A microchip pet door reads your pet’s implanted microchip (or an RFID collar tag) and only opens for them. Strays, raccoons, and the neighbour’s cat stay out. Your pet gets freedom. You get peace of mind.
After researching every major microchip pet door available in Canada, here are the ones worth considering.
Our Top Picks
| Door | Best For | Pets Supported | App Control | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect | Best overall | Up to 32 pets | Yes (with Hub) | $180–$250 |
| SureFlap Microchip Pet Door | Best value | Up to 32 pets | No | $100–$150 |
| PetSafe Microchip Cat Door | Cats only | Up to 40 pets | No | $80–$120 |
| SureFlap Microchip Large Dog Door | Large dogs | Up to 32 pets | Yes (with Hub) | $250–$350 |
Best Overall: SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect is the smart version of the best-selling SureFlap door. It reads your pet’s existing microchip (compatible with all common ISO microchip types) and unlocks in milliseconds.
What makes the Connect version special is the optional Sure Petcare Hub, which links the door to an app on your phone. You get:
- Entry/exit notifications — know when your pet leaves and returns
- Curfew mode — auto-lock the door at night on a schedule
- Per-pet permissions — let some pets out while keeping others indoor-only
- Activity tracking — monitor long-term patterns and spot changes in behaviour
What we like:
- Works with existing microchips — no collar tag needed
- Stores up to 32 pet profiles
- Battery powered (4x C batteries, lasting 6–12 months)
- Installs in doors, walls, or windows
- Selective entry AND exit (some cheaper doors only control entry)
- App is genuinely useful, not gimmicky
What could be better:
- The Hub is sold separately (~$80–$100 CAD) — a significant extra cost
- Opening is sized for cats and small dogs (up to ~7 kg / 15 lbs)
- Requires a mounting adapter for glass/wall installation (sold separately)
Our take: This is the pet door we’d install in our own home. The microchip reading is fast and reliable, the curfew feature prevents late-night cat adventures, and the per-pet permissions solve the “indoor cat + outdoor cat” problem perfectly.
Best Value: SureFlap Microchip Pet Door (Non-Connected)
The SureFlap Microchip Pet Door is the same reliable hardware without the smart features. It reads microchips, stores 32 pet profiles, and operates on batteries. You just don’t get the app integration.
Why choose this over the Connect version? If you don’t need remote notifications, curfew scheduling, or per-pet permissions, save $50–$100 and get the standard version. The core function — keeping strays out while letting your pets through — works identically.
What we like:
- Same proven microchip reader as the Connect
- Simple manual lock modes (in-only, out-only, both, locked)
- Lower price point
- No ongoing subscription or connectivity needed
What could be better:
- No app or remote control
- Same size limitations as the Connect (cats and small dogs only)
Best for Cats Only: PetSafe Microchip Cat Door
The PetSafe 4-Way Locking Microchip Cat Door stores up to 40 pet microchips and features four locking modes: unlocked, in-only, out-only, and fully locked. It’s a straightforward, well-built cat door at the lowest price in this roundup.
What we like:
- Stores 40 microchips — the most in this list
- Four manual locking modes
- Easy DIY installation
- Affordable
What could be better:
- Cat-sized only — no dog compatibility
- No app or smart features
- Basic plastic construction
Our take: If you have one or two cats and just want to stop the neighbourhood strays from eating their food, this is the cheapest reliable option.
Best for Large Dogs: SureFlap Microchip Large Dog Door
For dogs over 15 lbs, the SureFlap Large Dog Door is the only microchip-activated option with a large enough opening. The flap measures roughly 7" × 11.5" — big enough for dogs up to about 45 lbs (think Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, smaller Labradors).
What we like:
- Only microchip door designed for medium-to-large dogs
- Same proven SureFlap microchip reader
- Connect version available for app integration
- Double-insulated flap for weather resistance
What could be better:
- Expensive — expect $250–$350 CAD depending on Connect vs standard
- Still too small for very large breeds (German Shepherds, Great Danes)
- Heavier flap requires more push from the dog
What About RFID Collar Tags?
All of the SureFlap doors work with RFID collar tags as well as implanted microchips. This is useful if:
- Your pet isn’t microchipped (though they should be — it’s a one-time $50–$80 procedure at your vet)
- You’re registering a pet that belongs to someone else temporarily
- Your pet’s microchip isn’t compatible (extremely rare with ISO standards)
SureFlap sells RFID collar tags separately for about $10–$15 CAD each.
How Microchip Pet Doors Work
Your pet’s microchip is a tiny passive RFID transponder implanted under the skin (usually between the shoulder blades). It has no battery and no GPS — it simply stores a unique ID number.
The pet door has an RFID reader built into the frame. When your pet approaches, the reader detects the microchip, checks it against the stored list, and unlocks the flap in about 100 milliseconds. The lock re-engages as soon as your pet passes through.
This all happens without your pet needing to wear anything, charge anything, or do anything differently than walking through a regular pet door.
Our Recommendation
For most households, the SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect is the best choice. The app-connected curfew mode and per-pet permissions solve real problems, and the microchip reader is the most reliable in the business. If you don’t need the smart features, save money with the standard SureFlap door.
Affiliate disclosure: SmartPetGearLab earns a commission on qualifying purchases through our Amazon.ca links. This doesn’t affect our recommendations — we only feature products we’d actually suggest to a friend.