How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners have experienced the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their cats out, only to have them change their minds and decide to return later. A cat flap solves this issue. It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats access and restrict access to all other cats. There are many benefits to using a cat flap. These are: Peace of mind Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to go and come whenever they want. They can stay in their home at night if want, which reduces the chance of being attacked by wild cats or other cats that might be hunting during the late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that can be fatal for your cat so keeping them inside at night will stop them from catching them. Cats are able to enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This is a concern for pet owners who don't want neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as their territory or eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip cat flap will keep other cats out by reading your cat's unique microchip number and only unlocking for your cat is the only one to access the door and exit. It also gives you peace of mind when you are away from home, like when you are on vacation or out at night. It is linked to an app and hub that tracks your pet's movement in and outside the house. You can also create a smart curfew that will control when you allow them to leave and enter. You can also share your app access with friends and family to ensure that they keep an eye on your pet while you are away. A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key will provide a further layer of security by only allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap, especially if they are not familiar with it. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can view and smell the world around them. By distributing a favorite toy or treat on either side of the flap and praise and reward your cat every time it pushes its head through. Once they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap. Safety There are a variety of cat flaps that are available on the market. A lot of them come with different features. You should select a cat-flap that's the appropriate size for your pet, so that it can enter and out easily. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand rain, paws and claws. Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and prevent burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually with an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or you can choose microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter your home. 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 method to monitor your pet's movements in the house even when you're not there. Some models are equipped with smart technology that allows you to track the movement of your pets through the window or door through an app on your smartphone. This is a great option if you're concerned that your cat might wander away from home, or you're worried about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely unlock the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's status through the app. You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you greater control over who can access and exit the door. This is especially useful for cats that are more aggressive or if they are older and be unable to use an ordinary flap. This method 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 scan a pet's chip and only allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they are an effective way to keep your neighbour's cats from getting into your home. Convenience Unrestricted outside access can help to keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. cat flap fitting near me are also attracted by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. They can be put either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant. If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be attached to a window or door it's easy enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap and guiding them to use it with their favourite food. It's not easy to get them through the first time but once they've done it start, they should continue to follow the habit. A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it access to. These are more expensive, but they work by using the magnet around your pet's neck to open the flap. They can be a great solution for multi-cat households and keep out stray cats out of the home. Other models have different locking options that allow you to set it to open, closed, exit only or entrance only. This is useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and comes back particularly late at night or when you're not home. They are also useful when you are away from home for a long period of time and you need to ensure that your cat is in a safe place. You can also select an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone and controlled via an app. This lets you manage the entry and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide more peace of mind and are safer for your pets. Some of these flaps include video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere connected to the internet. Training It may take a while for a cat to become comfortable with going out on their own in the event that they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious and will adjust to the new situation quickly. Others may need to be gently enthused and require time to learn to push the flap open by using a paw or a head. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you determine what methods to use to train them but keep in mind that all cats are different. Instead of forcing your cat to open the flap, you should try to encourage them with 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. Your cat should be called through the cat flap, while speaking in an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn to use the flap as they will be able to see the way it gets them closer to the reward at the other end. Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, including neighboring cats. If you're unsure if your cat is able to handle the outside world it is possible to put them in a cage at night or leave the flap unlocked to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it requires however, you should also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that may arise in the home. They will also have the security of knowing that they will be able to return home whenever they wish to.