Length of opening time for flap!

[loulou1971]

Hi James - can I check how many seconds the flap is preset to stay open when it comes from the manufacturer? And is this timing from when the cat is in and the door is closed and held by the magnet? I did an amateur count and it looks like about 4 seconds after the flap being back at closed position. Plenty of time as our cat is halfway across the kitchen when it locks.

I'm enquiring as another cat appears to have managed to "tailgate" our cat and got in last night - but he's a regular and as he'd been trying to get in for a while earlier I think he was prob sitting there, saw our cat come in and followed quickly!! I'd therefore like to reduce the open time but it would be useful to know how long it's currently set at.

If you could confirm that the locking time is set from when the cat is in and the flap is back at closed position I'll be happy to reduce it - just not sure what will happen if I reduce it, he's still on the way in so the flap is up (in the inside direction) and the green button moves back to lock position - will that mean it's on the wrong side of the door and exiting will be a problem or as it looks like it pushes down easily perhaps you've already thought of that and it isn't a problem!

Sorry - complicated question and a bit long-winded! It seems to be a one-off as others have tried to get in today and failed, and I think that cat was just lucky to have been there as ours came in but if it's safe to do so I may as well reduce the timing anyway.

Many thanks!

[James]

It is very rare for that to happen. One thing you could do to prevent it is put pot plants either side of the cat flap to give your cat some added protection.

Instructions for changing the opening time can be found here: How to change the door opening time

[loulou1971]

Thanks for that - we think we've reduced it to 3 seconds now so will try that. May reduce it even further as that seems like plenty of time but I'd like to see him come in and then see how long til it locks first.

No problems with intruders since - the same cat has been attempting to get in a few more times with no success so hopefully it was a one-off lucky dash!

The pot plants is a good idea but we have a home-made ramp for him coming up to the back door as there's a step up so it's prob not an option as our cat has his own way of jumping onto it from the side (rather than just walking up it as intended!!) so I don't want to block his entry or confuse him.

I must say it's been brilliant so far and he's taken to it with no problem. It was wonderful going out today knowing he'd have enough food and not be surrounded by intruders!

[James]

Excellent news!