Is My Cat Too Small For A Microchip Cat Flap?

Introducing your cat to a microchip cat flap can be a great way to give them freedom while ensuring their safety. However, if your cat is on the smaller side, you might wonder whether they’re too small to use a cat flap with a microchip. In this guide, we’ll explore the factors that determine whether your cat is the right size for a microchip cat flap, helping you make an informed decision about using cat flaps with a microchip to keep your feline friend secure and comfortable.

What Is A Microchip Cat Flap?

A microchip cat flap contains a sensor that is assigned to the microchip in your cat/cats. When a cat approaches your cat flap, it scans the cat flap microchip in the cat, only opening when it recognises your own cat. As a result, microchip cat flaps are often used as a safety precaution to ensure that the cat flaps are only used by the cats they were intended for.

What Size Does A Cat Have To Be For A Microchip Cat Flap?

There is often a worry that smaller cats would have trouble opening a cat flap with a microchip because of the locking mechanism, but this is simply a misconception. Once the microchip has been scanned and the cat flap has been identified, the cat flap unlocks. In this case, the cat flap is designed to open similarly to any other cat flap, meaning that it can be pushed open even by smaller cats with relative ease.

Therefore, there is no restriction as to the size your cat must be to use the cat flap, although bigger cats will find this easier.

How About If My Cat Is Too Big For Cat Flaps With a Microchip?

Another common misconception is that your cat will be too big to fit into a microchip cat flap. Cats are well known for being able to squeeze through small gaps, so larger cats don’t tend to have an issue accessing our cat flaps.

Our standard cat flap will fit any cat weighing 6.5kg or under. However, for bigger cats, we do install a larger gate that can accommodate cats up to 14kg. For an easier way of assessing, we do suggest that if your cat is any of the following breeds, that you do opt for the larger cat flap option:

• British Longhair
• Ragamuffin
• Ragdoll
• Maine Coon
• Turkish Van
• Siberian Cat
• Chausie
• Savannah
• Highlander
• British Shorthair

How Do I Adjust My Cat To A New Cat flap?

It can take a while for a cat to get used to a new cat flap, especially if they’re completely unfamiliar. There are a number of things that you can do to ensure that your cats can get comfortable as quickly as possible.

Firstly, before the cat flap with a microchip is installed, place a bowl of food or something your cat likes next to where the cat flap would be placed. This will allow your cat to assign positive feelings to the area, which will make using the cat flap more natural once it arrives.

Secondly, try to actively train your cat to use the cat flap. Offer treats to encourage its use and be patient as your cat tries to get familiar with using it. Remember, this process is completely unfamiliar to your cat.

The Benefits Of Owning A Cat Flap With A Microchip

Anybody who purchases a microchip cat flap will quickly see their potential, especially when compared to standard cat flaps. Whilst it is a nice idea to allow the free movement of your cat in and out of your home, with conventional cat flaps there is no way to control that movement, unlike with a cat flap microchip. It is possible that other cats or animals could enter your home through them, and although this might not always pose a threat, the possibility is still there.

With a microchip cat flap, you also have the option to lock the flap for certain periods of the day. This means that if you don’t want your cat leaving during a certain slot then you can manage that. Also, if you know there is a time that your cat won’t be leaving, you know that nothing else can use the cat flap during this time.

And that is largely what it comes down to, a consideration of safety and security. With a microchip cat flap, you get the benefit of having a door and being able to control the flow of animal traffic to your home, but your cat also gets the freedom that it requires to be happy.

Contact Us

For any further questions about cat flaps with a microchip and how they compare to ordinary cat flaps, or if you have any concerns about how compatible a cat flat microchip is with your lifestyle or home, then feel free to get in touch here and we’ll gladly answer any of your questions about a cat flap microchip.