How To Train Your Cat To Use A Cat Flap

Many cat owners know the feeling of being woken in the middle of the night by a call to let their pets out but only to change their minds and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can solve this issue.

It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats access and block access to other cats. A cat flap offers variety of benefits, such as:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to come and go whenever they like. If they prefer remain inside, they can do so at the night. This reduces the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats that might be out hunting late at late at night. These animals can carry deadly illnesses that your cat may catch if they are not kept in the dark.

Cats can get in and out via standard cat flaps. This is a worry for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbors cats to annoy their pets, mark their house as territory and eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip code and only unlocking for that, meaning your cat is the only one to get in and out.

A microchip cat flap may even provide peace of mind when you are not home for instance, when you are going out for dinner or going on holiday. It connects to a hub as well as an app that monitors your pet's movements inside and out of your home and enables you to control when they can come in and out via a smart curfew feature that you can set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide a further layer of security by only allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance from it. It is recommended to spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is especially important if they aren't used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap open to let them see the outside world and smell it. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of the flap, encourage and reward your cat every time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident, you can slowly close the flap.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps available with a variety of features. It is essential to select the right cat flap for the dimensions of your pet to allow them to move between the two without difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.

Certain Cat flap in upvc Door cost flaps are lockable in various ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to enter and exit the house. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to program, which makes them perfect for homes doors with cat flap several cats.

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

This is helpful in the event that you are worried that your cat might wander too far away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can remotely unlock the flap on your cat's upvc door panel with cat flap and check on your pet's status through the app.

You can also opt for the four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to decide who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly helpful when you have a naive cat or an older cat flap double glazing that may struggle with a standard flap. This method can be used to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or when it is raining outside.

Other pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if the microchip is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps however they are a great way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. It can also help reduce the amount of accidents that take place in the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of plants like cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to encourage them to go through it even when they are still in a shaky state.

It's simple to teach your cat to use a small hinged flap that can be attached to a door or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap, and encourage them to walk through by using their preferred food. It can be difficult to get your cat through the first time but once you've done 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 in. They are more expensive, but they function by using a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to open the flap, granting access to your home. These are a great choice for families with multiple cats to keep stray animals from entering the property.

Other models provide various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close with an exit only, or only for entrance. These can be useful if you want to control when your cat goes out and come in particularly late at night and you're not home. They are also useful in situations where you're away from your home for long periods of time and need to ensure your cat remains safely indoors.

You can also opt for a smart cat-flap that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you control the entry and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, but they're more secure for your pet 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

It can take time for a cat to become used to being out on their own in the event that they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and can adjust to the new environment quickly. Others may require being gently enthused and require time to master how to open the flap by using a paw or a head. Examining your cat from the inside and from the outside can help you decide what methods of training to use. However, remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of forcing your cat to open the flap, you should try to encourage them by giving them treats. Open the flap a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side, then call them through the flap, making sure your voice is positive and calm to make the training sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.

When your cat begins to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them enjoy their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are secure outside. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, such as cats that live nearby.

If you are unsure if your cat will be in a position to handle the outdoors, you can lock them inside at night or leave the flap open so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can make sure that your cat gets the exercise and enrichment it requires and give them a way to escape any stressful situations that may arise in the home. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll always be able to return home if they want to.