Cat Flaps

[Bobjay]

Thanks for all the replies. I've measured puss and I think a larger one is the safest bet. I've also been looking at the Cat Mate ones and they do a large magnetic one which Staywell don't do ( max shoulder size is just under 6" and I think puss is a little bigger).

[fluffybunny]

I've bought a catmate 221 for my larger lad - I did look at the staywells but the catmate has a draught excluder all round so looks as if it will be less draughty and quieter in operation.  Also I think the catmate makes better use of the hole and you get a bigger catflap for a smaller size hole in the door, if you see what I mean.  It isn't fitted yet as we are still waiting for the windows to be done, so I can't comment on how it works in practice!

I'm not looking forward to receiving presents in bed though, we get enough of those already just from having the door open a couple of hours each day   

[tigerbaby]

The locking ''mechanism'' on our flap is only a plastic board - you slide it into a slot parrallel with the actual flap. It doesn't seem easy for a cat to master, but then again it only takes a paw to slide the board upwards and it's done!

[Tiggy's Mum]

It has a slider locking bar that makes it - in & out / in only / out only / locked completely.  The reviews seemed to suggest catmate's were more solidly made and less draughty.  I also read a few reviews where it says the locking mechanism on the staywells is very easy for the cats to master!

I think the coolest cat flap by far is the microchip pet porte 

Definitely    Couldn't justify £100 on one though, with the catproofing there's no chance of any visitors!

[Millys Mum]

Safer to keep him in just shut him downstairs.

I think the coolest cat flap by far is the microchip pet porte 

[tigerbaby]

Helen, how does the 4 way locking one work? 

We have only ever had Jameson coming in and out of ours, which is great as the door which his flap is installed on backs out on our garden and then the shrublands so we thought all other cats/foxes would use it (esp as Jamesons food bowls are by the flap).

Only problem with cats having free access is the amount of 'lovely' presents you recieve (at any given time of the day). Be prepared to wake up with birds flapping around in your bedroom, or worse, a halfdead mouse on your chest!

[Tiggy's Mum]

I did a bit of googling and the catmate/petmate brand of flaps seem to be much more highly thought of than the staywell ones.  I have a catmate 4 way locking one, just need to get around to fitting it    Do you have a problem with other cats in the area?  If not then I wouldn't go for a magnetic one as if your cat loses his collar he's be locked out himself, there's also the  added expense of replacing the magnets if he's good at losing his colar regularly!

[tigerbaby]

Hi there,

Our Jameson is a big boy - he has this Staywell flap, which costs £5.97 at Argos. It is really good. Jameson is a big tabby but gets through it very easily, it's not too small for him at all.

We preferred this one to the magnetic one, as we didn't want him to wear a collar.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8701480/Trail/C%24cip%3D1500011159.Garden%2C%2BDIY%2Band%2Bleisure%3EC%24cip%3D1500011196.Petcare%3EC%24cip%3D1500011197.Cat%2Band%2Bdog%2Bflaps.htm

[Bobjay]

My cat wakes me up at 2 - 4am so it's time to get a cat flap to improve my sleep! Puss is a reasonable (largeish) size but I've been recommended the Staywell 400 series (magnetic) which I understand would fit him. Does anyone have one and what is their experience with them? Thanks.