Getting the Right Cat Flap

By Derek Rogers

If you own a cat then you may have noticed that letting them in and out all of the time can be a nightmare. It is not always as simple as letting your cat out during the day and keeping them in at night. Your cat will meow when they want to go in and out and this can occur throughout the day and night.

It really can drive you insane having to constantly get up and open the door. However, there is an easier way and that is to install a cat flap.

What is a Cat Flap?

A cat flap is installed at the bottom of your outside door and it allows your cat to come in and out whenever it feels like it. There are a number of different designs available so you should easily be able to find one to suit your needs. However, there are some concerns regarding cat flaps and one of them is that many allow not only your cat to enter your home, but other cats too!

Luckily, there are alternatives available to stop stray cats from wandering into your house.

So just what options are available to you and how do you choose the best one to suit you?

How to Choose a Cat Flap

The main points to keep in mind when shopping for a cat flap include:

• Are there many other cats in your area?
• Do you want a basic flap or would you like added features?
• Do you want to be able to control the flap yourself?
• Do you want a particular style?
• What is your budget?

The above are just a few things that you should think about before purchasing a cat flap. Your budget will play a big part in the one you end up with. So before you do start looking, decide how much you can realistically afford to spend and then stick to it. Obviously if you want a flap which has many different features, you will have to expect to pay a little more than you would if you just bought a basic flap.

The features that you can choose from include a locking fixture, cat flaps which only allow your pet to activate the flap. Locking cat flaps allow you to close the flap whenever you need to. You can choose from 2 way or 4 way locking method. 2 way flaps allow you to simply lock from both ways; ensuring that your cat stays either in or out of the home when it is locked. 4 way locking cat flaps allow you to manually select whether you want it to stay locked from the inside, the outside or both. If you lock the flap from the inside then your cat will not be able to go back outside. However if you own more than two cats then your other cat will still be able to get in from the outside.

Overall, there are many options that you can choose from. Basic ones do work well, but obviously the more advanced options will allow you to control your cat's movements more.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on pet supplies, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Cat Flaps.