How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners are familiar with the feeling of getting up in the middle night to let their pets out and then to change their minds and decide to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this problem.

It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats in and block access to other cats. 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 move around whenever they want. They can be inside at night if they want, which reduces the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other cats that might be out hunting in the late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat could contract if out at night.

Cats are able to enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don't want their neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their homes as territory, eat their food, or engage in fights with their cats. 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 if you're away from home, such as when you are to a vacation spot or go out for the night. It connects to a hub and an app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of the home and lets you control the time they are allowed to come out and back in using a smart curfew feature that you can set. You can also share access to the app with family and friends to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets while you're away.

A microchip cat-flap fitted with a magnetic collar key or infrared collar can add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by only permitting them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. You should spend some time teaching your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly crucial if your cat isn't used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap open so they can be able to see the world outside and smell it. Holding out a favourite toy or treat from either side of the flap you can give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident then you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps available on the market. Many of them offer different features. It is important to select one that is the right size for your pet, so that it can be opened and out easily. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand rain, paws and claws.

Some 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 you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to install, making them perfect for homes with pets that are multiple.

Microchip cat flaps are a great way to monitor your pet's movements in the house even when you're not there. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to track the movement of your pets through the door or window through an app on your smartphone.

This can be useful when you're worried that your cat might wander off from your home, or you're worried about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can remotely open the flap for your cat and check your pet's health via the app.

You can also select a four-way manual locking mechanism, which gives you more control over who can be allowed to enter and exit. This is especially helpful when your cat is a bit more aggressive or if they are older and be unable to use a traditional flap.  cat flap installer near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  can be used to stop your pet from coming in when they are sick or when it is raining outside.

Some pet owners opt for flaps that scan a pet's chip, and let it in when the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems are more expensive than other flaps for cats, however they are a great way to prevent your neighbour's cats from entering your home.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also help reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain plants like 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 if they remain in a shaky state.

If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be affixed to a window or door it's easy to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap and encouraging them to use it with their favourite food. It can be difficult to get them through the first time but once they do begin, they will be able to adopt the habit.

Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, that recognizes your pet's microchip and lets it in. These are more expensive but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap, granting access to your home. They are a great option for households with multiple cats to stop stray animals from entering the property.

Other models come with a variety of locking options that allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entrance only. These can be useful when you want to regulate your cat's movements when they go out and comes back particularly late at night or you're not at home. These can be useful in situations where you're away from home for an extended time and you want to make sure that your cat is secure.

You can also opt for a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, which means you can control your cat's entry and exit without difficulty. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide more peace of mind and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart flaps also have video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Training

It can take some time for a cat to become comfortable with going out on their own even if they've not used a flap before. Based on their individual nature, some cats are naturally curious and adapt to the new environment quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Observing them from the outside and inside will help you figure out what methods to use to train them, but keep in mind 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. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then prop the flap open. Make your cat a call through the flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it brings them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.

Once your cat starts to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoor world and let them experience their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are secure outside. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like neighboring cats.

If you're unsure whether your cat can handle the outdoor world it is possible to keep them inside at night or just leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and enrichment it needs however, you should also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in your home. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll be able to return home should they wish to.