How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap can solve this issue.

It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip to allow in only authorised cats and deny others access. A cat flap offers variety of benefits, such as:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to come and go whenever they like. They can be inside at night if they wish, which will reduce the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be out hunting during the late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could be fatal for your cat and so keeping them in at night will keep them from being bitten by them.

Conventional cat flaps can also let other cats inside and out. This is a major issue for pet owners who do not wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their home as theirs, consuming their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat flap install's unique microchip code and only unlocking for your cat is the only one to get in and out.

It can also give you peace of mind if you are away from home, like when you are on vacation or go out at night. It connects to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements into and out of the house and enables you to control when they can come out and in via the smart curfew feature you set. You can also share the app access with friends and family so that they can keep an eye on your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat-flap fitted with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar will add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by only the ability to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is important that you spend time teaching your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by handing the treat or their favorite toy on either side of the flap. You can praise and reward them every time they do it. When they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.

Safety

There are many cat flaps on the market with a variety of features. It is essential to select one that is suitable for the dimensions of your pet to allow them to move in and out without any difficulty. You should also look for a durable material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps are lockable in various ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to program, which makes them ideal for homes with several cats.

One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology, which lets you monitor the movement of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.

This is helpful if you are concerned that your cat flap installers near me could wander away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can monitor the health of your pet using the app and remotely unlock their cat flap if they are in trouble.

You can also select the four-way manual locking system, which gives you more control over who is able to be allowed to enter and exit. This is especially useful for those with an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that might struggle with a traditional flap. This is a great option to keep your pets from coming in when they are sick or it is raining outside.

Some pet owners choose flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow entry if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to prevent your neighbour's cats from entering your home.

Convenience

Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It also helps reduce the number of toileting accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also enticed by the scent of herbs such as cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary Sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them to use it even in case they are hesitant.

If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be attached to a door or window it's easy to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it by offering their favorite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.

Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, which recognises your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They're more expensive, but they function by using an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and give access to your home. These are a good option for households with multiple cats to stop unwanted animals from entering your property.

Other models come with different locking options which allow you to make it open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These can be useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and returns, especially if it's late at night and you're not home. These can be useful when you're away from home for a long time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.

You can also select an intelligent cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be operated via an app, which means you can manage your cat flap cost near me's entry and exit easily. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps but they're safer for your pets and offer more peace of mind. Some of these smart cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location that has an internet connection.

Training

If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a cat flap it can take a while for them to get accustomed to the idea of going outside on their own. Certain cats are naturally curious and will adapt to the new environment very quickly. Some cats will require to be gently encouraged and given time to learn to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you determine the best methods to train them but keep in mind that all cats are unique.

Instead of trying to make your Cat flap bifold Doors go through the flap, it's better to try and encourage them by using treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to see the other side) and place treats on the other side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the training sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to use the flap as they will see that it brings them closer to the reward on the other end.

When your cat begins to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them explore the outdoors and have fun in their new freedom. However, it's important to watch your cat and ensure that they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are vulnerable to the elements and other animals, such as the cats in the area.

If you're unsure whether your cat is able to handle the outdoor world you can always keep them inside at night or just leave the flap open to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This allows you to ensure that they get all the exercise and enrichment they require, but it also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situations in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. You'll also feel safe knowing that they'll be able to return home should they wish to.