Hi.....has anyone else had problems with one of those Staywell catflaps where puss wears a magnet on his collar so that he's the only one who can get through it?
I bought one last week for Oscar, hubby duly fitted it, and though he can get out no problem, when he tries to get back in the magnet, because it's not hanging low, enough can't open the door. I know the obvious thing would be to have it on a longer string, but if I do that it'll be dangling in his food/water and there's always the chance he might strangle himself.
My swiss neighbour said their cat will go out,but won't come in through the same type of door. I thought they meant it was frightened to come in, but obviously they're having the same problem as me.Any ideas?
If not how do I explain WHY I'm taking it back to Qualipet in my non-existent German?!!
BTW this is the same cat I posted about a couple of months ago who
wouldn't go out the house.....success at last! (Unfortunately he's still not re-mastered how to use his litter tray.)

You don't want things dangling from the collar, it could get stuck in something.

Can you not deactivate the magnet on the flat?

I thought about that, but then any of the local moggies could be in having a party in my house.

they'd have to know there's a party going on first
tell more about your cat - neutered? Male/female?

Male, 4yrs old and neutered. There are a few cats round here, and because our terrace is easily accessible, and all the doors lead on to it, the catflap is pretty accessible too. Problems,problems

do you have other cats coming to the terrace? Is your cat "cool" with them?

you might find that your cat has his territory.

Yes, it would not be common for another cat to actually go through the flap. Loiter maybe, but not enter.

If you can disable magnet, do so for a trial run. Let your boy look after the territory.

We soon gave up with the magnet. The click it made as the cat approached the flap made her retreat and not use it.

So our cat has happily used the flap without magnet for years. We had a couple of intruders, but a water pistol soon sorted then out...

I've got to agree......that click is REALLY loud.
I think we'll try what you suggest, and de-activate the magnet for a bit and see what happens. I'm around most of the time so there'll be plenty of chance to use a 'super-soaker' to take out any invaders.
Another problem we have is that the door it's in is in his 'bedroom' which is closed off from the house at night. If any cats do come in at night there's a chance we might not hear/see them if we're sleeping too.
Whoever said having a cat would be easy............