Dogs and cats are extremely social by nature and rely on the company of the humans to keep them content. However, on occasion, we need to separate ourselves from our pets. Sometimes it’s for their safety and at other times it’s for the safety of our children. We might need to confine them because of their health or because of ours. Everyone needs space from their pet at one time or another. The best way to do so is by using a common baby gate. There are basically two types of gates that you will ponder over when you go shopping. They are pressure-mounted gates and hinged gates. Both have definite assets and each has its own list of problems. Luckily, there are many different models that will fit your needs.
Pressure mounted gates most often use pressure to maintain their position in the doorway. They have expandable edges that allow the user to press a button or push a lever that releases the tension so the gate can be moved from the doorway. The good thing about these gates is that they are not permanent. They are most often used as a temporary solution that helps to solve your pet problems. For example, you might use a temporary pressure mounted gate to confine your dog to an area when she is in heat. You might want to keep the dog off carpet surfaces until the cycle is over. The pressure-mounted gate can be installed and removed quickly. It can also be stored for later use in an out of the way place. Unfortunately, pressure mounted gates have to be completely removed so that you can walk through the doorway and then replaced. This is not always convenient when you have your hands full and want to walk through the door.
Hinged gates are gates that are most often permanently affixed to the doorway of your home. They operate on a hinge system that allows the user to push a button that will release the lock and the user can then walk through the doorway. Unfortunately, hinged gates must be affixed to the door jam with screws and hardware. This makes this a good answer if your pet problem is long term but not if it’s sporadic. Hinged gates are much easier to use if your hands are full. Most are made to swing in both directions so ease of use is at a premium.
For dogs, you should avoid mesh gates. Dogs can scratch them and chew them and possibly ingest the small pieces of plastic that are left. You would be much better off to purchase a plastic, sturdy gate. There is almost no safety gate that will be effective for cats. Cats can crawl through the smallest of places or will jump over the top of the gate. Even if you stack one pressure gate over the other, cats will probably scoot through the gaps. You should never install any kind of gate at the top of a stairway.
