Best Pet Doors in NZ & Australia 2026 — The Complete Buyer's Guide
If you're looking for the best cat door or dog door in New Zealand or Australia, you've come to the right place. Pet-Tek International has been designing and manufacturing premium pet doors in Auckland since 1999, and our Catwalk® and Dogwalk® range is trusted by pet owners, glaziers and retailers across both countries and beyond. This guide covers everything you need to make the right choice for your home and your pet. For a detailed comparison of all cat flap types, see our cat flap advice guide.
- Pet-Tek's Catwalk® and Dogwalk® range suits glass panels from 3mm to 32mm and door panels from 11mm to 52mm, covering virtually every NZ and Australian home configuration.
- Battery-free multi-magnetic selective entry is available in both glass fitting and wood fitting versions, the most reliable solution for keeping neighbourhood cats and wildlife out.
- All Pet-Tek products use UV-stabilised polycarbonate (the same material used in aircraft windows), specifically engineered to resist the harsh Australasian sun without yellowing or warping.
Why NZ & Australian Pet Owners Choose Pet-Tek
Pet-Tek was founded in Auckland by Steven King, a glazing specialist who was frustrated by the constant failures of imported pet doors flooding the New Zealand and Australian market. Broken flaps, excessive noise, poor sizing, and endless warranty claims were the norm. So he designed something better from the ground up.
25 years later, Pet-Tek ships to 20+ countries and remains one of the few pet door companies in the world that designs, engineers and manufactures its own products rather than rebadging imported stock. For NZ and Australian customers that means:
- Products designed for local climate conditions: UV resistance for the harsh Australasian sun
- Fast local shipping from our Auckland headquarters
- A genuine 3-year manufacturer's warranty backed by the people who made the product
- Direct access to the manufacturer for technical support and spare parts
According to the SPCA New Zealand, providing cats with reliable independent access to outdoor space is an important part of their welfare and behavioural enrichment.
The Pet-Tek Range — What's Available
Pet-Tek offers two product families, Catwalk® for cats and Dogwalk® for dogs, each available in glass fitting and wood fitting configurations.
| Product | For | Installation | Thickness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catwalk® Glass Fitting | Cats | Glass panels | 3mm – 32mm | Sliding doors, glass panels, double glazing |
| Catwalk® Wood Fitting | Cats | Timber / PVC doors | 11mm – 52mm | Timber, PVC, composite doors |
| Catwalk® Multi-Magnetic | Cats | Glass or wood | Various | Selective entry, keeps other cats out |
| Dogwalk® Glass Fitting | Dogs | Glass panels | 3mm – 32mm | All glass types, sliding doors |
| Dogwalk® Wood Fitting | Dogs | Timber / PVC doors | 11mm – 52mm | Timber, PVC, metal panel doors |
Glass Fitting vs Wood Fitting — Which Do You Need?
The most important decision before choosing a specific model is determining where you want to install the pet door. This determines whether you need a glass fitting or wood fitting model. For a full comparison, see our cat door vs dog door guide.
Glass Fitting
- Installs directly into a glass panel
- Requires a glazier to cut a round hole
- Suits single glazing, double glazing, sliding doors
- Clean flush finish, no visible housing
- Glass panels 3mm to 32mm thick
- Most popular choice for NZ/AU homes with glass sliding doors
- See our glass fitting installation guide
Wood Fitting
- Installs through a timber, PVC or composite door
- Can be DIY installed with basic tools
- Suits panels 11mm to 52mm thick
- Self-lining tunnel adjusts to panel thickness
- No glazier required
- Popular choice for rental properties and internal doors
What Makes Pet-Tek Different from Other Brands
The New Zealand and Australian market has no shortage of imported pet doors, most of them cheap, most of them problematic. Here's how Pet-Tek compares on the features that matter most: Some of the difference never makes the brochure: draft angles inside every body are set so water drains out of the door rather than collecting in it, and each flap is machined to next to zero tolerance under a full brush seal. Details like those are why doors fitted twenty years ago are still on their original bodies.
| Feature | Pet-Tek | Typical Imported Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Flap material | UV-stabilised polycarbonate, same material used in aircraft windows | Thin plastic or flexible vinyl |
| Noise | Whisper-quiet brush seals | Rattling flap, no dampening |
| Cut-out shape | Round: fast, clean, no stress fractures | Rectangular: harder to cut, corner stress risk |
| UV resistance | UV-stabilised, won't cloud or warp | Yellows and cracks within 1–2 years |
| Locking | 4-way manual locking | Basic 2-way or no locking |
| Warranty | 3-year manufacturer's warranty | 12 months or less |
| Origin | Designed in New Zealand | China / unknown origin |
How Pet-Tek Compares to SureFlap and PetSafe
The two international names NZ and Australian buyers most often compare against Pet-Tek are Sure Petcare's SureFlap microchip flaps (UK) and PetSafe's Staywell range (USA). Both are established products; microchip doors are a good fit if your cat is already chipped and you don't mind battery upkeep. Here's how the three compare on the factors that matter for NZ and Australian homes:
| Factor | Pet-Tek (Catwalk® / Dogwalk®) | SureFlap (Sure Petcare) | PetSafe (Staywell) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designed in | New Zealand (Auckland, since 1999) | United Kingdom | United States |
| Glass panel installation | Purpose-designed round cut-out for glass 3–32mm, including double glazing | Mounting adapter required, sold separately | Mounting adapter required, sold separately |
| Selective entry method | Battery-free collar magnet, fully mechanical | Microchip / RFID collar tag | Microchip / RFID |
| Batteries for selective entry | None required | 4×AA alkaline | 4×AA alkaline |
| Dog door range | Full Dogwalk® range: small to large breeds, glass and wood fitting | Microchip pet door sized for large cats and small dogs | Staywell dog door range |
| Manual locking | 4-way on all models | 4-way | 4-way |
| Warranty | 3-year manufacturer's warranty | 3 years | 1–3 years depending on model |
| Local support | Direct from the Auckland manufacturer, spare parts available for the full product life | International support channels | International support channels |
Competitor information sourced from each manufacturer's published product documentation, July 2026. Specifications may change; verify current details with each manufacturer before purchase.
The Multi-Magnetic Cat Door — Selective Entry for NZ & AU Homes
One of the most popular products in our NZ and Australian range is the Catwalk® Multi-Magnetic cat door. Unlike standard cat flaps that any animal can push through, the multi-magnetic model uses a collar magnet system to allow entry only to cats wearing the matching collar key.
This is particularly relevant in New Zealand and Australia, where neighbourhood cats, possums, and other wildlife attempting to enter homes through cat flaps is a common problem. The multi-magnetic system works without batteries or electronics: purely mechanical, purely reliable. For a full explanation of how it works, see our guide to stopping other cats coming through your cat door.
- Battery-free selective entry, no power required
- Collar magnet activates the door only for your cat
- Keeps neighbourhood cats, dogs and wildlife out
- Available in glass fitting and wood fitting versions
- Multiple collar keys available for multi-cat households
- Replacement collar keys available from Pet-Tek spare parts
Choosing the Right Size for Your Pet
Getting the size right is critical. A door that's too small will be refused by your pet. A door that's too large lets in unnecessary drafts and wildlife. The two measurements you need are your pet's shoulder height and their widest body width, both taken standing up, with 25mm added to each.
For a full step-by-step measuring guide, see our How to Measure Your Pet for a Pet Door guide. Or use our interactive size calculator to get a recommendation in under 60 seconds.
Not sure which size or model is right for your pet and your door type? Use our interactive size guide to get a personalised recommendation. Find My Pet Door →
Shipping to NZ & Australia
Pet-Tek ships direct from our Auckland, New Zealand headquarters. New Zealand orders typically arrive within 2–4 business days. Australian orders are shipped internationally and typically arrive within 5–10 business days depending on location.
For trade orders, bulk purchases, or glazier accounts, contact us directly for pricing and lead times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the right pet door for your NZ or Australian home
Use our interactive size guide: enter your pet's weight and door type and we'll recommend the exact right model from the Catwalk® and Dogwalk® range.
Find My Pet Door →
