A baby gate can keep your baby or toddler from falling down the stairs or act as a barrier between your kid and a kitchen with a particularly hot stove. But how can you keep your baby safe while still letting your cat roam the house? The answer is to purchase a baby gate with a cat door. The Carlson Pet Products Extra-Tall Walk-Through Gate With Small Cat Door is a first-rate baby gate with a cat door.
There are a few types of baby gates, including freestanding gates, pressure-mounted gates and hardware-mounted gates. Pressure-mounted gates are simple to install, with no hardware required. The tension between the two walls and the spring rod holds the baby gate in place.
Hardware-mounted gates offer more security than pressure-mounted gates. You install the gate by directly screwing the hardware into your home’s woodwork, including a banister, wall or door frame. And freestanding baby gates stand upright in place on their own.
You need to know how wide and tall a baby gate needs to be to work in your home. A standard baby gate stands about 30 inches high and spans from about 29 inches to 45 inches. Standard interior doorways vary from about 24 inches to 36 inches wide, with the most common dimensions being in the 28-inch to 32-inch range.
Some gates have vertical slats and pose a safety threat to animals and kids. Kids could accidentally get their heads stuck between the two slats and suffer from bruising or strangulation. That’s why you should look for a gate with slats spaced no wider than 3 inches.
Many baby gates have dual-action latches you need to push down to release the gate. Other types of latches include squeezing mechanisms and pressure-release handles.
Some gates are engineered to automatically close once you release them. This hands-free capability is perfect for busy parents with their arms full.
Some of the most common materials for baby gates include wood, metal and plastic mesh. Metal gates are typically more durable than plastic or wood. Wooden gates can give your child splinters, so you should make sure the edges are rounded and the wood is sanded down.
Baby gates with cat doors range in price from about $45-$100, depending on their features and quality.
A. You need to drill holes into the walls for hardware-mounted gates. It’s the most appropriate and safest kind of gate for the top of your stairwell, but you can purchase a pressure-mounted gate to use in other spaces in your home. You may not need any tools, including screws, to install pressure-mounted gates.
A. You need to buy a hardware-mounted gate for the top of your stairwell. These gates are securely screwed into place, which decreases the chance of your child crashing through and falling down the stairs.
A. Some brands have products that will accomplish this.
Carlson Pet Products Extra-Tall Walk-Through Gate With Small Cat Door
What you need to know: This gate comes with a 4-inch wide extension kit and a small door for cats and other smaller pets.
What you’ll love: It’s adjustable and comes with a simple-to-close handle with a one-touch release safety lock, as well as an easy pressure-mount setup with no tools required. The fit of the gate is ideal for the bottom of the stairs, as well as open spaces, the doorway and the hallway.
What you should consider: The walkway of this gate is fairly narrow at only 16 inches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Carlson Pet Products Extra-Wide Walk-Through Gate With Small Cat Door
What you need to know: This gate includes a wall-mount kit, a pressure-mount kit and a 4-inch extension kit.
What you’ll love: It comes with a safety-lock feature, as well as wall mounts for extra security, non-toxic finishes and a 4-inch wide extension kit that’s ideal for the bottom of the stairs, the hallway or the doorway.
What you should consider: The pet door is a little too large, and some toddlers might be able to crawl through.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
MyPet North States Petgate Passage
What you need to know: This heavy-duty bronze-finish pressure-mounted gate has a lockable cat door.
What you’ll love: Its width is adjustable, it can open in both directions, and it comes with a large handle you can work with one hand, as well as an easy pressure-mount setup with no tools required. It’s ideal for the bottom of the stairs, as well as open spaces, the doorway and the hallway.
What you should consider: It’s expensive, though reviewers say its attractive, quality construction makes it worth the price.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Alex Kilpatrick writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
