Do I need a microchip cat flap?

[fruitstick]

Our cats have never had a cat flap. They are now 10.

However for various reasons, they could now really do with one, and I'm keen to get rid of the litter trays.

the main reason is we now have a dog so they don't have easy access to the back door anymore, so they used to be able to easily tell us that they wanted to go out but now it's trickier.

my questions

1. will a 10 year old cat use a cat flap
2. do I need one with a microchip? They are more expensive but also I don't every cat in the village in my hall.

I think 10 year old cats can learn to use a catflap with a bit of tough love (i.e. shoving them through it/never opening the door to let them out). Mine recently learned how to use a ridiculously long one after a while of not having one at all (but previously having a normal one).

The microchip ones are great, but if you think the village cats won't come in don't get one. I mean, they will though probably.

You might have an issue with getting senior cats to use a cat flap, and getting rid of a litter tray if that is all they've known.
Personally, I'd always go with a a microchip cat flap but then i live in an area where there are lots of local cats. If the back door is left open (say in the summer) we quite often have a visiting cat wander in. Curious little buggers!

Depends on your cats. We have microchip ones but they're turned off so any cat could come through. They won't though as my old lady cat is well known amongst the neighbourhood moggies and they're all scared of her. They won't even come in the garden.

I've lived in places with catflaps for years - in my first house one cheeky and very beautiful fancy neighbourhood cat used to come in (and bully my poor cat a bit!) sometimes, but never happened in last 18 years.

If you don't want the neighbourhood thug cat coming round yours for snacks then you need a microchip cat flap. In our case the thug is my cat and he pops in to every house with an open cat flap and then usually has a fight.

My cats have a magnetic collar that opens the cat flap so only cats with a magnetic collar can get in might be an alternative to a microchip

My cats don't have collars. They lost them in seconds.

I wouldn't bet on losing the litter trays.

None of them will want to go out to do a wee in the rain or cold.

One of mine will come inside especially to use the litter tray and then go outside again, it's infuriating.

Microchip flaps are great.

I would still keep a tray though for overnights and bad weather.

I’d say it’s worth getting a microchip cat door. There’s 2 local Tom cats who regularly tried to get into our house to get jiggy with our neutered female cat and who were foiled every time by the secure cat door.

By all means get a cat flap, but please don't get rid of the litter trays. It's not fair on your cats to suddenly be forced to toilet outside 24/7 when they've never had to do so before.

I don't think you can get cats who have had an indoor toilet all their lives to suddenly use an outdoor one. I suspect if you get rid of the litter trays, they'll just wee and poo where the tray used to be.

If you have a dog, you're much less likely to have other cats coming into your garden

I wouldn't bother with a microchip flap. If you have a dog, odds are that will keep out the village cats, right?

Also, I have a spoiled cat who will come in to use the cat box and then go back outside.

For clarity

They always used to go to the toilet outside with a litter tray indoors 'for emergencies' which was rarely used.

However since we got the dog 2 years ago, it's more difficult for them to tell us that they want to go out - as we are in the back room with the door shut.

One cat in particular doesn't like the dog so we have separated them. This I think has made things worse and I'd like to keep the door open more.

At the moment the dog just has access to our main family area and the cats have the rest of the house.

So they haven't used a litter tray all their lives, but have for the past year or so.

No one can say for sure if they'd revert to going outside but I think you can just have an ordinary cat flap if you have q dog who doesn't like cats in the garden.

Have people found with their microchip cat flaps, that you can allow only the microchipped cat to enter, but you can't set them to allow only the microchipped cat to exit? With mine, you either have free exit or exit locked. If on free exit setting, some tenacious cats can pull the flap towards themselves and get in that way. I've seen my cat try it when he's 'forgotten' that he has to stick his head close to the flap for it to activate, then headbutt it to get in. He doesn't seem to like the headbutting part!

@watcherintherye the basic one is in only, but the swanky one with an app enables multiple configurations for in and out for multiple cats IIRC.

The cat flap is going next to the front door, so the nervy cat doesn't have to negotiate the dog.

Bloody pets!

Yes, you need a microchip one as you'll have all and sundry in your kitchen eating their food, sleeping on your beds and fighting with them. And they'll learn how to use it.

Oh in that case you definitely need one. They'll get the hang of it - you just need to post them through a few times. I'm sure they'll be happy to be able to go in and out at will too.

Worlds best cat litter is a game changer in terms of litter and if the dog is interested in it's content get a top opening one.

Hopefully they will take to the cat flap although I'm sure it will appeal more if the weather improves.

I just can't be arsed to keep emptying it.

The pets are all mine so I have to feed the buggers, walk the dog, sort the cat litter.

I'm over it!

It was me who insisted on a dog so I've only myself to blame.