Cat Flaps are sometimes referred to as cat doors. They can be made of a simple rubber flap that will allow access for your cat to come and go as they please from your house.

There are different varieties of cat flaps available on the market today. The Staywell Cat Flap and the Cat Mate Cat Flap to name but two.  Staywell cat flaps are particularly popular. Cat flaps range form the aforementioned simple rubber flap to a solid door that is only accessed by your individual cat through a transmitter either planted directly on your cat or placed on their cat collar. While using this version of the cat flap, the flap or door will only open allowing access to your home with your specific cat. The technology involved in cat flaps have advanced tremendously through the years and this device is the latest of all of them.

First off, let's cover the benefits of mounting a cat flap for your feline friend. Your cat will have the opportunity to go outside and enjoy the sunshine or fresh air whenever they feel like. Let's face it, cat's are very independent and they oftentimes get frustrated if we don't let them out when they want at the exact time they want. This is part of the reason's why the Egyptians worshiped them. Their independence from humans is greater than any other animal on earth. Cat flaps are a great way to keep your feline happy and allows them to maintain their own independence. If they feel like sunbathing, they simply walk through the door. They want to go outside and chase butterflies, they walk through the door. When they are done and want to eat, drink or sleep, they will visit us back inside using this cat flap.

If you decide to purchase the more technologically advanced version of the cat flap, such as the infra red cat flap or the magnetic cat flap, this will provide additional benefits that will be noticeable right away. The transmitter that was mentioned earlier will allow your cat, and only your cat to come through the cat flap. Any other rodents, critters or vermin that come knocking at the door are denied access thus ensuring your don't have any unwelcome visitors in your home. If a neighborhood dog attempts to chase your cat, your cat will come running inside which locks the pursuing canine from obtaining his prize. The loud "thump" provided by the dog when he realizes the cat flap is locked will provide a quite reassuring feeling to your cat. Soon your cat will realize that the cat flap doesn't only offer them their independence but also provides them with added safety.

The downside to cat flaps is that your cat will be able to go outside whenever they want to. This means that they can also wonder off into the neighborhood which may offer hazards that aren't familiar to them. Unless you spend the money on the more advanced version of the cat flap, you will also have unwelcome guests in your home such as mice, squirrels, raccoons or the like. Any "prey" that your cat catches will also be drug into the home, regardless of the more advanced features. If your cat wants to bring in a mouse, bug or something else it catches, the door won't stop them.

Weigh the pro's and con's of installing a cat flap prior to installation to make sure that you will be comfortable in your decision. Fred Flintstone probably wished he had a cat flap so he didn't have to let the cat out at night.