A poorly sealed one does. Weather seals and twin magnetic closing points are what keep a flap shut in wind, and they matter more day to day than any app feature.
A flap is a hole in a door, and how well it closes decides how the room feels.
What helps
Energy-efficient seals and magnetic closing points — the PetSafe flap we review publishes both. On an exterior door in winter, that is the difference between a draft across the kitchen floor and none.
What the fitting adds
A tunnel that is square to the wall and sealed at the outer face. Filler packed round a crooked tunnel leaks air and, in rain, water.
The porch trick
Where a porch or a lobby exists, putting the flap on the inner door keeps the weather out of the arrangement entirely.
Locking modes
“In only” for a storm, “closed” overnight if you prefer. Mechanical modes work whether or not the batteries are fresh.
This does not replace your device’s manual. Blade temperatures, locking mechanisms and cleaning procedures differ from model to model, and the manufacturer’s instructions take precedence over anything written here. Unplug a device before dismantling it, check a hot blade or an air nozzle against your own hand before it goes anywhere near an animal, and keep a mechanism that closes or rotates under supervision until you know how it behaves.
Last reviewed 2026-08-17