Cat Flap

[oglander]

I'm just about to adopt a new cat & they now have to be kept in at night. Technology really isn't my thing so is there anyone out there who would be happy to go through the instructions for a new cat flap with a timer & explain to me, in simple words, how it works? Maybe someone who already has one? 

[TWB Cat Sitter]

Hi, oglander ,

Congratulations on your soon-to-arrive little lion - how exciting!
It's always lovely to hear someone taking the adoption route (shelters are having a major crisis at the moment!).

I've been in business for 15 years & can say with certainty that most cat owners in Dulwich have catflaps so, not only are they easy to have installed, but you shouldn't find yourself short of helping hands on these local forums. A catflap is a brilliant way to keep your little lion safely in overnight as well as generally keeping track of their comings & goings.

I'd be happy to walk you through the set up once you've chosen your model (SureFlap & PetSafe are two popular brands).

I'm sure the rescue has already advised, but just in case they haven't, it'll be very important to keep your newly adopted cat housebound for the first 2 weeks to familiarise themselves with their new home. Once they've scent-mapped the house, you can gradually begin letting them out to explore & scent-map the garden.

Exciting times! x

[Pugwash]

Having had several cats over the past 40 years - mainly rescue, we have a tried and tested routine,

Initially confined to one room with litter tray/food/water - we take it in turns to stay for a few minutes several times a day so they become familiar with our scent. They are gradually introduced to the rest of the house. We have a wire cat basket and we place cat in basket and take them outside, over a few days we place basket in different areas of the garden - grass area/gravel area, patio area etc - different flowers/plants. Some of the more nervous cats we walk around the garden on a lead. They get use to the scent of the garden. We have a cat flap in the back door so they have full access - If we need to keep cat in - just block off the cat flap so they cannot escape! We are now down to one elderly cat - who during the summer just laid on the garden chairs and came in for food, but as weather getting colder prefers to sit on a worktop in the kitchen looking out into the garden. So we are back to the cat litter as she is reluctant to go out in the rain/cold.  

[intexasatthe moment]

We have had a few cat flaps over the years but none have been electronic.

They just have a small clip that you turn to lock or open. 

Some come with a magnet and a matching magnet that the cat wears on its collar 

This prevents other cats entering. 

I've not used these as I don't like the idea of a cat wearing a collar.

Cats do like to be out at night and you need to encourage yours to return after a late evening sortie.

Calling,rustling treat wrappers worked for ours but he seems to have now got into the habit of coming back about 9pm. without this.

 

 

 

 

[Jenijenjen]

Why have things got so complicated? I suppose a cat flap with a timer might be useful for people out all day but can't really see the point of them when its so easy to flip a simple mechanical lock. This is how my last cat flap operated but had to be replaced when cat wearing cone of shame tried to escape and broke it.

The cat flap I have now is one of those linked to cats microchip but even then there is just a four way dial which allows different kinds of access - or not. Not that cat is bothered, refuses to use it and demands i open the door for her.

This is bit of a rant because along with a new boiler I got a new electronic programmer which is really annoying as it takes 5 minutes to change a simple temperature whereas with old programmer it took 10 seconds.

Hope you get sorted @oglander and enjoy your future servitude to your feline master.

[Sue]

Cone of shame 🤣🤣🤣

[ruffers]

Colin. 

 

One for the old school.

 

Just saying.

Edited November 8, 2025 by ruffers