How do I stop cat flap break-ins by other cats?!

[Empross76]

We are going through a mountain of cat food because two neighbourhood cats keep getting in through the cat-flap and eating our cat's food!
Our cat isn't bothered in the slightest - she just watches, bemused. But cat food is expensive, and I'm worried that they may start to roam, pee in the house, etc.
We have one of those magnetised cat flaps so I'm guessing these cats have the magnets on their collars, too.
Are there any flaps out there that somehow only let in your cat? Or is there something I can put down to deter the other cats?
I'm sure you wise MN-ers will know what to do!

[LadyDamerel]

You can get cat flaps that can programmed to your cat's microchip so only let that cat in.

They're about £80 though.

[cozietoesie]

Yep - a microchip cat flap. It will only let in authorized cats by reading their microchips. More expensive than the ordinary flaps - but then you're saving on cat food!

Have a look for Sureflap on the internet.

[tribpot]

Yes, there is a cat flap which works off your cat's microchip, assuming she is chipped? We have this one.

Alternatively, Pets At Home have this one which works off electronic id disks, so you don't have to have the cat chipped if she isn't. And this one has an infra-red device for the collar.

I'd definitely want to keep the other cats out; your cat may appear only bemused but it's probably stressful for her to have them in her territory.

[AnnoyingOrange]

We had this. I started feeding it cat upstairs in the bathroom, so there were no tempting snacks by the cat flap

[cozietoesie]

PS - if she's not chipped then it's a good idea to have that done anyway, especially if she goes outside. I can't remember how much that is to have done (last time it was lumped in with other vet items) but say £20 - £30 ?

[Empross76]

Thanks all - she is chipped. We'll look into a new cat flap, I think.

[cozietoesie]

Good luck - that should sort you out.

[basildonbond]

We were having problems with one of the neighbour's cats who'such bigger and bolshier than our little tabby - he'd come on and eat her food but the last straw was when he started brazenly stealing her toys!

We got a microchip cat flap and it's stopped him in his tracks. Our cat has got much braver - she growls at him if she sees him on the garden cos she knows he can't get to her any more

[cozietoesie]

That's good - it's going to be interesting to see how Shuri gets on with him!

[basildonbond]

Ha ha!! I suspect he's going to take on the Protector of the Territory role ... He arrives in just over 2 weeks but obviously won't be going out straight away .. I'll keep you posted

[Poppetspinkpants]

One tip. If you get a Sureflap and Puss seems reluctant to go through it the first time to learn the chip code, DO NOT sneak up behind cat with the Dyson.
Our cat shot through the flap
so fast that it couldn't read the chip.

[cozietoesie]