A better cat trap?

[Tim Downie]

We recently had to fit a catflap to our garage door due to differences of opinion between our established cat and our new dog.

Perhaps not too surprisingly we're now having problems with "visitors". I thought it would be easy to set the catflap to "in only" and trap the bugger(s) but this was the result.

've never had a high opinion on Staywell cat & dog flaps but they prety much dominate the market. I've lost count of the number I've had to replace over the years. This one didn't actually break, it just sort of falls apart under the slightest pressure.

Any suggestions of ways of trapping our unwanted visitors? I reckon a good dowsing with a hose will help to disuade them from repeat offending.

Tim

[Jonathan]

If your cat is micro-chipped, you can buy cat flaps that only open for that chip. it worked for a neighbour of ours with a similar problem.

Jonathan

[Tim Downie]

Just a decently constructed cat flap would be an improvement.

Tim

[pete]

So doesn't your new dog "disagree" with all the other cats? In my limited experience cats are cowards and once discouraged by a dog will avoid it's domain in the future.

[Chris Bartram]

Isn't that catflap fitted backwards- i.e: shouldn't the controls be on the inside?

FWIW we had to stump up for the infra-red Staywell flap for our cat after the magnetic one failed to keep other cats out. It works OK, but isn't cheap, and the batteries in the collar key only last a couple of months.

The other big manufacturer is pet-mate. Have a look at

[Tim Downie]

Yep, but he can't get in the garage. The cat flap is there so that OUR cat can get in under cover to eat. Our cat won't come in the house at present.

Tim

[stuart noble]

My pint sized, very old, cat still stands his ground and hisses if dogs or foxes venture on to his patch. That's if he's awake of course, which isn't very often.

[Jim]

There is a distinct possibility that this is designed behaviour: imagine the bad press if a cat could get stuck in the flap without being able to break its way free.

[Owain]

Would a Flo Control be sufficiently sensitive?

[Peter Parry]

[Andrew Gabriel]

You really need to sort out the dog/cat relationship, or find the cat (or dog) another home. I've never had both, but friends who have introduced a dog where other pets exist were told to make sure the dog knows it's at the bottom of the family pack, e.g. you make a fuss of all the other pets before the dog, and then they will get on fine.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your dog has already asserted it's higher in the pack than the cat, and that may be much more difficult to resolve now.

Also, don't try trapping other peoples' pets as a punishment. As you don't live in the garage, there's no logical reason it's yours as opposed to theirs for any cat.

[pete]

Yes, what I meant was why doesn't he keep all the other cats out of your garden? That way you wouldn't have to worry about other cats trying to use your cats catflap

[Tim Downie]

The front garden is unfenced and he has no access to it.

Tim

[Tim Downie]

We're working on it but he's a rescue dog with pre-exisiting behaviour patterns and the cat is being more than a bit pathetic at asserting his rights. The cat was raised with dogs so it's not as if he's not used to them, it's just that now as an adult he seems unable to deal with a new dog.

This other cat is clearly invading our cat's and my territory. I reckon a bit of a dowsing won't do it any lasting harm.

Tim

[Bob Eager]

I've found Pet Mate to be much better, over the experience of teh last 20 years. And they are good (and fast) on spare parts. Not that I've needed any for a while. Small parts were even sent FOC.

For a price, you can get a flap that only admits YOUR cat (if microchipped).

[Steve Walker]

And what a price! We have just bought a microchip cat-flap (we've yet to pick it up). It is generally priced at £75 to £85, but we got trade price through a friend - £25.

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

We had exactly the same thing happen - same make of cat-flap too! I managed to catch the cat inside, with a full jug of water :) - it smashed the flap and surround off on the way out, but never came back again.

SteveW

[Steve Walker]

have now bought one which works off the microchip, so the collar no-longer matters.

SteveW

[Bob Eager]

It's a really good excuse to buy a big Super Soaker...

[Huge]

Supersoaker?