best magnetic/infrared cat flap??

Sara784

I would like to get a magnetic or infrared cat flap, and was wondering if anybody uses them, which ones they use and if they're any good? don't fancy my kitty being stuck outside if they're rubbish or she cant figure out how to use them.....:p

chez22

I had an infra red cat flap, they work well in principle but the collar keys are quite large and if your cat loses her collar she won't be able to get back in. My cat lost several collars and it cost me a fortune to replace the keys. I have a microchip cat flap now, they are expensive but the infra red ended up costing me more in the long run.

bouncydog1

Best bet is the microchip flap as these let your cat in and keep others out. Can also be individually set so if you have 2 cats you can set to let out for one, whilst the other has to stay in - great if you have one that has to stay in because it's been to the vet for instance.

Years ago we had a flap where cat had to wear a collar and the poor thing got it's leg caught up behind the collar. Sure they have changed but a microchip flap doesn't need a collar.

Sara784

would need to be a infrared/magnetic one preferable as the microchip ones are too expensive really, even though they would be perfect

pusscat

We have had both infrared and magnetic in the past and I would not touch either of them again - my lot can loose collars in a matter of hours and both the magnets and the tags are horribly expensive. I also found that they did not work very well (either type). The cat has to be in exactly the right place and moving at the right speed. If the tag is under the chin then it sometimes does not work. Both my infra red and magnetic flap ended up being used as a normal flap.
The other issue we had was that a neighbour had the same infra red flap and we both had multiple cats - I know you can get several different frequencies but replacing all 4 cat tages was expensive -so we did have visitors for quite a while.

I have a pet porte microchip flap and it is brilliant. Has been in a year or so and had one problem (my electrics were dodgy). Customer service is great and it works like a dream for 4 cats ranging from an arthritic 22 year old (who takes forever to get through) to a 3 year old who dives through at full speed.

The infra red/magnetic ones look cheaper - but once you factor in buying replacement tags, batteries and them not working all the time the micro chip one starts to look much better value.

Puss
xx

Just had a quick look and the infra red tags are £10-12 each. Flap is £53.

Sure Flap (microchip) is £72.99
Pet porte is £79.99