stronger replacement flap?

[bonzo77]

My cat is a nutter. We have cat flap with a 4 way lock, and lock her in over night. But she just smashes her way out! I have resorted to putting a very heavy chair against the flap to keep her in. Any other suggestions? She is neutered, so she's not trying to meet a boy. She does normally spend all day outside whatever the weather, and is very quick to return when I call her. Any suggestions?

Is it plastic flap you have? Maybe you'll have to fit one of the heavy duty metal ones? (Search for 'heavy duty cat flap' on the relevant sites.)

What kind of cat is she?

She's a fairly small (3kg) moggie about 2 years old. I can't replace the whole unit, only the actual flappy bit as it's sealed into double glazing. Might just have to get a new flap and keep the chair there over night.

Sorry, yes, the flap is plastic. I've been searching for a metal replacement on line to no avail.

Ah right. The double glazing is a complication. I see that you can't replace the whole unit - not without replacing the door that is. Maybe someone else will have a brighter idea than me (still not fully caffeinated yet) but it does look like a replacement flap in any case.

Next though - have a look at her behaviour. If you're trying to keep her in over night but she just smashes her way out, should you concede the issue and leave it open? And/or put down a litter tray for her to use so she becomes less anxious about being taken short?

Does she show signs of less assertive behaviour if it's peeing down with rain? (I'm thinking that the worsening weather may make her more inclined to be a homebody at night in the next few months. Plus, at two years old, she's only a teenager really. A little more age on her and she might (that would be a 'might') quieten down a little.)

Best of luck with her.

She does have a litter tray, and a blanket (which she chose) to sleep on, and food / water over night. I do really need to keep her in at night because she gets in fights and the resulting injuries mean she suffers, as does my purse! She used to go out at night but we stopped this after her second anaesthetic in as many months to drain abscesses.
Tbh I didn't realise that aged 2 she was still just an adolescent really, it explains a lot. I do wonder if there might be a new cat near by and there are turf wars afoot. She has lost several collars recently, having had a previous one for about a year.
Anyway, have ordered a new plastic door and will have to keep using the chair to block it for now. Pesky kitty!