Cat Technology UK
Microchip cat flaps, automatic feeders and water fountains for UK cat owners, compared on real specifications, UK prices and running costs rather than marketing copy. On 21 October 2026, the microchip cat flaps we compared cost £69.99 to £204.99 with Hub, and the automatic feeders £39.59 to £144.49. Start with the guides below, or read the buying questions further down. Feeding and welfare advice comes from International Cat Care; we compare published prices and specs and do not use these products ourselves.
Cat tech guides
- Microchip cat flapsSix flaps compared on which microchips they read, glass-door fitting and price, with the rule that cats in England must be chipped.Compare cat flaps
- Cat GPS trackersThree GPS trackers made for cats compared on two-year cost, weight as a share of a 4 kg cat and the collar each comes with.Compare cat trackers
- Automatic cat feedersSeven feeders compared on wet or dry food, meals a day and microchip access, with International Cat Care's feeding advice.Compare feeders
- Cat water fountainsCat water fountains compared by capacity, material and filter cost, with UK pricing from Zooplus and Pets at Home.Compare fountains
Cat tech buying questions
The questions UK owners search for most about cat flaps, feeders and fountains, answered from our three comparisons and International Cat Care.
Is it worth getting a microchip cat flap?
A microchip cat flap is worth it if other cats come into your home, or if you want your cat to come and go without wearing a collar. International Cat Care says flaps activated by the cat's microchip allow selective entry without a collar, and it lists collar injuries such as a leg caught through the collar. The six flaps we compared cost from £69.99 (SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap) to £204.99 with Hub (SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap Connect) on 21 October 2026. The microchip cat flap comparison shows which features each price buys, from curfew timers to app alerts.
Do microchip cat flaps work with every microchip?
Not all of them. Sure Petcare's flaps read 9, 10 and 15-digit microchips, while the PetSafe and Cat Mate flaps we compared read 15-digit chips, with a collar tag or disc as the alternative. Check your cat's chip number on its registration papers before you buy. In England, cats must be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old, and owners can be fined up to £500 if not (GOV.UK, checked 21 October 2026); chipping is voluntary for cats in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our kitten checklist covers when to chip a kitten.
Can you fit a microchip cat flap in a glass door?
Yes, with the right adaptor and a round hole cut in the glass. Sure Petcare says its Microchip Cat Flap needs a 212 mm hole as the optimum, using a mounting adaptor that covers holes of 212 to 260 mm. zooplus UK says fitting a flap in a glass door usually means replacing the pane with one that has a pre-cut hole, which needs a professional glazier rather than DIY. Add the glazier's quote to the flap price when you compare. The cat flap comparison lists glass fitting for each model.
Are automatic cat feeders a good idea?
They can be. International Cat Care says it is best to feed cats little and often, dividing the daily ration into at least five portions across 24 hours, using timed and puzzle feeders, and warns that cats given unrestricted food may overeat. A timed feeder makes those small meals possible while you are out. In a home with more than one cat, a microchip feeder opens only for the registered cat. The feeders we compared cost from £39.59 (Trixie Automatic Feeder TX5+1) to £144.49 (SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect) on 21 October 2026; see the automatic cat feeder comparison and the cat food portion calculator for how much to put in.
What does a cat water fountain cost to run?
The fountain is only part of the cost: filters need replacing. In our price check on 23 September 2026, Catit's 6-pack replacement filters ran about £10.09 (roughly £1.68 each) and Drinkwell's 3-pack about £5.69 (roughly £1.90 each). Makers typically suggest a new filter every few weeks, more often with several cats. Stainless steel fountains resist scratches better than plastic and are easier to keep clean. Our cat water fountain comparison also covers what is known about whether fountains help cats drink more. If your cat drinks much more or less than usual, contact your vet.
Every cat tech guide
How we research this topic
We compare cat tech on published specifications, UK prices and running costs such as filters and batteries, not marketing copy. Each comparison links to the retailer and maker pages it used, with the date checked.
For trays and litter, see the litter tray comparison.