Microchipped pet flaps are a sophisticated solution for controlling pet access. These flaps use the pet’s implanted microchip to allow entry, ensuring that only your pet can use the flap.
Features
- Security: Only opens for registered pets.
- Advanced Options: Some models have Wi-Fi and app integration, AI prey detection, and timer functions for setting curfews.
- Limitations: Generally, not suitable for large dogs due to speed and size issues with microchip readers.
These types of pet flaps use the vet implanted microchip to allow your pet access. They can be programmed for each pet that uses the pet flap meaning that it will unlock for your pet so that they gain access but will not unlock to allow every random microchipped pet access. This allows the pet flap to remain in a lock state until a registered pet is within range making them much better at preventing unwanted visitors than a more basic pet flap. Generally suitable for cats and small dogs – these are a popular type of pet flap.
Some microchipped pet flaps offer functionality that can restrict exit as well as entry, some have Wi-Fi and app technology, some are even have AI to recognise when prey is in a cats mouth and stay locked, and some have timer functions that allow curfews to be set but all have the ability to be locked when you do not want the pet flap to be used. Locking may be manually via a dial or automatic via a screen or an app – the style of locking depends on the functions available from the pet flap.
There are several reasons why microchipped flaps are not manufactured in a large dog size – the main one because dogs tend to run through pet flaps at speed rather than saunter at a slower speed like cats, meaning that the microchip reader has minimal time to read the microchip and unlock in time to allow the dog entry. This can result in a dog who is reluctant to use the pet flap in case they end up with a squished snout and a bruised ego!
Dogs come in a vast range of sizes – this makes location of a microchip reader extremely difficult when you design the pet flap. Microchip readers are usually located at the top of the opening so that they have the best opportunity to read the microchip that has been implanted in the animal’s neck. Where the neck height of one dog breed is may not be where neck is on another breed, so this alone poses an issue – then you have the issue with microchip migration. This seems to happen more in dogs than cats and the larger the dog, the more of the body the microchip can end up in making it even more difficult for the reader to identify a registered chip and unlock. Manufacturers recommend that dogs use RFID tags rather than microchips.
Recommended Brands
- SureFlap: Offers basic and advanced models with app technology. Available in cat and small dog sizes.
- PetSafe: Similar features to SureFlap, with colour complementing accessories.
- Closer Pets: Unique for its all-grey model and variety in colour options.
SureFlap is the most well-known and popular of the three, but in all honesty their standard microchip cat flap is no better than either of the other two – it is all a matter of personal preference at this point. There are colour variants that are only available from one manufacturer, and we will advise of this in a little bit.
Each manufacturer offers a basic microchipped cat flap – which simply put can stop unwanted animals from using the cat flap and can be locked by a dial or lever. They do not stop animals from exiting the pet flap nor do they have any timer functions. Each manufacturer also offers a more advanced microchipped cat flap which has App Technology and Wi-Fi Technology with some manufacturers having models in between that offer certain functions that are not available on the basic microchip model.
Closer Pets are the only manufacturer to make an all-Grey Microchipped cat flap which can be installed in most doors and glass when used with the grey adaptor. They do not make grey tunnels which is an unfortunate missed opportunity as there is demand for an all-grey microchipped flap that can be used for wall installations.
The popular Closer Pets 360 microchipped cat flap comes in three colours – white, brown, and grey. With the 361-adaptor kit (available in white and grey) you can install into glass when a new replacement piece of glass is manufactured. With the addition of 308W tunnel extensions, you can even install a 360W cat flap through a wall. These tunnel extensions are only available in white and usually 6 or 7 extensions are required to span a cavity wall of 35cm.
The Closer Pets Elite 355W cat flap features a time function allowing you to set curfews on an LCD screen (not app controlled). This is a great option if you need to set curfews for your cat but don’t want or need the expense of the SureFlap Connect range. Can be easily installed in doors and through walls with the Elite tunnel liners. We do advise that although installation in glass is possible with this flap, there is no adaptor plate to facilitate the installation of a ‘square’ cat flap in a round hole meaning that it is possible that the edges of the hole are visible in the installation. This does not allow rain or draught to come in; it is more an aesthetic concern for some.
SureFlap manufacture the only two-colour cat flap on the market which is white internally and a dark anthracite grey externally. This can be installed into most doors and glass when installed with the glass adaptor and walls as there are grey tunnels for this flap – making it a great option for today’s aesthetic trends. Accessories for pet flaps are not interchangeable and so you cannot install the Grey Closer Pets cat flap with the Grey Tunnels from SureFlap unfortunately.
SureFlap manufacture their flaps in two sizes – cat size and a larger pet door size which is suitable for smaller dogs. Each size has a basic model and one that has App-Technology, so you can control the pet flap remotely to set curfews, override, and program at the touch of a button. These are known as the Connect range and use a hub to connect to the internet. This hub can have upto 10 connect devices at any one time meaning that you can control a pet flap, automatic feeder and water dispenser all at the same time on one app.
The larger standard model SureFlap Microchip pet door has a timer function which is not a feature on any standard microchip cat flap model – this will largely be down to the size of the cat flap making it exceedingly difficult to incorporate additional technology in a small area.
Both sizes of standard SureFlap microchip models are available in white and brown and have colour complementing accessories for wall and glass installations. The Connect range are available in only white in both sizes.
PetSafe offer a standard microchipped cat flap in white and brown which, like the Sure Flap standard models, also have colour complementing wall and glass accessories.
Prey Detection pet flaps do use microchip technology, but we have a dedicated section for these in another article as the technology used is AI technology and at the point where this article has been written, none have been fully made available on general release.
Microchipped pet flaps provide excellent security and convenience, particularly for cats and small dogs. Choose the right model based on your needs and pet size.
