Any experience of microchip catflaps?
Discussion
Since my other cat Kirra passed away my rescue cat Boris who I have had for a year seems to have become very skittish and clearly a bit of a wuss.
Other cats must be coming in as he seems scared to go downstairs on his own and will only eat when I am standing in the room and always glances round at the catflap.
I have bought a microchip flap to fit but I have heard some cats struggle to use them.
Anybody have one?
Other cats must be coming in as he seems scared to go downstairs on his own and will only eat when I am standing in the room and always glances round at the catflap.
I have bought a microchip flap to fit but I have heard some cats struggle to use them.
Anybody have one?
If it's a Sureflap, you press the button next to the battery compartment (under battery lid) and a red light comes on. You then just wait for your cat to go through it - that's it. Just make sure it's your cat that goes through. No need to press the button again afterwards. I was amused by the literature which came with mine which stated (and I quote) 'no amount of waving your cat near the cat flap will register it' - it does have to go through.
Be aware that the catch at the bottom will get dirty and jam from time to time if it's not kept reasonably clean. If it does jam, the instructions recommend dousing in WD40 and cycling with the button. Apart from that mine's been absolutely spot on
Be aware that the catch at the bottom will get dirty and jam from time to time if it's not kept reasonably clean. If it does jam, the instructions recommend dousing in WD40 and cycling with the button. Apart from that mine's been absolutely spot on
We have one, works perfectly - and our cat is a proper chunk!
However during heavy rain a couple of weeks ago I noticed rain coming in and getting the carpet wet which wasn't ideal (flap was closed at the time) - I'm hoping it was just a glitch and that it hadn't fully closed or something.
However during heavy rain a couple of weeks ago I noticed rain coming in and getting the carpet wet which wasn't ideal (flap was closed at the time) - I'm hoping it was just a glitch and that it hadn't fully closed or something.
I've had a few of them - all of them the Sureflap.
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
tribbles said:
I've had a few of them - all of them the Sureflap.
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
Gorgeous mogstribbles said:
I've had a few of them - all of them the Sureflap.
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
Yes, ours still expects personal butler service when we are in the house! The other day he was whining at the door and I refused to open it to make him use the flap. I then tried an experiment in which I held the flap door open with my finger. He then went out with no issues. The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
Asshole
Cool pic!
Have a Staywell Pet Porte for mine, plug socket next to the flap means it's plugged in so no battery to worry about.
Took no time at all for the cat to get used to and it's still working fine after about 4 years.
However, a couple of the craftier local moggies have worked out how to hook a claw under the flap and open it from the outside, so it's not 100% effective!
Have a Staywell Pet Porte for mine, plug socket next to the flap means it's plugged in so no battery to worry about.
Took no time at all for the cat to get used to and it's still working fine after about 4 years.
However, a couple of the craftier local moggies have worked out how to hook a claw under the flap and open it from the outside, so it's not 100% effective!
+1 for Sureflap. We have the Pet Door (big cat) and it's brilliant. Incredible battery life, just works every time. Also a good company to deal with post-sales.
Edited to add - the Pet Door has a system (that you can activate if you need it) that prevents the flap being clawed open from outside by unwelcome visitors.
Edited to add - the Pet Door has a system (that you can activate if you need it) that prevents the flap being clawed open from outside by unwelcome visitors.
Edited by moosepig on Friday 8th July 22:42
tribbles said:
I've had a few of them - all of them the Sureflap.
The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
Gorgeous kitties The only problem is that the bottom of them can get dirty, and this causes the battery to drain (it uses an LED to reflect off the bottom to detect the cat - which breaks the beam, just like dirt). So keep it clean.
If you want them to get used to the clicking, then you can use masking tape to hold the latch down for a bit - it'll still freely open and close, but it'll click. When they're happy with that, remove the masking tape and then it's just a matter of them getting used to when to push with their nose.
Of course, it doesn't stop them from waiting for me to open the door if they're around
This is "waiting for the magic door to open":
And "when are you going to open it?":
, just a little bias maybe as from the back they really reminded me of my two!! (both sadly passed now)
OP Sureflap is a company I've always recommended,I believe they have a very good customer service,should you need it. One client complained but turned out they had fitted it incorrectly.
I think most cats tx get used to the noise, may need a few,tempting treats on the inside to encourage him :
Edited by bexVN on Saturday 9th July 07:34
OP-we have 2 cats and one is the thickest moggie you will ever meet.
When I fitted the Sureflap she stood there next to it watching me push it open repeatedly, she then watched the other cat pick it up no problem and watched her go out, come in, go out etc...This didn't seem to register with her and she would look puzzled at me. When I tried to gently push her through it she put her paws either side and wouldn't go through for love nor money!
Eventually she went through only to not realise that it's exactly the same process to come back in and no amount of treats or opening the flap myself or watching the other cat use it would convince her or sink in. She just sat there whining!
It took about a day for her to get it! If she can, any cat can! (I did not leave her outside for a day).
When I fitted the Sureflap she stood there next to it watching me push it open repeatedly, she then watched the other cat pick it up no problem and watched her go out, come in, go out etc...This didn't seem to register with her and she would look puzzled at me. When I tried to gently push her through it she put her paws either side and wouldn't go through for love nor money!
Eventually she went through only to not realise that it's exactly the same process to come back in and no amount of treats or opening the flap myself or watching the other cat use it would convince her or sink in. She just sat there whining!
It took about a day for her to get it! If she can, any cat can! (I did not leave her outside for a day).
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