Managing cat flap access with new kitten

[Pebbles17]

So we got a new 11 week old Bengal kitten on the weekend as a playmate for our 5 year old Bengal.

5 year old has constant access to cat flap, keeping him in at any time is not an option. Currently new kitty is either in our bedroom at night, when we are not at home or supervised when downstairs so cannot get out.

We currently have a box around the cat flap ( opened top so other cat can get in and out ) just to keep it hidden from new kitty but I am sure he will find it very quickly once both cats are ok with each other and new kitty has free access to roam the house.

How on earth do I let 5 year old kitty have access without the new kitty getting out ??

When we first had the older cat, he was 12 weeks old and we did end up letting him out to play a little earlier than the advised 6 months however the resident cat at the time was not bothered about going out all the time so it was a lot easier to police

[Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Change it for a microchip catflap and only set it to recognise the older cat's chip?

[Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Oh hang on, that only works for coming in, forget that.

[Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Maybe install it back to front and change it round later?

[Pebbles17]

LOL that was my exact first thought then remembered it only does coming in :/ There is a gap in the market I tell you!

[Didiplanthis]

You can set microchip ones to work both ways I think.

[tabulahrasa]

You must be able to set them both ways because my friend sets hers at night to let the cat out but not the rabbits.

[Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Ours is a Sureflap, the microchip is for in only, anything can get out (I give it a nudge with my foot to see if someone else has already locked it at night or unlocked it in the morning).

[Thekissbyklimt13]

I have this dilemma too, but don't want to put a collar on my cat. One of the 7 week old kittens managed to get out of our v heavy cat flap last week so it's now locked and the mum can get out of a high window that the kittens can't reach. Obviously it's closed at night though

[chemenger]

We had this problem, but had two cat flaps (one into a porch area and one to the outside from the porch). We got an extra microchip flap to let only the old cat into the porch, both microchip flaps only worked one way. The kittens just waited by the flap and followed her through it. So even if you get a flap that works in both directions don't imagine that your kitten won't outsmart you.

[Pebbles17]

I think I might have to do the window thing but this little sod will be able to reach it soon I think. He is mental!

I can lock it during the day when I am here so that it will only let the older cat in when he decides to come in from playing but it will be tricky if the older cat can't get back out when he wants to. He'll go stir crazy!

[SkimbleShanksTheRailwayCat]

microchip cat flaps definitely can work both ways, at least some of them. Mine keeps the neighbour's cats out and my indoor cat in, whilst my indoor/outdoor cat has free roam.