How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

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Many cat owners know the feeling of waking in the middle of the night to let their cats out, only to have them change their mind and want to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap solves this issue.

It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats to enter and block access to other cats. A cat flap offers number benefits, including:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps can help keep your cat safe and secure by letting them in and out at any time they wish. They can remain in the dark if they prefer, which reduces their chances of being attacked by feral cats or other cats that may be out hunting in the late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might be exposed to if they are out at night.

Conventional cat flaps also allow other cats inside and out. This is a big worry for pet owners who don't want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip and only unlocking for your cat is the only one to be able to enter and exit.

A microchip cat flap could provide security when you are not home like when you are going out for dinner or going on holiday. It's linked to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movements within and out of the home. You can also create a smart curfew that will regulate when you can allow them to enter and leave. You can also share access to the app with family and friends to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets whilst you are away.

A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with an infrared or magnetic collar key will add additional security by allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is especially important if they aren't familiar with using one. Begin by leaving the flap wide open to let them be able to see the world outside and smell it. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy from either side of the flap. You can give them praise and rewards each time they do it. Once they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.

Safety

There are numerous cat flaps available on the market. Many of them offer different features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can easily move between the two without difficulty. Also, you should look for a durable product that can withstand paws claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps are lockable in various ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. Cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to install, making them perfect for homes with multiple pets.

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

This is useful in the event that you are worried that your cat may wander too far away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can track the location of your pet's health using the app and remotely unlock their cat flap in case they do get into trouble.

You can also choose a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you more control over who can access and exit the door. This is particularly useful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This is a great option to keep your pets from coming in when they are sick or when it is raining outside.

Some pet owners choose flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow entry when the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they are an effective way to prevent your neighbour's cats from entering your home.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help to keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It can also help reduce the amount of accidents that happen in the home. Many cats are also enticed by the smell of plants like cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary Sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them through it when they are still hesitant.

It's easy to teach your cat to make use of small hinged flaps that can be attached to a window or door. Place treats on here the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through by using their preferred food. It may be difficult to get them through the first time, but once they do, they should take up the habit.

A magnetic cat flap could also be utilized. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They're more expensive, but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap and grant it access to your home. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats as they stop stray cats from entering your property.

Other models come with different locking options that allow you to make it open or closed, and even exit or entrance only. This is useful if you want to control when your cat goes out and come in more info especially late at night and you're not home. They can be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a prolonged period of time and want to be sure that your cat is secure.

You can also opt for an more info intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone and controlled by an app. This allows you to control the access and exit of your cat easily. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're safer for your pets and offer more peace of mind. Some of these cat flaps have video monitoring, and can be accessed from anywhere with an more info Internet connection.

Training

It may take a while for a cat's body to become comfortable with going outside by itself in the event that they've not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adapt to the new environment very quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap using their paws or heads. Examining them from both the inside and out can help you work out what methods you can use to train them however, be aware that all cats are different.

Rather than trying to force your cat through the flap, attempt to encourage them offering them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then open the flap. Call your cat through the cat flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the other side here of the flap.

When your cat begins to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. However, it's important to keep an eye on your cat and ensure they are safe outdoors as certain cats are susceptible to the elements as well as other animals like neighbouring cats.

If you're unsure whether your cat is able to cope with the outdoors, you can 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. This will allow you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation that they need but also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situation in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also have the security of knowing that they can always return home whenever they'd like to.