Smart home tech advances like microchip cat doors make sure you don’t have to fret over your pet's wild escapades. This cutting-edge gadget lets folks keep tabs on their feline's moves, whether they’re busy working or enjoying a quiet getaway.
Choosing a microchip cat flap can be a confusing affair, with size, material, installation, and security all to consider.
As a lover of cats and smart homes, I’ve compiled a list of the best microchip cat flaps available for your home. Hopefully, this should make life easier for you in making your decision.
Happy to answer any of your questions in the comments below. Enjoy!
With the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Connect with Hub Bundle, you can remotely monitor your cats’ movement.
- Remotely monitor your cats’ movement
- Selective exit and curfew mode
- Selective exit and curfew mode
The bundle comes with a cat flap and a cute cat-eared hub!
Features
Through the Sure Petcare app on your Android or iOS phone, you can control, monitor, or set individual curfews for up to 32 cats.
By monitoring the movement habits of your cats, you can sleep easy knowing that all your furry friends are in the house. It will also be easy to detect unusual movement behaviors, helping you identifying when your pet is sick.
This microchip cat flap also has several other useful features such as selective exit and dual scan. The selective exit feature allows you to customize which cats are allowed out.
Installation
Measuring 142mm x 120mm, the flap is a perfect size for most cats. It is powered using four AA batteries (bought separately) and can be installed in your doors, windows, or walls.
The SureFlap hub needs to be wired to your router via an Ethernet cable as part of the installation. It must also be within a radius of 10meters from the smart cat flap which will be fine in most houses.
- Remote pet monitoring via the mobile app
- Track your cats’ movement habits
- Curfew mode timer
- Selective exit
- Dual scan technology
- Stats can be unreliable if the cat enters or exits via a different route
Another great smart cat flap worth considering is the PetSafe Electronic Smart Door. It can be customized to allow exit or selective entry of your feline.
- Selective entry
- Can be programmed for up to 5 SmartKey
- Ideal for both cats and dogs
Another great microchip cat flap worth considering is the PetSafe Electronic Smart Door. It can be customized to allow exit or selective entry of your feline. You can as well set an automatic locking schedule. The flap opens whenever your cat is detected.
Produced by a leading brand in the pet lifestyle products field, this electronic smart door has proven to be a practical and highly efficient solution to any home. You can finally forget about the cunny raccoons or stray cats that often find their way into your house.
The PetSafe Electronic Smart Door uses SmartKey Tech to control the in-and-out movement of your furry friends. Only cats with the SmartKey can get in. And the cat flap can be programmed for up to 5 SmartKey.
- Easy installation
- Selective entry supported
- Click noise produced when unlocking could be quieter
This microchip cat flap has all the features of the SureFlap Microchip pet door model in 4th place but also includes a dual scan feature.
- Dual scan feature
- Selective exit features allow you to customize exit permissions for each of your cats.
- Comfortably fits small and medium-sized cats
The selective exit features allow you to customize exit permissions for each of your cats. This feature is especially useful if there are some pets that you would want to remain indoors for one reason or another.
With a size of 142 x 120mm, this cat flap and can comfortably fit small and medium-sized cats.
- Compatible with popular microchips
- Selective exit feature
- A 4-way manual lock system
- Not ideal for larger cats
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door will keep stray cats out while allowing easy access for your pet.
- Fits big cats and small to medium-sized dogs
- Long-lasting batteries
- Curfew settings
If you are a cat owner looking for peace of mind that your little feline is safe when you’re away from home, this is for you.
Features
This microchip pet door is easy to program and works flawlessly with most existing 9, 10, and 15 digit microchips. You can also purchase RFID collar tags if your feline isn’t microchipped.
This microchip cat flap also has a curfew mode. You can set specific times at which you’d want your flap to open or close automatically.
Installation
Its opening measures 178 x 170mm making it ideal for most cat sizes. This SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is powered through 4 C alkaline batteries that can last up to 12 months. The batteries are non-rechargeable and are not included in the package.
- Easy to program
- One collar tag is included in the package
- A dual scan is not included
Register up to thirty microchips with the Cat Mate door. Battery powered and ideal for large cats.
- 4-Way rotary locking mechanism
- Great for installation in windows, walls and doors
- Optional Cat ID disc can be attached to their collar
The Cat Mate microchip cat door is highly flexible, supporting up to 30 microchips. If your cat does not have a microchip, no need to worry as you can get the optional ID disc which can be attached to your cat's collar.
With a 14.4cm wide and 15cmhigh flap, it is suitable for most cat sizes. If you are looking to install in walls or glass there are adapter kits you can order, to make the installation process straight forward.
The batteries should last you at least 12 months and the device will flash red when they are due for replacement.
This cat door has a 4-way manual lock for extra security. You can set your electronic cat door to unlocked, locked, exit only, or enter only.
And with two magnetic locking points, the cat mate interior and exterior cat door has better insulation against weather elements.
Microchip Cat Flap: Features & Questions to Consider
What Size Cat Does Smart Cat Flaps Fit?
There’s no one size fits all microchip cat flap. The smallest product listed above measures 142 x 120 mm while some models have wider fittings measuring up to 248 x 267 mm. It’s up to you to choose a size that is ideal for your cat and door.
A good idea is to measure the size of the cat and add an additional percentage of wiggle room to allow your cat to comfortably get in and out.
How Do Smart Cat Flaps Work?
To use a smart cat flap, it is recommended that your cat has a microchip installed. Each microchip has a unique ID number. But if your cat doesn’t have a microchip, worry not. Most microchip cat flap options also allow the use of RFID.
Next, you will need to program your cat’s RFID or microchip to your microchip cat flap. The cat flap stores the microchips or ID’s data in its memory permanently.
Simply register your cat’s unique code on its microchip (or RFID collar tag) to the flap and you are good to go. Only cats whose data has been stored will be allowed to come in or go out.
Once installed, the flap works by allowing entry (or exit) of only the cats whose data has been programmed. Some options allow you to customize the exact time that a cat can get in or go out.
The flap has sensors that detect when your cat is approaching and automatically opens. If your cats are used to using a normal cat flap, using a microchip cat flap will be a breeze.
However, cats can take some time before they can get used to the clicking sound produced by the flap.
How to I Install a Smart Cat Flap?
Before the actual installation of your smart cat flap, begin by deciding where you’d want it fixed. You can install it in a wooden door, UPVC, or even a glass door.
Installing the cat door on a UPVC or wooden door is easy. It can be done using a few readily available tools, such as a jigsaw. However, if you’re installing the cat flap on a glass door, you’ll need professional help from a qualified glazier.
Every smart cat flap comes with detailed installation instructions. The instructions vary from one brand to the other. Mostly, the installation process is easy and is complete in 30 minutes.
The Verdict
Now that you have read all there is about the best microchip cat flaps for your home, it’s time to make a decision.
While each of the options reviewed above works quite well, my stand out selection is the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Connect with Hub Bundle for its Android and iOS app.
However, the choice of the most ideal smart cat flap for your home depends on your individual needs. I hope this resource has equipped you with all the info you need to make an informed choice. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!
Sources:
https://www.smarthomeperfected.com
With the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Connect with Hub Bundle, you can remotely monitor your cats’ movement.
- Remotely monitor your cats’ movement
- Selective exit and curfew mode
- Selective exit and curfew mode