How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap
Many cat owners know the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and then to change their minds and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this issue.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing in only authorised cats and deny others access. There are many advantages of using a cat flap. These are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out at any time they wish. They can remain in their home at night if want, which reduces their chances of being attacked by wild cats or other cats who might be out hunting in the night. They can be carriers of deadly illnesses that your cat may contract if not kept in the dark.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats out and in - this is a major concern for some pet owners who do not wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their home as their own, eating their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat door can keep other cats out by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
It can also provide peace of mind when you're away from home, such as when you are on vacation or out at night. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of your home and allows you to regulate when they can come in and out via an intelligent curfew that you set. The app can be shared with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat-flap fitted with a magnetic collar key or infrared collars will provide an extra layer of security to your cat's security by only permitting them to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is important that you spend time training your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't used to it. Start by letting the flap open so that they can see and sniff around. By distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of the flap you can give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, you can gradually close it.
Safety
There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market and many of them come with different features. It's important to choose a cat flap that suits the size of your pet so that they can move in and out without any difficulty. Also, you should look for a durable product that can 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 with a peg which fits into the lock, or choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to programme, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
A key advantage of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to monitor your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Some models have smart technology that enables you to track your pet's' movements when you walk through the window or door by using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat might wander away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can remotely open the cat flap and check your pet's health via the app.
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you more control over who is able to access and exit the door. This is especially useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This option can be used to keep your pets from coming in when they are sick or it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow it to enter if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors away from your home.
Convenience
Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It can also to reduce the number of accidents that take place in the home. Many cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. These can be placed on either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.
If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be affixed to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap, and encouraging them through it by using their favorite food. It's not easy to make them go through it the first time but when they've mastered it begin, they will be able to adopt the habit.
A magnetic cat flap could also be used. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it access to. These are more expensive however they work by putting an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap, granting it access to your home. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models come with a variety of locking options that allow you to choose to lock it open shut, closed, exit only or entry only. They can be helpful for those who want to control your cat's movements when they go out and come in especially late at night and you're not home. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from your home for a long period of time and you need to ensure that your cat is in a safe place.
You can also select a cat flap that connects to your smartphone and is operated by an app which means you can manage your cat's entry and exit without difficulty. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pet. Some of these cat flaps have video monitoring, and are accessible from any location connected to the Internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat to get comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially in the event that they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adapt to the new situation very quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to master how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Observing your cat from both the inside and from the outside will help you decide which training methods to use. However, remember that every cat is different.
Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, attempt to encourage them using treats. Place a treat on the opposite side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then open the flap. Your cat should be called through the flap while maintaining an upbeat, calm voice. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap and notice that it brings them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.
Once cat flap install repairmywindowsanddoors is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, such as neighboring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock your cat inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it requires and give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that may arise in your home. They will also be secure knowing that they can always return home if they want to.