5 Types of Cat Flaps for Households: A Complete Guide

Fed up with being your cat’s doorman? If you’re always letting your cat in and out, a cat flap might be just what you need. There are loads of options out there, and picking the right one can be tricky. Here’s a guide to the five most common types of cat flaps to help you choose what works for you and your furry friend.

Cat flaps have come a long way from simple swing doors. Today’s options offer better security, protection from weather, and even tech features that give you more control over when your cat comes and goes. Whether you’ve got neighborhood cats coming in uninvited, want to save on heating bills, or need to manage when your cat goes outside, there’s a cat flap made for your situation.

Let’s look at the five main types of cat flaps, what they offer, and their pros and cons to help you find the perfect match.

Basic Swing Cat Flaps

The old-school swing cat flap is still popular because it’s simple and cheap. It’s just a plastic flap your cat can push through either way. After your cat goes through, the flap swings back into place.

Basic swing flaps are usually the cheapest option, costing around £15-£30. They’re dead easy to install too, making them great for first-timers or renters who need something temporary. But these basic models have downsides—any animal about the same size can get in, and they don’t keep the weather out very well.

For homes with indoor cats who just need access to a safe outdoor space like a porch, or if you live somewhere with no stray animals around, a basic swing flap might be enough. But if you live somewhere with harsh weather or worry about other animals getting in, you should look at the fancier options.

Microchip-Activated Cat Flaps

Microchip-activated cat flaps are top-notch pet door tech, giving you amazing security and control. These clever flaps only open when they detect your cat’s microchip or special collar tag, keeping unwanted animals out of your home.

A 2022 survey showed homes that switched to microchip flaps had 94% fewer unwanted animals getting in compared to regular flaps. This tech has changed the game for cat door security, especially in cities where lots of cats wander the neighbourhood.

These flaps scan your cat’s ID microchip (the same one your vet puts in) or a special tag on their collar. When your cat gets close, the reader spots their unique ID and unlocks the door, so only your pets can get in while keeping strays and wildlife out.

Thinking about getting a microchip cat flap? Here are three steps for success:

1. Check if your cat’s microchip works with the model you want, as some flaps only work with certain microchip types

2. Put the flap at your cat’s shoulder height and use treats on both sides to help them get used to it

3. Register all your cats separately if you have more than one, so you can set different access rules for each pet if needed

While these high-tech options cost more (usually £80-£200), many pet owners think they’re worth it for the security and peace of mind.

4-Way Lockable Cat Flaps

For pet owners who want flexibility in controlling when their cat comes and goes, 4-way lockable cat flaps are a great middle option. These flaps have a manual locking system with four settings: fully open, in-only, out-only, or completely locked.

This flexibility makes 4-way lockable flaps really useful for different situations. You can set it to “in-only” when you want your outdoor cat to come home for the night but not go out again till morning. The “out-only” setting is handy when you need to keep cats out temporarily, maybe while you’re cleaning floors or when visitors with allergies come over.

The complete lockdown option secures your home when you’re on holiday or when there’s bad weather that makes it unsafe for your pet to be outside. Most 4-way lockable flaps cost between £25-£60, which is good value for what they offer.

While these flaps don’t tell the difference between your cat and other similar-sized animals when unlocked, the manual control system gives you big advantages over basic models. They’re perfect for households with regular routines where you can predict when your cats should be inside or outside.

Magnetic Cat Flaps

Magnetic cat flaps offer a cheap step up from basic models by adding a simple security feature. These flaps work with a magnetic key that attaches to your cat’s collar, unlocking the door when your pet gets close.

The tech is simple—the door stays locked until the magnetic key on your cat’s collar activates the lock. This stops random animals getting into your home while still letting your cat come and go as they please. Priced between £20-£45, magnetic flaps offer a good balance of security and affordability.

But there are some downsides to think about. If your cat loses their collar or the magnetic key, they’ll be locked out until you get a replacement. Also, if neighbouring cats wear similar magnetic collars, they might still get into your house. For homes with multiple cats, each pet needs to wear the right magnetic key.

Despite these issues, magnetic cat flaps are still popular because they’re simple and more secure than basic models. They’re especially good for cats who don’t mind wearing collars and for homes where keeping out random strays is the main concern.

Electronic/RFID Cat Flaps

Electronic cat flaps using RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tech offer smart entry control without needing microchipping. These systems work with special RFID collar tags that talk to the cat flap, unlocking only for pets wearing the programmed tags.

Unlike microchip flaps that read your cat’s implanted chip, RFID flaps work with external tags attached to your cat’s collar. This makes them versatile for homes where cats might not be microchipped or where you want to give temporary access to a pet-sitter’s cat or a visiting feline friend.

Most electronic RFID models let you program multiple cats, with some fancy versions storing up to 32 different pet IDs. Some systems even offer timed access control, letting you program specific hours when your cats can enter or exit—really useful for keeping cats indoors during night hours when predators might be around.

Priced between £60-£150, electronic RFID flaps are a big investment but offer lots of control benefits without needing a vet procedure.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cat flap means balancing your budget, security needs, and your cat’s habits. Basic swing flaps are simple and cheap but offer little security, while microchip and electronic options give excellent control but cost more. The 4-way lockable and magnetic options are in the middle, offering better features without breaking the bank.

Think about your neighbourhood, your cat’s routine, and your home’s layout when deciding. Whatever model you choose, proper installation and patient training will help your cat quickly adapt to their new freedom—and you can finally stop being your cat’s personal doorman.

Remember that even the fanciest cat flap will need some getting-used-to time for your pet, so introduce any new door slowly with treats and praise. Your investment in the right cat flap will give both you and your cat more independence and convenience for years to come.