Catflap company say I have a defective cat. Vet says I have a defective catflap - who is right?

[Stupiddriver1]

If anyone can solve this mystery which has been plaguing me for months I would be very grateful.

We have one middle aged cat and for years have one of those microchip catflaps which only let recognised cats in. It worked fine, including for our previous (now deceased cat).

Then we got a new cat, who is to remain a house cat. The cat flap lets any cat out so obviously this wouldn't do. We purchased a new 2 way microchip one and programmed it so only the older cat could go in and out.

Apart from she can only come in, she can't get out.

We have tried resetting it so many times and it just doesn't recognize her when she tries to leave. Is fine coming in. DH has a keyfob for work with an rfid chip in so we programmed that to the cat flap and that works in both directions.

I contacted the cat flap company who sent me another rfid chip in a ruler widget to measure how far away the range is and it's 26cm both sides so they say their cat flap is fine. I said it can't be and to shut me up they sent me a new one.

We have exactly the same problem.

I took the cat to the vet to get another chip fitted and vet wouldn't do it. She scanned the cat and the chip shows up fine. Vet says the cat flap must be faulty. But if it was faulty why would it work for 2 X Non cat inserted chips. And why would both flaps have the same issue?

It's been 4 months now since cat could let herself out.

Yes, I originally thought that because the cat was long it was harder for the flap to read the chip from the inside but the vet said the originally chip hadn’t really migrated far and the flap scanner should still have picked it up. Certainly the vet picked it up immediately when checking. The cat flap company were being really difficult and because it would have been so expensive to replace the flap (it was installed by the company we bought our new double glazed door from as part of the guarantee for the door) I figured getting another chip and seeing if it worked would be cheaper. Could you try the flap with any other cats? Our other cats were able to get in and out without an issue which is why I persevered.

Let me try it with the dog.....

There are different types of chips that use different technology. Perhaps your cats chip is not quite compatible with the door sensors?

Just ask the vet to implant a new chip. As long as you always keep your details up to date on both chips if you move/change phone number, there's no issue.

Sorry the technology (rfid) is the same but they have technical differences so not all chip readers that vet use can read all chips (mostly it’s an international problem with pets that move overseas).

Ok, it doesn’t pick the dog up either. Admittedly she’s a fat spaniel who can’t fit through the cat flap but I could push her head half way through so her neck should have been in range.

First thing Sureflap asked me was for the chip number and they confirmed the chip is compatible with the flap.

Does it pick up the dog on the outside? Where it picks up the defective cat... then that surely proves it’s the flap not the creatures... you can’t be that unlucky to have a defective cat and dog

you can’t be that unlucky to have a defective cat and dog Nature vs nurture, innit. I'm blaming the engineer at home. Perhaps he's fried the cat's chip somehow?

We have the basic sureflap model which lets only my microchipped cats in and lets all cats out. A cheeky stray cat started "piggybacking" on my lady cat and follows her in nose to tail every time she activates the flap to come in. We've been wondering how to rectify the situation but in the meantime cheeky stray cat has acquired a name and a bowl and a favourite chair

Ladychatterleyshoover. I think you now have 2 cats! 😂

Or an additional cat even! Sounds like you had more than one to start with.

Sorry not read the full thread and sorry if I am hijacking but I have anew cat flap and can’t get the Dcat to use it. Any tricks from all you knowledgeable people? It’s a chip one and it’s working fine but the cat won’t go through it. She will eat treats from the edge of it and I hear it click as it unlocks but she won’t put her head, never mind her full body, through...

I spent a long time with my stupidest cat pushing the flap open and sitting on the other side with treats. All other cats I've had have just got on with it!

Mine is not daft (at least I don’t think so!) but I think she’s a bit scared of it. She’s a rescue and although she’s been with us over a year now and is generally very settled, I still think she’s frightened by the noise of the catch releasing... I’ll keep trying...

@LadyChatterleysHoover

Can you get the stray scanned? She might be a missing pet.

@Lostmyunicorn PILs had their cat flap taped in an open position for quite some time whilst their cats got used to it.

Ah that’s a good idea! Much better than me squatting beside it holding it open and getting crosser by the minutes....

A few dreamies actually on the other side will work wonders

It was Sureflap that we had the issues with as well.

No you see I tried that and she just cries to be let out via the door then strolls over and scoffs them once she’s out.....

I mean dreamies with the catflap taped open

Ah now I get you - I’ll give that a go! I have tried holding it open for her with the dreamies on the other side and she reached her head in, snatched them up and pulled her head back, but maybe if I do it while it’s taped open she’ll have longer to get used to putting her head in and out and will get the idea😀

Put them a bit further away so she has to go through.

It’s a chip one and it’s working fine but the cat won’t go through it. She will eat treats from the edge of it and I hear it click as it unlocks but she won’t put her head, never mind her full body, through...

We had to swap the microchip one for a cheap one that just swung for our old cat as she was scared of the clicking sound