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 by a call to let their pets out and then to change their minds and decide to return later. A cat flap could solve this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip to allow access only to authorized cats, and denying access to others. There are a number of benefits to having a flap for your cat that include:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to go and come whenever they please. They can stay inside at night if they prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be hunting during the late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could prove fatal to your cat, and therefore keeping them inside at night will stop them from getting sick.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats inside and out. This is a big worry for some pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their home as their own, eating their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip number and only unlocking for that, so your cat is the only cat to be able to enter and exit.
It also gives you peace of mind if you're away from home, for example when you are on vacation or out at night. It links to a hub as well as an app, which tracks your pet's movements inside and out of your home and lets you control when they are allowed out and in via a smart curfew feature that you set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pets when you're away.
A cat-flap that has a microchip and a magnetic collar key or infrared collar can add an extra layer of security to your cat's security by only the ability to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is crucial to spend time training your cat to use the flap, particularly if they aren't used to it. Start by opening the flap so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy on either side of the flap. Then beg them to do so each time they do so. Once they are confident using the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are many cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is essential to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet so that they can easily move between the two without difficulty. Look for a durable material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps are lockable in a variety of ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to access and leave the house. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movement inside the house, even if you're not present. Some models come with smart technology that enables you to track your pets' movements when you walk through the windows or doors using an app on your phone.
This can be useful if you're concerned that your cat may wander too far from home or are concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely open the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's status through the app.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to control who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly useful for cats that are old or aggressive and could have difficulty using a traditional flap. This option can be used to prevent your pets from coming in when they are sick or it is raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry if it is registered, keeping out other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, but they work well to keep your neighbours' cats out of your home.
Convenience
Access to the outside world can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that take place in the home. Many cats are also drawn to the scents of plants like cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. They can be put either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
If you have a small hinged panel that can be affixed 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. cat flap installers near me repairmywindowsanddoors might be difficult to make your cat go through the first time but once you've done it, it should become a habit.
Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap, which recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to be inserted. They're more expensive, but they function by using an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap and give access to your home. They are a great option for households with multiple cats to stop stray animals from entering the property.
Other models have different locking options that allow you to make it open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These are useful when you want to control when your cat is in and out, especially at night or when you're away. These can be useful in situations where you're away from home for an extended time and you want to make sure your cat is safe.
You can also choose a smart cat-flap that is connected to your smartphone and controlled by an app. This allows you to control the access and exit of your cat with ease. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide more security and are more secure for your pet. Some of these flaps also include video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat's body to become comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially even if they've not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and can adjust to the new situation quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or head. Examining your cat from the inside and the outside will help you decide on the best methods of training to use. Remember that every cat is different.
Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, it's better to try to encourage them offering them treats. Open the flap a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place treats on the other side. Call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the training sessions more enjoyable for both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it leads them closer to the reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Certain cats are susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, including neighboring cats.
If you are unsure if your cat will be able to cope with the outdoors, you can 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. This allows you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment that they need but it also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situations in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also be secure knowing that they are able to come back home if they wish to.
