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Cat Flap

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:01 pm
by SuttonRider
Can anyone recommend a cat flap to fit in a wall that won't self destruct in days. It just needs to be a simple manual 4 way. I've read some of the reviews on certain makes and they seem to be made of paper, total rubbish. Thanks.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:02 pm
by Ruth B
We have a very simple Cat Mate one fitted in the back door. It has been there over 20 years and we have had to replace it about 3 times as the flap tends to crack. Although we have to buy a complete new one we only need to fit the one part, the outer section is still the original. However our back door is on the South side of the house and is in full sun all day (when the sun is out this is the UK after all) which does tend to perish the plastic. It has also been used as home defense a time or two, my cats have learnt how to bash it into the face of an intruder, which obviously doesn't help. The locking catches do need to be kept clean, being at the bottom they can get gunked up with the cats walking over them all the time, but part of that for us is that we very rarely use them, it is normally years between use.

This is the one on Amazon and it looks like there is an additional part you can get to fit it in a wall.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mate-Locking-L ... =cat+flaps

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:43 am
by alanc
I can second Ruth's recommendation of the Cat Mate. I had one for 14 years, Misty and Honey never had any problems with it. I had to replace it because it was too small for a pair of rapidly growing Maine Coons. I also found that the locking catches could get slid over by my Maine Coons back paws as they went out, which could cause a few problems with them getting in again, but the flap was 14 years old by then and the catches were getting a bit worn.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:40 pm
by SuttonRider
Many thanks both. I had a look in 'Pets At Home' today and saw the Cat Mate flap, it looks and feels so much better than the Staywell, They only had the chip version so I'll need to buy the 4 way on line. I'm going to fit it to an outside wall (2 rows of brick plus a caverty about 190mm) Do you know if I will need these liners, they seem a bit expensive?

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:53 pm
by alanc
Sorry, I can't help you with that, as I have never had to install a cat flap in a wall.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:36 pm
by Ruth B
Unfortunately I've only ever put one in a door so can't really advise, but it does look like it would get expensive with how many you would need. However depending on whether you have cavity wall filling and what type it is i would have thought something to seal the hole would be worth while.

Depending on how happy you are at rigging something up yourself, you might be able to sort out a way of lining the hole with something like Plasticard https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasticard-She ... plasticard.

Cut it to the right size and then glue the corners with something like Humbrol Liquid Poly (the type of glue you use for putting plastic model kits together with). The only problem might that there is no texture and the cats might find it a bit slippy coming through.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:28 pm
by alanc
Been doing a bit of googling about your problem. Depending on how good your DIY skills are, you may be able to dispense with the tunnel bit and make a wooden tunnel, try this blog post for some ideas: http://fittingacatorsmalldogflapthrough ... gspot.com/
I think wood would be better than the plastic type tunnel liners, anyway, for your cat to keep its footing whilst going through the tunnel. Cutting the hole through the brick wall might be the hardest part.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:44 pm
by Ruth B
Wood probably would be a better liner, I didn't think about it as my DIY skills are no where near good enough.

I think the Plasticard will be very similar to what the flap is made of so unless the tunnel sections have ridges molded in then they would be just as slippy.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:48 pm
by SuttonRider
Thanks everyone for the info, it seems I need an additional 3 sleeves at around £9 a go, its getting expensive. Alanc, I was just thinking the same thing, use ply, or a combination of ply and plastic (thanks Ruth) as for the hole in the wall, well its already there. When we moved in 5 years ago there was this hole which I think may have been used for some sort of vent, I've since blocked it off, but can unblock it no problem, then with a small size tweek can be used for the cat flap. There isn't a better door / window alternative available.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 8:31 am
by alanc
If you have the hole in the wall already, that's most of the job done. £27 for a few bits of plastic seems pretty steep - you could buy several months supply of cat food for that! Would certainly build the tunnel myself rather than pay that.

Re: Cat Flap

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 3:32 pm
by Catotum
As long as you get something to bridge the gap (so the cat doesn't end up covered in bits of wall detritus or, worse, wiggles away up the cavity) I think you should be able to improvise. I'd try it all all out before creating entranceways, to make sure the door can open freely both ways (& both ends) without being jammed by tunnel or wall. Remember that if it is wood it might expand & contract according to temperature & weather. If using plywood, be sure to get Exterior Ply, so this problem is minimised.

If the cat(s) are suspicious, prop the doors open & lay a trail of the Most Delicious Treats you can find & they'll soon decide it is OK.