jjmack Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Its coming up to freedom time with the kittens and Ithink a cat flap is the easiest option. What type to get though? There are standard ones, magnet ones and now ones that link with microchip. Also are they easy to fit in a UPVC door? Not the best at DIY but happy to give it a go. Once the cat flap is there will I still need to leave them a litter tray for night as I will lock the flap at night. Thanks J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I have a magnetic cat flap as the neighbour's big tom used to break in and terrorise my two before spraying all over he utility room Mine come and go during the day and night, I don't lock them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Can't answer on the UPVC door - do check however that fitting it won't invalidate any guarantees with the door. Could you fit it through a wall, I had one in an old air-brick once, or in a ground-floor window if that would be easier? Magnetic ones are good but the cat has to wear a collar with the magnet in, and of course if your neighbours also have a magnetic cat-flap, their cat will have no problem getting in! I'd consider a microchip one next time I fit one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I fitted one myself in the panel of my UPVC back door. I have also had one fitted into a double glazed glass panel before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Gave up with cat flaps as Honey used to reverse out bum first - rather scarey it you were waiting to come in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Our cat flap was built into our upvc door when it was manufactured. We cut one into a cheap upvc door but it wasn't a strong door so easy to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisnrob Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 We have a Sureflap microchip one fitted in a uPVC door. The people who fitted our door are only local so I took the flap to them, they put it in a new door panel then came out and fitted the panel into to the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I have a Petporte Smartflap microchip cat flap and am thrilled with it. It only let's your cats in and out if they've been scanned using their microchips so when I got the kittens, they couldn't come and go but the boys could. It's the only cat flap I've had which Ludwig hasn't managed to jailbreak too! The initial cost is higher but you don't have the additional cost if they lose the collar for a magnetic one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 We have the Sureflap - it's been brilliant. We originally had it fitted in the wall, when we moved we took it with us, bought the glass adaptor and a double glazing firm manufactured a new double glazing unit with the hole in it for us in a few days and fitted it. Since then, I've bought the new front panel as they've upgraded the flap, but sell an upgrade pack so you don't have to buy an entire new catflap. Their customer service is brilliant too. We've never had a problem with it, the batteries last quite a long time and are very clear when they need replacing, and even Arthur, who was the size of a small car, could operate it with the chip on his neck (unlike the poxy magnetic one, where he had to wear the dog collar bob too get it to open). The wonderful thing is that you don't end up with any extra costs. My sister and her two cats are staying with us for a couple of months, and once they're settled in, we can just scan them through and then they are free to come and go as they please. Only thing I wish it did was to allow you to selectively keep cats in (like Nero ). But I haven't yet found one that does so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 (edited) I've just ordered a £40 Petporte on Amazon (click for brown and white). Couldn't decide between it and the Sureflap but the price and "automatic-lock-at-night" feature sealed it - we've lost 1 cat too many to the dark roads in our village and, since we grounded them at night, our boy has reached the ripe old age of nearly 19 Can't help with the UPVC door thing - our door's double-glazed so we've had to order new glass (leaving us a couple of hundred quid lighter!). Yes, ours use a litter tray at night, although one of our kittens tries to cross her legs and wait for her dawn patrols but she just can't last out during these long winter nights ETA, blimey! Both Amazon cat flaps have gone up to £70-75 Sorry but it's prob worth checking Amazon's prices regularly as they obviously change overnight! Edited December 5, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Gave up with cat flaps as Honey used to reverse out bum first - rather scarey it you were waiting to come in I love that! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 My husband fits them into uPVC or glass doors all the time,as we have a window & door replacement company. He swears by Staywell catflaps - says they are the easiest to fit & should part of it break (our did,due to our dog trying to use it too),you can easily get spares online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Even dear DIY phobic husband can fit a cat flap. Its very easy just as well.... As for the locking cat flaps...um all 4 of our cats have all learnt how to continue bashing the flap so it comes towards them and they can open in inwards with their paws or head (if that makes sense) And when we lock it both ways they continued to bash until they broke the whole blooming unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...