How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of getting up in the late at night to let their pets out but only to change their minds and decide to go to return within minutes. A cat flap can solve this problem.

It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. The flap can provide a number of advantages, including:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to move around whenever they want. If they want to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will reduce the chances of them being attacked by other cats or wild cats who may be hunting at late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could prove fatal to your cat flaps for french doors, and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from being bitten by them.

Cats can enter and exit via standard cat flaps. This is a concern for pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, mark their house as a territory or eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.

It also gives you peace of mind when you're away from home, like when you are to a vacation spot or go out for the night. It links to a hub and app that monitors your pet's movements in and out of your home and lets you control the time they are allowed to come in and out via the smart curfew feature you can set. You can also share the app access with friends and family so that they can keep an eye on your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat-flap with a magnetic collar key or infrared collar will add an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by only the ability to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is important to spend time training your cat flap installation in glass doors near me how to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy on either side of the flap. Then beg them to do so each time they do so. When they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are numerous cat flaps that are available on the market. A lot of them come with different features. It is important to select a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet, so that it can be opened and exit easily. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and stop burglars from entering. 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 home. Cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, making them perfect for homes with multiple pets.

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

This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat could wander off from your home or you're concerned about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can track the location of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap if they do get into trouble.

You can also choose a four-way manual locking system which offers more options to control who can go in and out. This is particularly helpful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who might be unable to use 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 choose flaps that scan the pet's chip, and allow it to enter if the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, but they can be effective in keeping your neighbors' cats out of your home.

Convenience

Having unrestricted access to the outside world can keep your cat physically and mentally active. It also helps reduce the number of toileting accidents that happen within the home. Cats are also attracted 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 through it when they are still uneasy.

It's easy to teach your cat flap step (look these up) to use the small hinged flap that can be attached to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through using their preferred food. It might be difficult to teach your cat the first time but once you've done it, the practice will become habitual.

Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, that detects your pet's microchip and lets it to be inserted. They are more expensive, but work by using an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap and grant it access to your home. These are a good option for households with multiple cats to stop pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models have different locking options which allow you to make it open shut, closed, exit only or entrance only. These can be useful when you want to regulate when your cat flap in upvc door cost goes out and come in particularly late at night and you're not home. They can also be helpful if you're away from home for extended periods of time and you need to ensure that your cat stays in a safe place.

You can also opt for a smart cat-flap that is connected to your smartphone and controlled by an app. This lets you manage the access and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, however they are much more secure for your pet and provide more peace of mind. Some of these flaps include video monitoring and can be accessed from any location connected to the internet.

Training

If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a flap for their cat flap cost, it can take a while to get them used to the idea of going outside on their own. Based on their personality, some are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others might require to be gently enthused and require time to learn how to open the flap using a paw or head. Watching your cat from both the inside and outside will help you decide which training methods to employ. However, remember that every cat is unique.

Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, it's better to try and encourage them by using treats. The flap should be opened slightly (not enough 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 calm and positive to help make the learning sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to use the flap because they will be able to see the way it gets them closer to the reward at the other end.

Once your cat begins to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them explore the outdoors and have fun in their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as neighboring cats.

If you're not sure if your cat will be in a position to handle the outdoors, you can keep them inside at night, or leave the flap open so that they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can ensure that your cat gets the enrichment and exercise that it needs, but you can also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that may arise in your home. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll always be able to return home if they want to.