Owner given insight into two cats’ comings and goings

Why did you buy the Microchip Pet Door Connect?

When we moved into our house just over a year ago we didn’t have a cat flap at all. At that time, we only had Nala and would let her out via the front or back door, which was the primary reason we needed a cat flap.

I was interested in the Microchip Pet Door Connect because I already have a few smart connected devices and when I was looking for what cat flap to get I looked to see if there were any smart cat flaps on the market. I thought it would be useful to know if the cats were in or out of the house at specific times.

I then found out that SureFlap were in the process of adapting their existing cat flap to be a smart cat flap. I noted my interest on the website and purchased a pre-release version.

How did you find the setup of the Microchip Pet Door Connect?

Very straightforward. The instructions are clear and the app is straightforward to set up also.

Where have you installed the Microchip Pet Door Connect?

Through a solid wall. We already had a vent in the wall so it made sense to install it there rather than the back door, which is double glazed.

How do you feel that the Microchip Pet Door Connect has/will benefit you and your pet? Has it solved any particular issues that you had previously experienced?

Neither cat has really used a cat flap before for getting in and out of the house, so this was a big change for them to have full freedom.  The litter tray has hardly been used now. It has helped Chaplin (the youngest cat) play outside and burn off some energy throughout the day and has resulted in her being a better cat to be around.

Has the Microchip Pet Door Connect provided you with more control of your pets’ access?

When we know that one of the cats needs to go to the vets it is useful to be able to lock the cats inside so that we can get them into their carry case.  This also works for when we are taking the cats round to a family member’s house when we are going on holiday.  I have enabled this setting a few times from work for this reason so that the cats should be in the house when we get home.

We were going to enable a curfew setting, but never have since both cats do like to go out occasionally throughout the night and that is better than them waking us up in the night to let them out.

Has the Microchip Pet Door Connect enabled you to have a further insight into the behaviour of your pets?

I have certainly seen a pattern on how often both cats go out. Often Chaplin will follow Nala in or out of the house (I think Nala is probably trying to get away from Chaplin to be honest).  Chaplin also comes in for very short periods of time, probably to just eat, and then goes straight out again. Also, when we arrive home after work and the cats are not in, we often get a notification on our phones that they have entered the house, presumably because they see the lights on and know that we are home.

Did you notice any changes in your pets’ behaviour?   

As mentioned already, Chaplin has become a better cat to be around now that she has full access to the outside. Nala has also become far less vocal about wanting to go out.  I have also noticed that the cats are generally more likely to go out when we are not at home.  There are some occasions when Nala stays in the house all day, presumably just sleeping.

Does the pet door make you feel more connected with your pets?

It certainly does when we are not at home. Occasionally when we are away from home for the night it is good to see that the cats are still coming and going. Also, when we are in the living room and we see that one of the cats has come into the house it is good to know which one.

Would you recommend the product?

Yes.

How did you find the setup of the app?

It was very straightforward to set up.

How often do you use the app?  When do you interact with the app most?

I get notifications throughout the day whenever the cats enter or leave the house. I mainly use the app when we are looking for the cats or checking to see if they are in or out of the house.

Is there an area of the app that you have used most?

The notifications mainly. I also use the pet activity and occasionally the reports.

How are the notifications?  Do they provide any additional insight?

When we first installed the cat flap we made sure the cats knew it was there and that they were comfortable coming in and out.  However, that wasn’t enough for Chaplin. The first time we were out of the house she clearly forgot to wait for the door to unlock before pushing the door so we got a lot of notifications that she was looking through the cat flap but not entering the house. Eventually she got there.

Have you shared access to the app with anyone? 

Only with my girlfriend Maria who also lives in the house.

How did you hear about SureFlap?

Through a Google search I think.