SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Review

SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is a pet door that uses a microchip implanted in the cat’s skin as an identification key, unlocking the door only when the allowed cat is entering the house, keeping the neighbor’s cat and other intruders out. The cat door has a centered central magnet that keeps the “flap” from swinging in the wind, adding more security and sealing.

The system does not need the cat to wear a collar with a tag to work, this is especially beneficial if your cat does not like to wear collar tags or if your pet has lost several collars already. If you don’t like the idea of your cat getting micro-chipped, SureFlap also offers collar tags that can be purchased separately. The unit is suitable for multi-cat households, with a capacity to program up to 32 cats in its memory.

What’s a Pet Microchip? Is it Painful for the Cat?

According to AVMA.org A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. Microchips are not battery powered, instead, microchips get activated by radio frequencies emitted by the scanner located in the pet door.

Microchipping your cat is not more painful than a typical injection, though the needle used to insert the microchip is a little larger than an injection needle. This procedure doesn’t require anesthesia because it’s not a surgery, it can be implated by your Vet during a consultation.

SureFlap Has A Selective Entry Control

The system of the SureFlap is “selective entry”, which means it only scans the microchip at the entry, not the exit. This keeps unwanted cats or other animals from entering the house, but any cat can leave, with or without the microchip implanted. If you have a very clever cat, it could pull the flap inward using its claws, in this case you need a cat door that locks from both sides. I suggest checking my SureFlap DualScan review which is a cat door that scans from both sides so the flap can’t be opened by pulling it inwards because it’s locked on the inside with a latch, as well as outside.

SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is a good solution for cats that hang out in a neighborhood where other cats are present. If you have a pet door with no locking system, most likely a neighboring cat enters your house using the flap and helps himself in your cat’s bowl. The selective entry system of the SureFlap will stop this. The SureFlap cat door is suitable for small and medium-sized cats.

Features of SureFlap Microchip Cat Door

• Cat door uses RFID microchip technology as a key.
• 4-way manual locking: 2-way, only-in, only-out, and locked.
• It works with your cat’s existing microchip.
• Compatible with 9, 10, and 15 digit microchips (Except 10-digit microchips with codes beginning 000, 010, 020).
• Capacity to program up to 32 cat microchips ID’s in its memory.
• No collar or tag required that commonly gets lost or snagged.
• It runs on 4AA batteries (not included). Batteries last from 6-12 months with one cat, depending on the use.
• Low battery indicator light.
• Selective entry – any cat can exit (with or without a microchip).
• It registers your cat’s microchip by pushing one button.
• A sturdy and nice-looking two-part design can be installed easily in doors, windows, or walls.
• Fits into the hole left by most existing cat doors.
• It works also with collar tags, available for purchasing separately.
• A magnet in the bottom center prevents the door from flapping in the wind.
• Tunnel design keeps intruder cats from pulling the door inwards.
• 3-year warranty

Dimensions

• Door Opening Dimensions: 5.59″ (W) x 4.72″ (H) / 142mm (W) x 120mm (H) (This dimension is the smallest area of the cat flap that your cat will have to enter).
• Hole Cutting Dimensions: 6.5″ (W) x 6.73″ (H) / 165mm (W) x 171mm (H) (The size of the hole needed to fit your cat door. Installation Template can be used to cut the hole).
• Exterior Frame Dimensions: 8.25″ (W) x 8.25″ (H) / 210mm (W) x 210mm (H)
• Tunnel Depth (outside): 2.75″ / 70mm
• Tunnel Thickness: 0.18” / 4.5mm
• Front Frame Depth (inside frame): 1.65” / 42mm
• Item Weight: 2 lbs

The Microchip Implants of SureFlap Cat Door

SureFlap cat door works with the following microchip codes:

• 15-digit microchips (known as FDXB, standard in Europe)
• 10-digit microchips (known as FDXA, mostly used in the USA). The exceptions of the 10-digit microchips are those starting with 000, 010, and 020.
•  9-digit microchips (known as Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip)

If your cat has been micro-chipped already in the past and you don’t remember the code number, you don’t need to remember it in order to program the door; all you have to do is push the program button then put your cat through and the scanner will read the microchip number and will register it in its memory.

If you already have your cat micro-chipped with a noncompatible microchip number, the next version, SureFlap Microchip Pet Door, suitable for larger cats and small dogs is compatible with all microchips with no exception.

It is a good idea to pass the microchip through the pet door in order to test it before implanting the chip in the cat’s skin. By the time your cat gets microchipped, the chip will be already tested and programmed in the door’s memory. If you don’t want to get your cat microchipped, you can buy the optional RFID collar tag.

How the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door Works

When the allowed microchipped cat closely approaches the door to enter, a “reader” located on the tunnel reads the microchip, recognizes the ID, and automatically unlocks a latch that allows the cat to push the door with its head or nose to enter.

SureFlap microchip works with passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, this means the microchip implanted on the cat’s skin does not trigger the locking mechanism to open; instead, the microchip holds data waiting to be read and recognized by the scanner located on the pet door’s frame. The cat door’s interior frame has two types of sensors in order to read the microchip: a motion sensor and a radio frequency sensor. When the cat approaches the door, the motion sensor turns on and activates the RF “reader” sensor to read the microchip. Once the memory in the cat door recognizes the microchip ID, the system electronically unlocks the latch for the cat to push the “flap” to get in. When the cat enters the door, it closes shut automatically with a help of a strong magnet.

You can set the door with different lengths of time to shut. This is good, especially when cats are newbies, getting familiar with the “click” sound when the scanner reads the microchip. In this case, you can set it to be slow. The fastest setting for the flap to lock after the cat has passed through it is about 2 seconds after the microchip has been recognized.

Cat Using the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door

How 4-Way Locking Works in Pet Doors

• 2-Way. The cat can come and go at will. SureFlap features a selective entry so only micro-chipped cats can enter the door, but any pet with or without microchip can exit.
• Only-in. The cat can only get in, but it can’t get out. This option is set by turning a dial manually from the inside, locking the latch, and keeping the cat in the house. If there is another pet outside with a microchip, it will be able to enter the door, but none can exit. This option is useful to keep the cat at night or for Vet visits.
• Only-out. Any cat can exit the door, but none can get back in. This option is manually set by turning a dial located on the flap. This could be useful if you want to keep your cat out in case of allergic visitors or other reasons.
• Locked. The door is completely locked. With this option, no cat can exit or enter the door. This is useful to keep the cat inside at night if you think your pet could outsmart the “Only In” mechanism. Locked mode is used when leaving for a trip with your cat.

You can’t program an automatic 4-Way locking mechanism because the door does not feature a timer. If you want your cat to be inside at certain times you will have to set it manually by turning a dial on the flap. The version of the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door designed for larger cats or small dogs comes with a timer that can be set to lock and unlock automatically at specified times.

Watch a Raccon Being Defeated by the SureFlap

Check more details of the SureFlap by visiting the official page in Amazon ➤ here.

About The Batteries

The batteries should last from 6 up to 12 months, depending on how many cats use the door, how often you clean dirt and cat hair from it, and how many unwanted “visitors” approach the cat flap during the day/night. It is not recommended to use rechargeable batteries since the performance is not 100% reliable.

If batteries go dead while you are not home the door gets locked by default so this may leave your cat locked out or locked in. To avoid this, SureFlap cat door has a battery life indicator, which is a small red led (on top of the door) that blinks when the batteries go low. Make sure to check on this indicator often.

Basic Steps to Install the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door

SureFlap microchip cat door consists of two parts that come together by screws. The depth of this tunnel is formed with the two parts and it’s adjustable, according to your door’s depth. The tools/materials you will need for installation:

1. Jig Saw
2. Drill 1/4” bit (6mm)
3. Screwdriver
4. Tape measure
5. Spirit level
6. Felt tip marker

To Install in Wood Doors

The installation with wood doors does not require adapters and it can be installed following the instructions on the following YouTube video.

Installation of SureFlap in a Door

Metal Doors

To install the SureFlap in a metal door you need an adapter. The reason is that metal could block the Radio Frequencies and stop the reader from reading the microchip. The adapter is especially required when the metal has steel. If you want to install it in a garage door, the design of the SureFlap allows for a much tighter fit on thin metal garage doors than most other cat doors.

Windows

To install the door in windows, an adapter is also required for glass installation. This adapter is circular with 11” diameter. It is a good idea to let a glazier (a professional) cut the hole for you.

Walls

One or more SureFlap Tunnel Extenders may be required for wall installations depending on the wall’s thickness. The original cat flap without tunnel extension can handle up to 2 inches thickness.

To Install SureFlap In An Existing Hole

If you are installing the SureFlap in a traditional cat door opening, you will have a little gap on the width and height of the opening. You can use the “Cat Flap Mounting Adapter” as a way to attractively cover up the larger hole.

What are the Pros and Cons of SureFlap Microchip Cat Door?

To decide with all the information you need, here’s a list of pros and cons of this automatic cat door. You can decide better by knowing the good and the bad of this system:

PROS

• Reliable operation with RFID microchip technology
• 4-way manual lock (in only, out only, free both ways, locked)
• Easy to program the microchip, just push the button and make the cat pass through.
• Only the programmed cats can enter the door with a unique microchip
• Not chances of other animal wearing magnet or IR tag entering the door like other types
• The cat does not need to wear a hanging tag
• Rigid plastic “flap” and click noise act as a deterrent for stray cats following your pet
• It works also with a collar tag
• Good weather-proof sealed door (it may let a little bit of a draft when not kept clean)
• Battery life indicator
• Good duration of batteries
• Strong magnets allow a fast closing of the door (and it keeps the flap from blowing open with the wind)
• Well built, solidly made
• Easy instructions to install

CONS

• Selective entry means the door locks only in inwards direction, so it can be pulled open from the outside.
• Raccoons can open the door by pulling the door open, especially when in the setting that allows cats to leave freely.
• The opening is on the small size so it is more suitable for small to medium-sized cats and not for tall cats (4.72” height).
• A click noise might scare your cat.
• Only battery powered.
• The microchip has to be right on the back of the cat’s neck for the RF sensor to read the chip.
• The magnets make it a little harder for cats to push the door open.
• It does not work with 10-digit microchips beginning with 00, 010, 020.
• The mechanism requires the cat to stand still close to the door’s tunnel to get the microchip read.

Tips & Tricks for a Sucessful Use of the SureFlap

• To get your cat used to the “click” sound of the door unlocking, it is a good idea to tape the “flap” open so your cat can pass freely in the beginning. This way even if the cat hears the “click” it won’t discourage it from pushing the door and enter. It will get accustomed to that sound more easily. Some cats take to the door easily and use it with no problem while others take from days to weeks to use it (a very skittish cat may take a month), but in the end, the cat always ends up using the door.
• If you don’t want to get your cat microchipped you can buy a microchip and mount it on a collar. This way you can reuse the collar on other pets if you want. You can buy extra chips if they get lost since they are not that expensive.
• If the reader of the flap does not read your cat microchip, it may have had migrated down the neck. Check with your Vet if this is the case.
• If you want to keep your cat inside and you know your pet is very smart and determined, use the setting “locked” instead of “Only In”.

Conclusion About the SureFlap Microchip

SureFlap Microchip Cat Door it’s a very good pet door that works as advertised. They improved the door with the latest version which is much quieter when unlocking, although, the unit still makes a little clicking noise when unlocking, which some cats will not like. But it’s not really very loud, and with a little practice, they get used to it quickly. The instructions explain how to train your cat to use the door.

If your cat weighs less than 10 lbs, it will go through the flap smoothly, over 10 lbs the cat will have to do a little squeeze through the door to get in. For large-sized cats, over 11 lbs, there is a larger version, the SureFlap Pet Door suitable for larger cats and small dogs.

Bottom Line

I recommend the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door to anyone who has a micro-chipped cat or who will microchip it in order to keep out the neighbor’s cat. This door is suitable for small to medium-sized cats.

I also recommend it:

• If you want to replace your existing regular pet flap for a SureFlap
• To create feeding stations to separate cats
• To separate litter box stations in different rooms to separate cats

Get the SureFlap on Amazon with free shipping by visiting ➤ this link.

The cat door may not be suitable:

• To big breed cats, tall cats or fat cats weighing more than 11 lbs (better Sureflap pet door) they have to squeeze the body to go through.
• If your cat has a 10-digit microchip that begins with 00, 010, or 020.
• If you want a 100% raccoon-proof unit (the unit stops most raccoons but a very little percentage of smart raccoons may still outsmart the door).
• Handicapped, disable, or elderly cats with arthritis