Category: Automatic Cat Doors

Automatic cat doors are handy tools if you want your cat to become an indoor and/or outdoor pet. It is scientifically proven that when cats have the freedom to roam the great outdoors, they are healthier and happier in safe environments and with proper care. In this article we rank the best automatic cat door to the least.

Automatic Cat Doors Reviews

To help you find the best electronic cat door that suits your needs, we have made a list with in-depth reviews. This way you can discover the most suitable automatic cat door for you and your pets.

We ranked the best automatic cat door first, in a descending order. The product ratings come from actual user reviews on Amazon/

To see an comprehensive review with both the good and the bad, click on the brand or the full review.

Cat Flap Garage Door SureFlap Microchip Review
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SUREFLAP MICROCHIP CAT DOOR

4.3 Average User Rating

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door uses an implanted microchip as a key to unlock the door. This cat door features a “selective entry”. Selective entry means only a cat that has a programmed chip can enter the house from the outside, while any pet can exit.

A great solution for cats that don’t like to wear collar tags, or cats that lose them often.. (which could prove to be expensive in the long run!)

The SureFlap Cat Door has a rigid “flap” with strong magnets that allow an adequate closure when the cat has entered the house, making it impossible for other intruders to get into the door if they are following your pet.

Invest in this door if:

  • You have a microchipped cat,
  • You want to stop the neighbor’s cator any other small wild animal from entering your residence.
  • You are willing to microchip your cat for safety and for using this pet door.
  • You have a small to average sized puss.
  • If you have a non-automatic pet flap and you want to upgrade it.
  • If you have separate feeding stations (e.g., a naughty, hungry cat steals the other cat’s food.)
  • You want to create separate litter box locations for your cats
  • You need to keep the dog out of the litter box

To see who we don’t recommend getting this automatic cat flap, check the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door FULL REVIEW

SUREFLAP DUALSCAN MICROCHIP CAT DOOR

4.1 Average Using Rating

The SureFlap DualScan microchip cat door works with RFID signal, reading a chip implanted under your cat’s skin to unlock the door. After it scans, your cat can push the flap with its nose or head and get through.

With its dual antenna, one on the inside and the other on the outside, the SureFlap DualScan allows you to control your cats’ movements. It can keep the indoor-only kitten inside, and the indoor/outdoor cat free to exit and enter.

The unit’s double locking system (both inside and outside) keeps raccoons or other unwanted critters from yanking open the door from the outside with their paws.

This is an automatic cat door that works through an implanted microchip, and gives you full peace of mind.

If you don’t want to microchip your cat, you can invest in the SureFlap collar tag with a microchip. The collar tag has the same mechanism of action as the implanted chip.

We recommend the SureFlap DualScan to:

  • People with small to average size cats.
  • People have indoor-only and indoor/outdoor cats.
  • People who have issues with stopping raccoons and other animals from entering your house.
  • People with a nosy neighbor’s cat who sleeps on your couch and eats your cat’s food.

Who shouldn’t buy the SureFlap DualScan? Check the SUREFLAP DUALSCAN MICROCHIP CAT DOOR FULL REVIEW

CAT MATE ELITE ID MICROCHIP DISC CAT DOOR

3.6 Average Using Rating

The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective operates with RFID technology to open the device and let the cat go in- or outside. The kitty needs to wear a collar tag containing a unique ID that will be read and recognized by the control panel. The tag unlocks the door and allows the cat to get through.

The Cat Mate Elite operates with selective entry and exit. Selective entry means it can be programmed individually for each cat. You can let some cats be only-indoors, while others can have access to both the indoors and outdoors. Great for when if your cat is sick and needs to stay indoors for a while.

The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective has a timer that enables you to program a schedule for your kitties. For instance, you can program the system to let your cats out after 9 am and keep them inside after 5 pm.

The standard unit comes with two collars with ID’s. The device’s memory allows you to program up to 8 different ID’s.

We recommend the Cat Mate Super Selective to:

  • Small to average size cats.
  • Self-confident cats.
  • Multi-cat households, with one or two indoor-only kitties.
  • Keep raccoons and other animals from entering your house.
  • To stop your neighbor’s cat from visiting your house
  • People with the need for a cat door with a programmable timer

What type of cat households do we not recommend this unit to? Check the Cat Mate Elite Super Selective FULL REVIEW

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CAT MATE ELECTROMAGNETIC CAT DOOR

Size of The Catmat Electronic Cat Flap Door
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3.6 Stars Rating

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic door utilizes electromagnetic technology to unlock the flap and let your cats enter, keeping undesired animals out simultaneously.

How does it work? Your pet wears a collar with a tiny magnet as means of an ID tag. The sensor in the control panel activates when the magnet triggers the device to open. A latch opens, and your kitty can enter your residence by pushing the flap with its head or nose. Only cats with the magnet tag can open the door.

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic flap gives freedom to you and your felines. Your cats will be able to come and go as they please and you’ll be forever free from being their personal porter.

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic is recommended for:

  • Small to medium sized felines.
  • Cats that are not not overly sensitive to sounds and noises.
  • People who live in raccoon- or other wild small animals-free areas.
  • If your neighbor’s cat is docile and not very smart
  • People who need to separate their pets inside the household, (e.g. separate feeding stations or cat litter box sites)

More info and who shouldn’t but this automatic pet door? Check the Cat Mate Electromagnetic FULL REVIEW

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Cat Mate Elite Cat Flap With Timer Review

Having cats as pets usually means porter-duty for you, the owner. Cat flaps are a solution, but having a standard, non-automatic flap might invite intruders into your house. If this is the case, automatic cat doors are the solution to your problem. In this article, we will review, and dive into the specifics, of the Cat Mate Elite Cat Door With Timer.

 

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What Is The Cat Mate Elite Automatic Cat Flap With Timer?

The Cat Mate Elite is an automatic cat door that makes use of RFID  technology to unlock the door mechanism for the cat, so your pet can push the flap and enter or exit. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification.

The cat needs a pre-programmed RFID collar tag with its own personalized ID. The ID will get scanned by a control board in the electronic cat flap. The system unlocks when it recognizes the ID.

It’s a safe means of access control for pet doors because only animals with a preapproved RFID collar tag can exit or enter the flap.

When you purchase this device, it comes with two collar ID tags for you to register. The Cat Mate can hold up to eight ID’s in it’s built in memory. It can manage the entry and exit for up to eight pets of your choice. It keeps all undesired animals out. If you currently have more than two pets, you can buy additional tags separately. Collar tags are quite affordable.

SELECTIVE ENTRY & EXIT

The Cat Mate Elite features selective entry and exit access control. It does this using its special locking mechanism. The mechanism locks either the exit or entry, both, or neither.

By utilizing the method of selective entry, you can plan individually which cat will be indoor-only and which ones of your cats will have entirely free access to the outside.

The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective has a timer which enables you to program an outdoor routine for your cat.

The device comes with an LCD display. The LCD screen displays the currently programmed entry and exit lock status. IT also shows you if the cat is inside or outside. It also tells you the time the door was last used by that unique ID, to up to three cats.

The device comes with a 4-way locking system:

  1. both in & out-
  2. only inside
  3. only outside
  4. locked

The Cat Mate Elite door operates on four AA batteries. The batteries last around six to nine months, based on the usage and the quality of the batteries. Batteries are not included.

 

What Are The Features Of The Automatic Cat Flap?

  • Suitable for small to medium size cats.
  • It will keep all unwanted animals out.
  • Only cats with the preregistered collar tags can enter/exit through the door, based on the settings you selected.
  • Selective control: decide per cat who exits and enters.
  • With the use of unique ID collar tags, you can control which cats will be indoor-only and which ones outside.
  • Timed control access enables you to establish an outdoor routine for your cat. Like keeping the cats in after five pm.
  • The LCD screen shows you the selected entry and exit lock settings, if your cats are inside or outside, and the last time the door was activated by which ID, You can look up the location of up to three cats.
  • The Unit includes two electronic ID tags (can be set to work with up to eight unique ID’s).
  • 4-way locking settings
  • Has a battery life indicator
  • It is powered by four AA batteries.
  • Frame-lining up to two (50 cm), ideal for various types of installations.
  • Extra liners for wall installations. You can buy these separately.
  • A weather-proof, brush sealed, flap.
  • A rain seal to keep water out and stop it from leaking.

 

Size And Dimension

Overall dimensions: 9.75″W x 10.5″H
Cut out Size: 6.5″W x 6.5″H
Diameter: 9.125″
Door size: 6″W x 6″H
Pet Max Shoulder Width: 5.7″

Size Cat Mate Elite Cat Door Reviewjpg

Size

How Does This Device Operate?

The Cat Mate Elite operates through a control board, a scanner and a collar tag with a microchip. The chip acts as a key for the control board to read.
When the registered unique ID, located on the cat’s collar, gets scanned and recognized by the control board, a hinge unlocks. This action allows the cat to move the door with its head, nose or perhaps paws and get through.

Cat Mate Elite Collar Tag Reviews
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The activation distance is a couple of inches.  The disc has to be close enough to the scanner to be read. Otherwise, the tag will not get read, and therefore the mechanism will not unlock.

The cat door takes approximately 1-2 seconds to open up after reading the pet’s ID. The flap needs about 2-3 seconds to fasten, depending on the settings you provided, giving the cat adequate time to go through the door.
When unlocking, the mechanism makes a clicking sound. This way the cat can learn it’s OK to push the door and subsequently go through it.

After the cat has cleared the door of its tail, the pet door makes a sound when locking.

The locking mechanism consists of small pegs that pop up from the frame into the base of the door.

This is the reason why the Cat Mate Elite Super Selective is promoted as raccoon-proof because the locking mechanism doesn’t rely on an outside control, or even a latch, that intelligent animals like raccoons or stray cats can easily manipulate.

Cat Mate Elite Collar Tag Reviews
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Cat Mate Elite operates through RFID collar tags. If your cat has a microchip implant, the implant will not interfere with the correct functioning of the automatic flap.

4-Way Locking Settings:

  • In & Out: your pets using their respective collar tags have free access to exit and entry.
  • In-Only: your pets can enter the door, but they cannot get back out.
  • Out-Only: your pets can exit the door, but they cannot get back in.
  • Locked: the flap is fully secured.

 

How Does The Programmable Timer Work?

 
The timer enables you to establish an outdoor routine for your pets.

For instance, if you would like your pet to exit the door starting from nine am, and remain inside after eight pm, you can schedule this with this particular pet door.

If you have a multi cat household, the timer will not have the ability to selectively determine which cat will continue to be inside or outside at predesignated times.

The routine of the timer is set for all cats simultaneously.

Example: all kitties will have the ability to go outdoors at ten am or even later, and they cannot leave the house to go to the great outdoors after five pm.

If it happens that one of your cats didn’t get inside before the time you set, the mechanism will not have your pet locked outside.

Your pets still have the ability to get in after the programmed time. They just can’t go back out.

The cat must find out how the method works to be able to use properly.  Most cats find it easy to figure out how the automatic door works

Cat Mate Elite Cat Door Review Setting the Automatic Timer
Setting the Automatic Timer

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For starters, the cat has to nudge the door with its nose, head or paws. Now the sensor begins searching for the RFID tag.

After the sensor registers the unique RFID code and recognizes it, the flap unlocks. The locking pegs disengage, producing a bit of a clicking sound. The cat must identify this sound, so it knows it can get through, push the flap and then walk through.

If the cat hesitates and remains at the same location, not entering the door, the device will lock once again.

Generally speaking, cats adapt very quickly to this particular pet door. Sometimes, they just need a bit of the right training.

Cat owners need the persistence to train the cat, as well as to hold out on relying on the cat to use it, until the cat feels self-assured enough to use it.

This may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, up to even a month, based on your feline.

Ultimately, all cats will want to use the door if they know adventure or food is waiting for them on the other side of the door.

The Cat Mate Elite Super Selective features a training mode setting which enables the cat exiting and entering the door without needing to make use of microchip or even watching for the press noise to push. With the training mode, the door is similar to a non- automatic pet door.

 

Tips On Training Your Cat To Use This Flap

This tip holds true for cats that have previously used a non-automatic pet door, and they already understand how to push the flap to get in or out.

The most important thing to do is to ensure that your cat will not hear the unlocking sound the very first time while pressing the door with its nose or head, trying to get in.

This may scare your cat to never wanting to use it again.

To prevent this from happening, you could trigger the locking system intentionally a few times while your cat is feeling secure somewhere in your home. Ultimately, your feline friend will come to investigate the strange new thing in the house.

This encounter already is special. Your cat will get used to this particular noise, and he or she will realize it’s not a threat.

It is certainly possible to reward your cat’s courageousness with treats in the progression.

When your cat becomes used to this particular noise, he or perhaps she can begin making use of the door with the RFID tag mechanism.

If your cat has never made use of a cat door, the owner’s manual has instructions and tips on the best way to train your cat to use an automatic cat door.

 

Basic Instructions on Installing This Flap

The standard set up doesn’t take more than thirty minutes. Nearly all of this time you will spend measuring the installation site and the automatic pet flap.

When you’ve cut the hole, it’ll be just a question of drilling two holes on both sides and subsequently screw the two halves of the automatic pet flap tight together.

It’s an excellent idea to find out where exactly to set up the pet door: the RFID  microchip tag has to be at a certain level to be read by the scanner of the door.  In case you mount the door too high, or perhaps too low, the microchip may not scan correctly.

However, the directions in the manual are very clear and easy to understand. If you stick to them, you shouldn’t have any trouble.

Wooden doors
Setting up the automatic cat door in flat wooden doors is actually the easiest.
After making sure of the correct measurements, draw the soon-to-be hole on the door. Then cut out the hole. Drill 2 holes, one on each side, and screw the 2 halves of the Cat Mate Elite together.

Metal doors
Installation in metal doors takes a bit longer. When installing the unit in a metal door, the door may not touch the metal directly. Touching metal will hinder the RFID signal.

Glass Doors or Windows

Generally speaking, it’s not advised to set up the cat door in glass panels. They might have way too much condensation.

We suggest you to invest in a glazier to cut holes in any glass objects. Then follow very carefully, the directions to set up the cat door.

It’s not easy to cut a gap in a double glass; you might have to get a brand new glass with the hole pre-cut in it.

When you prefer a simpler installation, you may want to change the glass board for Plexiglass and proceed as the standard installation.
Walls

Cat Mate Elite Wall Liner
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You probably need wall liners to set up the door in a wall. If a wall is quite thick, liners could be added in accordance with the Elite range.

A liner’s depth measures 1.96 (50mm).

 

How You Can Use It as A Timed Cat Flap Only

When you do not have any issues with unwanted animals entering your house; you just need a timed pet door.

Perhaps you simply do not wish to open the door every morning to allow your feline to go out, nor would you like to have to search for your feline buddy at night-time to keep him or her safely indoors at night.

This tip can help you:

Since the pet door doesn’t lock while in training mode, you might want to tape the RFID microchip to the interior of the cat door.

By doing this, with the correct settings, the door will invariably open. The chip is right there to be scanned by the scanner. Your cat will not have to utilize a collar tag, and with the timer, it’ll be locked in at night, and your pet will have the freedom to get out in the early morning, without the need of your in-person intervention.

The sole concern of setting up the cat door this means it’s the excess use of batteries, but it’ll be the price to pay to stop you from having doorman duty.

 

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages Of The Cat Mate Elite Cat Door?

The Good

  • 4-way locking setting
  • Selective exit and entry management, you’ll be able to determine which cat will be indoor-only and which ones can swing both ways.
  • Easy to set up in standard doors
  • The LCD shows you the general location of your pets., which cat is in- and which one is outside. It also tells you the last time the door was used.
  • The Catmate has a timer that enables you to establish an outdoor schedule for your kitties.
  • Features an internal locking system that cannot be manipulated by animals from the outside.
  • Helps to stop raccoons from entering your domicile.
  • The length of time to secure the lock may be modified to your cats’ needs. It will provide your pet with adequate time to clear the automatic flap of its tail.
  • It flaps a lot quieter than many other cat doors brands.
  • It has battery life indicator.
  • It may be put in training mode for your cat to get used, without it needing to use a microchip.
  • If used in combination with a feeding station,  you can check out if your cat has consumed.
  • It does not leak much air in comparison to several other cat doors on the industry, keeping out the cold draft.
  • Sturdy and well thought out design.
  • Excellent for medium and small sized cats.

 

The Disadvantages

  • Programming does not feel straight forward. You might need to read the manual.
  • The device doesn’t appear to work very well when installed in solid metal doors?
  • The microchip RFID tags are actually a bit big for cats, but they’re not heavy.
  • The door makes a clicking noise when unlocking, similar to the noise level of an old deadbolt lock. It may scare your cat if not used to this sound.
  • Tags don’t have a discount if you buy multiple at once. (a Con if your cat keeps losing its tag).
  • The tag has to be close to the panel and facing it, to get scanned. The Door opening might not be appropriate for big or overweight cats.
  • The timer doesn’t work separately for each ID; it works for every IDs simultaneously. Example: all cats reside in daily from six pm onwards).
  • Occasionally the door locks erroneously, leaving the door stuck. However, this doesn’t often happen,  and when it does, it is often only when cats take too long to go through the door.
  • A bit tricky to put batteries into the compartment (you only need to do this every six weeks or so, so it might not be a huge deal.
  • Screws aren’t that high quality.

Useful Tips, Tricks And Advice

  • Make the flap opaque, by duct taping it or painting it.

    You’ll realize two things by doing this:

    1. It will discourage raccoons or perhaps other cats from snooping inside, which gets them much more inspired to get in.
    2. It will discourage your cat from looking outside which might unlock the door unintentionally if sitting way too close
  • Make sure to buy additional tags as backup
  • If the door got locked with the pegs out, the very best way to reset the product is by using the training mode setting.

    Push the system and 4-Way button together for five seconds. The program switch is placed under the battery cover.

    This resetting retracts the pegs, and the door can swing back to original position. After that, you’ve to press the very same buttons once again to reset the door to its programmed setting. This way, you do not have to reprogram the ID’s.

  • Make sure your cat’s tag is interacting correctly with the control panel’s scanner. If it is not doing this the right way, the scanner does not have the ability to check out the cat’s tag
  • If your cat has pulled open a previous cat door with its paws, it’s a wise idea to secure the door manually, at night-time.

    Because, if your cats are remarkably bright, they may be in the position to pull the flap inwards to get outdoors. For safety reasons,  the door doesn’t secure from the outside when put in In-Only operating mode, for when the case occurs that in which a kitty accidentally gets out through the door or windows

 

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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The Cat Mate Elite is an outstanding automatic cat door, which works as advertised. We think this device is a better choice than its electromagnetic version.

The Cat Mate Elite’s ability to selectively recognize which cat can exit and/or enter, and the timer which enables you to establish a cycle for your cat or even cats, makes this particular device a remarkably good option for cat owners with more than one feline friend cat, and need all these functions.

The door only works with collar tags and not with implanted microchips. If your cat is a rowdy fighter or exceptionally adventurous and prone to lose its collar, you might want to rethink if it’s a good idea to have your cat wearing a collar with an attached door tag.

The device may not work well with indecisive cats; cats that are constantly thinking which step to take next. The door has a specific time frame for the cat to be fully inside. If your cat is slow, it’s tail might stop the flap from locking correctly.

Lastly, the cat door is promoted as raccoon-proof because it cannot be manipulated externally to unlock it.

However, there’s not a single cat door on the market which will not falter if an exceptionally powerful or large raccoon smashes the door over and over again, trying to break the flap mechanism. Exceptions will always exist, but for regular raccoons, the product works as advertised.

For all these reasons, we recommend Cat Mate Super Selective to:

  • Small to medium size cats
  • Self confident cats
  • If you wish to stop a raccoon or the nosy neighborhood cats from entering your house
  • If you own a number of cats and one or more of them are (temporary) indoor-only.

This cat door might not be suited for :

  • Large or overweight cats
  • Insecure or easily scared cats
  • A cat who does not like wearing collars, and sheds them easily. We advise you to do a test run you cat for a week with a wearing a collar before you invest in this door.
  • To be installed in metal doors or walls.

SureFlap Dual Scan Review

 Automatic cat doors are useful gimmicks if you want your cat to become an indoor and/or outdoor pet. It is scientifically proven that when cats have the freedom to roam the great outdoors, they are healthier and happier in safe environments and with proper care. In this article we review the SureFlap Dualscan.

 

SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door Review

 

The SureFlap DualScan microchip cat door is an automatic pet door with an dual antenna. The antenna reads your cat’s unique ID microchip when exiting and entering the door.

The chip operates as a key to unlock the program, and you can have it implanted under your cat’s skin. Or, if you do not wish to microchip your cat, it can be used in conjunction with a SureFlap RFID collar tag.

If your cat has already been micro-chipped, the SureFlap DualScan works with most existing 9, 10 and 15 digit microchips. The only exceptions are those starting with 000, 010 and 020.

The pet door’s internal memory can store as much as 32 microchip codes.
The SureFlap DualScan, with its selective entry and exit feature, is helpful if you need to limit a couple of your cats to indoor-only, while simultaneously allowing other cats to go out.

 

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The device will keep the neighbor’s cat from getting into your home. At the same time, you’re in a position to block the exit function to the cat you want to stay indoors.

In order to let your cat remain inside, remove its specific ID number from the pre-programmed exit-allowed memory. Or perhaps, don’t microchip the cat. If your cat isn’t chipped, you can simply remove your pet’s RFID collar tags.

The device comes with a 4-way manual lock, allowing any combination of in/out. The door has a strong magnet on the middle which stops it from flapping in the wind.

 

What Are The Features?

The DualScan technology with twin antennas features selective entry and exit, allowing to keep indoor-only cats safely inside.

Safety mode allows indoor-only cats to enter through the flap in the rare case they do escape through windows or doors left open. My cat Pushkin is very adept at escaping through open doors. Now I think of it, escaping cats are not rare at all.

Will it keep unwanted pets or perhaps other animals from getting into your house, including raccoons? Yeah. It will prevent intruder animals entering your dwelling, that includes extra protection against cheeky raccoons.

Will it work with your cat’s existing microchip? Probably. It is compatible with nearly all conventional 9, 10 or even fifteen digit microchips (except those starting with 000, 010 and 020).

It works with RFID collar tags (not included, buy them separately here) if you don’t want to chip your cat.

Simple programming of the flap by clicking a button; easy reprogramming allows you to change exit and entry permissions at any time.

It provides you with the flexibility to manage your pets ability to get in/out according to your requirements.

It features 4-way manual locking. By moving a control, you can put the door in Locked mode. This action shuts the pet door completely. The SureFlap DualScan may be implemented in doors, windows, and walls.

This device requires four AA batteries (not included). Battery life is up to 3 months, based on the use and quality of the batteries. It has a built-in battery life indicator. Color: white

Sizes and Dimensions

  • Exterior Frame Dimensions: 8.26? (W) x 8.26? (H) / 210mm (W) x 210mm (H)
  • Flap Opening Dimensions: 5.59? (W) x 4.72? (H) / 142mm (W) x 120mm (H) (This dimension is actually the smallest location of the cat door that your cat will have to enter).
  • Hole Cutting Dimensions: 6.5? (W) x 6.73? (H) / 165mm (W) x 171mm (H) (The size of the gap had to place your cat door. Installation Template enables you to reduce the hole).?
  • Tunnel Depth (outside): 2.75? / 70mm?
  • Tunnel Thickness: 0.18 / 4.5mm?
  • Tunnel’s Interior Dimensions: 5.9 (W) x 6.1 (H) / 150mm (W) x 155mm (H)?
  • Front Frame Depth (frame from inside): 3.0 / 78mm? Item Weight: 3.5 lbs / 1.6 kg

 

Sureflap MicroChip Collar Cat Pets
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Location of the microchip

The microchip gets implanted under the cat’s skin. To get the cat’s implanted chip scanned, whether, from the inside or the outside of the SureFlap, the cat has to thrust its head in the tunnel/opening for the door to unlock.

This means the microchip ideally has to be put on the cat’s back neck.

If your cat was microchipped a fairly long time ago, you might have to determine if the chip hasn’t migrated further down its neck, because it may not do the job effectively if this occurs.

If you are hesitant about microchipping your cat, simply place a chip on his/her collar instead. Now your kitty can use the automatic cat flap. You can buy these tags separately, and they’re affordable.

How Does This Device Work?

DualScan Sureflap Pet Door Review
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SureFlap DualScan operates with passive RFID technology, meaning a microchip implanted under the cat’s skin holds information that’s waiting to be scanned by a scanner on the cat door.

The microchip itself doesn’t send this data to the scanner; it must be read by the scanner to unlock the flap mechanism.

When your cat gets near the pet door, the scanner mounted in the DualScan’s tunnel reads the data stored in the microchip, recognizing the ID and unlocking the system.

Next, the cat must push the door with its head or nose and move through. To get its microchip read, the cat has to put its head in the tunnel.

After the cat has passed through the flap, a magnet located on the flap’s bottom part will help shut the door. The magnet will keep the door from not locking correctly and from flapping in the wind.

The SureFlap DualScan has two antennas or scanners to check the microchip with: one scanner is placed on the inside of your home. The other one is placed on the outside.

The inside and outside scanners can be programmed separately, which permits pet owners to decide which cats will be indoor/outdoor and which cats will be indoor-only.

This device is the sole microchip cat door that enables you to program which cat can exit the door. Simultaneously, it provides you with the capability to prevent unwanted animals from getting into your house.

 

Effective against Raccoons and Neighborhood Cats

Perhaps the most awesome feature of the SureFlap DualScan is its power to entirely block the malicious plans of raccoons to pull open the door from outside, which occurs, unfortunately, quite often with various other brands of cat flaps.

This cat door features double locking technique, an outside catch outside will stop the raccoon from taking the door outwards, making it raccoon-proof.

Precisely the same way, if you have smart cats in your neighborhood who figured out how to pull your cat doors wide open,  this flap can remedy this issue too.

 

Safety Mode

The device has an emergency mode which allows your only-indoor cat to get into the door,  in case you forgot to shut the windows or doors and your pet escaped through it.

 

4-Way Locking Settings

  1. 2-Ways.
    When the cat’s ID is programmed in to have enter and exit access, your cat is free to come and go at as he or she pleases.
  2. Only-In.
    Your cat can easily get in, but it cannot get back out (set manually, by turning a dial). This setting comes in handy to keep outdoor and indoor cats at home at nighttime, or when you’re expecting a Vet visit. Using this mode, you have all cats inside without having to reprogram all ID’s.Additionally to the mechanical Only In function, you can electronically program the door for Only In for a cat of your choice, who you would like to be indoor-only. Either permanently, or just for a few days.
    Unlike the manual Only-In, which latches the door for everyone, the electronically programmed Only In stops only the inside cat from going out, while leaving the others free to exit the house when they want.You can do this by programming its microchip in Safety Learn Mode. To do this, push a button and make your indoor-only cat go through, so the mind learns its chip code.
    In Safety Learn Mode, the indoor cat will not be in a position to get out, but if the kitty escapes through a window, it’ll still have access to go back in through the pet door.
  3. Only-Out.
    Your cat could get out, but it cannot get back inside (latching the door by hand, by turning a dial). This enables you to maintain your cat outside in case you need. This particular setting isn’t used very often, but it might be helpful if you’ve visitors with a bad allergy to cats.
  4. Locked.
    Completely barred from both sides (manually by turning a control). In this mode, the door cannot be utilized at all by your cats. This setting is commonly used when leaving for a trip, or to lock in brilliant cats.

 

How to Program the Device

DualScan Sureflap Cat Door Review
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To program the device, you have to press a button. This way it’ll go into Learn mode. Then you have to make your cat pass through to let the mind to retain the microchip ID. A pulsating light with a click sound suggests that the ID chip has been preserved. You can do this before the setup or perhaps after, but it’s far better to do it before to ensure that the microchip works.

Programming in metal doors it’s a bit different. See the way to program a metal door here.
The cat has to get used to the click sound when the door unlocks then push with its nose through. There are many methods for the cat to get used to the door’s tunnel and the unlocking sound.

The noise is audible, but not intrusive. This device is actually among the quietest on the marketplace, but the cat still has to get used to it. On the other hand, it’s helpful to know when your cat is actually waiting to are available in or perhaps when leaving.

How To Train Your Cat To Use The Pet Door

In the event that you would like to train your cat, these are some suggestions used effectively by customers:
Take the batteries out and make use of the door as a non-automatic one.
Tape the door opened for several days and let your cat make use of it the way, so it’ll get used to the clicking noise as well as the tunnel, without the stress of having to drive the door.

Get a SureFlap collar tag so that you can open the door yourself and promote the cat to pass through it.

Install the cat door in a carton box first, and get your pet used to pass through it before you install it in the door or wall.

SureFlap DualScan Mounting Adapter

 

A Basic Guide To Installing The Cat Flap

You install the DualScan in a regular sized door (1.3/4″ thick), the tunnel created measures six inches at it’s narrowest, where the cat has to go through.

The full external dimensions, when installed in a regular door, are approximately 8-1/4 width x 8-1/4 height x six depth

This system comes with screw sets to make adjustments to the door’s depth so that it will fit in non-standard doors as well.

Equipment required to install the automatic cat flap:

1. A marker with a felt tip
2. A tape measure
3. A jig saw
4. A 1/4 bit drill (6mm)
5. A Screwdriver
6. A leveling device

How to Install The DualScan In Different Materials?

Wooden Doors

Installing in wooden doors is simple. The cat flap system doesn’t demand any kind of adapters. You can easily install it with ease, with the items included when you purchase the device. There’s a good instructional video on youtube, showing you precisely how to install the SureFlap DualScan.

Metal doors

Installing the Dualscan in metal doors or walls requires mounting adapters.  You have to set up the flap with a Cat Door Mounting Adapter (product code GMA001) because metal interferes with the Radio Frequency control.Exactly how much the metal blocks the RF is determined by just how much steel is in the door. The more steel, the more the signal gets blocked.

DualScan Sureflap Cat Flap User Experiences Reviews
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Glass Doors

To setup the cat door in a glass door or window, you will need a SureFlap Cat Door Mounting Adapter. This adapter is a circular one, and it measures 11 inches. We suggest calling in a specialist in dealing with glass, also known as a glazier,  to cut the gap in the door. This will help you to avoid any nasty accidents with glass.

Walls

To install the DualScan in a wall, we suggest you get the Mounting Adapter (GMA001).You also want a SureFlap Cat Door Tunnel Extender (TUN001). You might need one or even more SureFlap Cat Door Tunnel Extenders, based on the thickness of the wall. You’ll be adding approximately 4.25″ to the wall thickness.

 

DualScan Sureflap Cat Flap Batteries
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How Long Do The Batteries Last?

The batteries could last approximately from six months to a year, based on calculations for one cat.

Batteries lifespan will depend on:

  1. How many animals use the pet door
  2. What quality of battery you use, and if they are rechargeable or not.
  3. If your cat likes to sit near the automatic door, unlocking it from the inside few times a day. No critters can go through the door from the outside if this happens.
  4. If you have a lot of unwanted visitors attempting to get through the door from outside. This way the motion sensor gets activated more.
  5. Keeping the automatic cat flap clean. If you make sure the flap isn’t obstructed by dirt of filth, your batteries last longer.

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of the SureFlap DualScan Cat Door?

The Good

  • 4-way locking system
  • Easy to set up in a standard door
  • Easy to program and reprogram
  • Reliable operation.
  • Safety mode which enables you to keep your indoor cat in just (not permitted to exit), but if your pet escapes through the window, it’ll have the ability to get back in the building.
  • Selective entry/exit keeps completely out unwanted animals
  • Raccoon-proof
  • Double locking system outside and inside, keeping unwanted animals from taking the door inward with their claws
  • You can decide per pet which cat will be inside and which one outdoors.
  • It opens by scanning the unique cat’s programmed microchip code.
  • Excellent option for cats that shed their collar often or perhaps cannot handle collars well.
  • Good quality, sturdy,  and well thought of design.
  • Rigid plastic flap, excellent stray animal deterrent
  • You can use it as a regular, non-automatic cat door by getting rid of the batteries. This simple feature is desirable to train your cats in the beginning.

 

The Bad

  • A bit smaller than the typical cat door. A tall cat (measured by the height of its neck) or even a cat weighing over eleven pounds could have trouble getting through it.
  • For a cat to use the door, it has to kind of squat down as it passes through. The door is 4.72″ in height.
  • Most cats, in general, do not care about going through a narrowish hole, but several cats may not be used to it.
  • There is a delay between the microchip getting read and the latch unlocking. This delay might be a source of stress if your cat is escaping from a perceived threat.
  • The flap might not unlock if the microchip is too far down your cat’s neck.
  • RF technology can mean issues with metal doors. Try and install it somewhere else, if you can.
  • The scanner’s reading range outside differs than from inside. Make sure your pets can get through both ways.
  • The soft clicking noise when the product unlocks might frighten some particularly scaredy cats. Keep in mind, all automatic cat doors make a clicking sound when they unfasten.
  • The flap’s brush does not seal completely. It may let in some draft.
  • The motion sensor doesn’t work well with cream colored cats.
  • Screws do not have a great quality.
  • Batteries last less with cats that love to sit down in front of the catflap window and stare at the great outdoors all day.
  • Only-In system is manual
  • The device doesn’t have a timer.

 

81tPQj2zRCL._SL1500_Usage Tips and Advice

When you change the batteries, do not take them out all at the same time. You might mess up the programming settings.
Maintain the machine in a pristine, clean state; wash the bottom part of the frame, as well as the motion sensor, to make sure it is a proper operating condition.
Before buying this unit, an excellent tip is to ensure to that you get the most recent SureFlap DualScan version.
The manufacturer improved the unit’s design and its antenna function.

If you buy the SureFlap cat doors from the well-known retailer Amazon, the manufacturer guarantees you will receive the newest model of this particular device.

 

Our Conclusion

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The SureFlap DualScan is an excellent cat door that works as advertised. It is a great alter solution for cat owners who have several cats and wish to keep some of them indoor-only and the others both outdoors and indoors
Additionally, some individuals might have intruder problems with cheeky raccoons. As the mechanism locks both sides, it’s impossible for raccoons and other small animals (including cats) to pull the door open with their claws.

Based on the advantages and disadvantages, we recommend SureFlap DualScan to you if you:

Have cats that are an average to smaller size. Larger cats might need to get used to making themselves smaller. In the end, it will come down to your cat’s flexibility and willingness to go through a smaller hole.

  • If you have a cat or perhaps kitten inside and another cat both in- and outdoors.
  • If you wish to keep out raccoons.
  • If the neighborhood cats come in your home to spray and eat your cat’s food.

The cat door might not be ideal for:

  • Tall and large cats (some large cats squeeze themselves through it though)
  • Particularly scaredy cats, due to the unlocking click noise
  • Old cats and cats with arthritis or disabilities impairing movement.

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Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap Review

Automatic cat doors are a awesome way of keeping unwanted animals out, and your dear kitties or other pets inside your house. Or outside. Electronic cat doors are programmable in pretty much any setting you might want. In this column, we shall take a deeper look at the Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap

.

CatMate Electronic Cat Flap Review
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What is the Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap?

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic Flap is an automatic cat door that provides your pet the choice to exit and type in the home as many times he/she wants, enjoying your backyard and relieving you from full-time doorman duty.

The Cat Mate electronic pet door gives a safe way of letting your cats roam free because it identifies your cat through sophisticated electromagnetic technology. It also enables your cats to get into your dwelling without allowing stray cats, raccoons or other animals to enter your house.

The door recognizes your cat by utilizing a small magnet. The magnet also works as an identification tag, attached to your pet’s collar.

A sensitive circuit centrally located on the control board, senses if the magnet tag is near and if it is, it allows your pet to get through the flap.

This device has 4-way locking settings:

  1. Both ways
  2. Go inside only
  3. Go outside only
  4. Locked.

Frame lining to two 3/8 (60mm). Makes it ideal for all doors. The control panel uses one 9-volt battery, which is not included.

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic cat door comes with two small magnets that can be attached to your cat’s collar, much like a title tag.

 

What Are the Features of This Device?

  • Electromagnetic cat door with 4 types of locking options
  • Includes two small magnets for your pets to wear.
  • It opens only to the pet that is equipped with the magnet.
  • Keeps all other unwanted animals out.
  • Flap with brush: weather-proof seal, reducing warmth loss, draft coming in, and makes for quieter flapping.
  • Detailed instruction manual included
Cat Mate Cat Door Flap Specifications
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What are the Dimensions and Technical Requirements?

automatic Cat Flap Review Size CatMate Electronic jpgOverall Door Size:

9-1/2-inch tall, 7-5/8- inch wide

Size of the Hole Needed To Fit This Door:
8-5/8-inch tall x 6-5/8-inch wide

 

 

Automatic Cat Door CatMate Electronic Cat Flap ReviewSize of the Cat Entrance:

6-1/2-inch tall x 6-inch wide

 

 

 

Duracell Batteries AccuBattery required?

Yes. one PP3 9v. alkaline battery. Batteries last approx. twelve months.

 

Suitable for:
Doors and panels

How Does This Device Work?

The Cat Mate cat door detects the area of a great compact magnet the cat uses in its collar and unlocks a latch that enables the cat to get into the home from the outside by pressing the door with its nose or perhaps head to get in. After the cat gets inside, the door returns to its usual place to get locked.

The locking system prevents the door from swinging into the home, but not from swinging outwards.

How the 4-Way setting works:

  1. Two-way
    The cat using the magnet on its collar can exit and type in the cat door. The cat just needs to use the magnet when entering the door but not when getting out.
  2. Entry only
    Useful setting in case you would like to keep your cat inside at night. The locking has to be done manually when your cat is inside.
  3. Exit only
    This feature enables you to keep your cat outside.
  4. Locked
    The pet door is fully locked.
Size of The Catmat Electronic Cat Flap Door
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Is This Cat Door Easy To Install? Can You DIY or Should You Hire Someone?

The Electromagnetic Cat Mate door is pretty simple to set up. You’ll need a jigsaw, a drill, and a screwdriver. In the item description, you read about the lining. A liner is a frame that is set up through the door, to cover up the interior of the door.

Self-lining ways that you do not have to construct the frame for the cat flap if used in door or perhaps panels.

 

How to install the Cat Mate Electromagnetic in plastic panels and wooden doors.

These directions are for basic guidance only. You’ll see a far more detailed information and more tips on various types of installations in the instruction booklet.

  1. Place the template in the position you would like the cat door. The bottom part of the gap has to be the same height than your cat’s lower stomach.
  2. Draw the cat flap’s hole around completely.
  3. Before cutting the hole, drill two holes of approximately 1/4 (6mm) diameter in both of the most suited corners.
  4. Cut the hole along the interior of the drawn line using an (electric) jig-saw.
  5. Determine the thickness of the panel in your door, and use the right screws.
  6. Screw it tight, attaching both parts of the cat door.

Advantages and Disadvantages The Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap?

The Good

  • 4-Way locking system.
  • Simple directions and easy installation.
  • Large size, it allows cats up to thirteen lbs to pass though.
  • The collar magnets are generic magnets. You have a wide selection of buying options to get yourself some back up collars. The magnets just have to be strong enough.
  • Feral and neighborhoods cats can not use the cat door, provided they  don’t have a magnet on their collars.
  • Flap with brush weather-proof seal.
  • Low-noise: Not a loud sound when unlocking the flap.
  • Battery lasts longest compared to all other automatic cat doors.
  • Recommended for keeping indoor spaces separate.
  • Wallet-friendly. Good price point.

The Bad

  • Any cat with a magnet can use the cat door; magnets can’t be programmed to specific pets.
  • The locking mechanism cannot be offset automatically. You have to tape the latch down to train your cat in the beginning.
  • The cat door only locks when swinging in, but not when rocking outwards.
  • An intelligent cat or raccoon can certainly pull the flap open and enter through the door.  This occurs only rarely, with extraordinarily intelligent cats and like-minded raccoons.
  • The magnet on the collar can attract other metal objects. The magnets might limit your cat. No more bells in cat toys, or metal tag names.
  • It usually requires the magnet to be at a particular level to do the job (margin of error is approximately 0.39″ or one cm), but this may be modified with the placement on the cat’s collar.
  • The cat flap makes a clicking noise when it unlocks. It’s not obnoxious, but it might affect scaredy cats.
  • The door sometimes fails to lock when swinging back into the original position. The majority of the time, it does lock, but not 100 % of the time. Faulty locking can be due to the wind or a tail trapped in the door, etc.
  • The lining is not ideal for thick, sturdy walls
  • The brush strip on the flap gets dirty with cat hair. You need to clean it occasionally.

 

Device Usage Tips From Other Customers

 

CatMate Electronic Cat Flap Door Review Amazon
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Before you buy it, think about the size of your cats. Make sure they will fit through the cat door effortlessly.

When putting the magnet in your cat collar, make sure the paw print of the magnet is facing forward. Additionally, be sure to connect the magnet band around the collar rather than only clipping it to the current metal band on the cat collar. It will prevent the magnet from going sideways

In the beginning, it might be a good idea to tape the door wide open, and place the magnet on your cat’s collar. This way you can get your kitty used to the clicking noise, without any locking mechanism in place. Your cat can take it’s time without feeling rushed.

To keep from having excess cat hair in the brush strip, clean the door from time to time.

If the cat door opens in a half-open position, check out the holes on top sides of the cat door. It probably means they have not been drilled deep enough. thus stopping the hinge from moving freely.

 

Our Conclusion

CatMate Electronic Cat Flap Review
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The Cat Mate Electromagnetic cat door works to prevent stray animals from entering the home, and it’s suitable to be used inside too.

However, the flap may be pulled outwards. That might be a flaw with really brazen wild animals and raccoons.

In the event that you have to have a little-added protection against neighborhood pets or even to other animals inside your home, this is a great alternative for you.

If unwanted animals or perhaps other animals outside are remarkably intelligent, powerful and stubborn, this may not work for you.

The Cat Mate Electromagnetic pet door is the very best of this particular kind in this price range, despite the less favorable facts that the points above mentioned.

If you would like a reliable, limited entry system that is 100 % animal-proof, perhaps it’d be a better strategy to get a higher-tech product that has a locking setting in both sides of the flap.

As a result of each of the advantages and disadvantages, and the points mentioned,

we suggest the Cat Mate Electromagnetic cat door:

  • To households with small to above-average sized cats.
  • People who live in areas where there are no other (stray) animals attempting to get in through the pet door
  • To keep your neighbor’s cat or not so intelligent raccoons out.
  • To separate pets inside your home, if you want to create separate feeding stations or litter box placements

This device might not be ideal for:

  • Cats that weight over thirteen lbs
  • Scaredy cats or cats scared of noise
  • To stop extra aggressive or intelligent pets or raccoons.

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SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Review

SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Review

An automatic cat door is a great way of keeping unwanted visitors out, and your beloved pets inside your house. Or outside. Electronic cat flaps are programmable in any setting you might need. In this article, we dive into the specifics of the SureFlap Microchip for Cats.

What is the Sureflap Microchap Cat Door?

Cat Flap Garage Door SureFlap Microchip Review

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is an automatic door for cats that employs a microchip implanted in the cat’s skin as a key. The door only unlocks when your microchipped cat tries to enter your house. Without a chip,  intruders such as raccoons, the neighborhood cats, etc. are unable to enter your house through your cat flap.

This cat door has a strong central magnet, to keep the door from swinging in the wind, and to add more security and sealing power.

This particular system doesn’t require the cat to wear a collar with a tag to work, making it extra advantageous if your kitty does not like to wear collars.. or if your cat already lost several of them.

Some people do not like the thought of their cat getting microchipped. If you are one of them, SureFlap offers tags you can attach to your cat’s collar. You can buy these tags separately.

The system is suitable for single and large multi-cat households. You can program up to 32 unique cat ID’s in its memory.

 

Sureflap MicroChip Collar Cat Pets
Collar Tags with MicroChip. See More Information On Amazon.

Selective Entry: Control Who Gets In And Out

The system of the SureFlap utilizes the principle of “selective entry,” which means it keeps undesired felines and other creatures from entering your home, but any pet can leave, regardless of wether they have a microchip implanted.

The cat flap features a 4-way manual locking setting that enables you to lock it with any combination of in/out your heart desires.

If your cat suffers bullying from a mean neighborhood cat or raccoons, or the other little critters come in to steal your cat;s food, the SureFlap is a great solution to put an end to all these unwanted behaviors.

The SureFlap cat door is suitable for small and medium sized cats.

 

Features of the SureFlap

The Cat door uses the RFID microchip technology as a key. It also features 4 methods of manual locking:

  • 2-way,
  • in-only,
  • out-only
  • locked.

The flap most likely works with your cat’s existing microchip. It is compatible with 9, 10 and 15 digit microchips. The only exclusions are 10-digit microchips, with codes beginning with 000, 010 and 020. You can program up to 32 microchips ids in the device’s memory.

No collar or tag required. Collars and tags can get lost or stolen. It runs on 4AA batteries (not included). Batteries last from 6-12 months with one cat, depending on the usage frequency. It has a light to indicate a low battery.

Selective entry – any cat can exit (with or without microchip).

It registers your cat’s microchip by pushing one button.

Sturdy and well-designed two-part device that you can install with ease in walls, doors, and windows.

This door fits into the gap left by most of the previous existing cat doors.

It also works with collar tags, available for purchase separately.

The magnet in the center prevents the door from flapping in the wind.

The tunnel design keeps intruder cats from pulling the door inwards.

3-year warranty provided by the manufacturer

 

Top Cat Door SureFlap Microchip
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Unit Size and Dimensions

  • Door Opening Dimensions: 5.59? (W) x 4.72? (H) / 142mm (W) x 120mm (H)
    (This dimension is the narrowest section of the cat flap that your kitty will have to enter).
  • Hole Cutting Dimensions: 6.5? (W) x 6.73? (H) / 165mm (W) x 171mm (H)
    (The amount of space needed to fit your cat door. The Installation Template can be used to cut the hole).
  • Exterior Frame Dimensions: 8.25? (W) x 8.25? (H) / 210mm (W) x 210mm (H)
  • Tunnel Depth (outside): 2.75? / 70mm
  • Tunnel Thickness: 0.18″ / 4.5mm
  • Front Frame Depth (inside frame): 1.65″ / 42mm
  • Item Weight: 2 lbs

 

Compatibility with Micro Chips

The SureFlap cat door works with the following micro chip codes:

  • 15-digit microchips (FDXB, standard in Europe)
  • 10-digit microchips (FDXA, frequently used in the USA). With exception of the 10-digit microchips of those starting with 000, 010 and 020.
  • 9-digit microchips (known as Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip)

If you don’t remember your cat’s microchip number, do not despair.

If your cat has been previously microchipped in the past and you don’t remember the code number, you don’t need to remember it to program the door.

 

How to program the SureFlap:

  1. Push the program button
  2. Let your cat through the cat flap
  3. The scanner will read the microchip number
  4. Your cat’s microchip will be registered it in the SureFlap’s memory.

If you already have your cat microchipped with an incompatible microchip code, you might want to look into the newer and larger version: The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door. This door is suitable for larger cats and small pooches, and is compatible with all microchips – without exception.

If you haven’t previously microchipped your cat: We advise you to pass the microchip through the pet flap before you have the chip implanted in your cat’s skin. By the time your cat gets micro-chipped, you can be sure the chip is in working order and is already programmed in the entrance’s memory.

But if you do not like the idea of getting your kitty microchip implants,  you can buy the optional RFID collar tag(s).

Best Cat Flap SureFlap Microchip

How Does This Unit Operate?

When the pre-approved microchipped cat comes close to the door and is about to enter it, a scanner placed in the tunnel scans the microchip, recognizes the ID and automatically unfastens a latch. This automatic action allows the kitty to push the door open with its head or nose, and subsequently enter your house.

The SureFlap microchip works with passive RFID technology. RFID is short for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID makes sure the chip implanted in your cats’ skin does not trigger the locking mechanism to open.

Rather, the microchip contains information waiting to be scanned and subsequently recognized by the scanner situated in the pet door’s frame.

 

The cat door’s interior structure has two types of sensors to scan the microchip with:

  1. a motion sensor
  2. a radio frequency sensor.

When your cat approaches the flap, first the motion sensor turns on and then activates the Radio Frequency scanner sensor to read the information on the microchip. Once the memory in the cat entrance identifies the chip ID, the system electronically opens the latch for your pet to push the door to get in.

After your cat enters the door, it shuts automatically by way of a strong magnet.

You can set the door with different lengths of time to close. Different closing times are especially useful when getting cats accustomed to automatic cat doors. Cats need to get used to the “click” sound when the scanner reads the microchip, allowing them to get through.

When training your felines to use the SureFlap, we advise you to set the closing speed to the slowest setting. The fastest setting for the flap to fasten after your pet has passed through is approximately 2 seconds.

See a video of the Sure Flap in action:

 

How does the 4-way locking system work?

2-Way.
Your cats can come indoors and go outdoors as they please. The SureFlap features the principle of selective entry. With selective entry, only micro chipped cats can enter the door, but any pet with or without microchip can leave.

Only-in.
Your cats can only get in, but they can’t get out. You can enable this option by manually turning a dial from the inside. This action locks the latch and keeps your cats in the house.

If one or more of your pets are outside and they are equipped with a microchip, your pet will be able to enter your home, but none of your pets can go outdoors. This option is useful to keep your cats in at night or to get them ready for veterinarian visits.

Only-out.
Any pet can exit the door, but none can get back in. You can manually set this option by turning a dial located on the flap.

This feature could be useful if you want to keep your cat outdoors when allergic visitors come over, the house cleaners do their job, or whatever reasons you might have to (temporary) keep your pets outside.

Locked.
The flap is shut tight. With this setting, no pet can enter or exit through the door. The setting as mentioned earlier is also helpful to keep your cats inside at night if you think your pet could outsmart the “Only In” mechanism.  You also use Locked mode when you’re leaving on a trip with your cats.

It is important to mention that SureFlap cat door does not prevent cats without microchip from exiting the door. If you run a multiple cat household and you want to control which cat can enter and leave through the door, it is a better idea to get the SureFlap DualScan.

The 4-Way locking is not automatic or controlled by a timer. If you want your cat to be inside at specific times, you will need to set it by hand by shifting a control on the flap.

The newer version of the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door, designed for larger cats or small dogs, does come with a timer. You can set the timer change the door’s locking settings automatically at pre-programmed times.

Cat Door SureFlap Microchip Review

What About the Batteries?

Battery Compartment

The batteries should last from 6 up to 12 months, depending on a few factors like:
how many cats use the door
how often you clean dirt and cat hair from it
how many unwanted “visitors” approach the cat flap during the day/night.

The company advises not to use rechargeable batteries because their performance is not 100% reliable. If you do decide to use rechargeable batteries, make sure to change them well before they run out.

If the batteries run out while you aren’t around, the entrance gets locked by default. Batteries going flat may leave your cat locked out or locked in. To help you avoid this terrible disaster, the SureFlap cat door has a battery life indicator, which is a small red led (on top of the door) that blinks when the batteries are about to run out.

Do make sure to check on the battery life indicator often.

 

 

 

 

How To Install This System?

The SureFlap microchip cat door consists of two parts that are being held together by screws. The depth of this tunnel is created with the two parts, and it’s adjustable. It is wholly adaptable to your doors’ measurement.

The tools you will need for installation of the SureFlap:

  1. Jig saw
  2. 1/4″ bit drill  (6mm)
  3. Screwdriver
  4. Marker with felt tip
  5. Tape measure
  6. Spirit level

 

Wooden Doors

The installation of the SureFlap in wooden doors does not have the need for any adapters. You can install it by following the instructions on the YouTube video.

 

Metal Doors

To install the SureFlap in metal doors, you will need an adapter. The reason is that metal could interfere with the Radio Frequencies, thus stopping the scanner from scanning the microchip.

The adapter is especially a must when the metal has any steel components.

The SureFlap works exceptionally well on garage doors. The design of the SureFlap permits for a much tighter fit on thin metal garage doors than most other cat doors.

 

Glass Windows

When installing the door in glass windows, an adapter is required.

This adapter is circular with 11″ diameter. It is an excellent idea to let a glazier (glass professional) cut the opening for, instead of you or your handyman hubby.

 

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Brick or Concrete Walls

One or possibly more SureFlap Tunnel Extenders may be required for wall installations, depending on the thickness of the wall. The original SureFlap Microchip cat door, without any Tunnel Extenders, can handle up to 2 inches in depth.

 

Installing the SureFlap in an Existing Opening

If you want to install the SureFlap onto a pre-existing opening, you will likely have a little bit of extra space on the width and height of the opening. You can use the “Cat Flap Mounting Adapter” to cover up the larger hole, without making the design look ugly.

 

The Good & The Bad

The Good

  • Solid performance with RFID microchip technology
  • Additional 4-way manual lock (in-only, out-only, in-and-out, locked)
  • Easy to register the chip. Simply push the button and let the chip or cat with the chip implant pass through.
  • Only the registered cats can enter the door with their unique microchip ID.
  • No chance of other creatures wearing magnets or IR tags entering the door, unlike other types cat doors might.
  • Your cats do not need to wear a collar tag.
  • But if you want, this device can work with collar tags.
  • Sturdy, rigid plastic flap.
  • A clicking noise to act as a hindrance for wild animals following your pet.
  • Durable weatherproof sealed door (although it may let in a little bit of a draft when not kept clean)
  • Battery life indicator to notify you of due changes
  • The long life of included batteries.
  • Strong magnets allow fast closing of the door
  • Strong magnet keeps the flap from blowing open by wind gusts.
  • Well built, solidly made
  • Easy to install

 

The Bad

  • Selective entry means the door locks only in inwards direction, so it can be pulled open from the outside.
  • Cheeky raccoons can open the door by pulling it open, especially on the setting that allows cats to leave and enter freely.
  • The opening is on the small side. It is more fitting for small to medium sized felines and less for big cats (euphemism for overweight) or tall cats (4.72″ height).
  • The clicking noise might be scary to your cat.
  • Only battery powered, no backup power.
  • The microchip has to be located directly on the back of the cat’s neck for the RFID sensor to scan the chip.
  • The magnets make it a little bit laborious for your cats to shove the flap open.
  • It does not work with 10-digit microchips beginning with 00, 010, 020.
  • The mechanism requires the cat to stand still close to the door’s tunnel to get the chip scanned.

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Tips On Using The System

To train your cat to get used to the “click” sound of the door unlocking, we recommend duct taping the “flap” open.  So your cat can pass freely in the beginning. Even if your cats hear the “click,” they won’t be discouraged from pushing the door and going through it.

It will get accustomed to that sound more easily. Some cats take to the door quickly and use it straight away without any issues. Other cats can take days to weeks to get used to it (and a real skittish cat may take a month), but in the end, cats always end up utilizing the SureFlap cat door.

If you don’t want to get your cat microchipped, you can buy a chip and attach it to a cat´s collar. This way you can reuse the collar on other pets if you need to. You can buy new microchips if they get lost; they are rather affordable.

If the scanner of the flap does not scan your cats’ microchip, the chip may have migrated down the neck. We advise you to see your vet if you suspect this is the case.

If you want to keep your cat inside and you know your pet is very smart and strong-minded, it is advisable to use the setting “Locked” rather than “Only In.”

 

Conclusion

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The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is a remarkably great pet door that operates as advertised. The manufacturer improved the flap with the latest version. It is now much quieter when unfastening the lock. However, there is still a little clicking noise when unlocking; some cats might not like this at first.

But it is not a loud sound, and with a little usage, your pets get accustomed to it fast. The instructions explicitly explain how to train your cat to use the automatic cat door.

If your cat weighs less than 10 lbs, it will go through the flap without effort. Cats weighing over 10 pounds will probably have to do a little squeeze through the door to get inside your house.

For large sized cats, weighing in at 11+ lbs, there is a special larger version which you can view here: the SureFlap Pet Door suitable for larger cats and small dogs.

There are some previous editions of the SureFlap. The manufacturer guarantees that you will get the newest version when you purchase from Amazon.com.

We recommend the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door to anyone who has a micro-chipped cat or who will microchip their pets. It helps greatly in keeping out the neighbor’s cat, or any other wild animals that may be intruding your home. This door is suitable for small to medium sized cats.

We recommend it:

  • If you want to replace your existing regular pet flap for a SureFlap
  • To create feeding stations to separate your cats
  • To separate litter box sites in different rooms to separate your pets

The cat door might not be suitable:

  • To large breed cats, tall cats or overweight cats weighing more than 11 lbs; fat cats have to squeeze their body to go through.. or won’t fit through at all.
  • If your cat has a 10-digit microchip that begins with 00, 010 or 020.
  • If you require a 100% raccoon-proof solution. (The unit stops almost all raccoons, but a super tiny percentage of exceptionally bright raccoons may still outwit the SureFlap).
  • For handicapped, disable or elderly cats with arthritis
  • To be installed in real thick walls

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