Random question...cat flap.

viv1969

viv1969

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I've had to replace the cat flap in the door, as the old one was flapping in the breeze after madcat destroyed it to get out (vet said keep him in a month when I got him...but he wrecked the flap on day five to get out. :ROFLMAO: )

Got a Cat Mate four way lockable one....same as the previous one...fitted it. All good....

.....except the little magnet at the bottom is rather strong, and the pansy-arsed cat won't push through it! (It's not one with a corresponding magnet on a collar... Just a small magnet that stabilises the flap).

So, question...can the magnet be "demagnetised"?
 
Try putting a bit of tape over it & if it's still too strong ... 2 pieces. ;)
 
It's already covered.
It's inside the sealed unit.
 
OK, so...any useful suggestions? ;)
 
the way to de-magnetise a magnet is to heat it. Not sure how you'd go about doing that but that is the way.
 
The last cat flap we fitted read the cats microchip, it didn't need a collar magnet. As soon as one of our cats put its head in the tunnel and the IFF system identified it as friendly the magnetic latch released. It also had the four-way latch.
 
Alastair said:
The last cat flap we fitted read the cats microchip, it didn't need a collar magnet. As soon as one of our cats put its head in the tunnel and the IFF system identified it as friendly the magnetic latch released. It also had the four-way latch.
Click to expand...


We have one of these and it's great. Used to have a massive Tom come in, eat all the food and spray everywhere. Now only our cats do that...
 
Alastair said:
The last cat flap we fitted read the cats microchip, it didn't need a collar magnet. As soon as one of our cats put its head in the tunnel and the IFF system identified it as friendly the magnetic latch released. It also had the four-way latch.
Click to expand...

Not the kind I have though, and would rather try to avoid having to get yet another, but thanks.
 
viv1969 said:
Not the kind I have though, and would rather try to avoid having to get yet another, but thanks.
Click to expand...
The only way to adjust your current flap is to increase the gap between the magnet and the steel counterpart. And you're probably back to having the flap slapping in a strong wind.

He'll figure it out eventually.. but if it's a bit stiff and he needs a bit of a run up to shoulder barge it, remember that it's going to be a real thump if you ever lock the catch and it takes him by surprise..
 
Alastair said:
The only way to adjust your current flap is to increase the gap between the magnet and the steel counterpart. And you're probably back to having the flap slapping in a strong wind.

He'll figure it out eventually.. but if it's a bit stiff and he needs a bit of a run up to shoulder barge it, remember that it's going to be a real thump if you ever lock the catch and it takes him by surprise..
Click to expand...

He destroyed the first one in a fit of frustration at not being able to get out when it was locked, so I suspect you're right..thanks . :-)
 
I used to have a demagnetiser for cleaning the heads on my hifi cassette deck. Electric thingy that looked a bit like an electric shaver.
This kind of thing:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Analogue-...622670?hash=item36036bae8e:g:aEQAAOSwT6pVjV5g

...though this one has a two pin plug.

Have you thought about placing your cat's favourite food on the other side of the cat flap, depending which side he is on? It might encourage him to have a go.
 
Alastair said:
The last cat flap we fitted read the cats microchip, it didn't need a collar magnet. As soon as one of our cats put its head in the tunnel and the IFF system identified it as friendly the magnetic latch released. It also had the four-way latch.
Click to expand...

Nawty said:
We have one of these and it's great. Used to have a massive Tom come in, eat all the food and spray everywhere. Now only our cats do that...
Click to expand...

A bit off topic but a smart cat can defeat those. The parents have one and next doors cat still comes in, eats the food and has a snooze on the sofa :D

They think he hooks his craw into the flap and lifts it outwards?
 
I've had several cats though I don't have one now, and they went through quite a few cat flaps. I'd go with Ken and put some of the cat's favourite, smelliest food on the other side. Or alternatively just refuse to open the door for him if he wants to go out/come in. Either way he'll soon get the hang of it. Cats are brilliant at working things out for themselves but also getting us to do things for them.
My neighbours' cat used to come in and curl up with my two as well. I missed him when they moved - my lot would happily have adopted him.
 
^ Too true! If a cat sits and looks at a door - it opens. Mind over matter.

... and then they remember and won't change their habit.
 
Our flap has the magnet fixed in the frame and a small steel clip on the bottom of the flap. When ours was being a pansy, I took the clip off the bottom of the flap until she decided that it was worth her making a bit of an effort. Of course, she still finds it easier to bash at the sodding thing until one of us weakens and lets her out through the big door - but she's a cat, that's their job!!!
 
Not very helpful but last year we had some new doors fitted . When they had measured up we had specified the new flap had to be at least the same size as the flap on our old door. They measured the flap on our old door so we thought no worries. Come the days for fitting and they had forgotten to get and fit a suitable flap. They apologised and assured us a flap would be fitted asap. We were on hol a few days later when they wanted to fit the flap but as our `kid` were at home it would be ok.. Got a message from kids with picture which said flaps looks ok but might be a bit on small side. I asked if the fitters had seen our dog and was told think so as they had been stroking her.
33545998963_fd567a1c56_z.jpg
IMG_1438 (1)[/url] by dyrnog, on Flickr[/IMG] IMG_143Had 8 (1) by dyrnog, on Flickr
 
No experience with cats but use one for dogs and have usually pegged it open till they get the hang of it and then they seem happy to bash through.
 
You should still be able to put tape over where the magnet is, which should still work ....:)
 
Tigger.ufo said:
You should still be able to put tape over where the magnet is, which should still work ....:)
Click to expand...
Yep that would be my option too, just a small strip of insulation tape..

Going back years when we had cats, when the cat flap was new, and we saw them sitting there scratching their heads, we's just hold the flap open.
They soon got the idea.
 
Thanks all.
He has the idea and was fine with the previous one.
I'll try the tape and treat ideas.
 
How's the tape supposed to work? I wasn't aware that insulation tape was opaque to magnetic fields..
 
Alastair said:
How's the tape supposed to work? I wasn't aware that insulation tape was opaque to magnetic fields..
Click to expand...

Apparently, it's not. That one failed. :-)
 
Alastair said:
How's the tape supposed to work?
Click to expand...
You stick it on both the magnet and the metal contact.
it leaves enough of a "gap" to reduced the effect of the magnet,
it still sticks but no where near the same adhesion.
Worked for me :thumbs:
 
Cobra said:
You stick it on both the magnet and the metal contact.
it leaves enough of a "gap" to reduced the effect of the magnet,
it still sticks but no where near the same adhesion.
Worked for me (y)
Click to expand...
I figured, but nope, it's a bust. 3 different types of tape tried.
He's very clever, stubborn and sneaky...that's how he wrecked the last one when it was locked.
He's been through this one when held open, he'll just have to stop being a wuss.
He loves food and he loves killing birds (blackbird yesterday). Each one is on a different side of the door.
I'm done humouring him. :-)
 
Aha!!
It appears that rain makes the decision making process a mite simpler! :D
 
viv1969 said:
Aha!!
It appears that rain makes the decision making process a mite simpler! :D
Click to expand...
Funny that, the helping hand of God eh?
Him and Maradona :thumbs:
 
He's definitely a fair weather feline.
The rain was the impetus required..
I was there when he did it too, so he knew he'd been busted.

Thanks everyone for the various suggestions, though.
Much appreciated. :-)
 
viv1969 said:
I was there when he did it too, so he knew he'd been busted.
Click to expand...


But does he care that you know that he knows how? I bet he'll still play bat the flap when he wants to come in and he knows you're on door duty!
 
Nod said:
But does he care that you know that he knows how? I bet he'll still play bat the flap when he wants to come in and he knows you're on door duty!
Click to expand...

He'll get hungry and wet if he tries that game.
 
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