SureFlap Microchip Small Dog & Cat Door

I have 3 small dogs and a cat who were used to a regular PetSafe flap pet door, but I recently added a kitten to the family and wanted a way to allow the others to continue to have the freedom of the pet door while also keeping the kitten inside. I wanted to keep using our storm door with the pet door opening, so I was limited by the size of the opening. I first tried the CatMate Elite, but the door opening was too small for my dogs to use it comfortably, and the tunnel was longer and must have been a little intimidating because one of my dogs refused to try it. This SureFlap door is the perfect size and functions exactly like what I needed when installed backwards. With the controls mounted I have 3 small dogs and a cat who were used to a regular PetSafe flap pet door, but I recently added a kitten to the family and wanted a way to allow the others to continue to have the freedom of the pet door while also keeping the kitten inside. I wanted to keep using our storm door with the pet door opening, so I was limited by the size of the opening. I first tried the CatMate Elite, but the door opening was too small for my dogs to use it comfortably, and the tunnel was longer and must have been a little intimidating because one of my dogs refused to try it. This SureFlap door is the perfect size and functions exactly like what I needed when installed backwards. With the controls mounted on the exterior, it allows all our pets to come inside anytime, but it only allows them to go outside if they are programmed to the door. Our older cat and one dog have microchips, so I bought RFID tags for the other 2 dogs (the tags for the CatMate door worked so I didn’t have to return them), and all the dogs and older cat go in/out whenever they want. The new kitten isn’t programmed to the door, so she can’t get outside. I used a small piece of plywood to frame the opening of the pet storm door and used small metal brackets to hold the wood into the groove where the old PetSafe plastic cover went. I added a little weatherstripping and covered the outside controls with tape as a precaution to keep any rain from damaging the controls, and it has worked wonderfully for 3+ months on the original set of batteries. Programming each chip/tag is as simple as pushing a button. The *only* issue I have is due to the placement of the microchip in one of my dogs, sometimes the door doesn’t click right away to unlock and allow him to go outside, so I’m going to order him an RFID tag to address this. I have a wood door that I keep closed anytime I don’t want the pets to be able to go outside, so I have not used the curfew/time features and cannot vouch for those functions. I’m very pleased with this pet door and highly recommend it for controlling which pets enter or exit (depending on which side of the door the controls are on). … more

The door works well. One of my cats learned to get through quickly but the other who pushed the old cat door with his paw was spooked by the sound and took two days to figure it out. Both are using it without a problem now.

We bought this door for our cats for the outside building where they eat and sleep. We have had problems with stray cats and raccoons getting in and eating their food. I think this will resolve that problem although it has not been tested with raccoons yet. It took several weeks to get our cats trained, but now they us it with no problem. First we taped the door open and got them used to going through it. Then we put in a bar to prop it open a little to get them used to pushing a little to go through. Then we finally let it close without locking and they finally learned to push to go through. We would call them from inside when we fed them to encourage them to go through. After several We bought this door for our cats for the outside building where they eat and sleep. We have had problems with stray cats and raccoons getting in and eating their food. I think this will resolve that problem although it has not been tested with raccoons yet. It took several weeks to get our cats trained, but now they us it with no problem. First we taped the door open and got them used to going through it. Then we put in a bar to prop it open a little to get them used to pushing a little to go through. Then we finally let it close without locking and they finally learned to push to go through. We would call them from inside when we fed them to encourage them to go through. After several weeks of using it when it was not locked, we finally used the learn mode to read the chips and they were able to figure out right away how to get through by putting their heads in and then pushing once the lock released. I think this door is going to work perfectly for us as long as it can stand up to raccoons when they appear again. … more

Our former stray, who now is a “mostly inside” kitty, still insists on going out. We are still helping him understand the concept that he has to push the door with his head. We’re hopeful. He has no choice, other than to stay inside, as there are many raccoons around here. We feed a two feral cats (their feeder is far from the doors of our house) and no food stays out overnight. But, between the lingering scent of this, and our pond, raccoons are regulars.

It is really nice having my cat locked in after a certain time in the evenings and the having the door unlock in the morning. I highly recommend the door. BUT, after less than 4 months of use it is not working correctly. The times change randomly and the door locks and unlocks when ever it wants to. However, Chewy's is fantastic. I let them know about the unit malfuctioning and a new one is on the way. Thank you, Chewy. That was easy. I hope the next one last longer.

While in theory, this product should be great, but in reality it is very, very flawed. The first one I received didn't work at all and the company replaced it. The second one, which is now securely installed in my door works sometimes at best. The featured that allows you to set curfew opening and closing hours malfunctions often and will unlock in the middle of the night and allow my cats out. But it's in my door now and taking it out will be quite a chore. Save yourself the headache and the money, DO NOT BUY!

I bought this door to prevent my cat from puking on our carpet every morning, unfortunately it's very undependable for $200. don't wast your money!

It’s only been a few weeks since we had this door installed but it is amazing. We live in an area where there are a lot of field rodents and wildlife (but not raccoons) so my biggest fear is having one come in through a doggie door. This door solves all our problems by allowing our dogs to go out whenever they need abut ONLY allowing them back in. We have two poodle mixes and once we had them used to the door and trained to go in and out, WE are all so much happier! We still have our daily walks but in between they get to go out and relieve themselves, sun themselves and everyone is just happier. Product works as described and we are now fans.

Like the door. Relatively easy to install and setup. The only part that took a little while to resolve is related to the moderately loud CLICK sound when the solenoid activates, especially in the locking mode. Initially our cat was spooked by the sudden noise when she stuck her head in the tunnel, but after using the door for a while she ignores the sound. Helps that she was used to a magnetic lock cat door previously for how to get in and out. Getting the door programmed to her RFID was a snap. Picked up her chip on the first time through and has worked without issue since. Like that the tunnel is considerably bigger than the old door. Our long leg cat no longer has to crouch to get in the house Like the door. Relatively easy to install and setup. The only part that took a little while to resolve is related to the moderately loud CLICK sound when the solenoid activates, especially in the locking mode. Initially our cat was spooked by the sudden noise when she stuck her head in the tunnel, but after using the door for a while she ignores the sound. Helps that she was used to a magnetic lock cat door previously for how to get in and out. Getting the door programmed to her RFID was a snap. Picked up her chip on the first time through and has worked without issue since. Like that the tunnel is considerably bigger than the old door. Our long leg cat no longer has to crouch to get in the house. She does not have any issues with getting the door to swing to get in or out. It seems to have a push resistance similar to the old, smaller, magnetic key door. … more

It worked, Love the idea, but my cats could not get over the loud clicking sound. They would not go though it even when I enticed them with their favorite snack.