Why does my microchip cat flap no longer recognise my cat?

[CheeriosOrFrosties]

2 cats, got a microchip cat flap. As they took an age to get the hang of it I had always had the flap sellotaped down, but knew that the cat flap had recognised their chips because it would still make the noise of the flap releasing as they were coming in/out of it.

So today I noticed that it’s now not recognising one of the cats. Can chips move/fall out?! Or do I just need to reprogramme the cat flap?

There is a neighbourhood cat that they keep getting into trouble with who just stuck his head through it as well trying to chase one of mine in, so I need to make it only accessible to my cats, but don’t want to leave one of them stuck outside if the cat flap fails again in the future!

Does the battery need changing? Or sometimes they can get clogged up with cat hair which can affect the sensor.

Because it’s not really your cat. Your cat has been abducted by aliens and replaced by a computer generated AI stunt cat, who has been programmed with your cat’s personality.

Or it’s the battery.

Sounds like the battery, also the motor may have given up the ghost if its being trying to open against the sellotape for a long time.

Microchips can also move. Ddogs is now half way down his leg!

I’ll try replacing the battery tomorrow and giving it a clean, but it doesn’t explain why it recognises one cat but not the other?

AI stunt cat it is. They’ve done a good job. Would recommend.

Battery.

I have a microchip feeder. When the battery fails it starts recognizing any cat. Wannabe fat cat had a few days of bliss before we noticed and then crushing disappointment when it no longer opened for her to gorge herself senseless.

Occasionally the chip can get lost. I foster rescue cats and have had over 100 in last few years. Two have lost their chips not long after they've been done.

I would clean the flap and check the batteries. Also try reprogramming. If it doesn't recognise your cat then I'm afraid the next step is a trip to the <whisper> V. E. T. to check for a chip and if it's still not in place have another one inserted - either because it's lost or moved quite a bit - if it's not near the head/neck then it might not be close enough for the flap to recognise the chip.