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Cat Flap Buyer's Guide (2026)

Manual, microchip, and AI prey detection—what to buy and why

15 min read 45+ Citations Expert Analysis

Introduction: Keeping "Gifts" Outside

If your cat hunts, you’ll know the feeling: you open your eyes and find a “gift” on the floor. It’s unpleasant, it can be messy, and it can raise hygiene concerns—especially with rodents and other wildlife involved. 1

Cat flaps have changed a lot over the last few years. The cheapest ones simply let any animal through. Microchip models stop most intruders, but they don’t stop your own cat carrying prey inside. New AI-enabled flaps aim to solve that last problem by spotting prey at the door and keeping it locked until it’s dropped. 3

This guide breaks the market into the main “types” of flap, what each one is good at, and the trade-offs to watch for. The aim is simple: help you buy the right thing first time.

The Three Main Types of Cat Flap

Most products fit into one of three tiers. The easiest way to choose is to start with the problem you want to solve: basic access, intruders, or prey.

Evolution of Cat Flap Technology

The Manual Age

Basic Access, Basic Problems

Simple 4-way locking flaps. Low cost but security issues, durability concerns, and open to all animals.

The Microchip Age

Solving the Intruder Problem

RFID technology blocks unauthorized animals. But cats can still bring in prey, and some safety concerns remain.

The AI Age

The Ultimate Solution

AI vision detects prey in real-time. Complete control over what—and who—enters your home.

Manual flaps: cheap, but not selective

Manual flaps are the budget option. Popular models like the Cat Mate Locking Cat Flap and the PetSafe 4-Way Locking Big Cat Door are widely available and often cost under $30. 4 Most use a simple 4-way lock (in only, out only, open, or locked). 4

Durability Concerns

Reviews often mention breakages on cheaper manual flaps. For example, owners of the PetSafe Big Cat Door regularly report cracked or broken flaps, sometimes after only a few months. 7 Another common complaint is that you can’t buy a replacement flap on its own, so you may have to replace the whole unit. 7

The big downside is security: a manual flap doesn’t know who’s using it. If your cat can fit through, another cat (or even wildlife) might too—leading to fights, stolen food, spraying, and stress. 9 If that’s already a problem where you live, you’ll likely outgrow a manual flap quickly.

Microchip flaps: best for stopping intruders

Microchip flaps use RFID to read your cat’s implanted microchip (or a compatible collar tag) and only unlock for registered pets. 1 If your main issue is neighbourhood cats coming inside, this is usually the most cost-effective fix.

SureFlap is the best-known brand in this category and is widely credited with keeping out other cats and some wildlife. 11 Models like SureFlap DualScan can also do per-cat permissions—useful if you want one cat to stay in while another can roam. 16

The prey problem remains

Microchip flaps stop other animals coming in, but they don’t stop your own cat bringing prey inside. 12

There are also a few practical downsides. Some cats are put off by the loud “click” when the lock engages. 10 In rare cases, poor interactions around the flap can cause injury—one documented case involved a serious tail injury linked to repeated pawing at the door. 21 And some determined intruders can still get in by tailgating closely behind your cat before the door re-locks (or by forcing the flap). 9

AI flaps: designed to block prey

AI prey detection builds on microchip access, then adds a camera and software that tries to spot prey and stop it coming inside. 2 It’s aimed at homes where the main headache isn’t intruders—it’s what your cat carries through the door.

How it works (in plain terms)

A built-in camera takes a quick look at your cat as it approaches, often with night vision for low light. 23 The flap then checks the face/mouth area for prey. If it thinks your cat is carrying something, it stays locked until the cat drops it and tries again. 2

It’s also a new category, so products vary a lot in speed, reliability, and how “finished” they feel. The main names to know right now are OnlyCat, ZeroMouse, Flappie, and Pawly. 22 Next we’ll look at the two main approaches you’ll find.

AI Cat Flaps: Two Approaches

AI prey detection comes in two forms: add-on modules that sit on top of an existing flap, and all-in-one replacements where everything is built into one unit. The right choice mostly comes down to reliability, speed, and how much you want to change your existing setup.

Approach 1: Add-on modules (cheaper, but more compromises)

The best-known example is ZeroMouse. It’s designed to add prey detection to an existing microchip flap (including major brands like SureFlap and PetSafe), so you don’t need to replace the whole door unit. 26 23

Cloud Dependency Issues

ZeroMouse relies on cloud processing. It takes pictures, sends them over WiFi to servers (in Europe), waits for a response, and then unlocks or blocks the flap. 23 That adds delay, and it means your results depend on your internet connection.

The company’s own documentation mentions around 3 seconds to open and up to 7 seconds for analysis, during which your cat can be left waiting at the door. 23

Internet dependency is also a weak point. The troubleshooting guide includes error codes for lost WiFi, suggesting it’s a known issue. 23 Reviews describe problems connecting to the cloud service (including reports from outside Europe), and issues with some mesh WiFi setups. 30

Reviews also raise concerns about reliability—especially weatherproofing, with reports of water ingress on multiple versions. Some users also report false blocks (the cat is stopped even when it isn’t carrying prey). 31 Add-ons can make sense on paper, but cloud processing and extra parts tend to add failure points.

Approach 2: All-in-one replacements (usually faster and simpler)

With an all-in-one flap, the camera, microchip reader, processor, and lock are built as one system. In theory this gives faster decisions and fewer “moving parts” (both literally and in the setup). The catch is that this market is still young, and some products are either not widely available yet or are tied to crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding Risks: The Pawly Story

Pawly launched on Kickstarter with a big promise list, including prey detection and intruder prevention. 32 Despite raising over €248,000, the project has faced long delays and poor communication, with backers expressing frustration in campaign comments. 32 35

With crowdfunded hardware, there’s always the risk you’ll wait a long time—or never receive a finished product at all. 36

Flappie has also attracted attention (including at CES) and claims over 90% accuracy. 22 However, availability is limited and pricing is high (around $399–$450), with no confirmed timeline for broader international release in some markets. 25

In short: add-ons can be convenient but often depend on WiFi and the cloud; all-in-one options can be better, but you need to check that they’re actually shipping and supported where you live.

⭐

Best overall AI cat flap: OnlyCat

If you want AI prey detection and you want something that’s available now, OnlyCat is the strongest all-round option we’ve found.

The main reason is how it’s built: it avoids the common “cloud delay” problem and is positioned as a finished product rather than a promise.

OnlyCat runs its AI locally on the flap using an on-device processor (the “OnlyCat AI1 SoC”) with a neural network accelerator. 39 In practice, that should mean faster decisions (reported as under 200ms) and fewer problems when your internet is slow or down, because prey detection and access control don’t rely on cloud round-trips. 41

Proven Performance

Unlike crowdfunded projects that may take years to deliver (or may not deliver at all), OnlyCat is already shipping and has a growing base of customer reviews describing successful prey blocks. 3

OnlyCat reports accuracy over 99.6% and ongoing model updates as more cats use the system. 44

Extras are well thought through. The app can show short video clips of entries/exits, so you can check what happened at the door. 43 The unit’s ePaper display shows in/out status for registered cats at a glance, 39 and you get per-cat schedules plus remote locking in the app. 24

It’s also designed as a drop-in replacement for popular SureFlap microchip flaps, including compatibility with existing tunnel extenders and glass mounting adaptors. 44 If you already have a SureFlap, that can make upgrading much simpler.

OnlyCat Premium Features

On-Device AI Processing

Lightning-fast prey detection (<200ms) with no cloud dependency. Works even when your internet is down.

99.6% Accuracy

Industry-leading AI accuracy means your cat gets in quickly while prey stays out. Constantly improving with updates.

Video Event Clips

Watch short video clips of every entry attempt in the companion app. See exactly what your cat tried to bring home.

ePaper Display

Elegant at-a-glance status showing which cats are in or out. No need to check your phone.

Per-Cat Control

Set individual permissions and time-based rules for each cat. Keep indoor cats safe while others roam.

Remote Lock Control

Lock or unlock your cat flap from anywhere using the mobile app. Perfect for vacations or emergencies.

SureFlap Compatible

Drop-in replacement for SureFlap flaps. Works with existing tunnel extenders and mounting adapters.

Night Vision Camera

Infrared camera captures clear images day and night, ensuring 24/7 prey detection.

AI Cat Flap Competitive Analysis

The table below compares the best-known AI options and highlights the practical differences: how they work, what’s available now, and the main trade-offs.

Feature
OnlyCatEditor's Choice
ZeroMouse
Flappie
Pawly
TypeFully Integrated SystemAdd-on ModuleFully Integrated SystemFully Integrated System
AI ProcessingOn-Device (Fast, works offline)Cloud-Based (Slower, WiFi-dependent)On-DeviceOn-Device (Promised)
Reported Accuracy>99.6%~90% block rate reported by users>90%N/A (Pre-production)
Power SourceMains (USB-C)Mains (USB-C)N/AN/A
Smart FeaturesVideo Clips, ePaper Display, Per-Cat Rules, App ControlApp-based event logApp ControlApp Control, Missing Cat Feature (Promised)
Market StatusShipping NowShipping NowLimited Availability (EU)Crowdfunding (Delayed)

Citations: OnlyCat accuracy: 44, status: 3 | ZeroMouse: 30 | Flappie: 37, 38 | Pawly: 35

Quick checklist: what to buy

Start with your top priority. Manual flaps are about basic access. Microchip flaps are about keeping intruders out. AI flaps are about stopping prey at the door. Pick the tier that matches the problem you actually have.

Find Your Perfect Cat Flap

Budget-Conscious & Willing to Compromise

Primary concern is cost, accepting significant compromises in security, durability, and long-term convenience.

Recommended: Manual Flap

Intruder Animals Are Your Main Problem

Need to block neighborhood cats and wildlife, but not concerned about your own cat bringing in prey.

Recommended: Microchip Flap (e.g., SureFlap)

Want the Ultimate Complete Solution

Solve both intruder AND prey problems with modern technology, superior reliability, and complete peace of mind.

Recommended: Integrated AI Cat Flap (OnlyCat)

If prey is your biggest issue and you want an AI solution that’s available now, OnlyCat is the most complete option we’ve seen across speed, features, and real-world readiness.

Ready to stop surprise prey?

If you’re done cleaning up “gifts” and want a more practical solution, OnlyCat is built to keep prey outside—without relying on the cloud.

Discover OnlyCat Read Customer Reviews

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