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Cat flaps - help!

16 replies

RubyRoses · 09/07/2021 08:57

I need your wisdom on the best microchip catflap please? We have one 5kg cat who I'm not even sure has ever used a catflap before so looking for one that opens quickly and easily. It's also going into glass if that makes a difference. Thank you, I honestly didn't think I could be this indecisive about a catflap!

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Chemenger · 09/07/2021 08:59

We have a Sureflap. Cats have always learned to use it quickly and easily.

Heronatemygoldfish · 09/07/2021 12:40

We have a bog standard Sureflap (not the cat door, which is huge) and our 5.5kg monster mog has no problem with it.

SometimesIFeedTheSparrows · 09/07/2021 13:48

We have the Sure microchip one with the app - with a tunnel in a wall. Our >5kg lad prefers a window or open door but has no trouble barrelling through if human door openers are not immediately available.

When we originally viewed the house the previous owners had a monster of a cat, this thing was as wide as a basketball. It followed us out into the garden on a viewing and we didn't know whether to call it back inside but the estate agent said that it did fit through the cat flap, they had to check with the owner and there was a note in the file. We watched it do it as well - it wasn't pretty to watch but eventually got in. It was at least twice as wide as our 5kg boy.

ValerieMorghulis · 09/07/2021 14:09

Also Sureflap with microchip here. Also beasts that prefer their servants to open the door for them, but who are capable of bringing in a live squirrel through the flap if they put their minds to it…

SometimesIFeedTheSparrows · 09/07/2021 14:35

ValerieMorghulis oh yeah, absolutely no issue with using the flap if it looks like there might about to be a speck of rain and they have a mouthful of something alive they would prefer to chase around a warm and dry house.

The app means you can check where the bloody cat is - which helps if you have one that hides upstairs and only decides to emerge at 3am and is now the wrong side of the kitchen door. The microchip stops all other cats coming in.

PaniniEuro · 09/07/2021 14:45

I’ve been trying to decide which Sureflap flap to get. Our cat is big so was thinking about the Pet Door but having looked at one in the shop it’s huge! PPs have reassured me that he might be able to fit through the normal cat flap.

Lellochip · 09/07/2021 15:03

@PaniniEuro

I’ve been trying to decide which Sureflap flap to get. Our cat is big so was thinking about the Pet Door but having looked at one in the shop it’s huge! PPs have reassured me that he might be able to fit through the normal cat flap.
I thought the same and went with the bigger pet door. In hindsight I think she'd have managed just fine with the smaller cat flap (I forget cats are basically liquid) Pic shows 5kg cat with plenty of room to spare!
Cat flaps - help!
Cat flaps - help!
Motorina · 09/07/2021 15:24

My 7kg obese ball (yes, he’s on a diet) gets through a standard sureflap. He has to shimmy a bit - a bit like me pulling a tight dress over my hips - but he fits.

Motorina · 09/07/2021 15:25

Sorry - the standard size microchip sure flap. It’s actually mounted backwards, to stop the kittens going out, rather than other cats coming in.

GiantKitten · 09/07/2021 15:44

My 7kg+ big-boned (honest!) boy takes 10 seconds to get through our standard Sureflap - these are stills from a video, I don’t seem to be able to upload that unfortunately. The struggle is real Grin

(I would get the bigger one, but the panel isn’t big enough for it, so he’s stuck with this; if we’re around, sometimes we’ll open the door for him. With luck it’ll stop him bringing any enormous presents in…)

Cat flaps - help!
Cat flaps - help!
Cat flaps - help!
PaniniEuro · 09/07/2021 16:15

I’ve just checked my vaccination cert as I haven’t a clue how much ours weighs. It says 7kg!

GiantKitten · 09/07/2021 17:07

@PaniniEuro

I’ve just checked my vaccination cert as I haven’t a clue how much ours weighs. It says 7kg!
Ohhhhhh! Looking at your 7kg cat happily slinking through your enormous door makes me feel really mean that I can’t get one for ours! (But we’d have to have new French windows with a bigger bottom panel - not going to happen!)
TroysMammy · 09/07/2021 21:11

@GiantKitten don't tell your cat but I laughed at the photos of him especially the last one. I would love to see him coming out of the cat flap from the other side. Is he dragging himself out on his front paws?

Motorina · 10/07/2021 07:48

@TroysMammy - I did too. It's not elegant, is it?

GiantKitten · 10/07/2021 10:26

[quote TroysMammy]@GiantKitten don't tell your cat but I laughed at the photos of him especially the last one. I would love to see him coming out of the cat flap from the other side. Is he dragging himself out on his front paws?[/quote]
We snigger a bit too Blush

I think it’s a combination of dragging and shimmying. There’s a short steep step outside too. It is very awkward for the poor love!

We got the smaller flap before we even got him, and I had no idea how much bigger than the others he would be. This is him next to his smaller “big sister”. She’s under 4kg!

Cat flaps - help!
AlfonsoTheMango · 10/07/2021 10:41

[quote TroysMammy]@GiantKitten don't tell your cat but I laughed at the photos of him especially the last one. I would love to see him coming out of the cat flap from the other side. Is he dragging himself out on his front paws?[/quote]
I laughed at all of the photos but most at the middle one. It's like me pulling on a tight pair of jeans - breathe in; one leg at a time. Fingers crossed.

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