Why A Microchip Cat Door Is A Smart Choice For Kiwi Cats - Petdirect
Save up to 25% with Autodeliver*
Learn more
My store:
Select store
Menu
  1. Home
  2. Articles
  3. Why A Microchip Cat Door Is A Smart Choice For Kiwi Cats
Why A Microchip Cat Door Is A Smart Choice For Kiwi Cats

Why A Microchip Cat Door Is A Smart Choice For Kiwi Cats

If you have a curious feline who loves to explore the outdoors as much as they adore curling up on the couch, a microchip cat door might just be your new favourite pet technology. These smart doors are designed to recognise your cat’s unique microchip, helping them come and go on their terms—without inviting in unwelcome neighbourhood guests. At Petdirect, we believe that giving your cat a little more independence doesn’t have to come at the cost of safety or convenience. After all, We Get Pet.

What Is A Microchip Cat Door?

A microchip cat door is a high-tech upgrade from the traditional flap. It uses RFID technology to scan your cat’s existing microchip or, for some models, a compatible collar tag or magnetic key that you attach to their collar.. Only pets that are registered with the door can go in and out, offering peace of mind that stray cats, sneaky possums or even gusty winds won’t find their way in uninvited. Microchip doors are especially popular in New Zealand where local cat owners want to allow free movement while providing security from roaming animals and nighttime prowlers.

Many Kiwis opt for cat smart doors like the SureFlap range, which are purpose-built to work with your cat’s existing microchip and fit seamlessly into a New Zealand pet-loving household. For a simple everyday option, the SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is a great fit for most Kiwi homes. It runs on AA batteries, works with your cat’s existing microchip or an RFID collar tag, and can store up to 32 pets which makes it ideal for multi cat families.

Top Benefits Of A Microchip Cat Door

  • Enhanced safety: Only pets you register can get inside, adding a valuable layer of home security.
  • Freedom and independence: Cats love having access to the outdoors when it suits them.
  • No more wildlife surprises: Say goodbye to waking up and finding a stray cat or bird has wandered in.
  • Perfect for multi-cat households: With adjustable settings, you can pick which pets have access and when. Doors like the SureFlap DualScan Cat Door or the SureFlap Microchip Connect Cat Door even let you set different rules for each cat, so an adventurous kitty can go out while a nervous one stays safely inside.
  • Smart features: All microchip doors on Petdirect have a 4 way manual lock, and some models like the SureFlap Microchip Connect Cat Door add app based controls and timed curfews.

How To Choose The Right Cat Door For Your Home

Choosing the right cat door depends on your pet’s needs—and your preferences too! Here are a few things to consider before investing:

  • Is your cat microchipped? All microchip cat doors require a microchip or compatible tag to function. If your cat isn’t chipped yet, it’s easy to talk to your vet about getting one.
  • Installation location: Check whether you are fitting into wood, PVC, glass or a wall. SureFlap cat doors have mounting adaptors and tunnel extenders for glass doors and thicker walls, and PetSafe offers installation adaptors and tunnel extensions too. If you prefer a collar key style door rather than a microchip, the Pet-Corp Universal Fitting Magnetic Cat Door works in glass, wooden doors, ranch sliders and walls with add on tunnels available.
  • Power source: Most microchip doors are battery-operated, so check how often they’ll need to be replaced.
  • Number of pets: Choose a door that stores multiple microchip profiles if you have more than one cat or even a small dog who uses the door. If you have a large furry family, the PetSafe Microchip Cat Door can remember up to 40 microchip IDs, while the SureFlap models store up to 32.

Smart Features Worth Purring Over

If your inner techy loves gadgets as much as your cat loves snoozing in the sun, consider smart cat doors with bonus features on top of the standard 4 way locks:

  • App-controlled access: Advanced models like the SureFlap Microchip Connect Cat Door (linked with the Sureflap Hub) can connect to the Sure Petcare app so you can remotely lock or unlock the door and get notifications when your cat comes and goes.
  • Curfew mode: On the SureFlap Microchip Connect Cat Door you can set timed curfews in the app so the door automatically locks or unlocks at the times you choose, which is perfect for night time safety.
  • Activity logs: The Sure Petcare app can show you how often your cat goes in or out, helping you track their usual patterns and spot changes in behaviour.

If you love the idea of keeping an eye on your cat from your phone, the SureFlap Microchip Connect Cat Door paired with the Sureflap Hub is the easiest way to get real time updates and total control no matter where you are.

Keeping Your Cat Happy And Your Home Secure

Microchip cat doors offer an ideal balance between freedom and safety for both you and your feline friend. When paired with essentials like ID collars, health support, and litter solutions, your cat can fully enjoy their indoor/outdoor lifestyle while you enjoy peace of mind.
If you want a non battery option that still keeps strays out, the Pet-Corp Universal Fitting Magnetic Cat Door uses magnetic collar keys instead of microchips and is designed for glass, wood, ranch sliders and even thick walls with extra tunnels.
And with our Pet Perks loyalty programme and Airpoints rewards, we make it easy to stock up on all the right gear.

Whether you’re upgrading your current cat flap or bringing tech into your pet’s world for the first time, Petdirect is here to help—because We Get Pet.

Ready To Give Your Cat The Best Of Both Worlds?

Browse our top picks for microchip cat doors and find one that’s purr-fect for your home. It’s pet tech made simple, searchable, and above all—tailored to Kiwi cats and their parents.