Are there any coyotes or other such predators around where you live? They are more likely to be active at night. I always worry when my grandmother lets her cat out at night for that reason.

 

Just so you know, depending on the placement of the cat flap and how strong the microchip latch is, it can be a security risk to have it open. It can be possible for a criminal to reach an arm up through it and unlock your door to get into your house. For that reason I would not recommend leaving it unsecured when you aren't home - as well as that making it more difficult for you to keep an eye on the cats.

 

I would suggest locking it at night, especially since they're not wanting to come back in then. And when you're away I'd definitely keep it locked.


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If you are going away for a week I would lock it because they might leave if no one’s around.
Years ago I had to leave for two weeks and even though I had someone coming by to leave food, the cat left home and I never saw it again.

 

Yes, I agree - lock it at night. Critters can follow your cats inside as well. I read a story once about a raccoon that was in hot persuit of a cat and followed it right inside the house on the heels of the cat! If you have critters wandering around outside, I would keep the cats safe inside at night. They will soon get used to the routine.

Mine have 24/7 access to a screened in porch through a cat door. I only lock it when the cold is wind is blowing it open or it's just too dangerous like during a hurricane.

 

As Marcia said critters are a problem I had a mouse come through the dog door while we were watching TV. It got scared and ran under the TV cabinet. Neither the cats nor the dogs even noticed it.
I’ve seen so many videos of raccoons coming in that way. Here is one of hundreds and I believe I saw one of a rat too:

 

Hi guys,
Thank you so much for all your kind responses, I continue to battle with my conscience, although with your advice I will continue to keep the catflap locked at night time and when I go on my holiday I will leave it permanently locked... I would prefer to have 2 unhappy kitties for a week rather than risking them being in danger or even going missing... I am so sorry for your loss builder, I would be devastated to find my cats had gone away... Coyotes aren't a problem as I live in the UK and fortunately they both tend to go out at the back where the fields are near rather than towards the main roads... I hadn't even considered an intruder, the flap is at the bottom and probably difficult to reach the handle, although can never say never. I always lock the door and remove the key to safeguard... My friend reckons it is safe to keep open all the time, fortunately I can enable the lock so they can both come in at night but restricts them going back out again... Currently it is open when I'm at work during the day, I suppose it's a matter of having a happy balance whilst taking appropriate risk, all night being too dangerous to risk... Going away for a week is another debate (I'd prefer them to stay at home in their own environment rather than going into a cattery)... Thanks again for your advice...!

 

I hadn't even considered an intruder, the flap is at the bottom and probably difficult to reach the handle, although can never say never.

It's actually a lot easier than you would expect to get in this way. For example, it takes this guy less than ten seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyqSWreijtk

Most people don't have any idea how simple this is to do, and are surprised when they watch someone do it.

 

Maza, that is a good decision. You would be heartbroken if they were out and hurt and you were gone. Yes, just think how happy they will be when you come home and they CAN go out again!! Coyotes are not a problem, but what about rabid dogs, mean dogs or just about anything else that is wild.
BTW, that is one chubby well fed raccoon in the video! The woman sounds like she was expecting it to come in and didn't mind it being there.

 

I’ve heard of people sending their small children through dog doors to unlock the house.
I have the sliding glass door type with a wood panel cut-to-fit that prevents the door from opening, but a small child could get through and unlock the front door.

 

Blimey, that young man should be called stretch. My door is definitely remaining locked at all times, fortunately it's a 5 lever mortice lock, *I'd never have expected an arm to reach that high... Scary stuff, certainly making me more cautious, thanks Blakeney Green... The other hazard faced I think would be the foxes but I'm not sure if they are near me, probably in the fields nearby (oh, and not forgetting the rats!) Thanks everyone...!

 

Ok I am going to check my doggie door and measure the distance to the knob. It is in my back door though and a gated yard. I have had it there for years. I always leave it open except once the cats are in at night and I lock it to keep them in. I always locked my cat in with litter boxes when I went away.