FAQ
Why does the surface of the petWALK door look scratched?
The visible surfaces of the door module are coated with a high-quality textured paint, which is applied in multiple layers in many complex work steps. The front surfaces of the door module may show production-related marks (scratches, bumps, irregularities, etc.). By applying the optionally available decors, these production marks are no longer visible and do not represent a product defect. The petWALK pet door is not intended for use without decors. The decors not only have an optical function, but also a protective function, as they protect the sensitive insulation foam and the electronics contained therein.
Where can I see and try out the petWALK pet door?
We have selected partners where you can view and try out the petWALK pet door. You can find these partners in our shop finder under "Show Room". If there is no show room in your area, you can also buy the petWALK pet door on a trial basis and return it within 30 days if you don't like it.
Where can I install the petWALK pet door?
You can install the petWALK pet door in brickwork, in a panel or in glass. If you install the petWALK pet door later, replacing the glass pane is the easiest option. It is best to contact your window manufacturer or the glazier you trust. Any specialist company can produce panes with the appropriate opening.
You can see how the installation in masonry works in this video . You can read which accessories are required for which installation location here . We recommend using our configurator for ordering in any case, as additional spacers or tunnel sets may be required for the petWALK.control module, for example. These are automatically added to the shopping cart after selecting the thickness of the installation body.
Can the petWALK pet door be installed in glass doors with double or triple glazing?
petWALK pet doors are particularly suitable for doors and windows with high-quality double and triple insulating glazing due to their extremely good thermal insulation value and slim design. Please note, however, that you should never cut an opening in a window yourself, as you would lose the insulating effect. We recommend replacing the corresponding pane.
Who will install the petWALK pet door for me?
- In principle, the petWALK pet door is a do-it-yourself product and is designed so that it can be installed by end customers with a little manual skill. Petwalk itself does not offer its own installation service, but our service and support team is of course available to provide you with advice and assistance by phone and email.
- In some regions we also recommend installation partners who have already installed several petWALK pet doors. You can find these in our store locator under "Installation partners". Please note that we have no business relationship with our installation partners and only recommend them. The companies are responsible for all services and installation costs and must be commissioned separately.
Where can I buy the petWALK pet door?
You can buy the petWALK pet door directly from our online shop. We recommend that you configure it using our configurator . Alternatively, you can also purchase the petWALK pet door from selected partners.
How can I pay and how long does delivery take?
There are various factors that affect the delivery time. Read more about this here .
How does the automatic opening of the petWALK pet door work?
The petWALK pet door is equipped with a lot of electronics and several sensors. The door leaf basically opens when motion is detected. In the second step, RFID access control can also be activated so that only your animals with the RFID chip can gain access.
What is the range of the RFID tags?
The range of RFID technology is limited by law and technology. The smaller RFID chips supplied for the Medium model have a range of 15cm, the larger RFID chips included in the Large model have a range of around 20cm.
Can I also use the petWALK pet door with implanted RFID chips?
Theoretically yes, practically not. RFID technology is a near-field communication technology and is not designed for long distances. In addition, with implanted chips there are circumstances that have a negative impact on the reading range and that petWALK cannot influence (the small size of the chips, the position of the chips in the body, fur, skin and tissue, etc.). Therefore, their function cannot be guaranteed. You can find detailed information here.
Can a microchip harm my pet?
Chipping animals is completely safe and painless. There are no known side effects at all in dogs, while in cats there is generally a low risk of a tumour developing at the injection site during injections (even with normal vaccinations), which affects 1 in 10,000 animals on average. For this reason, chipping with an animal identification chip (microchip, FDX-B) has been unanimously classified internationally as safe and is recommended by animal welfare organisations and vets. However, chipping should only be carried out by vets.
Transponder can be taught-in, but is then no longer recognised.
If you hold the chip parallel to the door leaf when programming, it should be recognised at least 15 cm in front of it. Then try to memorise the chip again. The door should recognise it and jump to the original programme position. However, if it jumps to the next higher number, this is an indicator of a source of interference above the permitted limit (mobile phone mast, radio transmitter, solar system, telecoms provider, intelligent electricity meter, etc.) in the vicinity of the door, as well as if the range of the chip supplied is less than 10 cm.
Options if the implanted chip cannot be taught in
If the use of the supplied RIFD transponder on the collar is not an option, the implantation of an additional chip can be considered, but please contact our customer service department before taking this step, who will be happy to provide you with advice and assistance.
Obtain a ‘sacrificial chip’ from the same batch of the product that is to be implanted and test it with your pet by temporarily attaching the chip to the fur with a piece of adhesive tape.
For safety reasons, the learning process should be repeated in different positions with two chips so that both transponders are learnt if they both work.
Only when the tests have been successful without any problems and your pet can operate the door without any problems should you have another transponder implanted!
Is there an on-site service and how does the process work in the event of a repair?
We do not currently offer an on-site service. In the case of repair or maintenance work that cannot be carried out by you without considerable effort, please send in the door module after consulting our support team. All work will be charged according to the actual labor and material costs.
Can I upgrade my existing petWALK pet doors with the new features?
I already have a petWALK pet door and would like to control it via the Internet, i.e. via an app on my smartphone or a web browser. I would also like to integrate the door into smart home systems, such as Amazon's Alexa.
No problem! petWALK pet doors have been designed to be "future-proof" from day one! This means that all petWALK pet doors since 2013 can be easily expanded with additional products that will be launched on the market over the course of the year, so you are always well prepared for new technologies.
Does wooden paneling affect the RFID function
In principle, a wooden panel should not cause a serious deterioration in the RFID range, but as the thickness increases it will of course reduce the range by at least the thickness of the wood.
Wood is not just wood, and so larch, spruce or fir, for example, shield against electromagnetic radiation almost twice as effectively as oak, for example, due to their high resin content.
With the transponders supplied, this should not be a problem at all, but with implanted chips we recommend testing the suitability with your own animals due to the technologically limited range.
Is "mouse detection" possible?
“Souvenirs” brought along by cats are a big problem, especially for many cat owners, for which there is currently no reasonable solution.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult for a computer to recognize a specific animal, let alone the tip of a mouse's tail dangling from its mouth. This technology is very complex and not yet suitable for mass use.
However, petWALK is conducting intensive research in this direction and, with its intelligent pet doors, already offers an excellent technological basis for later implementation.
Can an existing door contact be connected to the pet door?
petWALK doors support all commercially available 2-pin door contacts. You can activate the function in the door menu and simply set the corresponding type (Normally Closed or Normally Open).
To connect to the control system, you only need the “ door contact connection cable ”. This 2-pin cable is 300mm long and has a plug for connection to the control electronics of the animal door and open ends for terminal connectors.
You can simply order this with your door and it will be pre-assembled for you in the factory. Of course, you can also retrofit this cable at any time. Here is how to do it: Retrofitting a connection cable
How can I tell if the petWALK door is right for me?
Simply order your desired door and try it out at your leisure with your animals before installation.
It is not necessary to install the door anywhere to test it. Simply take it out of the box, plug it in and try it out. This way your animals can test your door comfortably in their usual environment and give their test verdict.
If it does not meet your expectations, you can simply return the door within 3 weeks (provided there are no signs of wear) and get the purchase price refunded.
Where on the pet door does the cable come out of the frame or on which side should the socket be located?
The cable can be routed out of the frame on the right or left (top or bottom).
The socket should be within about 1.5m of the pet door. If it is further away, you can order an extension cable.
Can you keep the door open for as long as you want?
Since the petWALK door is designed to keep your home warm and safe, it closes automatically after 30 minutes at the latest. This is to prevent it from being accidentally left open.
Is it hard to train my pet to use the petWALK door?
No, because there is nothing to learn! Other than with conventional flaps, where animals have to push open doors and squeeze through narrow openings, petWALK doors open automatically and completely contact free and wait patiently until your pets went through. Just as you would open the door yourself. petWALK is a 24/7 personal pet doorman.
Unfortunately, I didn't order the alarm function. Can this be installed later?
- Of course, you can install the connection cables for a door contact and/or an alarm system yourself at a later date. The corresponding commissioning is described in the user manual.
- If the petWALK pet door is installed in a pane of glass or in a panel, it must first be removed. If it is installed in a tunnel, the installation can also be carried out through the tunnel with the pet door installed. However, it is easier to remove the pet door here too.
- You can find out how to prepare the door for retrofitting the alarm function here .
Is there a petWALK installation service?
Due to the many different installation options and the worldwide sales area, it is unfortunately not possible for us to offer an in-house installation service.
In our store locator you can find installation partners in your area.
If you cannot find a suitable partner, we ask you to contact a tradesman you trust (carpenter, builder, window fitter, etc. depending on the installation situation). If they have any technical questions, they can contact us directly at any time so that you do not have to deal with them personally.
Can the petWALK door also be installed in a crooked wall of an old building?
The petWALK tunnel system is designed so that a wall thickness difference of 1 cm can be easily compensated.
However, if the difference between the minimum and maximum measured wall thickness is more than 15 mm, you should compensate for this on site.
If this is not possible, you can cut the tunnel panels to different lengths.
Are petWALK pet doors suitable for passive houses and Minergie P?
petWALK doors are ideal for modern low-energy buildings with controlled living space ventilation, as they are absolutely airtight and already have extremely good thermal insulation as standard.
petWALK pet doors meet all the requirements of a passive house-compatible component. They offer a standard U-value of 0.811 W/(m²K)m, with optional frame insulation even reaching 0.523 W/(m²K).
They are absolutely airtight (n600 = 0.0 m3/h, class 4 according to test standard for windows, doors EN 12207 - 1999–11) and driving rainproof (class E1350 according to test standard for windows, doors EN 12208 - 1999–11)
In our download area you will find all information relevant for planning and calculation, including thermal bridge calculations and installation details.
Here you will also find the certificates and test reports of the Austrian Wood Research Institute.
Is the petWALK pet door really windproof?
Yes, the petWALK pet door is the only pet door on the market that is completely airtight; the air permeability is tested in accordance with the test standard for windows and doors EN 12207 - 1999-11. The highest tightness class is 4 and allows a maximum leakage of 0.75m³ per hour. (Q100 = 0.75 m³ / hm).petWALK has a non-measurable air loss (Q600 = 0.0 m³ / hm) even at a pressure of 600 Pa (this is the highest possible pressure of the test stand of the test centre).The measurement is carried out in such a way that a constant positive pressure and negative pressure of (for example) 50 Pascal is generated and maintained by means of a recessed fan inside the test stand. The volume of air escaping due to component leaks must be forced into the test stand by the fan and is measured. The so-called n50 value (unit: 1/h) indicates how often the interior volume is converted per hour. you can also find the certificates and test certificates from the Austrian Wood Research Institute here.
Is the petWALK pet door waterproof?
Yes, petWALK pet doors are tested and certified in accordance with the test standard for windows and doors EN 12208 1999-11 and fulfil the tightness class E1350 (the test institute's test bench was unable to measure a higher class)In other words: petWALK remains tight in strong winds and rain thanks to the high precision of the components, the two high-quality silicone seals and a large driving rain collection channel with two drainage openings at the front, which ensure that even large amounts of rain are reliably drained to the outside at high wind speeds. The rainwater is normally channelled invisibly between the outer frame and the decorative panel to the lower edge of the unit. if the animal door is installed in a wall reveal, we recommend fitting a weather plate. This prevents rainwater from draining over the wall or into the brickwork.
How do petWALK pet doors help to reduce external noise?
Even if the components surrounding the room have good sound insulation in themselves, joints and openings such as those found in conventional swinging cat flaps can significantly increase the sound level. Thanks to the use of insulating materials and the absolutely airtight closure, the petWALK pet door reduces external noise to a significantly lower level, which has a direct effect on the cosiness in your home.
This is how petWALK doors avoid mold growth
Conventional cat flaps are physically mounted on the wrong side and, due to the reduced surface temperature on the inside and the associated formation of condensation, pose a great risk of mold growth.
petWALK pet doors are - just like good windows - installed in the insulation level of the building and thus prevent a shift in the dew point.
Thanks to their good insulating properties, they have a sufficiently high surface temperature on the inside, even on cold days, to reliably prevent condensation.
For all recommended types of installation, the minimum occurring surface temperature of the inner component boundary surfaces, according to ÖNorm B8110-2, with a temperature factor > 0.71 is above the required limit values in any case, so that no condensation and thus no risk of mold formation has to be expected.
This was checked by an independent test center by testing a climate chamber and certified accordingly. Here you can download the certificate and the test report.
Important note on the use of implanted transponders
As the manufacturer of the pet door, we have no influence on the functionality and quality of the transponder in your pet and therefore cannot provide any guarantee with regard to its function or range.
The petWALK animal door is technically compatible with all conventional animal identification chips in accordance with ISO standard 11784 / 11785 FDX-B, but uses a special process to increase the reading range. Therefore, the functional test at the vet can only be an indicator, but not proof of sufficient detection range and thus of usability with the petWALK animal door.
petWALK therefore strongly advises you to check with your pets before installation whether the chip is recognized by the door and whether the detection range is sufficient. If this does not work, this is not a malfunction of the device, but a technical limitation of the ID chip.
If the animal is not yet chipped, ask your vet for a chip from the same batch and try this chip on the door. Please note the following tips described here .
The typical reading distance of a well-tuned implanted chip is approximately 1 cm to a maximum of 10 cm.
However, the actual achievable range depends on many factors. The biggest challenges are the power supply of the transponder, the transmission frequency and the position of the transponder in relation to the antenna. You can find a whole article on the topic of RFID here .
How long do I have to wait after programming before I can program another cat?
Programming your pets is very easy. You set the petWalk pet door to RFID programming. You bring your chipped pet to the middle of the pet door or wave the tag chip in front of the door and the pet door has already "learned" this chip. This way you can program a large number of chips to the pet door one after the other. Of course, the petWALK pet door also has the option of deleting individual or all pet chips.
What is an RFID microchip?
The abbreviation RFID is based on the English term “radio-frequency identification”. This can be translated as “identification using electromagnetic waves”. RFID enables the automatic identification and localization of objects and living beings and thus makes the collection of data much easier.
An RFID system consists of a transponder, the microchip, which is located on or in the object or living being and contains an identifying code, as well as a reader to read this identification.
Your pet's microchip is a tiny implant, about the size of a grain of rice, which your veterinarian injects under the skin, completely painlessly. The microchip does not contain a battery, but is supplied with energy by the antenna in the Petwalk door when the pet approaches. Each microchip has a unique identification number, which is stored in a central database along with your address.
If your animal runs away, it can easily be identified by veterinarians and animal shelters using a microchip reader. Your contact details will be found in the database using the identification number and your animal will be returned to you.
How long does a microchip last?
Microchips do not have a battery and therefore have an unlimited service life. The special reader with which the chip can be read supplies the small amount of energy required to read the data. The microchip can be read as often as required and does not wear out. In rare cases, microchips fail and can then no longer be read by the Petwalk pet door. If you believe that your pet's chip is no longer working, ask your vet to check the chip with his handheld reader.
Is the petWALK pet door waterproof?
Yes , petWALK pet doors are tested and certified according to the test standard for windows and doors EN 12208 1999-11 and meet the tightness class E1350 (the test bench of the testing institute could not measure a higher class)
In other words: petWALK stays dry in strong winds and rain.
This is made possible by the high precision of the components, the two high-quality silicone seals and a large driving rain collection channel with two front drainage openings.
These ensure that even large amounts of rain are reliably drained to the outside at high wind speeds. The rainwater is normally channeled invisibly between the outer frame and the decorative panel to the lower edge of the device.
If the animal door is installed in a wall reveal, we recommend installing a weather plate. This prevents rainwater from the drainage system from running over the wall or into the masonry.
Why is the petWALK pet door more expensive than other pet flaps?
A petWALK pet door is absolutely not comparable with the usual solutions from the pet accessories market. It is a fully-fledged apartment entrance door with a built-in door opener and electronic lock. It combines the excellent thermal insulation properties of passive house windows with the burglar-proofing of expensive apartment doors, with the convenience of automatic door openers, with an extremely powerful RFID lock and with high-quality materials at a total price that cannot be compared with the price of a conventional pet flap. The petWALK pet doors are manufactured exclusively in the EU and, since only high-quality components are used, they are designed for decades of operation.
What material are petWALK pet doors made of?
petWALK pet doors are mainly made of polyurethane integral foam (PUR for short). Polyurethanes are harmless to health and can therefore be found almost everywhere: in the chair you sit on, in the bed you sleep in, in the house you live in and even in your car.
We at Petwalk have deliberately chosen this high-quality material because it combines excellent durability and strength with exceptionally good thermal insulation properties and a relatively low weight.
Is it difficult to teach my cat/dog how to use it?
Using the petWALK pet door is very easy for your pet as it does not have to push the flap open with its head.
The petWALK pet door can be used both with the built-in motion detector and with an RFID chip. From our experience, we know that both dogs and cats understand the function very quickly. To make the new possibilities appealing to your pet, you should control the pet door using the motion detector for the first few days. If your pet comes close to the petWALK pet door, it will open. Your pet will examine this extremely interesting change, sitting curiously in the pet door to inspect the new open space. But after a very short time, your pet will naturally use the unexpected possibilities of the door.
If you want to prevent other animals, such as your neighbor's cheeky cat, from using your petWALK pet door, now is the right time to switch to RFID (pet chip) control. To do this, we recommend using the included RFID chip, which is intended for the collar, in the first phase. This usually has a greater range (25-30 cm) than the one implanted by the vet and is therefore easier to get used to. Once your pet has gotten used to it, you can switch to door control with the implanted pet chip.
Normally the animal chip is implanted in the shoulder. However, we have found that it can move over time and the quality of the animal chips used also varies. In rare cases, the petWALK animal door may not open until your pet is very close to the animal door. However, once your pet has learned to appreciate the new freedom, it will quickly learn to deal with this situation. At least that was always the case with our test animals.
Does the petWALK pet door work with batteries?
- Theoretically, petWALK pet doors could also be operated with a battery. However, they are designed to be connected to your household power supply using the included plug-in power supply. The use of the optional flush-mounted power supply is particularly recommended for wall installation.
- petWALK pet doors are equipped with an emergency battery. This means you can be sure that the pet door is always firmly closed even in the event of a power failure and that your pets are not locked out, as they can still get home for several hours. When the power is switched back on, the petWALK pet door returns to the operating state it was in before the power failure.
- In addition, there is a small buffer battery in the electronics to maintain the stored settings and RFID chips of the pets and the remote control of course also requires a small battery.
How long does the emergency battery last?
petWALK pet doors have a power management system that keeps the built-in battery charged and in good shape. However, batteries are subject to a natural aging process and must be replaced after a few years (4-6 years). The capacity is dimensioned so that in the event of a power failure, e.g. due to a thunderstorm, all of your animals can still get home and the door is then firmly locked.
What happens in the event of a power outage?
In the event of a power failure, for example due to a thunderstorm, the petWALK pet door goes into a special mode, which is also indicated visually and acoustically and ensures that all of your pets can still return to your home and that the door is always securely locked. This emergency operation is ensured by a built-in battery for several hours. After the power failure is over, the pet door returns to the operating state it was originally set to and the emergency battery is recharged.
This ensures that your pet is never locked out of the petWALK pet door and that the pet door can never be left open.
What does the green flashing operating mode or the ‘LOAd’ indicator on the display mean?
If the operating mode flashes green or the "LOAd" display remains on the screen for several days, this indicates an empty or defective battery. The "LOAd" display also appears when the battery connector is not plugged in. If the flashing stops within a week, the battery has recharged. If the flashing continues, however, the battery is either deeply discharged or defective and must be replaced.
It is important to know that older models use an AMP battery with a special connector. These models do not work without a battery, unlike newer models. In newer models, the battery can be disabled, but in the event of a power failure, the door will not be able to switch to emergency power mode.
How to identify which battery is installed:
JST battery : Installed in newer models, the plug is visible (right or left, depending on the door hinge)
AMP battery : Installed in older models, the connector is not visible
First, determine which battery is installed in your device. You can find a more detailed description here. Once you have this information, please contact us at support@petwalk.at . We will be happy to advise you on the possible costs and options for replacing the battery. You can either replace the battery yourself (we will be happy to provide instructions) or send the pet door in for repair so that we can replace the battery for you (flat rate for replacing the battery).
Why does the pet door not respond to the remote control?
Check that the protective film at the bottom of the remote control has been removed and that the battery has not been inserted the wrong way round. The transmitter of the remote control is located on the upper front side, which you must hold in the direction of the animal door. The maximum range is 10 metres and decreases from side to side, and the remote control battery may be flat. In this case, replace it with a new battery and check that the microswitch for deactivating the infrared receiver in the storage slot is not damaged or jammed. The pin must protrude visibly 1-2 mm into the slot and be easy to move.
How many animals can the petWALK pet door manage?
The petWALK pet door can theoretically manage up to 256 animals. You can set the exit time for all your pets and then specify individually for each pet whether this exit time is valid or whether it is always allowed in and out.
Can I set the petwalk pet door so that my pets can't go outside when it rains, but can still come home?
Yes! With the optional wireless rain sensor, the petWALK pet door can switch to collection mode when a certain amount of rain is detected. In this mode, it no longer lets animals out, but pets that are outside can of course still come back into the home. In this way, you can protect yourself from muddy pets while you are away. You can set a drying time in advance after a downpour. Once this time has elapsed, your pets can use the petWALK pet door again as usual.
Can I automatically block the animals' exit at night?
Yes, the petWALK pet door offers you two ways to do this: Using the time control. When controlled with the motion detector, you can freely set the exit time. When controlled with the RFID animal chip, you can set the exit time for each of your pets individually.via the light control. The petWALK pet door has a built-in light sensor as standard. You can individually set the brightness level at which the pet door should remain locked. To ensure that your stray tomcat can still come home afterwards, you can allow it to stay open for longer.
Can I adjust the sensitivity of the light sensor?
Yes, you can easily set the brightness values for opening and closing to your individual requirements using the remote control. Normally, however, the preset standard values should be sufficient.
Can I switch off the night mode so that my animals can go in and out whenever they want?
Yes, you can switch any programme on and off with a single button on your remote control. The petWALK pet door always clearly shows you which of the control programmes is currently active on the internal display. If the night programme with brightness control is active, the corresponding crescent moon symbol lights up on the display. To switch this off, press the button with the same crescent moon symbol on your remote control. The symbol on the display goes out and night mode is switched off. You can always activate or deactivate individual functions in the same way. It couldn't be simpler!
If my pet is being chased by a foreign animal, will the foreign animal be denied access?
If access control is switched on, the petWALK pet door only opens for your pet and closes as soon as it has entered and moved away from the door. If a foreign animal follows at a very close distance, it cannot be ruled out that it will also enter your home during this period.
How can I reset the petWALK pet door to the factory settings (reset function)?
Press the setting button twice to enter programming mode. Using the ‘Arrow up’ and ‘Arrow down’ buttons, you can now choose between two reset variants:All: Resets both the system settings and the Tier ID memory to the factory settings (delivery settings).Para: Only resets the system settings to the factory settings, the Tier ID memory remains unchanged.You can confirm the reset with the ‘OK’ button; pressing the programming button again or a longer pause cancels the reset.