Non-magnetic cat bell?

nanokitten

I have a magnetic cat flap due to next doors kitten coming and 'visiting' rather frequently and making herself at home which is upsetting my own cat (they are sisters but she doesn't like her sister popping round for some lunch, a wee in her tray, a quick nap in her bed and a turn of the catnip mouse!).
Unfortunatly even with the magnetic thing activated, next doors puss can get in the house. Close examination of the instructions revealed than big bits of steel on the collar may also activate the mechanism (as steel is ferromagnetic) which is pretty useless seeing as every cat I know wears a bell on their colloar. So I would like to be able to buy some non magnetic bells (some for next doors kitty and some for my own as she doesn't jingle properly with the bell stuck to the magnet).
I've looked for brass bells but so far they have all been brass plated over steel or a steel clapper inside:( anyone got any ideas?

picklepick

i dont know about the bells but have u thought about getting an infra-red flap instead?

ive seen them on the pah website but i dont know how reliable etc they are, might be worth considering though

nanokitten

Well I have, but they are £50ish so for the sake of a couple of bells it doesn't seem very MSE! I also dislike the idea of the batteries running out on the IR key and the kitten not being able to get in (I am an over protective puss parent!). Plus if I was going to replace it for that kind of money I'd want a pet porte with the dawn till dusk facility as I keep her in after dark but then thats £100!
I have also considered making her a silver tag and bell as silver is not magnetic either.
I'm surprised surepet doesn't sell non magnetic bells as an accessory for the flap as I'm sure lots of people have the same problem as me! There must be solid brass bells out there somewhere...

tamsin1982

her sisters bell shouldn't open the flap as its not magnetic? or am i reading this wrong lol
if you take your cats bell to the flap does it activate the catch? (it may be magnetised after being stuck to the magnet for so long so there is a chance it will but it shouldnt!)
does your flap not have a battery? i know the cat mate ones do?


edited to add - i didn't read it correctly! amazon sell 3 chrome bells for 99p

nanokitten

The sisters bell is steel (which becomes magnetic when placed next to another magnet ie in the door mechanism) and so opens the flap just like a magnet!!!
This is a serious design flaw and I am pretty hacked off that the information is burried deep in the instructions and not clearly on the box as the whole point of the magnetic flap is that it's selective. I'm not sure if it's just my model or all the magnetic ones (rant over).
So there are two problems
1. Sister can get in using her great big bell (she sometimes has 2 on as she is a prodigious hunter)
2. my own cat who wears the magnetic key ends up with her bell and tag stuck to the magnet in a big lump (often with a rusty nail / teaspoon attached as well) the bell doesn't ring properly as the clapper gets stuck.
Tamsin1982, I looked on ebay thanks and have emailed some sellers (most don't have a clue what they are made of)
I think chrome refers to chrome steel (again magnetic) even some of the 'brass' ones I've looked at are steel plated with brass or a brass body and steel clapper.
My flap is an older version of the magntic flap (900 series I think) anyone know if the newer ones have the smae problem?

tamsin1982

learn a new thing everyday! the magnets in the actual collar thing are very very strong which is what surprised me

Ive got to go to a pet shop tomo to get supplies for my brrod so ll have a look in there see if they sell anything non mag

shelly

nanokitten wrote: »

Plus if I was going to replace it for that kind of money I'd want a pet porte with the dawn till dusk facility as I keep her in after dark but then thats £100!

We have a PetPorte for Lily but I noticed recently that petplanet.co.uk have the second generation flap (better than ours) on sale for £85.
I know they are pricey but ours has been worth every penny we paid for it.

minimoneysaver

I have the same problem. For the time being, my lock on the cat flap is selotaped down. I have a feeling it'll stay that way. My cat has a couple of bells on his collar, as he is a little monkey! The whole thing was stuck in a big bundle on his neck... bless him. I gave in, removed the magnetic "key" and taped the lock down!

tamsin1982

I had a look an everything looks metal and like it wont make a difference, will keep an eye out still
mini money saver if you take the battery bit off there should be a spring u can take out that makes the catch drop, just dont lose it lol

0161coop

We have the same problem with a magnetic bell.
I've managed to find some at animalstars.com, but they cost $50 inc postage (I'm not allowed to post links so you'll need to add the www at the beginning!)
Think I'll have to keep looking for a cheap alternative.