Best Automatic Cat Doors In 2024

Automatic cat doors are like your traditional manual ones, but with a high-tech twist, offering a range of features that your old-school flaps lack. They’re a godsend for cat owners, boasting cool perks like electronic activation via your cat’s microchip implant, a magnetic collar, or RFID cat door – perfect for keeping certain cats indoors. With automatic locking systems and timers, you can set boundaries and keep your feline friends in when needed.

Having an automatic cat door offers unparalleled peace of mind and security for your furry friend. With these innovative kitty doors, you can rest easy knowing your cat can safely access the outdoors without exposing them to potential risks. Automatic pet doors provide the perfect balance of freedom and protection, making life safer and more enjoyable for both you and your cat.

These perks are a hit among cat owners, especially those who love tech gadgets. Having tested many automatic cat doors, I’m excited to share my insights with you.

Best Automatic Cat Doors based on consumer ratings, reports and personal experience

#1 SureFlap Microchip Cat Door

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is an automatic cat door that utilizes the microchip that is implanted in your cat. It uses that microchip as an identification mark which will then unlock the flaps when your cat enters or exits through the door. This feature provides you with security, preventing stray animals from invading and ransacking your precious home. The automatic cat door is equipped with a magnet that keeps the flaps securely closed, ensuring your peace of mind.

Features:

• Uses RFID to sense your cat’s microchip
• Compatible with 9- (Avid Secure), 10- (FDXA) and 15- (FDXB) digit microchip numbers which means you can use your cat’s existing microchip with no problem at all
• Programmable lock which allows you to set curfew times for your cats so you can control when they can go out
• Larger than regular cat doors with opening height being 6 11/16 inches and width being 7 inches
• Easy one-button programming so with just a push of a button, the SureFLap Microchip cat door can already learn and identify which cat is which
• Uses 4 C batteries that can last for over a year (not included)
• Low battery indicator  flashes red light to indicate it is low and that you need to buy new one soon
• Can learn up to 32 different cats

Read over 500 reviews and check the price on Amazon

#2 PetSafe Microchip Cat Door

The PetSafe Microchip Cat Door functions just like the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door however PetSafe exceeds the number of cats it can learn over the SureFlap. PetSafe allows you to work with up to 40 individual cats while SureFlap can only accommodate 32. This is perfect for cat owners who provide shelter for cats, just regular cat owners who own lots and lots of kitties, or most especially, catteries as this can help them keep their cats safe and secure. 

Features:

• Compatible with 9-, 10- and 15-digit microchip which lets you use your cat’s own microchip, hassle-free
• Requires four AA batteries which lasts up to one year if moderately used by two cats max
• Selective entry
• Has a low-battery indicator to let you know when those four AA batteries need changing
• Flap with draft excluder which means that this automatic cat door is insulation-friendly with the flap being more resistant to draft
• Four-way locking feature: selective entry, selective exit, fully locked option, or enter/exit freely

Read over 100 reviews and check the price on Amazon

#3 Ani Mate Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap

The Ani Mate Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap is a reliable, battery-assisted, magnetically-operated cat door available in three sizes to accommodate small and large cats. It is a one-way accessible cat door allowing your cats inside your house to exit while deterring any unwanted cats or other stray animals from sneaking into your home. The overall size is 7 ⅝ inches by 9 ½ inches (WxH) while the cut-out size is 6 ⅝ inches by 8 ⅝ inches (WxH). 

Features:

• Comes with a four-way locking system: entry only, exit only, totally locked, or open freely that allows you to use this automatic cat door without collar tags
• Features a brush strip that helps reduce silent action and energy loss
• Includes two cat collar magnets upon purchase
• Uses batteries so be ready for a replacement in case the existing drains out fully; the batteries assist well with the locking and unlocking feature of the flap

Read over 400 reviews and check the price on Amazon

#4 Cat Mate Timer Control Cat Flap (359W)

The Cat Mate Timer Control Cat Flap (359W) is another addition to the PetMate.s Cat Mate brand. It has an LCD time control screen that can be easily set up with the set and adjust buttons on the side. It features a five-way locking pet rotary system which you can just easily turn and switch to whichever setting you want whenever you need. This automatic cat door uses a tough transparent polymer flap which is preferred by some cats because such quality allows them to see what is going on outside or inside, making them prepared for what’s out there before venturing in and especially out of your house. 

Features:

• Programmable LCD time control panel lets you set a time to lock the flaps during risky hours to stop them from stepping a paw out of your house such as during night time when you are already asleep or during rush hours
• Features a five-way rotary locking system which lets you have total control over your cats’ entry or exit frequency through the cat door may it be entry only, exit only, full lock no passage, free use of cat door, or a timed exit lock. 
• Uses two AA batteries (not included) that can last for up to two years
• Self-lining up to 2 inches thick which is perfect for all types of doors, walls and panels
• Silent action feature avoids noise disturbance so as to not wake you up if in case you are asleep and also avoids startling other cats inside your house
• Durable transparent flap made from polymer materials
• Weatherproof and draft-proof
• Features rainproof sealing
• three-year-guarantee

Read over 400 reviews and check the price on Amazon

#5 Ani Mate Cat Mate Elite “Super Selective” I.D. Disc Cat Flap with Timer Control (305W)

The Ani Mate Cat Mate Elite ID Disc Cat Flap with Timer Control features an LCD control panel that shows you the time of last usage of the door, and which four-way option is active. There are two buttons on the left hand side of the screen which are the set and the 4 way buttons, and two more buttons on the right hand side which are the timer and plus sign buttons. This automatic cat door uses RFID collar tags that helps keep out stray animals from entering your house but still lets your cats have free access to enter or exit whenever they want. 

Features:

• Also features a four-way locking mechanism which you can set to in only, out only, free in and out passage, or locked all throughout
• Fully weatherproof and draft proof brush-sealed flap
• Three-year guarantee by the manufacturer
• One-by-one entry and exit control
• Features a timer control function that allows you to restrict or derestrict the access for your cats which lets you keep your cats safe inside your house during night time
• Uses unique door-locking system (RFID) which allows access for your pets but deter nuisance animals
• Requires four AA batteries to function which can last up to nine months depending on usage (batteries not included)
• The LCD display shows you your cat’s location, time when the door was last used, and other info on their entry and exit. This is a feature unique to this cat door because it can show you whether your cat is inside or outside your house which can help you be at ease when your cats go silent or into hiding. 
• Features a battery life indicator

Read over 100 reviews and check the price on Amazon

#6 Perfect Pet E-Cat Electromagnetic Cat Door (PEC)

The Perfect Pet E-Cat Electromagnetic Cat Door is a basic electronic entry system from the Ideal Products brand and is considered one of their best because of its simplicity, features, and competitive price. The cat door flap opening measures 7 by 9 inches (LxH) while the cat door cutout size of cat measures 7-⅜ inches by 11-¼ inches. The recommended weight range is from two up to 25 pounds. 

Features:

• Durable transparent flap made from unbreakable Lexan polycarbonate material
• Features magnetic collars that activates the flaps for controlled access which allows only for your own cats to enter and exit the door which then helps prevent unwanted, destructive animals (magnetic collar included upon purchase)
• Uses one nine-volt battery (not included)
• Ideal for cats that only weighs 12 pounds but some cat owners says that it can accommodate their cats that are up to 25 pounds
• Limited one-year warranty
• Also features a four-way locking rotary system: in and out option, entry only, exit only, and no entry or exit option
• Self-framing adjust capability
• Electronic sensor collar already included upon purchase
• Frame can be easily mounted to any standard doors with screws

Read over 40 reviews and check the price on Amazon

Manual VS Automatic Cat Doors

Automatic cat doors feature so many unique qualities that manual cat doors cannot give you. Let us explore the advantages of electronic cat doors over manual ones below. 

• Some automatic cat doors are motorized therefore, it will only unlock if they detect that your cat is nearby. These electronic cat doors can detect RFIDs, magnetic collars, or your cat’s microchip, if they have one. Therefore, the flaps will unlock only when it senses your cat’s magnetic collar or RFID when it is near. 
• Other smart cat doors with these technology allows you to manage who shall pass or not pass through those flaps. Such smart cat doors can also even allow you to choose which specific cat to go in and out of your house, if ever you have multiple cats in your household. This is helpful if you have a cat that you wouldn’t want taking a stroll outside or out of your sight. This can assure you of their safety inside your house. 
• Some electronic cat doors have automatic locking systems that can safeguard your cat from going outdoors while you are fast asleep at night. You can choose to lock it up completely, or either let them just enter or just exit through, or let your cats pass through it freely. 
• Other automatic cat doors feature timers and more specific setups for each individual cat you have. This is very convenient as it lets you select a different setting for every particular cat. Such automatic cat doors with auto locks and timers can also greatly help other stray animals from sneaking into your house. 

As you can see, automatic cat doors are more than just a convenient gadget; they are a gateway to a happier, healthier, and safer life for your feline friend. These cat doors offer convenience, security, and peace of mind for both you and your cat. With the freedom to explore the outdoors, exercise, and reduce stress, your cat can lead a more fulfilling life. Additionally, the energy-efficient features and improved home security make automatic cat doors a worthwhile investment for any cat owner. So, if you want to provide your cat with the ultimate gift of independence and well-being, consider installing an automatic cat door today. I hope we helped you find the best automatic cat door for your feline friend.

Once your cat has his new found freedom, you may also want to consider my favorite GPS tracker to keep tabs on your adventurous cat. Any cat owner can agree that one of their biggest fears is losing their beloved cat. You can check out my in-depth review of the Tractive GPS Tracker and why I love it so much here.

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