Microchip catflap recommendation

Microchip catflap recommendation

Author
Discussion

edc

Original Poster:

9,231 posts

250 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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Can any of you cat owners recommend a microchip catflap for my cats? I've seen Sureflap, Petporte and Cat Mate versions.

One with a timer function and a manual lock would also be useful eg so they can come in but not go out up to 7pm or if I need to lock it to get them to the vet etc

MitchT

15,788 posts

208 months

Thursday 24th July 2014
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I've got a Sureflap. Works perfectly for me. There's no timer on it that I'm aware of but it can be set to only open one way so you can allow the cats in if they're out and prevent them getting out again. This is achieved via the conventional, mechanical means.

CR6ZZ

1,313 posts

144 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Another vote sure SureFlap. Works brilliantly with our two. Only advice I'd give is to ensure that the chip is inserted as far forward on the neck as possible. The younger of our two moggies uses a technique where she pushes the flap with her paw rather than her head. Consequently the flap didn't trigger every time initially. We had a second chip inserted a couple of centimetres more forward and now, no problems.

edc

Original Poster:

9,231 posts

250 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks. My cats are 3 and 4 now but have always had someone around to let them in or out most days. Now they need to make their own way. It would be good if there was a product out there that allowed it to lock and prevent the cats going out after 8pm until say 8am the next day.

edc

Original Poster:

9,231 posts

250 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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If it helps anyone else I've found the Cat Mate Elite microchip with timer control. It allows programmable entry and exit times. Its £109 on the manufacturer website but £79 on eBay now.

RB5Bird

502 posts

194 months

Saturday 9th August 2014
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Another vote for Sureflap. No timer, but has got selectable entry/exit thingy. Works very well.

It did take El Stupido (Cat) a while to get the hang of it, but now she's happy to come and go as she pleases. Unless we are in the kitchen, then she needs a punt up the bum to use her own door rather than us opening the normal door. Yet she would still rather jump through the living room window, when the kitchen door is wide open about 6ft away - thick as mince.


PinkRinse

365 posts

168 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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Yet another vote for SureFlap here too. My Dad has one installed at his house and after doing the programming waft the cats love being able to meander in & out!

tribbles

3,970 posts

221 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
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Bit of a belated reply - I've got a SureFlap as well.

Although I found it is very important to keep it clean; otherwise it has trouble 'seeing' the cats (and you think it's broken).

And the last time I changed the batteries, it forgot the cats, so I had to reprogram it.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

283 months

Wednesday 13th August 2014
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Sureflap as well but one cat has the chip a bit further back and getting out can be an issue. No problem getting in. Bit funny at first before they realised that Mach 2 was not achievable through the flap. Few flattened noses.

Edit. We bought the both way chip reading one should one need to be kept in.

RB5Bird

502 posts

194 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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Saw this
http://www.sureflap.co.uk/products/details/19-micr...

It's only slightly bigger than a cat flap but looks like its got a timer on it.
Cat flap is 166 x 172, pet door is 206 x 234. Pretty sure that's what it said, but not much bigger.

edc

Original Poster:

9,231 posts

250 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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edc said:
If it helps anyone else I've found the Cat Mate Elite microchip with timer control. It allows programmable entry and exit times. Its £109 on the manufacturer website but £79 on eBay now.
I got this one in the end. Fitting was straight forward DIY. The programmbale functions work well. The instruction book is a little small but the instrutions are ok. 7.5/8 out of 10 for ease of use. One cat has figured it out pretty quickly but the other is still getting used to it. I think he just doesn;t like pressing his face against the clear flap and when the locker mechanism retracts it makes him jump a bit. The timer is set to only let them in netween 19.30 and 7am. So if they return at 19:45 they can get in but won't be able to get back out agin until the morning. During the day they can come and go as they please. It doesn't work so well with rechargeable batteries.