One of my cats is managing to force his way through the Staywell 4 way locking catflap when it's on IN ONLY. I'm trying to keep them in at night because of the fireworks. Any idea what I can do? Are there any stronger catflaps of this type or could I reinforce the little red dial in any way? I don't want a sophisticated microchip catflap or a collar operated magnetic one by the way (two of my cats have lost three collars between them in the past seven days so I have given up on collars and I am going to try knicker elastic as suggested by another poster). Just wondering if anyone else has managed to solve the catflap problem but still keep a simple, basic fourway catflap?

How about the Staywell cat flap with a slide in door to lock it? That is the kind I have and none of mine have ever broken out.

Is that the old type that's either in only or out only? I would prefer to keep a four way type so I can round all three up on an evening more easily. I'm thinking about trying to attach something to the In only bit of the dial to make it stand higher or maybe a little hinged bit of wood that I could set below the flap and twizzle round when I want them in (they'd have to jump over it to get in but I'm sure they'd manage). Hopefully my DIY skills are up to it.

put the bin in front of the flap x

That's an idea, but the flap is in the most out of the way place imaginable and I am getting so ancient I can't really reach it to put the bin there. Because it's so awkward the controls for the flap are actually outside the house and not inside it. Unless anybody can suggest an extra strong four way flap my plan is to get my drill out and fit some kind of swivel type doorstop on the outside of the flap, so they can clamber over it to get in the house when it's in position but they won't be able to push their way out. I've never had this problem before. I suspect it's Bertie, he's such a big strong cat.

We've had the four way flap and one of our cats also managed to get out when the flap was on in-only. He managed to pull the flap open using his nails. He just didn't want to stay in at night and nothing I tried seemed to help, so I started calling them in before I went to bed and then closing the flap completely. Hope you manage to find a sollution though!

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Yeah, with my ace DIY skills I'm sure I'll come up with something. As I mentioned, I'm thinking in terms of a little barrier on the outside, which still means any cats left out can still get back in. You'd think they'd make the catflap locking mechanism bigger and stronger, wouldn't you?

I think the makers of those flaps seriously underestimate cats
Good luck with your mission!
Oh and, if you do manage to find a sollution, please let me know, because in a few months, we'll have a cat flap again

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Yes, I will, and I shall patent my invention and make my fortune from owners of Rambo-type cats!

Great idea, I'll be your first customer

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