Updated on August 18, 2021 by Lyric Fergusson
When you have a baby, your whole world changes. Things that you didn’t even think about could be potentially dangerous for your little one. Especially when they become mobile enough to crawl or walk. That’s why baby gates are so essential. They allow you to keep your child in or out of certain areas, to ensure their safety.
Whether you have a small dog or a cat, you may want to allow them in and out of these areas. When they’re blocked off with a baby gate, it may stop your pet from getting to their food, water, litter box, or even a doggie door to get outside. Luckily, there are baby gates on the market with built-in pet doors. I’ve done the research for you and found the 7 best baby gates with pet doors to accommodate any home.
[ez-toc]The Best Baby Gates With Pet Doors
1. Carlson Pet Products Design Studio Home Decor Walk Through Pet Gate
(Most stylish — $$)
Why it’s great: This baby gate looks great in any home. It features a metal gate with black finish and cherrywood accents for a sleek look. It uses a pressure mount, so there’s no permanent installation or tools required. The main door is easy to open and close with a one-touch release safety lock and lever. It even swings shut automatically, so you don’t have to worry about closing it behind you. The pet door is 10” x 7”, which is the perfect size for cats and smaller dogs. This gate is 30” tall and fits openings 30” to 33.5” wide. It folds flat and is easy to take down and move when necessary.
Keep in mind: The pet door doesn’t stay open, so if your pet won’t push it open on their own and you want to keep it open you may need to rig it with some rubberbands.
Good for: Anyone who wants a stylish baby gate with a pet door.
2. MYPET North States 38″ Wide Petgate Passage
(Tallest gate — $$)
Why it’s great: Unlike all the other gates on this list, this pet door is just like a doggy door, with a swinging cover instead of an actual door. This is much more convenient, since you won’t have to worry about keeping it open or closed. The pet door is 9.5” x 8”, which is more than enough room for cats and small dogs to get through. The gate itself is extra tall at 36” and it comes with two extensions, which allows it to fit openings of 29.8” to 38” wide. You can also purchase more extensions to expand it up to 65.6” wide. It’s a sturdy metal construction with a black finish that looks nice too. It’s also pressure mounted, so it’s easy to install and take down, and the main door is easy to open and close with one hand.
Keep in mind: This comes with two ways to secure it. You can bolt it to the wall or use adhesive pads, both of which could damage your wall. However, you can buy wall guards separately, if you don’t plan to use the gate permanently.
Good for: Those who need an extra-tall gate to contain older toddlers or bigger dogs.
3. Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Pet Gate with Small Pet Door
(Best budget option — $)
Why it’s great: This gate is the perfect choice for standard doorways and openings and is very affordable. It is your basic white gate, with a door that’s easy to open and close one-handed. The smaller pet door is 8” x 8”, which is the smallest size available, making it perfect for families that want to let their cats or very small dogs through, but also have medium sized dogs that they want to keep on one side. This is also a pressure-mounted gate, so it’s easy to install and remove. It’s 30” tall and fits openings 29” to 36.5” wide, with the included extension.
Keep in mind: This one is a little trickier to install, so make sure you read all the directions thoroughly.
Good for: Anyone that wants a baby gate with a pet door at an affordable price.
4. Fairy Baby Gate with Small Pet Door
(Widest gate — $$$)
Why it’s great: This gate is your best bet if you have a super wide opening that you’d like to block off. You can choose from two sizes, which are 76.3” to 79.1” wide or 79.1″ to 81.8″ wide. The door locks on the top and the bottom, making it extra secure against curious toddlers and children. The pet door is 10.6” x 7.5” and has a stopper that will either hold it open or keep it closed, depending on your needs at the time. Both the main door and the pet door can swing either direction for added convenience. The main door is also self-closing, so you don’t need to worry about shutting it if your hands are full. The bottom of the gate has a little ramp on each side, making it easier to get a stroller over and to prevent tripping or stumbling over it. You also have two choices for mounting. You can pressure mount it or use the hardware to install it.
Keep in mind: This gate has the largest pet door, which is great if you’re only trying to keep your child on one side. However, if you wanted to keep your medium sized dogs blocked, they’ll still be able to fit through the pet door.
Good for: Families who need a baby gate that will fit in an extra-wide opening.
5. Carlson Pet Products 460 Outdoor Walk-Thru Gate with Small Pet Door
(Best outdoor gate — $$$)
Why it’s great: This gate was built for outdoors and is weather-resistant and rust-proof. It’s perfect for keeping your child on the porch, while still allowing your smaller pets to get to the yard. The pet door is 10” x 7”, which is a large enough size that even most medium sized dogs can make it through. The main door is easy to use and swings closed on its own. It’s 33” tall and fits openings 29” to 42” wide. It’s pressure mounted, making it easy to install and perfect for a deck or porch stairs.
Keep in mind: You may still want to use a preventative treatment for rust.
Good for: Anyone that needs an outdoor baby gate with a pet door.
6. North States MyPet 38″ Wide Petgate Passage (30” Tall)
(Best design — $$)
Why it’s great: This gate is almost identical to the other North State gate above. However, this one is shorter, standing at only 30” tall. It still fits openings 29.8” to 38” wide with the included extensions. This gate is also white, so it may blend in better with your decor. The main door is easy to use and it swings shut automatically. The pet door is 9.5” x 8” and has a swinging cover, which allows your pet to get through easily. This cover can also be locked closed with a Grip-n-Twist latch if you need to keep them in or out at certain times.
Keep in mind: You may want to buy wall guards to protect your walls from damage due to the way this gate installs.
Good for: Those who don’t want to deal with an actual door for their pets and like the swinging flap design better.
7. Carlson 76 Inch Wide Flexi Configurable Walk Through Pet Gate
(Most flexible — $$)
Why it’s great: This gate is extra-wide and can fit openings between 50” and 76” wide. Unlike all the other gates on this list, this one doesn’t have to stay in a straight line. It has two sides and the middle section with the door. These can be moved and placed to allow for a more flexible arrangement, such as around the bottom of stairs, around a fireplace, or any unusually shaped or angled openings. It’s 30” tall and has a 9” x 9” pet door. The all steel frame is durable and the main door is easy to use.
Keep in mind: This one does need to be mounted with the included hardware, so it is semi-permanent.
Good for: Anyone who needs a gate with a more flexible design to accommodate their home.
FAQs about Baby Gates with Pet Doors
1. Are pet gates and baby gates the same thing?
There really isn’t a whole lot of difference between the two types of gates. Both are made from a variety of materials, but usually metal or wood. They can both be used for babies or pets. The only exception is that there are some freestanding pet gates for puppies or very small dogs that wouldn’t be safe for babies or toddlers without constant supervision.
2. Do I need a baby gate with a pet door?
This is really up to you. If you have cats or small dogs that you want to let roam free, while still being able to keep your baby or toddler gated, having a pet door will solve the problem. However, most cats can jump over baby gates, depending on the height of the gate and your cat’s health and agility, so a pet door may not be necessary. It does make it much easier for them. You will definitely need the pet door if you have small dogs though, as they won’t likely be able to make the jump.
3. What kind of material is best?
If you need the pet door, they usually only come in metal gates, so that limits your choices. Metal gates are a great choice though, since they’re sturdy and durable. If you want to be able to use the gate outdoors, you may need to find one that is treated or can be treated with rust prevention coatings and has some weather resistance.
4. What features should I look for in a gate?
The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the opening where you plan to use the gate. Gates come in many different sizes, so you’ll need to choose the one that fits your space first and foremost. From there, you can decide whether you want a door that’s super secure or if you want one that you can open with one hand. Check out the sizes of the pet doors to figure out if they’re too big for your pet and will possibly allow your baby to crawl through. Decide if you care about how it looks or if a plain gate is fine. You’ll also want to see how each gate is installed, so you know whether it’s going to be easy to put up and take down as needed or if it’s semi-permanent.
5. What safety concerns are there with baby gates with pet doors?
There are a few safety concerns that you should be aware of if you’re going to use a baby gate with pet doors. You should always make sure that you have the gate properly secured, so your child or pet can’t pull it down on themselves or knock it over. Make sure that it’s always latched properly and that there’s no place for your child to get their hand stuck or their fingers pinched. Another concern is how large of an opening is the pet door? The larger the opening, the more chance there is that your curious toddler could try to crawl through the opening. Always supervise your baby when they’re around the gate.
Conclusion
Baby gates are the perfect solution to keeping your child in a safe area of the house. They provide you with some peace of mind while you’re doing household chores or taking a shower. Finding one with a pet door is essential if you have small animals. Cats need to be able to get to their litter box and dogs need to be able to get outside. Both animals need access to water and their food bowls.
Take a look at the area you plan to use the baby gate and assess your needs. This list should provide you with an option that will fit perfectly in your space
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