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6 Best Cat Door Picks of 2024
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A cat door or cat flap is an excellent investment for any homeowner giving their feline friend the freedom to explore the outdoors. The best cat door models ensure your furry friend can hop in and out of your home whenever they choose, without you having to rush to open the door every few minutes.we
Although cats don’t necessarily have to go outside to be happy, many pet parents prefer to give them this option. Unfortunately, cats can be quite indecisive. If you’ve already got an outdoor feline, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to rush to the door to let your cat out, only to have them scratching to come back in a few minutes later.
So, what do you need to consider if you’re planning on buying your own cat flap or cat door? Microchip cat doors will give your furry friend the freedom they need with added security, while basic flaps are ideal for simplicity.
So, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best cat door in 2021.
The PetSafe Freedom Flap
Our choice is the PetSafe Freedom Flap, the Best Overall Cat Door for your cat!
Is a Cat Door a Good Idea?
First, you’ll need to ensure you actually want to invest in a cat flap for your kitty. The biggest thing holding many pet parents back is the risk of allowing their kitty to go outside. Indoor cats are often much safer than their outdoor companions, and they can even live longer too. However, if you have a cat that’s used to going outside, it’s very difficult to train them to stay indoors.
A cat door gives you the freedom to provide your kitty with independence, so you can spend less of your life running around after your cat. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider.
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Which Type Of Cat Flap Is Best?
These days, there are various kinds of cat flap or cat doors to choose from if you’re raising an outdoor kitty. You can stick to something simple, like a manual cat flap, if you’re not worried about other animals getting into your home. Alternatively, you might prefer to look into microchip cat door or lockable cat flaps for greater peace of mind.
The types of cat flaps you can consider include:
Manually operated cat flaps
The simplest form of cat flap manually operated flaps simply open when your cat pushes its head against the part which opens. This type of flap will offer access to all kinds of cats – including the ones that don’t belong to you. Be careful to ensure other animals can’t get into your house.
Infrared/ Magnetic cat doors
Another relatively simple product, these cat doors open with a magnet or device placed on your cat’s collar. When your cat’s collar is within reading distance of the flap, the device will usually unlock, allowing your cat to come in and out. This can help to deter other animals from coming into your home, but you may still end up with wayward cats if they have a similar collar.
Microchip cat doors
The most advanced option on the market today is the microchip operated cat flap. This device scans your cat’s microchip to determine who to allow into your home. Many of the leading products allow for multiple cats to be programmed into the system, so you can even use this device if you have a multi-cat household. These microchip cat doors are perfect for preventing other cats from accessing your home.
Whilst we are on the topic of microchips, every cat owner should also ensure that they have their furry partner microchipped just in case he or she gets lost. A microchip will allow them to be identified quickly and easily.
What to Look for in the Best Cat Flap
Choosing the best cat flap generally means asking yourself a few basic questions. First, you’ll need to ask yourself whether you’re comfortable with your cat being an outdoor animal and how you’re going to keep the cat safe (with microchips and vaccinations).
When you’re fully committed to getting a cat flap, think about:
Cat Door FAQ
Buying the ultimate cat flap can often seem complicated if you’ve never had one before. It’s difficult to determine which product is going to be the most secure, as well as which options will feel the most comfortable to your cat. If you’re feeling uncertain when searching for your cat flap, here are some of the questions you may need to answer.
Q: Should I lock my cat door overnight?
Cats are complicated creatures. Some like to go out through the day, while others prefer to do most of their hunting and exploring during the night. If you want to allow your cat total freedom to go out whenever they choose, you’ll need to avoid locking the cat flap during the night. Unfortunately, this can also make it difficult to protect your home from other animals. If you’re worried about security, it’s often a good choice to opt for a microchip cat flap which locks automatically.
Q: Where can I install a cat flap or cat door?
Interestingly, you won’t necessarily need to place your cat flap in a door, depending on the kind of product you get. It’s possible to install some cat flaps in windows, and even walls, depending on your needs. If you have specific requirements for the installation, make sure you check the details of the product in advance for information on your options.
Q: How do I know if a cat door is big enough?
Most cats can squish through virtually any size of door or entryway. However, that doesn’t mean you should choose the smallest cat flap. A small cat flap might feel like a better idea when you want to protect against potential security issues. However, you also run the risk of your cat not wanting to use the cat flap. Remember, you need to train them to walk in and out of it first.
Q: How do I install a cat door?
Most cat flaps will come with advice on how to install them within your instruction manual. If you can’t find this information in the product packaging, check online for insights. You may need to cut a portion out of your wall or door to install the cat flap. If you’re concerned about this, make sure you seek the help of a professional.
Q: Do I need more than one cat door?
Not necessarily. Having multiple cat flaps means worrying about more points of entry throughout your home. Most cat flaps will be suitable for multi-cat households. If you have a microchip solution, make sure that you opt for something which you can program for multiple cats.
How Do You Get Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap?
Perhaps the biggest question for cat owners looking to install their own cat flap, is how do you get a feline to use it? Some kitties will automatically take to the cat flap and start using it straight away. Other felines may need more convincing to get started.
Ensure your cat feels comfortable with the flap by giving them plenty of time to check out the product before you fit it. Your cat should have time to sniff at the plastic, and confirm it isn’t a threat. When installing the flap, make sure it’s at a good height, so it’s convenient for your cat to use.
If you’re not sure what the right height would be for your cat, the best option is measure from your cat’s belly to the floor. After installing the cat flap:
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The 6 Best Cat doors for 2021
Now you know everything there is to know about cat flaps, how to use them, and what to look for in the best cat flap, we can begin our search. To help you make the right choice, we’ve chosen a wide range of cat flap options for you to choose from. Let’s get started.
1. PetSafe Freedom Flap (Best Overall Cat Door)
Simple but effective, the PetSafe freedom flap is a convenient solution for allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever they choose. The great thing about this product is it comes in a range of sizes. This means that families with larger breeds of cat can still enjoy the benefits of a manual cat flap. Plus, it’s extremely easy to install too.
All you need to set up the cat flap is a screwdriver and a little time. The weather-resistant and soft cat flap has a magnetic enclosure to ensure that your home stays protected against bad weather and bugs. What’s more, this cat flap is suitable for a wide range of different styles of door too. With quality guaranteed, it’s hard to go wrong with a product like this.
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2. PetSafe Cat Door for Interior Door (Best Interior Locking Cat Doors)
Sometimes you don’t just need a cat door to allow your kitty to explore the outdoor world. An interior cat door is excellent if you want to create a cupboard where your kitty can go to the bathroom in their litter tray with absolute privacy. This is a great way to lock away smells too. Interior doors can also help to keep cats out of bedrooms and other spaces when necessary.
This PetSafe cat door is transparent for easier training, so your cat can see you or their treats on the other side of the flap. The installation is quick and simple, so you can fit your flap onto any kind of door. There’s even a sliding lock so you can easily lock off certain rooms and keep your cats out of places where they’re not supposed to be. All that, and you can even choose between a two-way or four-way lock too.
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3. Cat Door Built In Interior Pet Door (Best Interior Cat Door)
If you’re looking for a simple interior cat door option, then the Purrfect portal could be the right choice for you. This adorable door comes in a fun cat shape, so you can keep your home looking gorgeous while giving your cat the freedom to wander around wherever they want to go. You won’t be able to close or lock this door when necessary, however.
Ideal for creating a separate litter space in your home, this cat door fits in solid and hollow-core doors alike, with a clever design and easy installation. There’s a template included to help you mark where your cat flap is going to go. After that, all you need to do is cut out the right shape and add the portal. A no flap design does mean you won’t have to train your cat either.
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4. SureFlap Microchip (Best Microchip Cat Door)
Few cat flap options deliver the same peace of mind as a microchip door. These solutions are intended to ensure you only allow the right cats into your home. You simply program the device to recognize your cat’s microchip, and the system will scan your kitty every time it approaches to determine when it should be allowed in. You can program up to 32 identities with this flap.
With a long-lasting battery, a secure design, and durable materials throughout, the Surefeed cat door is one of the most reliable options for homeowners. You can usually expect up to 12 months of battery life from the Surefeed solution, but you’ll also be able to see when the energy levels are running low thanks to a low battery LED light indicator.
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5. Depets Large Cat Door (Best Cat Doors for Large Cats)
As mentioned above, it’s much easier to train your kitty to use a cat door when the product is large enough. A small hole might be enticing for some kitties, but you don’t really want your cat to have to squash through your cat flap every time you want to use it. This larger cat door, suitable for small dogs and larger cats, is a great option for big cat households.
The product, which has a circumference of around 23 inches, is easy to install, and comes with all the instructions you need to jump in. The transparent flap is also fantastic for training because your cat will be able to see you through the door. High-quality materials also protect against rain and wind from the outdoors too.
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6. PetSafe Electronic SmartDoor (Best Collar Activated Cat Door)
The PetSafe cat flap and pet door is another excellent pick for homeowners keen to put safety and security first. This cat door is ideal for all kinds of dogs and cats, with multiple sizing options available. The Smartdoor works with the smartkey device which you place on your pet’s collar, so only they can get in and out of your home when they choose.
This product comes designed for easy installation, and you can even put it in a wall instead of a door if you prefer. The battery-operated system can work with up to 5 smart keys at once, depending on how many cats you have in your home.
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Final Thoughts on Picking the Best Cat Flap
The right cat flap for you will depend on your feline’s preferences, as well as your own goals. If you’re looking for an indoor cat door option, the lockable Petsafe cat door is an excellent choice.
For an exterior cat door capable of providing peace of mind, we’d recommend the Surefeed microchip solution to work alongside your cat’s collar. You can even use it with multiple cats!
Just to end on, please make sure that you have your kitty fully covered by pet insurance!
Even more so with adventurous outdoor moggies! You never know!
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