How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their cat out, only for them to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap could solve this problem.

It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. The flap can provide a variety of benefits, such as:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to come and go whenever they like. If they prefer stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will decrease the chance of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that might be hunting in the night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that can be fatal for your cat, and therefore keeping them inside at night will keep them from catching them.

Cats can get in and out via standard cat flaps. This is a concern for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as a territory or eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.

It can also give you peace of mind if you're away from home, like when you are on vacation or go out at night. It links to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of the home and lets you control when they can come in and out via an intelligent curfew that you set. You can also share your app access with family members and friends so that they can keep an eye on your pets whilst you are away.

A microchip cat-flap with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collars will provide an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by the ability to use it if their collar is within certain distance. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap especially if they're not familiar with it. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can see and sniff around. By distributing a favorite toy or treat from either side of the flap and give your cat praise and a reward each time it puts its head through. Once they're comfortable using the flap, you can gradually close it.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is important to select one that is suitable for the dimensions of your pet to allow them to move into and out with no difficulty. Also, you should look for a hard-wearing material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to protect your home and keep burglars out.  cat flap installers near me  can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to enter and exit the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to program, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you are away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movement of your pets through the door or window via an app on your smartphone.

This can be useful when you're worried that your cat might wander away from home or are concerned about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can check the status of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap if they are in trouble.

You can also select a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you more control over who can access and exit the door. This is especially useful for cats that are aggressive or older and may have difficulty using the traditional flap. This can be used to deter your pets from coming in when they're sick or it's raining outside.

Other pet owners choose flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry when it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they are an effective way to keep your neighbour's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Access to the world outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It can also reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the scent of herbs such as cat thyme and catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to encourage them to use it even in case they are in a shaky state.

It's simple to teach your cat how to make use of a small hinged flap that can be affixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other side of the flap, and encourage them to go through using their preferred food. It can be difficult to get them through the first time but when they've mastered it start, they should continue to follow the habit.

A magnetic cat flap could also be used. It recognizes the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They're more expensive, but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and grant access to your home. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats as they stop stray cats from entering your home.

Other models offer different locking options. You can set it to either closed or open with an exit only, or entrance only. These are useful for those who need to regulate when your cat goes and comes, especially at night or when you're not home. These can be useful when you're away from home for a prolonged time and want to make sure your cat is safe.

You can also opt for an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled by an app. This lets you control the entry and exit of your cat easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are safer for your pets. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed anywhere that has an internet connection.

Training

If you have a kitten or cat who has not used a cat flap before, it could take a while to get them used to the idea of being outside on their own. Based on their individual nature, some cats are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Some cats will need to be gently encouraged and given time to learn to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Examining them from both the outside and inside will help you figure out the best methods to train them, but be aware that every cat is unique.

Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, you should instead try to encourage them giving them treats. The flap should be opened slightly (not enough to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side. Then, call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the training sessions more enjoyable for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to utilize the flap since they will be able to see that it brings them closer to the reward at the other side.

Once your cat is beginning to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. But, it's crucial to keep an eye on your cat and ensure they are secure in the outdoors since some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals such as cats that are in the vicinity.

If you are unsure if your cat will be in a position to handle the outdoors, you can lock your cat 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 stimulation it needs, but you can also give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that could occur in the home. They will also be secure knowing that they will be able to return home whenever they wish to.