Cat flaps have always been popular with cat owners – and with cats. No longer does the owner have to be on hand to let his or her pet in and out, and cats have the freedom to come and go as they please. If the cat is happy to do his business outdoors, the indoor litter tray can be dispensed with, too – a big saving in terms of time spent cleaning the tray and the cost of cat litter.
The drawback of having a cat flap is that your pet may not be the only one with a free run of your home. Other cats in the neighbourhood, and even wild animals, may become regular unwelcome visitors. Flaps that open only in response to a magnet worn on the cat’s collar can help solve this problem, but for the ultimate in pet flap technology, an electronic cat door cannot be beaten.
How Does an Electronic Cat Door Work?
Electronic cat doors open only when they sense the presence of a microchip implanted beneath the skin at the back of the cat’s neck or shoulder. Your cat may already have one of these – the microchips that activate electronic cat doors are the same as those used to identify cats who have strayed or been involved in an accident. If your cat does not currently have a chip, your vet can implant one in a quick and simple procedure.