• Panels that attach to a screen door keep animals from going through it.Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  Screens are useful to assist with air circulation in homes, but for many pet owners screening can also be a source of frustration. Dogs and cats often tear holes in screens, especially doors. Dogs in particular may damage screens to the point that the screening is tattered and useless. Fortunately, there are products available that minimize or prevent this destruction.
  
  

Door Guard

• Door guards are made to cover the screening on the lower part of a screen door. These guards are made of sturdy aluminum or steel mesh that is finely woven to prevent animals from being able to damage the screen behind the guard. These panels come in a variety of styles and widths to allow them to fit virtually any screen door. Some door guards feature a solid panel in the lower portion and mesh above it in order to provide extra protection. Different finishes are available to make the guards more attractive. Door guards attach to the screens with small screws that screw directly into the screen door's frame, or they snap into the door's frame.
  
  

Pet-Resistant Screens

• Heavy-duty screening and custom-made screens are available to keep pets from going through accessible windows. One option is for homeowners to buy heavy-duty, pet-resistant screening and rescreen all problem windows, using the existing screen frames. Another option is to have pet-resistant window screens custom-made to fit all windows pets can access. Custom-made screens usually include extra-strength frames as well as tough screens to help to keep pets in or out. Once made, pet-resistant screens are easy to install by slipping them into existing screen tracks. Strong springs on the sides of the screen frames hold them securely in place. If there is concern that a pet may knock a screen out of the track, screws driven through the frame and into the screen track add extra security.
  
  

Dog Door

• There are screen doors available that have a built-in dog access door. Screen damage often occurs when a pet tries to get in or out and the only way for it to do so is to tear a hole in the screen. Purchasing a pet screen door with an access panel allows pets to enter and exit at will without causing damage. These doors are made using tough materials such as metal frames and super-tough screen fabric. For best results the pet door should fit without any gaps, and it should be held in place by magnets so that it can't be blown open or hang crookedly. These features help to ensure that insects can't enter but pets can get in and out.