Here’s the photos…

 

 

if you are not happy then call the company back to fix it. Looking at the catflap online, have you tried to reset it , checked the batteries are okay, that it's in the right mode? no cat flap should have a draught around it

 

Hi Tristy, thanks for commenting. It’s more like it’s physically getting stuck. I’ve put some oil on the door ‘pins’ so I’ll monitor the situation today.
I’m hoping someone with the same flap will let me know if there’s has a gap around their door or if mine has got some kind of draught excluder missing before I contact the company that fitted it.

 

I’ve recently had a Sureflap cat flap fitted (by a window company). I have two questions….

1) is the gap around the flap door normal? It is SO draughty!

2) My cat is only 5.5 months old and about 2.5kg. She usually holds her head out through the flap for a bit then climbs out slowly. This results in the door getting stuck open about 25% of the time. Is there anything I can do to stop this happening?

Thank you

I can't help with your cat flap problem and I hope you don't mind me saying this but feel I have to comment on the fact you have decided to allow your 5.5 month old kitten out on her own.
She really is far to young and is neither mentally nor physically mature enough to be allowed outdoor access.
If she needs to be out to roam then I would leave that until she is nearer a year old and much less kitten like.

 

All the big cat rescue organisations (in the UK) advise that cats can go outside once they have been fully vaccinated and neutered (which is usually by 6 months old). Also, you don’t know how often, or for how long I’m letting her out for. You don’t know where I live and what her surroundings are like. Nor do you know my cat’s personality. Thanks for your concern though, but I have taken all of the above into account and she is ready to go outside.

 

Fair enough ,it's your choice but at such a young age if she is faced with danger or having to protect herself I stand by my belief that at such a young age she is just not equipped to cope.

 

The kitten in question may well be 'ready to go out' in the sense that she is keen to explore the outside world. That absolutely does not mean she is safe to do so.

It is only a few weeks since this forum had a thread started by someone overwhelmed with grief and guilt after his beloved 6 month old kitten was run over and killed outside his house. That was a hard thread to deal with.

My Heart Is broken 💔

https://www.petforums.co.uk/posts/1066038244/

 

I joined this forum to ask about the gap around my cat flap. But I have just had criticism and shame despite following all the advice from the rescue centre, my vet and all the reputable websites when I Google “what age can a kitten go outside?”. I am not going to read that link and to be made to feel guilty. I didn’t sleep last night after what the first poster posted. I think it’s cruel to keep most cats inside. It’s suspected that the kittens father is a stray so she is literally climbing up the curtains. But now I am too worried to let her out, I do t know what to do. This is not what I came here for. People should think before they post.

 

you haven't got to justify yourself on an open forum, you have your views and other's have their's. We often disagree with another's point of view , just accept that.....or not

 

I’ve recently had a Sureflap cat flap fitted (by a window company). I have two questions…

I am not familiar with the Sureflap model in the photos. But my Sureflap Microchip Connect does not have a gap round the door. Also, my door has never got stuck open. Could you ask the fitter to have a look at your door, and check that it is hanging correctly and moving freely?

I don't think anyone is trying to shame you. Yes, vets and cat charities may say that a kitten can go out after vaccination. I would interpret that as meaning they will then not be at risk of contracting cat flu. That is not the same as saying they should go out free roaming. Some home surroundings would be safer than others for a kitten, but the reality is that kittens, like children, are not as good at assessing risk as adults.

The thread from November, that I posted the link to, still haunts me. The OP's pain was palpable. I wish there could be no more like that. But sadly, a decision to let a cat roam freely carries the risk of an accident.

I too am no fan of indoors-only cats. They are animals and need the space and stimulation of the outdoors, if at all possible. Supervised sessions outside are a good idea for a kitten, as you are doing. Perhaps as she gets older and less easy to monitor, you might consider cat-proof fencing for your garden, or a 'catio' enclosure.

 

I've got some of those flaps. There should be a bit of soft trim round the flap edge? I've had to glue it back it before. Still has a bit of a gap though, annoyingly. As to the staying open, that will happen if cat goes through gently. Keep an eye on the magnet on the bottom of the flap, can come off and then the flap really swings freely! (You can replace just the flap bit if that happens, sureflap will send parts and instructions).

The larger sureflap pet doors have 2 magnets, don't tend to stay open as much. But you'd need the glass cutting bigger. Still have a gap though!

 

Thank you, that’s helpful to know. I did read on another forum about putting weights on the bottom edge of the door to encourage it to close (which presumably why the one with two magnets has less of a problem).

The gaps are annoying! I’ve had this flap model of flap before and didn’t notice…. But I did live in a warmer part of the country then! I might have to build a porch ha ha!

Thanks for your reply

 

I looked into gluing extra magnets, but thought it would make the flap too hard for the cats to push through. Your cat is smaller than mine, so I'm not sure it'd work. Particularly on windy days I have to wander round closing cat flaps (I have several).

Pop a curtain up if you can, great for draughts.

Cat tax!! Please, we love seeing photos.

 

I was thinking of just something to give the door slightly more weight, but not a magnet. Maybe just some bluetack or similar? Ill experiment! In the meantime, a bit of oil on the ‘hinge pins’ seems to have helped. But the cats haven’t used it so much because I was out for a few hours (so blocked the cat flap because I am a responsible kitten owner ) so it hasn’t had a good test yet.

 

 

I mean I block it at other times too, but I haven’t been at home for them to go out at all today

 

Hi Kilohotel123.

I found your question after searching Google on EXACTLY the same problem I have. Bit of background here, I owned one of these Surepet microchip catflaps for the past 6 years but it finally gave up (not letting the cat in sometimes!) so, being out of warranty but otherwise happy with the brand, I bought a new one a couple of weeks ago (exact same model as yours and just an updated version of my existing one.) I fitted it easily but was surprised at the gaps around the door...they were huge..just like your photo, whereas my 'old' flap still had good brush seals stopping the wind getting through (and the heat getting out!). It wasn't even as if it was just down to 'flat' brush seals..the door seems to have been re-designed in a different position leaving a gap of 2-3mm.

I scratched my head wondering how they could send this product out like this and finally decided to call them (SurePet Cust Service) (0800 012 4511). I was told that it is a very common issue and they will 'send me out a fix', all I had to do was supply the serial number (found under the battery flap) and of course my name and address. I eagerly await this 'fix' and will report back. As for your flap 'staying open' this shouldn't happen at all, it should swing freely. I am wondering if it was installed properly, with the door sat freely not catching where it swings either side?

Niggling gaps issue aside, these flaps are fantastic and have stopped various local cats from coming in over the years stressing ours out. I'll keep you posted when the 'fix' arrives but let me know how you get on.

 

Hi Cardoc, thanks for your message! It’s not just me then. I have had one of these flaps in a previous house and didn’t have the same problem either…. I am eagerly awaiting your update from Sureflap! In the meantime I put a washing up bowl over the cat flap wedges in place with my kitchen bin…. Not a great look! The issue with the door staying open is ok now after I put a bit of oil on the door ‘pins’ (the swingy bit). Thanks for your message

 

Well, I'm back quicker than i anticipated! Next day in fact. Sureflap sent out their 'Draught Excluder Upgrade' yesterday after calling them and it arrived this morning!

It's a complete swing door with much better brush seals. Comes with instructions, very simple - in a nutshell, you don't need to remove catflap from the door any more (you used to on older models). Basically you remove the battery flap, undo the two screws you see facing you. At the bottom of the flap you see two white screw covers, pull them off gently directly towards you to reveal two more screws - undo those. The whole front of the catflap will then come forward. Remove the swing door and replace with the new upgraded draught excluder door they supplied. Push the catflap back into place gently and do all the screws up, replacing the battery flap and the two screw covers at the bottom. Finished!

I'm happy to report no more Gale Force 10 through the flap gaps. Tested with kitty's and all is good. Great customer service from Sure Petcare I have to say.

Give them a call explaining your problem with big (and they are!) draughty gaps and then hopefully they'll send you the same 'Draught Excluder Upgrade' remedy. I'd mention about your door sticking now and again too while you're at it.

Let us know how you get on.

 

Oooh that’s great news! I am very happy for you Great, I’ll give them a call today! Thanks for the report and update!

 

@Cardoc I just spoke to SureFlap - you’re right, they were really helpful, and they’re posting me a replacement ‘door’ with longer ‘brushes’. He said that due to manufacturing differences, some combinations of flap unit and door end up with a bigger gap than others, and because of the nature of the product, even a millimetre or so difference on the two components can end up with an unacceptable gap. So they have replacement doors with longer brushes for such occasions. Shame they can’t quality check them before selling, but at least they’ve provided a solution I can’t wait for my kitchen to get above 15° ha ha!

 

I had the same flap. Shocking. When I complained they improved seals but it simply is not a good flap. V disappointed and have replaced it.

 

It may be a bit late for a response.... I contacted Sureflap about my door getting stuck open which as stated by other people is when the cat slowly goes through the door or there is a bigger draught through the area. Sureflap sent out a whole new cover for the flap which has a stronger magnet installed. They said it is a hand made upgrade but was all free including shipping from the UK, it took a few weeks to arrive (im in New Zealand) but I haven't had the door stuck open since putting the new cover on.... Why they're not just made with these stronger magnets in the first place is beyond me. Now I get another problem where the latch doesn't come back up on random occasions when the door has been used by one of my outdoor cats, letting my indoor cat walk right through. The flaps seem to have many faults.

 

Mines exactly the same. Had one before that didn’t do that but don’t know what the difference is. if I find a solution I shall come back on here to let you know And would appreciate you doing same. Have a good day.