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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 10 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Great product that definitely meets the need Nov 27, 2007
By LG Texas
"LG"
We purchased the Staywell Magnetic Cat Flap four years ago and have been delighted with it's performance. The product was in perfect condition when it arrived, and was very easy to install (once we cut a suitable hole in our door). The magnetic cat flap latch (which is completely hidden within the flap frame) is amazing in its simplicity and effectiveness, as no electricity or wiring was necessary, and the very small magnet that the cats wear on their collar is 100% effective at releasing the cat flap latch. Our two cats clearly enjoy the freedom that the door provides, and use it constantly throughout each and every day.
We purchased the Staywell Magentic Cat Flap because we live in the country and frequently have possums, racoons, foxes, squirrels, stray cats and other various animals visiting our house and yard at night. For these critters, the lure of cat food will make them very aggressive in their efforts to get to it. If we installed a simple pet flap, all these animals would be coming into the house, eating all the cat food and causing problems. However, because the Staywell requires a magnet hanging down from a collar to open the flap's latch, none of these unwanted visitors can get in to terrorize our kitties.
Prior to purchasing the Staywell, we tried a popular electric pet door having an infrared sensor on the cat's collars. The sensor was quite large (at least the weight and diameter of a quarter, but quite a bit thicker), and for a cat, was clearly very cumbersome and always "in the way" as the cats ate and drank and played. As well, the door (which slid up and down in Star-Trek style) was quite abrupt and noisy in its operation, and the cats were terrified of it. That unit stopped working after only a day, and after requesting and returning two additional replacements having similar problems, we requested a total refund and decided instead to purchase the Staywell Magnetic Cat Flap.
So why do we like the Staywell so much? No wiring or electricity required. Nearly silent, non-frightening operation (only a very soft click when the cat places its head into the doorway). Very small, very light magnet required on the cat's collar (the size of a small marble) that doesn't interfear with the cat's daily activities. Never fails because of the simplicity of the flap's locking mechanics and the total lack of electronics. Great price for the benefit it provides. And finally, because our cats truly seem to enjoy it.
As with any product from any vendor, if the item I purchased was defective, I'd simply return it for a non-defective unit (especially if I had purchased it locally) because it isn't uncommon for things to get broken in shipping and stocking. However, our Staywell arrived in perfect condition, and has performed very well.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Go with the Cat-Mate model instead!! Nov 22, 2006
By tomh
I wish I had taken the time to read the other reviewer's comment before I wasted money time and my cat's mental health on the Staywell door!
We had a cat-mate magnetic door for some years. It worked great, and solved our raccoon problem. It recently broke so I replaced it with what I thought was the same model. Oops. The Staywell is flimsy, and not powered like the Cat-Mate, and so even a gentle push trips the latch letting any remotely motivated animal push their way in.
At first I thought I had installed it incorrectly, but when I looked carefully, I found that it had very light plastic parts, easily bent with little force.
Within a day or two, the racoons had found the weak link in the fortress and have been dining at will nightly, so we have had to lock the door. My poor cat is freaked out, since the only time we ever lock the door is when it's time to go to the vet. And, he has to duke it out with a rapidly growing family of raccoons. Nothing several years of cat-psycho-therapy won't resolve, I hope :-)
Anyway, stick with the Cat-mate. It's a good design and works well.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 A good product, but not racoon proof Nov 04, 2006
By G. Neier
"Gary"
We've used this product for years. Despite her initial annoyance, our cat learned to get through the door. It took a couple times to teach her to use it. Its worked great.. however we recently ran into problems.
The product markets itself as being racoon proof. Its not. We had one racoon coming through 6 times over a couple weeks. He got in by forcing the door open. We have a video of him trying (though not actually getting through) [...] You can simulate what he does with your foot.
We purchased a new door, but the racoon still could get through it. The fix for us, suprisingly.. was to have TWO cat doors.. one on each of the doors the cat has to go through to get in. Perhaps because the outside cat door is higher than normal, he can't get a good angle to push.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Don't waste your time with this Feb 12, 2012
By B. Welch
After installing this pet door, I'd recommend not buying it.
Cons:
- Only two screws hold this together
- It won't fit snugly against the door and is easily pulled loose
- Instructions are worthless
- No template is included for cutting hole in door
- The parts are made of the cheapest plastic possible
Pros: None
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Not for use in homes with curious dogs Jan 03, 2012
By TERESA
"Renaissance woman"
We have a very large dog, two medium size ones and three cats. We hoped for an economical pet door that would permit the cats to go outside while keeping the warm air and dogs in. Once the Petsafe door was installed and the cats discovered it, the large dog stuck his head into the opening to find out where his feline friends were. That was the end of the door as a functioning unit and it doesn't seem to be repairable. The little locking mechanism and strip are not on the door anymore and cold air is blowing into the house.
I'm sure that this would be an adequate product in a home with cats only, especially for an inside door. In our home, this was a waste of money and will continue to cost us heating dollars until we can replace it with something dog-proof.
See all 10 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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