5 Best Dog Proof Door Latches

Stop your dog from opening doors with these amazing Door Latches

Dogs come with a long list of good qualities. They protect us fiercely, show affection and undying loyalty to us, and help us stay fit among other benefits.

Without your dog, your life would be a little lacking in the joy department.

Unfortunately, our furry friends can be a little too curious for our liking. They always think that the grass is green on the other side.

From opening the cabinets to eating cat food to leaving home via the front door (despite you closing it), dogs love to explore everything.

Once your doggie figures out that he can apply pressure and twist the doorknob, he will stop at nothing to check out the whole house.

Not only is the habit annoying but it can put the dog in danger.

What can you do about it? Get a dog-proof door latch, of course!

In today’s post, I will tell you why you need one. I will also list 5 of the best dog-proof door latches in the market right now.

Reasons to Get a Dog-Proof Latch

If you own an indoor dog, you know the challenge of keeping them put, especially when no one’s home.

A large majority of canines would not be content staying in designated areas. Why do that when you can open the fridge and eat some cheese sticks? Or swing open the front door and walk down the street?

Dogs like to roam freely and the inside of a house can only do so much to satisfy their curiosity.

No matter how efficient your door latch is, your pooch can figure out how to open the door. This includes sliding glass doors and your average lever-style door latches.

The thing with dogs is that once they learn how to open one door, they will keep exercising their skills on all other doors at home.

That puts them in danger. Your dog can get knocked while crossing the door to explore his surroundings. What if he ingests the contents of a whole bottle of bleach?  Or comes across a piece of cake with a tiny knife on it? You get the point…

A dog-proof door latch can also be handy in a multi-pet home.

If you have a cat and a dog, the challenge of keeping everyone happy is a constant reality.

In most cases, dogs are notorious for getting to the kitty litter box.  It sounds gross but dogs like sampling the cat nasties. To them, the waste smells like cat food.

The habit is incredibly irritating (your dog giving you the smooches moments after being on the cat litter) and can introduce parasites in your space.

In addition, canines sometimes terrorize cats for no reason at all. They chase them around for fun and eat their food, frustrating the poor kitties.

A dog-proof latch can help you keep the litter box in a room that the dog will not get access to.

The latch will leave enough space for your cat to pass through while keeping the dog out. All you have to do is adjust the width of the latch to suit the cat.

The latch can also prove beneficial if you are looking to keep your toddler away from the cat food and litter box.

Best Dog Proof Door Latches

1. Door Buddy Adjustable Door Latch

One of our favorites, the Door Buddy Adjustable Door Latch will keep dogs away from no-entry rooms in the house.  These include rooms containing litter boxes, refrigerators, garbage bins, and sleeping newborns.

The best part about using Door Buddy lies in its simplicity. It is easy to install and operate the lock and unlock mechanism at the end of the adjustable strap.

The latch uses a strong 3M adhesive to stick to the door. No matter how strong your dog is, he will not be able to push through the door.

The latch can easily be locked and unlocked to make it easy for you to access your house. You can also use it on either side of the door.

Being adjustable, the strap can be adjusted to the size of your kitty. Of course, your cat has to be slightly larger than the dog for the latch to work. 

The latch props the door open, keeps your pet from closing it accidentally, and most importantly, serves as an effective guard against dog tails and baby fingers being pinched.

Pros

• Simple and effective

• Adjustable to make it easy to fit any cat

• Has a stopper that serves as a pinch safeguard

• Installs fast

• Works on all door types (pocket, push and pull, double, and bi-fold doors)

• Strong enough for dogs of up to 120 pounds.

Cons

• Previous pet owners claim that the latch doesn’t work on painted door frames.

• Some dogs can figure out how to pull the latch to disengage it and open the door.

2. The Door Latch Adjustable Door Latch

The Door Latch Adjustable Door Strap and Latch work the same way as the Door Buddy Latch above.

It is designed to keep dogs and babies out while making it possible for a kitty to pass.

The latch is made from stainless steel. Because of this, it is one of the sturdiest and durable products in the market. It can withstand canine force no matter the size of the dog.

The latch can be installed anywhere in the door frame including the strike plate.

Installing it is as easy as it gets. All hardware comes with the package alongside the simple instruction manual.

Additionally, operating it requires only one hand, making it easy and convenient for you.

Plus, all fasteners are hidden to make sure the latch doesn’t rip the paint off your door.

Pros

• Stands up against large and powerful dogs

• Very easy to install

• Doesn’t damage doors

• Single-hand operation increases convenience

• The door can fully open/close even with the latch

Cons

• Expensive

• The screws can loosen up if not fixed well

3. ENJOY PET Door Strap and Latch

If you have lever handles at home which your smart dog has learned to open, the ENJOY PET Door Strap and Latch can help.

It will ensure that no-go-zones at homes are kept locked and your things are kept where they are supposed to be.

This product resembles the first entry in design. You have the adjustable slider in the middle with one end attaching on the door using a 3M mounting adhesive while the other one features the actual latch.

The strap between the door frame and the door can be easily adjusted to accommodate all cat sizes. 

With no screws to drill into the door, the latch is pretty easy to install. All you have to do is peel the paper on the adhesive, stick it to your door and the frame, and finally adjust the tape to your desired length. 

Now you can engage the lock and unlock mechanism and enjoy the peace of knowing your dog doesn’t have to certain areas.

Whether you have wooden, glass, or iron doors, the latch will work perfectly.

Pros

• Easy to install and use

• Can be used on either side of the door

Cons

• May not stand up against aggressive and heavy dogs

• Entering and leaving the room can be a challenge

4. Neobay Adjustable Door Latch and Stopper Combo

Tired of the stress of installing pet doors or pet cages? Try the Neobay Adjustable Cat Door Latch and Door Stopper Combo.

The latch opens enough to let a cat in while keeping the dog and babies out.

It uses an adjustable strap so you can manage how wide or narrow the door is. 

The installation will take you a few minutes if not seconds. There are no holes to drill or screws to work into the door frame.

Simply attach the latch on both the door and the frame, adjust the tape, and enjoy your privacy.

This latch takes things to the next level as it uses a solid alloy on the inside of the hook to manage persistent dogs. The feature increases the strength of the latch. For determined dogs, the added screw holes can save the day.

The product also features a stopper to prevent the likelihood of pinched fingers and tails.

Pros

• Utilizes a stopper for safety reasons

• Uses a solid alloy to make the latch stronger

• Convenient to use

• Simple ad fast to install

• Comes with 4 added reserved screw holes

• The hook is stronger

Cons

• Makes it a tad difficult to open and close the door

5. HA SHI Adjustable Door Strap and Latch

HA SHI Adjustable Door Strap and Latch is another awesome recommendation for multi-pet households or people who want to contain their dogs.

It works like most products on this list in that it uses adjustable tape stretching from the door frame to the door.

With adhesive on the latches, the product will remain fastened on the door allowing a tiny space that doesn’t fit your dog.

It is also one of the stylish and beautiful latches in the market.

If you have a knack for things that stand out, this one fits the bill.

Pros

• Easy to adhere to the door

• Doesn’t use additional tools

• Uses an adjustable strap to make it versatile

• Easy locking/unlocking mechanism

Cons

• The straps are sturdy but the adhesive is rather weak

• Can rip the paint off the door

Closing Thoughts

Dogs are beloved family pets. However, when they get into the habit of reaching out for snacks in the refrigerator, messing with the cat’s litter box or leaving the house unsupervised, they can become a nuisance.

This is where a good dog-proof door latch comes in. It will keep you and the cats happy while making sure the dog is safe as well.