to control access
  • Keeps other pets out of feeding and kitty litter areas
  • Affordable 

Cons:

  • Large cats may be able to force it open when locked

Lesotc Grooming Brush Interior Cat Door

Looking good

Your cat will always be well-groomed with this cat door that doubles as a brush.
Runner Up

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This cat door from Lesotc features a handy brush that grooms cats every time they move between rooms, pulling away loose hairs and keeping your kitty’s coat tidy. Cats seem to like the feel of the brush, so don’t be surprised if you see your pet walking back and forth through the door. The door doesn’t have a flap, making it an excellent choice for cats who have difficulty using them.

Pros:

  • Unobtrusive design
  • Helps keep furballs under control
  • Doubles as a back scratcher
  • Removable brush

Cons:

  • No locking mechanism

Kitty Pass XL Interior Cat Door

The right way

Big cats don't have to squeeze through this generously sized cat door.
Best Extra Large

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Make sure your big cat has plenty of space to move from room to room with this extra-large cat door from Kitty Pass. The adorable door is easy to install and designed to fit all standard doors. It has a glossy white finish, but you can easily paint over it to match your home’s decor. Best of all, it allows your pet to easily access their litter box, food, and other parts of the house without help.

Pros:

  • Works well on hollow and solid doors
  • Smooth opening makes it easy for cats to pass through
  • Wide hole that’s big enough for large cats
  • Cute design

Cons:

  • Smaller dogs can fit through the door 

Purrfect Portal No-Flap Interior Cat Door

Easy access

This no-flap door allows your cat to move around freely.
Best Magnetic

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This cat door from Purrfect Portal was designed with indoor cats in mind. The door installs quickly in solid or hollow doors and features a unique no-flap design, so you won’t have to spend time teaching your cat to use it. Instead, you can use the magnetic latch feature to securely hold the door open.

Pros:

  • Comes with a cutting template for easy installation
  • Fits any breed size up to 20lbs
  • No training required
  • Designed specifically for indoor use

Cons:

  • Only available in white

Depets 4-Way Locking Interior Cat Door

On the move

Keep your feline friend secure with this locking cat door.
Best Lockable

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With its four-way locking system giving you control of how the flap will swing, Depets’ cat door is ideal if you need to manage access to different parts of your house. It’s large enough to fit most cats; even small dogs could use it. Since the flap is transparent, cats can see what’s on the other side of the door and keep an eye on things even when it’s locked.

Pros:

  • Multiple locking modes 
  • Easy to train cats how to use it
  • Made of durable materials
  • Comes with installation hardware

Cons:

  • Gets dirty easily 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I install a cat door?

We recommend installing a cat door to give your feline friend access to the places they visit often. If you keep their food and water bowls in a certain part of the house, installing a door that gives them quick passage to this room is a good idea. Similarly, if you keep the kitty litter box in a separate room, installing a cat door can help prevent odors from escaping to other parts of the house while making it easy for your cat to enter and exit the room.

Is it difficult to install a cat door?

With the right tools and clear instructions, installing a cat door isn’t very difficult. Of course, some locations may be more complicated than others. Installing a cat door in an interior door is usually a straightforward process. However, you may have difficulty and need special tools if you place the door in a wall.

About the Author

Lynnae grew up with pets all her life, so she has firsthand experience on how to best take care of your favorite companions. This teacher by day and writer by night has a mission to make sure all pets have what they need to live long and healthy lives.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.