Our parents adopted a cat a few years ago now, and they haven't installed a cat flap yet because he'll bring home a mouse, and they don't want him to bring them inside the house. So for now, they've been opening and closing the door everytime (they've setup a little security cam at the door so they know when he comes back), which unfortunately involves opening the door in the middle of the night.

So I've been meaning to try and build a "smart" cat flap that utilizes image recognition to detest if he's got a mouse in his mouth or not.

I had previously done a bit of research last year and gave up on it for some reason. Here's to hoping I get a bit further down the road this time, and have some success lol.

[–] liv 2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Cat flaps are psychologically bad for cats.

Also keeping them in overnight means way less catfights/vet bills.

That said I love those image recognition catflaps they yield some hilarious picturs, especially the lightbox/silhouette method.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

What was the problem with cats and cat flaps?

Doesn't seem to be an issue for this guy. They installed a cat door on the little pool storage house thingy they have in the yard, so that he can get in and out of that as he pleases (it's sort of like his own little house 😄), and he doesn't seem to have a problem with it.

Also keeping them in overnight means way less catfights/vet bills.

Definitely agree with this one, though unfortunately this fella really does needs to take his (what we assume is his toilet break) little wander at 4am. The whole thing with him not wanting to use a toilet indoors is another thing all together.... Maybe it has something to do with the fact he was basically a street cat for a bit.

[–] liv 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The animal psychologist that convinced me put it like this: how would you like it if there was a door into your house you couldn't lock and violent people could randomly come in, day or night.

Even the ones that are chip controlled, cats themselves don't know and will engage in catdoor guarding behaviour.

If your cat is young and likes the odd fight it's probably okay though.

[–] Tramort@programming.dev 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

How is that different than nature? Noon domesticated cats didn't have a door at all, much less a door that a servant opens and closes on demand.

[–] liv 2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

It's not different from nature. Neither are predation, parasites and diseases.

Stationary single point food sources would be rare but if there was one, resource guarding and physical competition would be normal as well, as would behaviours such as marking territory with urine.

Data from the US (where they have predators like coyotes) always give cats in the wild a 2-5 year lifespan.

I think the figures are better here, but cats in their natural state still have much harder lives than most pet cats.

Personally, if I have a pet my aim is to give it a long happy life, but I know mileage varies and everyone draws the line wherever they feel comfortable. I've mostly been lucky enough to have windows I can leave open for cats during the day.

[–] d3Xt3r 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

What's your thoughts on catios? At first glance they seem like a good compromise, but reckon they'd be worse because the cat would never be able to catch that bird/mouse (kinda like how laser pointers are bad)?

[–] liv 2 points 7 months ago

I don't know much about them. I get the impression they're big in Australia, probably because of snakes etc.

To be honest even though it's better for bird life, I've never kept a cat inside all day. My last cat was super old for a really long time though, and didn't get up to anything much on her own except dozing in the sun or peeing under a particular tree.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 3 points 7 months ago

Hmm... Interesting thought from the psychologist. Can't say I necessarily agree or disagree with them as I'm not a cat! 😆

Yes our preference would be to have indoor cats (due to their safety and wildlife safety), and we adopted a senior cat that stays indoors (other than supervised walks outdoors on a leash). Though in the case of our parents cat, we think it's mainly due to him being a stray for the first ~1.5 years of his life, he HAS to go out. Won't go to the bathroom indoors whatever we do for him, and continuously begs to be let outside etc.

[–] ColonialSpore 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Not all cats have a problem with flaps.

I have two cats they have zero problems with the flaps. They sometimes use the flap as a short cut to sneak up on the other one when playing.

I have those electronic ones you register with their microchip so only they can use the flaps.

But, I still get gifts like mice, skinks, praying mantis, cicadas, leaves, etc. The flaps don't stop gifts.

[–] NoRamyunForYou 2 points 7 months ago

Haha, yeah the microchip thing is something I'd like to have built in as well.

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