Protection
What happens when prey is detected?
Entry pauses for that attempt. Your cat can return without the prey and be admitted immediately, subject to the entry permissions you have set. The app lets you see the event.
Which prey does OnlyCat detect?
Most prey a cat can carry, as long as the camera can see it: mice, voles, shrews, birds, frogs, rats and more. OnlyCat keeps learning from the examples it sees. If a detection is wrong, you can report it from the event in the app, which helps it improve.
Will my cat learn to stop trying?
Usually the attempts get less frequent. In our experience and our customers’, some cats stop altogether, and most test the door every couple of months to check the rules still apply. OnlyCat is patient either way.
Can it keep other cats out?
Yes. Choose a rule that lets your registered cats in and keeps unrecognised cats out. Microchip reading works on both entry and exit, so you decide in each direction.
Does prey detection work at night?
Yes. The camera uses infrared illumination to check the doorway in the dark, and you can review the night’s events in the app too.
Will OnlyCat reliably read my cat’s microchip?
Every unit is range-tested before it leaves us, and reading failures are rare. When they happen there are two usual causes: a metal door, which weakens the signal near the reader, or a chip that has migrated under the skin. Talk to us and we will help diagnose it. Options include a collar tag from our accessories, a second chip from your vet, or letting all cats in while locking on an intruder’s chip.
Your cats
Can I set different rules for each cat?
Yes. Microchip recognition lets you choose entry, exit and curfew rules for individual cats. One cat can stay in while another has access to the garden.
How many cats can use OnlyCat?
There is no limit. Each cat gets its own profile and its own rules, so the whole household is covered.
Will it work for a bigger cat?
OnlyCat is designed for cats up to 6 kg (13 lb). Customers typically report no issues with cats around 8 kg, but we cannot guarantee it. Check the opening, talk to us if you are unsure, and remember the 30-day home trial if it turns out not to suit.
Can my household share the app?
Yes. Invite another person to your device from the app. They use their own OnlyCat account, and you manage who has access.
Installation
Where can OnlyCat be installed?
In a door, a wall or glass. Choose your installation type on the product page and it recommends the mounting accessories and tunnel extensions your home needs.
Will it fit my existing cutout?
The standard rectangular cutout is 165 × 172 mm. For glass, OnlyCat fits a circular cutout of 212 to 260 mm, and a larger glass mounting accessory covers 260 to 300 mm. It is a drop-in replacement for SureFlap DualScan-sized openings and stays compatible with SureFlap glass adaptors and tunnel extenders.
How is OnlyCat powered?
From the mains, through a USB-C power adaptor and a 3 m white cable, both included. A small backup battery lets the flap shut down safely if the power goes, locking or unlocking first according to the rule you have chosen. Longer cables and extensions are available when ordering.
Is there a battery-powered version?
No, and we would not recommend waiting for one. Prey detection and video need more power than batteries can sensibly provide, and once the cable is routed, most owners are glad never to think about batteries again.
Where does the power cable go?
Route it neatly from the flap to a nearby socket, allowing for the door’s movement. The Helpdesk has a short guide with photographs, and our team is happy to look at a picture of your door before you decide.
Does it need Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is needed for setup and app features. The one-time version can continue its door functions without internet after setup, though a connection brings software updates and video notifications. The subscription version needs connectivity to check its subscription.
Buying
Does OnlyCat need a subscription?
The one-time purchase works without a subscription for core features. The subscription version needs an active rolling subscription to operate. Current options and terms are explained on the product page.
What is the difference between the one-time and subscription versions?
The hardware is identical; only the way you pay differs. The one-time version costs less over the years, the subscription version less up front. You can move from the subscription to the one-time version later by paying the difference; contact the team when you are ready.
Which accessories will I need?
Choose your installation type on the product page. It recommends the mounting accessories and tunnel extensions for your selection, so you order everything in one go.
What if OnlyCat is not right for my home?
Talk to us before installing if you are unsure about fit or your cat’s size. And you have 30 days at home to decide: if it is not right, send it back complete and undamaged for a refund of the product price.
Can I connect OnlyCat to my smart home?
Yes. The OnlyCat Home Assistant integration brings arrival events, cat presence and door controls into Home Assistant, and the community has built a Homey app too. We share our cloud API with developers and plan a local API for control without our cloud.