Best Microchip Cat Flaps (Reliable Ones) – Doors & Walls

Of course, not all cat flaps are created equal. I created this guide after doing a lot of research in my quest to find the perfect cat flap. This list will introduce you to some of the best microchip cat flaps available.

Top 10 Microchip Enabled Cat Doors

PRODUCT	TITLE	DETAILS
Editor's Choice	SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap	Works with standard microchips and RFID collar tags Low battery indicator light Manual Lock Option	View on Amazon
	Petsafe 4-way locking cat door	Easy to install with clear instructions Low battery indicator	View on Amazon
High-end pick	Ferplast Cat door	Last direction indicator (exit or entry) 4-way locking system Great build quality	View on Amazon
	Sureflap Dualscan	Selective entry and exit Safe entry mode for indoor-only cats who get out Remembers up to 32 cats	View on Amazon
	CatMate Elite	LCD screen displays helpful data Curfew program	View on Amazon
Larger size	Sureflap Pet Door	For larger cats and small dogs RFID collar tag included Dual lock	View on Amazon

SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap – Reliable With Attractive Design

If your cats are going in and out more frequently, the batteries may run out sooner. A light will flash when the battery is running low so you should have time to change them without having the flap becoming non-operational from a dead battery.

There are manual locks that you can use to temporarily stop your cat from being able to enter or exit the house.

You can also set the flap to in-only mode, where your cat will be able to enter the house but won’t be able to leave again until you change the setting.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap has two-part construction and can be installed in doors, windows, and walls. Special accessories may be necessary for window and wall installation. These accessories are available on Amazon.

The Sure Pet YouTube channel has a number of helpful videos to guide you through pairing a cat’s microchip and installing the cat flap.

Petsafe 4-way locking cat door – Easy to Install and Efficient Cat Entry Option

For cat guardians who want a simple pet door solution for their furry friends, the PetSafe Microchip Cat Door may be well worth considering.

It has a simple yet effective and innovative design that utilized the identification microchip that your likely cat already has.

This means you’ll be able to allow your feline companions to easily enter and exit a dwelling without bringing in any of their stray friends or allowing local wildlife to have free range inside your home.

The innovative selective RFID technology quickly reads and processes microchips so you won’t have to worry about putting a collar on your pet. Additionally, the RFID reader can log up to 40 different microchip identities.

This means that it can be used for many cats over the course of many years. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about keeping a collar on your cat 24/7 either.

Not all cats have microchips. If your cat isn’t microchipped, you can purchase separate programmable collar keys designed specifically to work with this door.

The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door is also very simple to install.

It’s ready to go straight out of the box. It can be used with PVC, uPVC, and wood. If you need to install this door into brick, glass, or metal, however, you may need to purchase a few additional accessories.

Other impressive features are the energy efficient design, manual lock, battery life indicator, and customer support line. As far as disadvantages go, this door runs off of 4 AA batteries that are not rechargeable.

The good news is, that the 4 AA batteries will keep the door working for up to a year at a time.

Also, if your pet doesn’t have a microchip, you will need to purchase a separately sold key collar from the PetSafe company.

Essentially, this is a simple and effective pet door that’s easy to install and requires minimum effort on the part of the pet guardian.

It works with 15-digit long pet microchip numbers.

Ferplast Cat door – An Antenna-Based Reliable Cat Flap

This means it’s less important how the pet positions their body like with some other cat flaps. Whenever the cat gets close enough, the antenna will register their presence and open the door.

This cat flap is powered by 6 AA batteries and a low battery indicator will alert you when they are running low.

It has a 4-way locking system, giving you control over a number of possible modes.

A unique last-direction indicator tells you if the door was last used for entry or exit.

This can help you find your cat if you’re unsure if they are outside or inside. This cat door has a good seal and a strong wind-stopper system to prevent drafts.

SureFlap DualScan – A Microchip Enabled Flap That is Truly Raccoon-Proof

What makes this cat door different is that it uses a double antenna.

This allows you to restrict some cats to be indoor-only while letting other cats enter and exit the house. This selective entry mode also offers a safety mode so that indoor-only cats who have gotten outside another way will be able to re-enter the house through the microchip cat flap.

You do also have the option to manually lock the cat door so no cats will be able to get in or out. You can also set the door to only-in or only-out mode.

A major advantage of this model is that it is raccoon-proof.

Many cat flaps, including the original SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap, can be breached by raccoons who have the ability to pry open the door. This cat door has a double locking system that prevents raccoons from gaining access.

Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door With Timer Control – Extra Features

There is also an in-only mode, where no animals can exit through the door but any registered animals are able to enter the house from outside.

A timer function lets you set controlled periods of time when your cats won’t be allowed to use the door, a nice feature if you prefer to keep your cats inside during the night.

A unique and useful feature of this cat door is the LCD screen which displays data about your cats, including the cat’s location and the last time the cat used the flap.

Data for up to three cats is displayed. Although the LCD display will only show data for up to three cats, it is possible to pair nine different cats to this cat door.

This cat door uses 4 AA batteries which will typically last for 6-9 months. Additional accessories may be required if you want to install the door in a window or wall.

SureFlap Microchip Pet Door – Works For Other Pets Too

Additional accessories may need to be purchased if installing in anything other than a door.

This includes the SureFlap Pet Door Tunnel Extender for wall installation and the SureFlap Pet Door Mounting Adaptor for glass installation.

Best Microchip Cat Flap Buyer’s Guide – Q&A

How does it work?

These microchip cat flaps are essentially a locked door until it recognizes the signal from your cat’s microchip.

A sensor connects with the microchip in your cat through Radio Frequency Identification.

The microchip then acts like a kind of key.

This allows the flap to open and close only for those microchips on the list of accepted animals.

The technology for a microchip flap is similar to what you’ll see in some workplaces and hotels where a badge is used to open a locked door.

Can I mount a cat flap on my own?

In most cases, you should have no problem mounting a cat flap on your own.

Just be sure to follow the included instructions carefully.

For certain types of installation (glass doors or windows, through a wall), you might want to hire a professional.

You can find trusted installers with experience in pet door installation to help mount the cat flap.

Where to find instructions?

All of the cat flaps on this list come with detailed instructions for installation and operation.

The Sure Flap website also offers a lot of helpful instructions and tips.

What are common problems with microchip flaps?

It’s rare, but sometimes a pet’s microchip will fail.

Microchip does not work or moved

If a cat flap stops working, it’s possible that the cat’s chip has malfunctioned.

A vet can check this. It’s also possible, though relatively rare, for a pet’s microchip to move around in their body. If the microchip has moved, it might be hard for the sensor to read.

Many cat flaps will only work if the microchip is located in the back of the cat’s neck or upper back.

The placement and condition of the sensors can sometimes cause problems with the functioning of the cat flap.

Sensors are blocked

If the sensors get dirty and obscured by dirt or even pet hair, they may cease working.

It’s a good idea to clean the area regularly.

Typically the cat’s head will need to be right under the sensor for it to be able to scan. It’s important to make sure the placement of the door will be conducive to this.

If the installation is not completed properly, there is the risk of air leakage that could ultimately lead to a hole that might let debris or creatures inside.

Debris could also cause the cat flap door to get stuck, keeping your cat inside or stuck outside. If you aren’t confident in your skills, it’s wise to hire someone to help you install the cat flap properly.

Raccoons

It’s not unheard of for raccoons to be able to breach cat flaps. Many of the cat flaps have a locking system that will allow them to be pried open from the outside.

Most animals aren’t able to do this and the cat flap is certainly far too small for a person to get inside, but a raccoon may be able to get in.

If you are concerned about possible raccoon entry, you might want to get the SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door, the only double-locking cat flap that is fully raccoon-proof.

Do they work both ways (entry and exit)?

Yes, your cat will be able to exit and re-enter the home through a microchip cat flap. Only animals with microchips that have been paired to the flap will be able to get in.

Most cat flaps only scan for entry, but the SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door scans for both entry and exit so you are able to prevent certain cats from exiting the house.

Can I build it through a wall?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to build a cat flap into a wall.

In fact, building it in a sturdy wall made from something like brick might even be the most secure location for a cat flap.

Building through a wall, however, takes more work than building through a door or window. You will also typically need to purchase a separate tunnel extender accessory when building through a wall.

If you aren’t comfortable with this kind of hands-on project, it might be a good idea to hire a contractor. Some people even specialize in this.

You can use this resource to find a trusted pet door fitter in your area (US). If you think you’re up to the job yourself, take time to do some research so you make sure you are doing it safely and accurately.

Will my cat need training to use the flap?

Yes, cats will tend to be suspicious of a cat flap and will need to be trained to use it. It’s a good idea to let your cat get used to it even before it is installed.

Give them a chance to smell it and inspect it.

Once it is installed, use treats to guide your cat through the flap. Try propping the flap door open with a piece of tape to create an inviting hole.

This will get your cat used to going through the open space.

Keep working with your cat, using positive reinforcement, and they should eventually get used to the cat flap and start using it unprompted.

Some cats will start using the flap on their own within a few days but some cats will need weeks or even longer.

It’s important to be patient. For cats that are particularly hesitant about using the cat flap, you can try rubbing the cat’s own sent on the flap door to entice them.

Can I mount a microchip cat flap on a glass door?

Yes, most microchip cat flaps will work on a glass door.

However, cutting glass is a very skilled job so you should get a professional to do it.

A glazier can help make sure the appropriate holes are cut correctly, safely, and without ruining your glass door.

Does a cat have to be microchipped for this to work?

Not necessarily. Some cat flaps will also read an RFID collar tag.

Attaching this small tag to the cat’s collar will work in the same way.

A unique code will be read by the flap’s sensor and the cat will be able to exit and enter. You can also attach a microchip to a cat’s collar instead of implanting it.

Microchipping is safe and relatively painless, but if you don’t want your cat to have to have a microchip implanted, it may still be possible for them to use this kind of a cat flap.

There you have it, everything you need to know about microchip cat flaps.

Have you used a cat flap before? How did your cats respond to it?

Let us know in the comments.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have about microchip cat flaps or share your tips for how to train a cat to use one.