Tomsgates Reviews 27

We have had this cat flap for over 4 years and had quite a few problems. Immediately after installing local cats started coming in and spraying in our house - we have had to keep our cats in at night and move a plant pot across the flap as our cats worked out how to get the poorly locking door off it in five seconds with out opposable thumbs!

I agree with the last review that it's really difficult to keep the outside clean, it basically gets slimy and mouldy very quickly, i clean it every few months. I don't mind this so much, but we've been through so many rugs from the local Tom spraying, he also comes in during the day. I love the look of this flap so so much, its the same colour wood as our Douglas fir floor and looks great installed in our light grey crittall garden doors but alas it is just NOT Practical unless you live in the countryside with no other neighbours cats around - if you are a city dweller just forget it! If it could be re-designed with a chip reader than bloody FANTASTIC i'd buy another in a flash but for now we are stuck with the heavy plant pot and cat spray when we're out at work! We bought our flap from pet flap UK whose installation was really good, great communication and friendly service. Tomsgates have also reached out to try to solve our issues, also very friendly. I live in hope of a spray free house in the future!

The cat flap looks lovely for the first few weeks, seems very robust and fairly well made. However, only 10 weeks after being installed the outside is now covered in black mould/mildew and a few cracks have appeared and won't wipe off. It is not suitable for installing in an outside wall as the website claims due to this. Whatever oil they use to treat the wood simply does not work and withstand being outside which is very odd since it's a cat flap. The inside door can be fairly tricky to attach and detach. For the price I wouldn't have expected to have to finish the outside myself and this was not mentioned on their website, so completely ruined now.

Terrible response from seller, not taking any responsibility that their product or oil they use is not fit for pupose ie rapidly goes mouldy when outside. First they said it would clean off and be good as new once I applied new oil now they are saying it will need repeated cleaning to remove the mould and is a constant process. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

Update. Finally after 5 months cat flat is kind of fixed, doesn't look as perfect as it did new but most of the black mould has been sanded off. Manufacturer sent an installer to remove the mould and reapply oil. It did take two visits. No real explanation as to why this has happened so soon after installation. Still have black in the joints which they have said is because the glue is water based and the mould/mildew is in that but now that they have sanded the cat flap and re-oiled it the mould/mildew won't spread.

I would advise anyone thinking of buying one to buy an unfinished one and add you own oil/paint finish.

Great company, wonderful product. I love that my new cat flap is so solid, insulated, and made from sustainable materials. It's a lot more expensive than the usual cheap cat flaps, yes, but I really think it will last a lifetime, plus it's well insulated and quiet to use. My cats were both happy to use it the first night it was installed. Also, I had a small problem with my order but Ivan immediately sorted it out for me, great customer service.

Excellent service, excellent product. Thank you tomsgate!!

Got quick reply to my questions even during the weekend; On request product ordered on Sunday, shipped on Monday and delivers on Tuesday (3 days); Easy to install; Nice design; Cat loves/uses it! Perfect customer experience!

Nicely made, well packed and fast despatch.