Cat flap advise

[littlemissM92]

Hi we are moving house next week with our 6m old kitten he has recently been neutered and chipped he doesn't go out at current house due to main road he has been in garden a couple times only. Once settled at new house the plan is to let him out through Day and keep in at night. I want to get a cat flap so he can come and go but be locked at night and only allow him in, is there such a thing that doesn't cost the earth? Thanks in advance

[RueDeDay]

Yes, depending on what your idea of 'the earth' is! Look at microchip cat flaps on Amazon. They are worth every penny.

[MissClarke86]

Most normal cheap cat flaps have settings for both ways, out only and in only - it's just a plastic dial.

If you're worried about other cats coming in you'll need a more expensive one.

[MrsPnut]

Microchip cat flap is a definite winner, ours has a dusk till dawn setting so they can't get out at night.
The big tom up the road is still puzzled as to why he can't get through the flap.

[GinAndOnIt]

We have a very cheap one that just has a toggle like MissClarke describes, but we are rural and don't have the danger of other cats coming through it (and our cat/dog would have something to say if one tried!)
You would have to fork out for a microchip one if you're likely to be living where other cats are, though. I think you can get cheaper ones which have a magnet on the collar, but I don't seem to have much success keeping collars on cats!

[littlemissM92]

Thanks all there are lots of cats on new neighbourhood so I think I will look at the more expensive ones I like the sound of that dusk til dawn one !

[littlemissM92]

Mrspnut would u be kind enough to screen shot me it from amazon I'm not having any luck finding with dusk til dawn setting ?

And probs daft question but how do you put in the micro chip number or do you scan it off the barcode ?

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

We've got a simple Sureflap microchip one but they've got a dual control one that you can set times on as well.

The flap just picks up your cat's microchip when they use the flap (on the learn setting) and then it works from then on.

[littlemissM92]

This one ?

[MrsPnut]

<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MA3TH2M?psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MA3TH2M?psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 This is the one we have, but the brown version in a wooden door.
You just scan the catflap over the cat before you install it, the instructions are pretty straightforward and if you get new cats they can be bundled through the flap with the scanner activated.

[ExplodedCloud]

Our cat flap is a SureFlap one that was cheaper from Argos than Amazon. It doesn't have a timer on but it does have a 4 way lock so you could set it to in only of an evening without the worry of any other cat getting in and being stuck.

[Badgertastic]

We use the one @MrsPnut suggested on her link. We love it. The cats are safe and happy and there are different settings to suit.

[littlemissM92]

Thank you will have a proper look shortly x

[littlemissM92]

With that one do I need to order any extras that are suggested under some of the others or will everything that I need to fit it be in the box?

[littlemissM92]

It shows this underneath??

[MrsPnut]

We bought the extension lead but only because our nearest plug socket to the front is at the top of the stairs and it only does the fancy extras if it's running from the mains. We didn't need the additional tunnel piece because our door isn't too thick.

[littlemissM92]

Oh no I thought it was a battery operated one! :(

[MrsPnut]

It is battery operated but if you want the dawn to dusk on it needs mains power.

[SplodgeBear1988]

If you get a magnet one make sure they don't have metal food bowls or lets them lick your plate when your finished if your knife and fork are still on it. I speak from experience.....