Cat flap - is it possible to get one that is draughtproof & insulated?

[Peter65]

Looking for a high performance cat flap. I've spent a long time googling for one, and failed. Anyone know of a suitable cat flap with good energy saving performance?

[guydewdney]

two cat flaps - like an air lock? A dog?

[Eleanor]

Funny, I had the same thought and ended up with a tunnel of multiple catflaps and then started thinking how they would be configured so as to not to impede access by less important non feline occupants of the house 

[Greenbeast]

Go through a wall, my in-laws have one of their flaps going through the back wall, i think it may only have a flap on one side but you could fit one to both sides

[Quakered]

We have a Staywell magnetic cat flat in the kitchen door and the flap is so closely engineered that you can only insert one paper sheet  in the gap between flat and frame so little chance of a draft from this source. Looking at the area of the flap, I calculate the heat loss for a 22 degree temperature difference as between 2 and 4 watts per hour depending your guess at the U value.

Not, perhaps the most urgent problem in home insulation!

[Billy]

With the wind howling from the north the flap would blow open, locking it would upset pussy as he had to use the bell.  The Kitty Kollar magnetic lock worked well but would still not shut with wind sometimes until I stuck some lead on the bottom, pussy then had front row shoulders.

Billy

 

[solar_cambridge]

Look at a Pet Porte flap - there are some examples on youtube. Around £100 but it only opens when your cat approaches assuming your cat has an microchip. It has a draught proof seal around the door edge and I saw one over last winter and it wasn't noticeably draughty.

[Primrosepath]

Hi This is my first post here - found you doing the Google thing for draught-proof cat flap, like Peter.  There does seem to be a lot of interest in this problem since it has over 2000 views.  I've not yet found a solution, living  up a windy wet mountain with 2 cats who will not keep collars on. Altough they love me to open the person-sized doors for them I do like to have some time off and do also go out to work, to get cat food etc etc. I have the Staywell like Quakered but find even though fairly finely engineered,  a heck of a draught can get through in bad weather and it is liable to blow open.  It has been improved by adding an extra strong magnet which I phoned the company for and they sent .  I also  stuck some DIY adhesive draught strip  around some of the edges.  Still not brilliant - so I'm hoping some innovative person will design a better product. 

Primrosepath

[Justme]

Our solution is the two flaps on an air lock. Just like we have two doors (the outer & the inner on the entrance hall).

Both are just cheap jobbies. The outer one needed extra weights fitting so that the wind does not open it. The cats dont like either door but they like them more than staying outside.

[SteveH]

 Same as others have said... Avoid the prevailing wind direction & stick it close to any needed ventilation areas like stoves,ranges etc...enjoy the feline warmth...

[Quakered]

I have upgraded to a Pet Porte. This reads the cats' microchip so only our cats can enter the house. the problem with the old flap was the local Tom(s?) were entering.
 
Didn't mind them dropping in for a bite to eat, but not leaving a little brown jobbies to show their gratitude.

This claims to be draft free but still have a flap for the door but held shut when the cats are not trying to enter.

Works very well and it's mains powered although will take batteries.

[Ivan]

Eleanor,

Speaking of non-feline occupants, I've always referred to catflaps as rat-flaps. In view of that, might be worth reconsidering the thing altogether.

Our cat has learned to come when called, or to stay out.

[Eleanor]

Ivan, the cat thing hasn't really been a problem since living in caravans - at night I have one caravan with the dog and they have the other. They have a cat flap and do what they like and this usually involves capturing and torturing non-feline residents. I'm preparing for another winter like the last two so they will be out all day ie in their own caravan and if they deign to come when called they will be in here at night. As for the house, the current thinking is to have a porch outside the insulation envelope which has a catflap in the door. They can at least get into a dry, well insulated area in the middle of the night if they want to (and with a triple glazed door I won't be able to hear their displeasure at not getting any further) 

[MR GUS]

$OD CATFLAPS, DRAUGHTY USELESS, VERMIN ENTRY POINTS!

http://www.petnap.co.uk/

I'd suggest a VERY low wattage outdoor bedbox / cathouse made up to keep them warm & out of the elements without leaking loverly heat out of the house (& as for tomcats, leaks indoors).

These used to be really hard to find specialist stuff, now more mainstream.

ok they draw power, however less than the loss from a leaky hole in your door one presumes?

Flexiguard Petnap Pet heat Pad
Now 3 Sizes available, all with 1.3-1.4m anti chew cable
Alluminium Alloy Plate Click here for more information on the Petnap heat pads
Flexiguard 33: 33cm x 22cm (8.5" x 13")
Flexiguard 44: 44cm x 33cm (13" x 17.5")
Flexiguard 55: 55cm x 44cm (17.5" x 22")
cover it over with a soft blanket (for washing regularly / vet bedding blanket) with a block of spare insulation to deflect heat upward (obviously) ..make a wee waterproof insulated draughtproof  box & hope your ingrate felines deign to use it!

There are heated cat "pods" boxes for outdoor buildings that  could be improved for outdoors..
I'm of the type that you get your cat in the evening to allow wildlife to feed (ditto early morning) a cat shouldn't be out all night ..I'd want it's warmth & company as well as knowing it wasn't catfighting & waking folk! so would stick this on a timer, that'll learn em!

[rondurrans]

We could always do away with pets..................imagine all the energy saved just on packaging their food............


http://www.utne.com/Environment/Pets-Global-Warming-Machine-Dogs-Cats-5680.aspx
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/10/21/sustainable-living-now-includes-edible-pets-to-curb-global-warming/