How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their cat out, only for them to change their minds and want back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this issue. It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats access and restrict access to all other cats. There are many advantages of having a cat flap that include: Peace of mind Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to go and come whenever they like. They can stay in the dark if they prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that may be out hunting in the late at night. These animals could carry deadly diseases that your cat could contract if left outside at night. Cats are able to enter and exit through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don't want their neighbors cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as territory or eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door will keep out other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat. A microchip cat flap can even provide peace of mind when you're away for instance, when you go out for the evening or going on holiday. It links to a hub and app that tracks 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 a smart curfew feature that you set. You can share the app with family and friends so they can keep track of your pet when 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. It is recommended to spend some time teaching your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly important if they aren't familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap wide open so they can be able to see the world outside and smell it. By distributing a favorite toy or treat on either side of the flap, give your cat praise and a reward each time it puts its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, gradually close it. Safety There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market and many of them come with different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet so that they can easily move in and out without any difficulty. Look for a durable material that can withstand rain, paws and claws. Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to access and leave the home. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are simple to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple pets. Microchip cat flaps are a great way to monitor your pet's movements in the house even when you're not there. Some models have smart technology that allows you to track your pets' movements as they walk through the windows or doors through an app that you can download on your phone. This is useful in case you're worried that your cat could wander too far from home, or you're worried about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely lock the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's condition using the app. You can also choose a four-way manual locking system, which gives you more options to decide who can access the door and when. This is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or a cat with a long history that might struggle with a traditional flap. This can also be used to prevent your pets from coming in if they're unwell or it's raining outside. Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if it is registered, thus blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping your neighbors' cats out of your home. Convenience Unrestricted access to the outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also drawn to the scents of plants like cat thyme (catmint) as well as 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 simple enough 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 favourite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat the first time but once you've done it, the practice will become habitual. A magnetic cat flap can also be used. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They are more expensive, however, they function by using magnets placed on the neck of your pet to open the flap. These are a great choice for multi-cat households to prevent unwanted animals from entering your property. Other models come with a variety of locking options, allowing you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entry only. This is useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back particularly late at night or when you're not home. These can be useful if you are away from home for an extended period of time and want to be sure your cat is safe. You can also select an intelligent cat flap that connects to your smartphone and is operated by an app which means you can control your cat's entry and exit easily. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide greater peace of mind and are more secure for your pet. Some of these flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed from any location with an internet connection. Training It can take time for a cat to become comfortable with going out on their own if they have never used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new environment very quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to learn how to open the flap by using a paw or a head. Observing your cat from both the inside and from the outside can help you decide what methods of training to use. Remember that every cat is unique. Rather than trying to push your cat through the flap, attempt to encourage them offering them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. cat flap installer near me should be called through the cat flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap, noticing that it leads them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap. Once your cat is beginning to open the flap by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. It is important to keep an eye on your cat and ensure they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals such as cats in the area. If you're unsure whether your cat will be able to cope with the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the exercise and enrichment it requires, but you can also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might occur in the home. They will also be able to rest in the knowing that they are able to return home whenever they want to.