Just this last week I've had a cat coming through my cat flap and stealing my cats food in the night. Tried locking the cat flap to 'out only' but then my cat got stuck outside and broke the flap getting back in!

The thief is too quick for me to chuck water at it or anything like that so anyone got any other deterrents?

Thanks

Is it only at night this cat comes in and steals the food?

If it is, could you not just lock the flap completely and just keep your cat in at night?

Or is keeping your cat in at night not really an option?

Difficult as she's used to coming and going when she likes but also its not just at night - if I did that it'd just try its luck during the day.

Thanks anyway

I doubt you'll stop the cat thieving unless you move your cat's food to another room and shut the door. Not very practical, I admit, if your own cat wants to eat some of it.

I think the other way to solve it is to get one of those cat flaps that can be programmed to allow the cat of your choice through (a chip in the collar is matched with the cat flap). Any other animal won't be able to get in. There are also magnetic cat flaps.

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/c...FS8z0wodOioD-A

As Relly says a chip enabled flap should stop others getting in. The collar enabled ones are rather old-hat now as they rely on your cat 1 - letting you put a collar on and 2 - keeping the collar on!.
I use one that reads the id chip implanted in my cat.

I had the same problem

only solved it by purchasing a microchip cat flap that only enabled my cat to enter the house

the rogue cat still tries, on occasion, to come in but can't due to microchip cat flap

they are expensive but IMO soooooooo worth it

Thanks that was what I was thinking which is annoying. Could I ask those that have microchip cat flaps what size they are? I currently have a large cat/small dog door which has quite a large door in it - will I be left with too much space round the door for it to fit properly?

Thanks

The flaps come in various sizes for cats and dogs. Do a search for "chip pet flap" rather than cat flap specifically. I bought mine online, but you can get them at pets-at-home and argos.

Thanks. I did I find one for large cat so I'll probably have to go with that one.

I keep my cats in over night. So you might want to adjust their routine so they can't go out at night.

I've heard of cats coming in and stealing joints of meat too. One nicked a leg of lamb and was seen dragging it down the street.

Surely it's a misconception that cat's LIKE catflaps? To them, it's a bit like your house, how would you like it if your valuables were inside but you left the back door permanently open? For all the convenience, the cat will feel insecure, and may well get used to not having the flap if his staff...sorry, owners, are prepared to open and close the door for him.

Remember, pussies have patience which goes well beyond the Richter scale, and will compromise half-an-hour sitting staring at the handle for security and safe nibbles.

Clearly cats have no concept of theft, they merely learn where they can get a meal. I would suggest that you change wherever you leave the food. Somewhere high-up is best. (A windowsill for e.g.).

I have a different problem, in that my 2 staffys will "steal" the cats food if left down, so she always has it in her unreachable high perch.

Naturally I don't have any problem with uninvited cats coming in!