Cat Flap question
Discussion
Hello, this is my first post in this section so apologies if this has been asked before (search function's knackered).
I have recently purchased a Staywell Petsafe Manual 4 way locking deluxe cat flap. As yet I have not installed it, but on checking over the product it doesn't seem to be remotely air-tight when closed. The door in question faces the prevailing wind, so I can even feel a strong draught threw the keyhole, unless I block it up. I am concerned that this cat flap will be even worse.
Does anyone else have any opinions on this? Is this product likely to let the wind in as well as the cats? If so are all cat flaps like this?
I have recently purchased a Staywell Petsafe Manual 4 way locking deluxe cat flap. As yet I have not installed it, but on checking over the product it doesn't seem to be remotely air-tight when closed. The door in question faces the prevailing wind, so I can even feel a strong draught threw the keyhole, unless I block it up. I am concerned that this cat flap will be even worse.
Does anyone else have any opinions on this? Is this product likely to let the wind in as well as the cats? If so are all cat flaps like this?
LotusOmega375D said:
Hello, this is my first post in this section so apologies if this has been asked before (search function's knackered).
I have recently purchased a Staywell Petsafe Manual 4 way locking deluxe cat flap. As yet I have not installed it, but on checking over the product it doesn't seem to be remotely air-tight when closed. The door in question faces the prevailing wind, so I can even feel a strong draught threw the keyhole, unless I block it up. I am concerned that this cat flap will be even worse.
Does anyone else have any opinions on this? Is this product likely to let the wind in as well as the cats? If so are all cat flaps like this?
It is not even slightly airtight. Ours is their magnetic locking one, but the construction is very similar (I have the manual one as a backup for the hole should the magnetic one get broken). I don't know if it will blow open in the wind, but I would expect it to let a draft through.I have recently purchased a Staywell Petsafe Manual 4 way locking deluxe cat flap. As yet I have not installed it, but on checking over the product it doesn't seem to be remotely air-tight when closed. The door in question faces the prevailing wind, so I can even feel a strong draught threw the keyhole, unless I block it up. I am concerned that this cat flap will be even worse.
Does anyone else have any opinions on this? Is this product likely to let the wind in as well as the cats? If so are all cat flaps like this?
I'd swap it for a CatMate. The flap has a draught excluder round it and has a much nicer, quieter action than the Staywell.
Here's one: www.buycatflaps.co.uk/2011/06/01/cat-mate-lockable...
Here's one: www.buycatflaps.co.uk/2011/06/01/cat-mate-lockable...
Thanks everyone. Seems like they're all rubbish. I liked the look of the more draught-proof Cat Mate one suggested by Simpo Two, but checking reviews, it seems that the mechanism often breaks within a week or two, so that's no good.
Makes you wonder how these companies come up with the designs for these things?!
Like those little tea-pots you get in hotels or B&B's, which empty half of the contents onto the table-cloth rather than into your cup!
Makes you wonder how these companies come up with the designs for these things?!
Like those little tea-pots you get in hotels or B&B's, which empty half of the contents onto the table-cloth rather than into your cup!
LotusOmega375D said:
Thanks everyone. Seems like they're all rubbish. I liked the look of the more draught-proof Cat Mate one suggested by Simpo Two, but checking reviews, it seems that the mechanism often breaks within a week or two, so that's no good.
We had issues with our moggies getting paws stuck in that one. If they started t go through then changed their mind/panicked and went back there was a good chance the outer flap would be dragged back and trap them.LotusOmega375D said:
Thanks everyone. Seems like they're all rubbish. I liked the look of the more draught-proof Cat Mate one suggested by Simpo Two, but checking reviews, it seems that the mechanism often breaks within a week or two, so that's no good.
Actually they've beefed it up a bit. My first one broke when it was about -10C last winter and the cat came in like a rocket. The replacement had thicker hinge parts. For the price it's worth a go IMHO.LotusOmega375D said:
Thanks everyone. Seems like they're all rubbish.
We have the Staywell Petsafe Manual 4 way locking flap, unfortunately the construction is no match for any of our cats, if they wanted to go out they just ripped the door out taking the inner cover with it. I ended up putting about 10 screws through the inner cover to secure it to the door. It's been fine ever since. Personally I think it's quite draft-free although it isn't in a particularly open environment.Just a few thoughts if it's any help:
We've installed a sureflap microchip-reading cat flap to stop all the neighbourhood cats coming into our kitchen. It has a small brush-type draught excluder around the sides, and once the cats have come through the flap automatically locks, so regardless of how windy it is, the flap won't blow open. It cost about 65 quid but is loads better than the old flap, and as its a completely clear flap, the cats often sit and watch it like a TV. Our cats aren't the smartest tools in the box.
The only shortfall in the system is that if one of the cats comes in and it's really windy (especially if we have a window open at the front of the house) then the flap won't close so the lock can't do anything, and sometimes it can stay open for a little while with the wind roaring through until the wind drops enough for the flap to close. Not a problem now, but in the winter it can really make the kitchen go cold quickly.
One way to minimise this (and it'll work with any cat-flap I guess) is to keep the flap and the hinges cleaned. Cats can be grubby litle creatures and it doesn't take too long for the flap to get quite dirty with grime and cat hairs, and cause it to stick open sometimes. If you take it off once in a while, and soak in hot water with some all-purpose cleaner, that should do the trick.
Also you could always glue on a (very slightly) stronger magnet than the ones that usually keep the flaps closed, but if its slightly too strong the cat won't be able to open it.
We've installed a sureflap microchip-reading cat flap to stop all the neighbourhood cats coming into our kitchen. It has a small brush-type draught excluder around the sides, and once the cats have come through the flap automatically locks, so regardless of how windy it is, the flap won't blow open. It cost about 65 quid but is loads better than the old flap, and as its a completely clear flap, the cats often sit and watch it like a TV. Our cats aren't the smartest tools in the box.
The only shortfall in the system is that if one of the cats comes in and it's really windy (especially if we have a window open at the front of the house) then the flap won't close so the lock can't do anything, and sometimes it can stay open for a little while with the wind roaring through until the wind drops enough for the flap to close. Not a problem now, but in the winter it can really make the kitchen go cold quickly.
One way to minimise this (and it'll work with any cat-flap I guess) is to keep the flap and the hinges cleaned. Cats can be grubby litle creatures and it doesn't take too long for the flap to get quite dirty with grime and cat hairs, and cause it to stick open sometimes. If you take it off once in a while, and soak in hot water with some all-purpose cleaner, that should do the trick.
Also you could always glue on a (very slightly) stronger magnet than the ones that usually keep the flaps closed, but if its slightly too strong the cat won't be able to open it.
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