Neighbour's devious cat breaking in through catflap

[TonOfLead]

I have 2 cats and a microchip operated catflap (microchip to get in only, any cat can get out).

The neighbour's cat has been obsessed with getting into the house for a while, and will duck in if a door is left open.

Anyway, he has now mastered the art of breaking into the catflap. He rattles it until he can hook a claw behind it and open it towards him. Not only am I now feeding three cats now, but it is also stressing my cats as they don't like him. He doesn't confine himself to the kitchen (where the food and catflap are) as I have found him upstairs in a bedroom and sunning himself in the conservatory.

The only thing I can think of is to change to a microchip both ways flap. Does anyone have any experience of those? Which would you recommend?

Or any other ideas please? Apart from sitting guard by the flap 24/7?

Thanks

[Fluffycloudland77]

Email the company first, I’m sure someone on here had a problem with their cat unhooking the clasp with a claw and getting out so sureflap sent them something to make it claw proof.

He sounds a clever cat if nothing else.

[Icequeen01]

My neighbour's cat tailgates my cats through my microchip catflap. My cats are best mates with him so happily let him in but he's the most greedy cat I have ever come across and will eat 3 sachets of food in just a few minutes. I would agree about phoning the catflap manufacturer. I'm considering doing the same but don't think there will be much they can do to help me to be honest.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Is that the big tabby?

[TonOfLead]

I hadn't thought about emailing the manufacturer as I assumed there was nothing they would be able to do. But I'll give it a go. Thanks.

And he's definitely smarter than my cats.

[Icequeen01]

@Fluffycloudland77 Yes it is! 😀 He's a total pig!

[Fluffycloudland77]

You rarely see a skinny tabby. They have healthy appetites.

[Bapple]

We have exactly this problem!! For a few days now I have suspected a cat is getting in and helping himself to our cat's food. We have a Sureflap microchip inwards only version (any cat can get out). We set up a web cam tonight to check who came in and it wasn't our cat. Not happy as these cat flaps are not cheap.

[violetscone]

Is it a Sureflap? If so, give them a shout - they can send you a free cover that sounds like it should help with this.

Our cat was letting himself out from inside when he was meant to be shut in (we put it on one-way so he’d be shut in at night) by pulling the flap in much the way you describe.

Sureflap customer service were beyond lovely and FedExed us the cover for free. I think new flaps come with it now also. @Bapple sounds like this could help you too. They also sent us a replacement part when our cat damaged the cat flap (long story). Very very nice customer service, were very clear that the price meant it should last and that we shouldn’t have to pay for parts.

[violetscone]

PS we had to provide a serial number but they explained how / where to find it.

[Bapple]

Thanks - it is a Sureflap, we're going to give them a call today.

[fabulous40s]

Yes I've had this! Had a two way chip sure flap but the next door neighbours cat learnt to bounce it and get in - little bastard. Called sureflap but they were no help. We moved shortly after so never resolved it I'm afraid

[TonOfLead]

Thanks. My catflap is by Cat Mate. I've emailed them but not yet had a reply.

Interesting that others have had the same problem. And it is definitely him as I've caught him in the act a few time when I've gone to investigate the flap rattling (him outside, paw holding up the flap and head just about to go in).

I have to give him credit for intelligence and determination.