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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (9 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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

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

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