If you own a cat and are tired of opening the door repeatedly for it, you might be looking to invest in a cat flap. With a cat flap installed, your cats can come and go as it pleases.
Not only that, but with more advanced solutions like microchip cat flaps, you can monitor the activities of all your cats via your smartphone and lock/unlock the flap remotely.
Despite installing advanced cat flaps, cat owners still face issues—during the winter months, they have to experience uncomfortable draughts every time their feline friend comes and goes. This invariably means heftier fuel bills as you have to turn up the heating to compensate.
Cat flap manufacturers recognising this problem and hence, have created draught-proof cat flaps. These cat flaps help reduce heat loss and draughts. Since there are a number of draught-proof cat flaps available in the market, finding one that is right for you can be hard.
To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the best draught-proof cat flaps available in the market.
PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap
The PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap has an opening of 146 mm x 135 mm and can easily accommodate felines of up to 8 kg. You can program this cat flap to recognise 40 different microchips which makes it a good option for households with multiple cats.
Make sure to keep a good supply of AA batteries if you have over 20 cats using the flap every day. This flap as they’ll need regular changing due to excessive use. If you only own a few cats, then the batteries would last for about 10 to 12 months. A low-battery indicator is there to alert you so that you can change the batteries before your cats get stuck outside.
Cutting a huge hole out of the door to install a flap can compromise the door’s heat retention capabilities. The PetSafe Microchip Cat Flap takes insulation very seriously and has sought to make this particular cat flap draught-proof by including draught excluder with the product.
The PetSafe Cat Flap can be locked in four different ways. These include:
- Allow entry but no exit
- Allow exit but no entry
- Allow both entry and exit
- Completely locked
The opening of the PetSafe Cat Flap measures 146 mm x 135 mm while tunnel depth is 75 mm which means that it should accommodate the thickest of doors. The frame that holds the cat flap in place and stores batteries measures 220 mm x 239 mm. What we like the most about this cat flap is that PetSafe has taken extra steps to make sure that your door stays draught-free.
Pet Mate Cat Mate Microchip 360
The Pet Mate Cat Mate Microchip 360 is one of the best draught-proof cat flaps available in the market. It is a highly functional and great looking flap that works with 9, 6, or 15 digital microchip codes. Alternatively, you could use an I.D disc if needed.
In order to register your cat with the Pet Mate Cat Mate Microchip 360, you must set the cat flap into learning mode by pressing the learn button. Then, you need to get your cat to go through the flap so that it can be registered.
The Cat Mate Microchip can support a maximum of 30 I.D tags and it’s available in two colours – brown and white. It is designed to ensure that your cat can easily go out and get inside your home.
The Pet Mate Cat Mate Microchip 360 can be easily installed on doors that are up to 80 mm thick. If you have a particularly thick door, this cat flap could be a great choice.
It can be installed in all types of doors including wood and metal. You can also install it on glass walls with the 361 adaptor kit that can be purchased separately.
The Pet Mate Cat Mate Microchip 360 stands out because of its ability to keep the weather out of the home. The magnetic lock and brush sealed flap prevent draft to ensure that your house stays warm during the winter.
The Cat Mate Microchip is one of the biggest cat flaps available in the market. It measures 246 mm x 197 mm which means that you can use it for large cats as well as small dogs.
In a nutshell, the Cat Mate Microchip 360 is a great choice for you if you are looking for a draught-proof cat flap for large felines.
PetSafe ‘Big Cat’ Cat Flap
This is another well-designed draught-proof cat flap from PetSafe that makes life comfortable for both the cat and its owner. PetSafe ‘Big Cat’ Cat Flap is generously sized – 7 1/8” x 7 ¼” – to allow larger cats and small dogs to pass through it.
The product sports a durable plastic frame while magnetic closure and weather stripping are also provided to prevent drafts. Dual locks with added strength offer four-way access options to control entry and exit of your feline. The locking options include:
- Open
- Locked
- Out-only (the cat is allowed to go out but can’t come inside the house through the flap)
- In-only (the cat is allowed to come inside but can’t get out of the house through the flap)
The slim and sleek styling of the PetSafe ‘Big Cat’ Cat Flap means that it can match seamlessly with any door design. In addition to doors, you can also install this cat flap into sliding glass windows.
To make the installation easier for you, the PetSafe ‘Big Cat’ Cat Flap comes with detailed instructions, hardware, and cutting template.
PetSafe Staywell Deluxe Magnetic Cat Flap
The PetSafe Staywell Cat Flap features a magnetic locking system that allows your cat to come and go as it pleases. This cat flap has a magnetic door as well as an internal draught excluder that acts as insulation, resisting winds to keeping your home warm during cold seasons.
The PetSafe Staywell has a 4-way locking system which gives you more control over your cat’s movements. In the night, you can lock the PetSafe Staywell Deluxe Magnetic Cat Flap completely to keep your cats inside the house.
This cat flap comes with an installation guide and cutting template which make it easier for you to complete the installation of the flap. You can install the PetSafe Staywell Deluxe Magnetic Cat Flap in any door, wall or window.
If you aren’t comfortable with DIY installation, you can hire an expert to fit the cat flap for you. The PetSafe Staywell Deluxe Magnetic Cat Flap includes a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty which means that you won’t have to worry if your cat flap starts malfunctioning within three years of purchase.
PetSafe Exclusive Entry Microchip Cat Flap
The Exclusive Entry Microchip Cat Flap from PetSafe is compatible with common microchips. Pet owners can program the cat flap’s advanced microchip reader to recognise 40 different cats. This cat flap is powered by four AA alkaline batteries and the battery should last up to 12 months if you only have a few cats at your home.
It features two magnetic closing lock points and draught excluder which increase energy efficiency and insulation. Durable plastic frame with central 4-way manual lock and dual-auto lock ensures security from wild cats and other animals.
For installation into metal doors, glass doors, and walls, you will need a tunnel extension and a PetSafe installation adaptor. These aren’t available with the cat flap so you will have to buy them separately.
Guide to Buying a Draught-Proof Cat Flap
Cat Flap Size
Cat flaps vary in size, but they typically aren’t bigger than 250 mm in width. If you are looking for a draught-proof cat flap for your feline friend, it is worth paying attention to the flap’s size, especially if you own a large cat.
Cat Flap Power
Cat flaps generally operate on four AA batteries. However, some may also require a main adapter. Batteries on the latest models should last for six months with heavy use. If you only own two or three cats, you won’t need to replace batteries for as long as 12 months.
Are Your Cats Micro-Chipped?
Micro-chipping your feline friend isn’t necessary if you want to use a microchip cat flap. You can use an RFID tag that can be attached to their collar as an alternative. Most microchip cat flaps support RFID tags but a few models don’t. Make sure to check whether the draught-proof cat flap that you are buying supports RFID or not.
If your feline friend is micro-chipped, it’ll either have a 9, 10, or 15 digit code. A 15-digit code is most commonly used. Most modern cat flaps work will all types of codes while some only function with a 15-digit code so check the specifications of the cat flap before you buy one.
Selective Entry and Selective Exit
The selective entry feature is found on every microchip cat flap. This is configured to the microchip of your cat, allowing only your cat to come in while preventing other cats from using the flap to enter the house. Selective exit feature isn’t available on every microchip cat flap.
This feature is useful for households with multiple cats. It allows you to programme the cat flap to only allow certain cats to go out. This can prove to be useful when you have a cat that is due to a visit to a vet and you want to keep it inside the house.
Cat Flap Installation
Most cat flaps available in the market right now come with guides that you can follow to complete the installation. If you have installed a cat flap before, you won’t have any problem installing the new one.
If you plan on replacing an old cat flap with a draught-proof cat flap, try to find a model that is either the same size or bigger than the previous model. If it is smaller, it’ll be very difficult to prevent draughts.
If you are going to fit the cat flap in the door, the installation should be pretty straight-forward. However, if you plan to install it in a glass door or wall, you’ll need specialist tools.
It is best to hire a professional to install the cat flap in a glass door or wall. It is also important to note that some cat flaps require additional attachments for installation in walls and glass and these must be purchased separately. Either way, it’s a good idea to take a look at the installation videos of a cat flap before buying it to determine whether you can install it on your own or would need a professional’s help.
Final Thoughts
If you want to install a cat flap but are concerned about the draught problem, then go with a draught- proof cat flap. There are a number of draught-resistant cat flaps available in the market. We have listed some of the best ones so you don’t have to look else to find a draught-proof cat flap. Just consider your needs and the size of the cats you own to select a draught-proof cat flap that would be best for you.
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