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 cats out but only to change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap solves this problem.

It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow only authorized cats in and deny access to others. A cat flap offers number benefits, including:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out whenever they want. They can be inside at night if they wish, which will reduce the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be out hunting at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might catch if they are not kept in the dark.

Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats in and out - this is a major concern for some pet owners who do not want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their house as theirs, consuming their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door can protect your cat flap fitters from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.

A microchip cat flap may even give you peace of mind even when you're not home, such as when you are away for the evening or on holiday. It connects to a hub as well as an app that tracks your pet's movements into and out of the house and allows you to regulate when they are allowed out and back in using an intelligent curfew that you set. The app can be shared with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pets while you're away.

A cat-flap that has a microchip and a magnetic collar key or infrared collar will add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by the ability to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't used to it - start by leaving the flap open to let them see and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or a treat on either side of the flap you can praise and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps available with a variety of features. You should select a cat-flap that's the proper size for your pet's needs so it can be able to enter and out without difficulty. Look for a durable material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to protect your home and stop burglars from entering. You can lock them manually using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or choose microchip cat flap cover for winter flaps that permit only registered cats to enter and exit the home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to program, making them perfect for homes with several cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to monitor your pet's movement around the house, even when you're away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology that lets you monitor the movements of your pets through the replacement upvc door panel with cat flap or window via an app on your phone.

This is helpful if you are concerned that your cat could wander too far away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can remotely unlock the flap for your cat and check your pet's condition using the app.

You can also opt for a four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to control who can go in and out. This is particularly useful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This option can be used to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or when it's raining outside.

Some pet owners choose flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow entry if the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Having unrestricted access to the outside world can keep your cat flap in upvc door cost mentally and physically active. It can also reduce the amount of accidents that happen inside the home. Many cats are also drawn by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. They can be put either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.

It's simple to teach your cat to make use of small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a window or replacement upvc door panels with cat flap. Place treats on the other side of the flap and encourage them to walk through using their favorite food. It's not easy to master the process the first time, but when they've mastered it start, they should continue to follow the habit.

Another option is to make use of magnetic cat flaps, that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. These are more expensive but work by using a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to open the flap and give it access to your home. They are a great option for families with multiple cats to keep stray animals from entering the property.

Other models come with a variety of locking options that allow you to make it open shut, closed, exit only or entrance only. This is useful when you want to regulate the time your cat is allowed to go out and come in particularly late at night and you're not at home. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from home for long periods of time and want to ensure that your cat stays safe inside.

You can also opt for an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone and controlled via an app. This lets you manage the entrance 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 safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring, and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the Internet.

Training

It can take some 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 can adjust to the new environment very quickly. Others may need to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to learn how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Watching them from the inside and out can help you work out what methods you can use to train them however, remember that all cats are different.

Instead of yelling your cat to walk through the flap, you should try to encourage them by giving them treats. Open the flap just a bit (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place a treat on the other side. Call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to use the flap because they will realize that it helps them get closer to the reward at the other end.

When your cat starts to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them explore the outdoors and have fun in their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Some cats could be susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, including neighbouring cats.

If you're not sure if your cat can handle the outside world it is possible to keep them inside at night or leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This allows you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment that they need but also gives them a way to escape any stressful situations around the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also have the security of knowing that they are able to return home whenever they wish to.