Lockable Cat Flaps, Electromagnet Cat Flaps & Microchip Cat Flaps
If you have a cat then you probably have a cat flap. Cat's are free spirits and like to wander so it makes sense to let them come and go as they please. Of course cat flaps don't last forever, I generally need to replace ours about every 3 years after which time the cats have pretty much destroyed it!
Cat Flaps come in three basic formats, first you have cat flaps that lock with tabs, these are great if you want to have basic control over your cats movements, so if you want to take them to the vet, you put the cat flap on "in only" this locks the flap so the cat can't get out again once they have come again and in the same way you can put it on "out only" as well as the usual "in and out" setting. Tab locking cat flaps are the most common and cheapest option.
Don't let your cat be like poor old Simon's Cat!
Other cats come through the cat flap!
If your cat is small or getting older, other cats will come into your house through the cat flap, scare your cat, eat their food and spray in your kitchen. To prevent other cats getting in, you need a cat flap that can recognise your cat. Cat flaps that lock to prevent other cats entering come in two forms:
Electromagnet cat flap with a magnetic collar
First the electromagnet cat flap with a magnetic collar, so your cat wears a collar with a magnet in, as it approach the cat flap, the magnet causes the cat flap to unlock letting the cat in. Other cats can't get in unless they have a similar collar. These cat flaps are fairly common, the issues with them are that the cat must wear a collar.
Microchip Cat Flaps
Microchip cat flaps work by generating and electromagnetic field around the flap that can read the microchip in your cat, as most owners have already had their cat microchipped, this could be a great option as it means the cat doesn't have to wear a collar and you can be sure that only your cats can get in as it reads the microchips id number. The potential issues with this type of system are that it is fairly new with little choice of make and they are more expensive to buy in the first place.
The new microchip cat flaps look good though still quite expensive
I bought a pet porte cat flap and installed it in a door. Outside there is a drop of about 1ft. IT DOES NOT WORK as my cats approach is too low for the sensor to pick up the chip. They then put their paws on the tunnel section and pull themselves up diagonally, effectively bypassing the reciever section of the flap, (the bit that sticks out). This flap is a complete waste of money for anyone who has a drop on the outside. The cat MUST pass directly beneath the reciever on its approach or the pet porte will not opperate. I intend to try the Sureflap next as the reciever is in the tunnel, not sticking out, so the cats have no option but to pass through the reciever section.
We have just bought one of your Pet portes and have tried to programm in our two siamese cats who have identipet microchips. The porte won't pick up the microchip on either cat. They are three years old and we've tried to program them a few times. Do they have to be without us holding them to pick up the microchip? We've tried both options! Sincerely Wendy
Cat Mate 254W - Electromagnetic Cat Flap in White
Do you supply an Electromagnetic cat flap to fit an opening (Previously used for a DogMate flap)225mm x 580mm (9" x 11")
Does not work at all for us, possibly because of the proximity to the existing (and far superior Pet Porte) we have.
Reading the instructions it seems that this is a known issue, had I known before buying I never would have.
For me it's been a waste of money
How many seconds does the cat flap take to shut after the microchipped cat has passed through. i.e. if it is being chased by another cat will that other cat be able to get through right behind the microchipped one???