Everything about cat flaps

Cat flaps are ideal when you let your cat decide whether she wants to be inside or outside. Which flap is best for you both?

Why a cat flap?

With a cat flap you don't have to keep opening and closing the door whenever your cat wants in or out. She decides for herself. This is especially handy when you are away for a few hours every day. You can also set the cat flap exactly as you want: entry only, exit only, or completely locked.

What do cats think of cat flaps?

It is of course wonderful if your cat can come and go as she pleases without you having to worry about it. Unfortunately, however, there are a few small disadvantages to such a flap.

One disadvantage of a cat flap is that you may sometimes find other cats in your home. If this happens frequently, there is the option of a cat flap that only opens for your cat and not for strange cats. This works by means of a magnet, an infrared transmitter or a microchip.

Some rather insecure cats see the cat flap as a weak point in their territory and become unsettled by it.

What options are there?

There are different types of cat flaps:

• Standard: a flap with a plastic door that swings back and forth.
• With magnet: a cat flap that only responds to the matching magnet on your cat's collar.
• With infrared lock: the cat flap opens when your cat, wearing her infrared transmitter on her collar, wants to pass through.
• With microchip: this cat flap responds to your cat's unique microchip.

What is the best cat flap?

The best cat flap depends on your preferences and those of your cat. Some cats, for example, cannot tolerate wearing a collar. In that case, the microchip-reading cat flap is the best choice. Ask for advice at your pet shop.