Best Cat Flap: What to Consider When Choosing a Cat Flap
- Abi
- August 27, 2021
- 4:45 pm
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Cat flaps are recommended, both for indoor and outdoor cats. Let’s look at how to choose the best cat flap for your pet!
There are many things to consider before committing to purchasing a cat flap. Rather than buying the first cat flap you see or the cheapest you can find, it’s best to consider your options carefully.
A good cat flap will last for years and will give your cat the freedom to explore your yard or choose to come home for a cuddle.
Here’s everything you need to know when searching for the best cat flap for your home.
The Benefits of a Cat Flap
Anyone who regularly caters to the whims of a cat can attest to the utility of a cat flap. Always suppose you can persuade the cat to use one. If you can, there are several benefits to installing a cat flap.
Environmental Enrichment

One of the most obvious advantages of installing a cat flap is that they prove a source of environmental enrichment for your cat. This is true irrespective of where you install the cat flap. For instance, affixing it to an external door gives your cat easy access to the garden, where they can:
- Sunbathe
- Hone hunting instincts
- Exercise
Even if you are reluctant to let your cat outside, there are still creative ways to use cat flaps to benefit your cat.
One of these is that installing a cat flap on a closet door or into a garage or shed offers easy access to cool, dark places for sleeping. That can be beneficial for your cat in hot weather.
Exercise
If you install a cat flap on a door connecting to the outdoors, the other benefit is that your cat can exercise more than it otherwise might. Cats are instinctual hunters, but not all humans are equally good at tapping into those instincts with laser toys and fishing poles. Consequently, indoor-only cats are more likely to gain weight than outdoor cats. That sounds like a minor detail, but weight gain can cause various health complications in cats, especially early-onset arthritis.
Feline Independence
If the pandemic proved nothing else, cats in a mood can be a nuisance to humans trying to get work done. There’s nothing like trying to sit through a meeting while your cat battens on the window for your attention.
Cat flaps give your cat the freedom of movement to go where they want when they want without impinging on other parts of your life. Since cats are naturally more independent than dogs, they won’t complain about their new freedom.
The Best Cat Flaps
Here are our recommendations for cat flaps available on Chewy. We’ve reviewed exterior and interior cat flaps and doors:
Exterior cat flaps
- Cat Mate 4-Way Locking Cat Flap
- Ideal Pet Products Lockable Cat Flap Pet Door
- PetSafe 4-Way Locking Microchip Entry Cat Door
- Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap
Interior cat doors
- PetSafe 2-Way Locking Cat Door
- PetSafe Durable Interior Cat Door
- Purrfect Portal Original Interior Cat Door
- Purrfect Portal with Brush Interior Cat Door
Exterior Cat Flaps
Here are some great products for cats that like to be both indoors and outside. These cat flaps will give your pet more freedom:
Top Pick One: Cat Mate 4-Way Locking Cat Flap

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Top Pick Two: Ideal Pet Products Lockable Cat Flap Pet Door

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Top Pick Three: PetSafe 4-Way Locking Microchip Entry Cat Door

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Top Pick Four: Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap

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Interior Cat Doors
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Top Pick One: PetSafe 2-Way Locking Cat Door

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Top Pick Two: PetSafe Durable Interior Cat Door

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Top Pick Three: Purrfect Portal Original Interior Cat Door

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Top Pick Four: Purrfect Portal with Brush Interior Cat Door

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Best Cat Flap: Buyers Guide
So, what do you need to know when considering what cat flap to buy?
We’ll discuss the different kinds of cat flaps and doors, their benefits and drawbacks, and some of the technology that keeps them operational.
Types of Cat Flaps and Doors
There are several types of cat flaps and doors. Here are some of the most common, and what you need to know when choosing which to buy.
Microchipped Cat Flaps
Microchipped cat flaps are ideal for cats that are territorial about their homes. When you install the cat flap, you scan your cat’s microchip against the cat flap software. This ensures that only your cat can enter your house.
They keep stray or neighborhood cats out and reduce your cat’s stress because interlopers are no longer eating out of their dish.
Four-Way Lock Cat Flaps
Another type of cat flap is the four-way locking cat flap. This is ideal for owners who are reluctant to leave their cats outside overnight or when they’re away from home.
A locking mechanism allows you to lock the cat flap when necessary, preventing your cat from escaping. However, it’s worth noting that a clever enough cat may find a way around the system.
Indoor Cat Flaps
For owners who don’t want their cats to go outside, cat flaps can still be beneficial. There are a variety of indoor cat flaps that attach to walls and doors and give your indoor cat access to:
- Closets
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Bathrooms
In addition to providing ingress to small, dark spaces without your cat bashing the door open, the indoor cat flap can also be helpful for cats that value privacy.
Unlikely as it sounds, some cats won’t use a litter box if they think other people or pets are too close. That’s because it’s one of the moments when they’re vulnerable. Installing an indoor cat flap close to the litter box enables your cat to access it while keeping curious dogs out.
Check that the Cat Flap Fits Your Door
Once you find a cat flap that meets your cat’s needs, the first thing to do is ensure it’s compatible with the door or wall you want to attach it to. Not all cat flaps fit all types of doors, and it may take trial and error to find one that fits neatly.
Size

The other consideration when buying a cat flap is size. This is about more than the door. You also need to consider the cat’s size and weight since bigger cats require wider cat flaps than their smaller-boned contemporaries.
Typically, a standard cat flap accommodates cats up to 8-12lbs. Cats weighing more than that may benefit from larger cat flaps.
Technology
While we don’t usually think of cat flaps and doors as wonders of technology, they have evolved over the years. These days when choosing a cat flap, many of them come with technological features that take some interpreting.
Microchip
There are several things you need to consider when buying a microchipped cat flap. The first is the number of cats using the cat flap. If you have several cats, ensure you choose a cat flap that allows you to register several microchips with the inbuilt scanner.
It’s also worth knowing how the technology works. Some cat flaps designed to read microchips automatically lock when not in use, but that isn’t always the case.
Power Source
Finally, more technological cat flaps have a power source. It’s important to know if the model you choose relies on batteries or another power outlet.
This is crucial, because if a battery-powered cat flap breaks down with the cat on the wrong side of the door, they may not be able to re-enter the house. It’s also worth ensuring that any battery-run cat flap you consider operates on readily available batteries.
You should also ensure any batteries are easily changed. Otherwise, you may face several hours of long and involved maintenance while your cat offers their idea of assistance.
Cat Flap FAQs
Here are the answers to some questions pet owners commonly have about cat flaps and doors:
How do I keep my cat from scratching the door?
The best way to stop your cat from scratching the door is to give them a place to scratch that’s more appealing. Cat trees and posts are ideal for this, as are sisal mats. You can also use double-sided tape or sticky pads on the door to deter your cat from scratching it.
How do I stop my cat from going outside?
If you have an outdoor cat flap, the best way to keep your cat from going outside is to lock the flap. You can also train your cat to stay inside by rewarding them with treats or toys when they stay indoors.
What is the best cat flap for a heavy cat?
The best cat flap for a heavy cat is one that’s wide enough for them to fit through comfortably. Ensure you measure your cat and check the dimensions of the cat flap before purchasing.
Can I fit a cat flap in a glass door?
Yes, you can fit a cat flap in a glass door. However, you’ll need to ensure the glass is thick enough to support the weight of the cat flap. Don’t attempt to cut the glass yourself; you’ll need to hire a professional to do it for you.
Conclusion
Finally, when considering buying a cat flap, research ways to train a cat to use the cat door. Left to their own devices, cats can be firm believers in the power of your very operational fingers and thumbs to get them where they want to go.
So, find a suitable cat flap, harness your patience, and with luck, you’ll soon have a cat moving independently through your house and out of it.