Looking for some great cat flaps but have no idea where to start?
Not even sure what one is?
Below, we’ll go over everything from what they are to finding a cat flap fitter and more.
We’ll even look at some of my favorite recommendations!
You may also like:7 Outdoor Cat Containment Ideas That You Can Buy or Make
Our Top Pick for the Best Cat Flap
FYI, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.
If you already know what it is, have a cat flap fitter lined up, and just need to know which one to buy now, let me bottom-line it for you.
Go with the Ideal Pet Products’ Cat Flap Door. It’s affordable without sacrificing quality.
- Durable, low-maintenance, weatherproof pet flap with inner telescoping frame
- Made from clear, weather-resistant, unbreakable Lexan
- For cats up to 12 pounds
- Installs easily and securely
- Measures 6.25 inches square
- Manufacturer Warranty does not apply to product purchased through Amazon Warehouse Deals
- Need Assistance? E-mail Ideal Pet Products expert US-based customer care specialists seven days a week!
What Does Cat Flap Mean?
Cat flaps are small openings that allow cats to enter or exit a home by themselves.
In other words, they’re cat doors…just, well, flappier!
In their oldest designs, these flaps were simple holes without much technology intervention.
But cat flaps have evolved into rather complex constructions with some ingenious design features.
For instance, you’ll find most modern cat flaps are flexible flaps or commonly hinged, spring-loaded panels.
Some options are even electronically controlled for even more convenience.
Other read: Moving with multiple cats: How to do it
Benefits of Fitting a Pet Flap
Let me be clear upfront- it’s always better to keep your kitty as an indoor cat vs. an outdoor one.
That said, if you just can’t swing it, then there are several fantastic benefits come from having a cat flap inside your home.
Benefits for Your Cat
- Less likely to suffer from separation anxiety, since they know they can always get to you.
- Your cat can escape danger from indoors (intruder, another pet, fire, etc.)
- Your cat can escape a danger outside your home (lousy weather, wildfires, another animal, etc.)
- Lower chance of urinary tract infection from “holding it” while waiting for you to let him out.
How Having a Pet Flap Improves Your Life
- Your doors and walls will have a lot fewer scratches on them
- No longer need to open doors for your cat
- Could mean the end of having litter boxes
How Much Does it Cost to Fit a Cat Flap?
Cat flaps will vary greatly when it comes to their price depending on several factors: brand, size, design, technology, and overall quality.
A standard two-way pet door can cost as little as $10 for basic models.
But more advanced designs like a microchip-detecting option can get as high as $150.
You then have to account for the installation costs.
Most professionals will charge either a per-project fee or an hourly fee, but the expected total will usually fall between $125 and $300.
If they provide the flap, it will cost more.
What Size Pet Flap Do I Need?
Cat owners should never buy a pet flap without measuring their feline.
If you do, the door might end up being too small or big for them, making this purchase a waste of money. How do you prevent this outcome?
The simple answer is measuring your cat. It’s the only way to make sure you obtain the right size door for them.
This process starts by taking measurements from their feet to shoulders.
You should also try to account for other factors, such as distance between the cat’s under-belly to their head and overall width before choosing an option.
Once you’ve got these measurements, use them to construct a cardboard cutout.
This cutout will help you visually determine whether the sizing will work for your cat.
I’d recommend keeping the opening’s width two-inches wider than your cat’s widest part, as well.
This same two-inch cushion should be applied to the cat’s height.
These cushions will ensure your cat doesn’t get stuck when your measurements are incorrect.
Plus, a bigger pet door helps coup with your cat get larger as they grow.
Where Can I Install a Pet Flap And How?
Pet flaps or cat doors can be placed in porch doors, door screens, walls, doors, or any other location with access to the ground.
If you’re wondering “Can a cat flap be installed into my glass panel?” the answer is yes, but you’ll almost definitely need to hire a professional cat flap fitter.
If you’re planning to go the DIY route, you must understand the thickness in which it can be installed before installing it.
If this aspect seems a bit too complex, you can always buy a tunnel telescoping pet door.
These options are capable of being installed on varied thickness with relative ease.
Cat flaps for windows are meant to be installed on window screens with lower elevations.
This situation will ensure your cat has easy access to enter and exit as they wish.
You can apply the same for cat flaps for sliding windows, as well.
The install process begins will cutting out a section from your door, window screen, or wall before fitting the cat door inside it.
Most of these models with a cut-out template to ensure you know the right amount to cut.
Once you made this cutout section, the cat flap can be fitted inside using fasteners.
Cat Flap Reviews: Our Top 5 Recommendations
If you’re interested in getting a cat flap, one of the following five options would be a great choice.
Each of these has proven to be an effective, useful product that cat owners love.
Use the table below for a quick peek, then read on for full reviews.
1. Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door
If you’re looking for a simple option, Ideal Pet Products’ Cat Flap Door would be a perfect choice.
Its easy install process, durable design, and versatility make it a no-nonsense cat flap.
All these fantastic qualities are available for an affordable price, as well.
Features:
- Made with weather-resistant Lexan
- Can work with any cat up to 12 pounds
- Four-way locking mechanism
- Magnetic slap-closing flap
- Opening size: 6.25-inch by 6.25-inch
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Durable design
- Hardware, instruction manual, and cut-out template included
- Usable on interior or exterior doors
- Affordable cost
Cons:
- The locking mechanism can be opened with enough pressure
Final Verdict:
Its simple, practical construction mixed with an affordable price is a bargain buyer’s dream.
It doesn’t hurt that the product comes with everything needed for the installation, either.
But it’s worth mentioning some buyers noticed their cats could bypass the locking mechanism.
If you’re worried about your cat going outside when you aren’t around, this option might not be a fit.
- Durable, low-maintenance, weatherproof pet flap with inner telescoping frame
- Made from clear, weather-resistant, unbreakable Lexan
- For cats up to 12 pounds
- Installs easily and securely
- Measures 6.25 inches square
- Manufacturer Warranty does not apply to product purchased through Amazon Warehouse Deals
- Need Assistance? E-mail Ideal Pet Products expert US-based customer care specialists seven days a week!
2. SureFlap DualScan Microchip Cat Door
SureFlap’s DualScan Microchip Cat Door makes a cat owner’s life easier in many ways.
One of them is its DualScan technology lets owners set permissions for each one of their pets.
It allows you to choose what pet should stay indoors and who gets to explore outdoors.
Features:
- Opening size: 4 3/4-inch height x 5 5/8-inch
- Capable of setting exit permissions
- Equipped with a safety mode
- Requires 4 AA batteries
- Uses DualScan technology
Pros:
- Can set permissions for up to 32 different pets
- Easy to install in windows, doors, or walls
- Works with any common microchips
- Keeps unwanted intruders out
- Durable, weatherproof construction
Cons:
- Expensive
Final Verdict:
Aside from its impressive DualScan technology, this option offers several other remarkable features.
Buyers will love its ability to install easily in doors, walls, or windows. The durable, weatherproof construction doesn’t hurt its appeal, either.
Its price does hurt its overall appeal, though, as this model costs a small fortune.
But It’s hard to argue with its cost when you consider what you’re getting.
- Compatible with all common microchips - works with your cat's existing microchip to keep out intruder cats and wildlife
- Set exit permissions for each pet to keep specific pets indoors using dualscan technology - Store up to 32 pets
- Can be installed in doors, windows or walls - accessories available
- Requires 4 AA batteries which last up to a year with normal use (not included)
- Door opening is 4 3/4" H x 5 5/8" W
3. Ani Mate Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap
Buyers looking for a magnet-based model need to consider Ani Mate’s Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap.
It has a proven design that’s become a favorite among cat owners.
After all, it’s a simple matter of placing a magnet on your cat’s collar, and they will be the only ones who can use it.
Features:
- Electromagnetic cat door with two magnets
- Opening size: 5 3/4-inch width and 6-inch height.
- Includes a brush strip to reduce silent action and energy loss
- Comes with a complete instruction manual
- 4-way locking system
Pros:
- Allows instant entry for cats who are wearing its small magnet
- Provides complete control over your cat’s movements
- Usable on all doors
- Runs on one 9-volt battery
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a 9-volt battery included
Final Verdict:
The product’s effective design is a hard thing to match.
But Ani Mate also threw in numerous other features to make it even more intriguing: its 4-way locking system, brush strip, and usable instruction manual.
Cat owners can’t ask for much else when choosing a cat flap for their favorite pets.
However, it would’ve been nice for Ani Mate to include a 9-volt battery with purchase.
- White electromagnetic cat door
- Includes two magnets
- Self lining to 2-3/8-inch
- Brush strip to reduce energy loss and silent action
- Complete instructions included
4. The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door
The Kitty Pass’s Interior Cat Door is a perfect option for someone looking to put a cat flap inside their home.
It’ll help your favorite cat escape from other pets who might be chasing them around the house.
I also find these types of cat flaps useful for keeping other pets away from the litter boxes.
Features:
- Opening size: 7.5″x 6.5″
- Rounded opening
- Capable of being installed in doors with 1.25″ to 1.75″ thickness
- A stylish, glossy white coloring
- Carved cat ears on its font size
Pros:
- Durable construction material
- Perfect size for cats
- Doesn’t have any offensive screw holes
- Cute cat-eared design
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a locking panel
Final Verdict:
Finding another interior cat door capable of matching this one would be a challenging task.
Its durable construction, cute design, and versatility make it a home run.
But it’s worth noting these model doesn’t come with a locking panel.
As a result, it won’t keep any animals out who are small enough to enter or exit.
- The Kitty Pass is the safest and cutest way to let your cat in and out, of closed doors.
- Smooth, Wide opening allows your cat to pass through SAFELY, without tails getting snagged or caught up.
- No eye offending screw holes or logos, just beautiful clean lines that compliments your door perfectly.
- Pass through opening is 7 1/2" wide and 6 1/2" height and can be used by all cats up to 20 lbs. Easily fits all standard (hollow and solid) interior doors with sizes, 1 1/4" to 1.75" thick
- Comes completely finished in a beautiful semi gloss white, or you can easily paint it yourself, to match your homes decor.
5. CEESC Magnetic Pet Door
CEESC’s Magnetic Pet Door is another relatively simple but effective model with an affordable price tag.
If anyone’s looking for a bargain, this magnetic option would undoubtedly be in your wheelhouse.
The weatherproof brush strip and 4-way rotary locking mechanism were enough to sell me.
Features:
- Two size options: M- Inner size: 6.18″(W) x 6.3″(H) and L- Inner size: 7.1″(W) x 7.7″(H)
- Two-color schemes: Black and White
- A 4-way rotary locking mechanism
- Weatherproof brush strip
- Includes step by step instructions
Pros:
- Multiple buying options
- Usable for cats up to 15 pounds
- Compatible with walls, sliding doors, or regular doors
- Easy to install
- Affordable cost
Cons:
- Some issues with the included screws
Final Verdict:
Honestly, there’s nothing too special about this model.
But it does the job effectively without putting too many complicated features into its design.
Simplicity shouldn’t ever be an overlooked aspect when it comes to these products.
I do have a few concerns about the product’s included screws, though.
Some customers mention them being a little too small and relatively ineffective in their reviews.
- ☞CONVENIENT LOCK --- The knob-style switch is 4 way rotary, you can easily rotate it to 4 modes with the arrow and icons to control your cat's access options: in only, out only, in and out freely, totally locked.
- ☞IMPROVED WEATHER-PROOF BRUSH STRIP --- It provides a fixed groove with snap tabs for weather-proof brush strip, firmly fix the brush strip. Even if the brush strip comes off, easy to put it back into the fixed groove. This greatly help the brush strip reduce noise, stop rain drop, wind or pest like mosquito to the most.
- ☞THOUGHTFUL SCREWS --- It comes with 2 packs of 8 screws each, one is packed with short screws, the other long. Please screw in with them from both sides to prevent crack out of incaution, don't just from one side. You could make 8 screws for the 4 screw holes with long + long, long + short, or short + short group according to the depth of door / wall being installed.
- ☞EASY TO INSTALL --- Step by step installation instruction in the instruction manual included in sales box and installation presentation video for you reference, take care of notice and prepare necessary tools, easy to install as your need. The tunnel depth could be cut down according to your installation need.
- ☞APPLICABLE FOR --- Inner size 2.17" / 5.5CM(D) x 6.18" / 15.7CM(W) x 6.30" / 16CM(H), it's suitable for cat with waist circumference shorter than 15.75" / 40CM. And the outer size is 2.17" / 5.5CM(D) x 7.56" / 19CM(W) x 8.46" / 21.5CM(H). It fits to being installed to interior doors, exterior doors, walls, windows, cupboards, glass, etc.
Recommendation
My recommendation would have to be choosing Ideal Pet Products Cat Flap Door.
It’s the most cost-effective option and makes your life easier with its issue-free installation.
But if you have any more questions about cat flaps, let me know in our comment section.
I’d love to do anything that can make this entire process less of a hassle for you. Thanks for reading!
My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
Last update on 2021-01-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
My cats are indoor cats but I think they’d like the interior door since sometimes they want to escape from each other.
Those flaps and doors are so great and cats can be so smart. I wonder if it takes a lot of training for the average cat to learn to come and go through these great routes.
I’ll never forget when we were teaching our cat how to use the door. It took a bit, but he learned and loved it. He was an outside farm cat but we wanted a place for him to go for safety and warmth. One day he decided to come in and show us his “catch” of the day. It was still alive. LOL
Great advice for all the cat people! I recently saw a tent/tube attached to a cat flap so that the cat could go outside but then not run away. Pretty cool stuff for kitties!!
My cats would want one. They are so interested in being outside, but I worry, so they only get to sit in a window.
These sound like some great recommendations – there is so much to think about when it comes to getting your home fitted with a catflap.
Our cat was an indoor-only cat. However, I can see how this could be really handy for cats who are allowed to go outside. The interior kitty pass is really cute.
We have a cat flap on our basement door. It’s a life saver when my dog goes after our cat! He zips right through it to safety. =)
I would love to have a flap for my dogs and it would be such a time saver
Wow this was very useful mini doors for my pet cats. Specially when they wanted to go outside and play. I’d love to have this at our house.
What a useful resource for cat owners! I’m sure it’s so important to find a high quality cat flap that’s not too expensive.
we’ve never had a cat flap with all the cats we’ve owned. now I feel like I have deprived them!
I thought about getting one of these for my cats. They love to go outdoors. I’m just always worried about other critters getting in because we live out in the country.
These are so great for any cat to come and go as they please. I think any cat would love these, especially if it’s on a bathroom door. You know how cats are. LOL
Cats are a lot more clingy than some people give them credit for. I think indoor cats would really love to be able to use these to stay with their people.
I always wanted to know more about cat flaps. Thanks for sharing these info!
I think one of these will be perfect for my aunt for her cat!
Didn’t know about cat flaps. But these are really so unique and fascinating and this is a nice list of recommendations too.
I would love to get a cat flap! I need one for my catio.
What a great idea, like doggie doors. My cats are 100% indoor, so they don’t use them, but I know so many friends that have to let their cats out and this would eliminate that need to keep doing that.
This is really beneficial for fur parents and for the cats, too! I would love to have one if only I could have my own cat.
Such a great post!I had no idea about the cat flaps until this post! So thank you for sharing info with us plus giving us multiple cat flap door options 🙂
What a great idea! No cats here but two pups. I really want to install something similar for them.
I’ve always wanted a pet door but most of the places I have lived don’t have fenced in yards. But if I was able to, I certainly would because it would make it easier for my pups to go outside when they need to potty.
Perfect post and I’m sharing it with my neighbors who are moving into a new home. They have cats and we were just talked about cat flaps. Great recommendations.