How To Train Your Cat To Use A Cat Flap

Many cat owners are familiar with 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 a few minutes later. A cat flap solves this problem.

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

Peace of Mind

cat flap step flaps keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to move around whenever they want. They can remain in their home at night if prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other cats that might be hunting in the late at night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that could be fatal for your cat and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from being bitten by them.

Conventional cat flaps can also let other cats inside and out. This is a big worry for pet owners who do not want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their house as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.

It can also provide peace of mind if you are away from home, like when you are on vacation or go out at night. It's connected to an app and hub that track your pet's movements inside and out of the house. You can also create a smart curfew that will restrict when they are allowed to leave and enter. You can also share the app access with family and friends to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets while you're away.

A microchip cat flap with a magnetic or infrared collar key can provide a further layer of security by only allowing your double glazing cat flap to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is essential to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap, particularly if they aren't familiar with it. Begin by opening the flap so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to put their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy on either side of the flap and praise and reward them every time they do so. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market and many of them come with different features. It's important to choose one that is suitable for the size of your pet so that they can move between the two without difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand rain, paws and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to secure your home and prevent burglars from entering. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the house. Cat flaps are easy to set up and easy to programme, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.

Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to track your pet's movement within the home even if you're not there. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which 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 if you're concerned that your cat might wander off from your home, or you're concerned about their access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can track the location of your pet through the app and remotely unlock their cat flap in case they get into any trouble.

You can also opt for a four-way manual locking system that gives you greater control over who can access and exit the door. This is especially useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who might be unable to use a traditional flap. This can also be used to prevent your pets from coming in when they're sick or if it's raining outside.

Other pet owners choose flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if it is registered, thereby blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, but they can be effective in keeping your neighbours' cats away from your home.

Convenience

Access to the world outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also decrease the number of accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats are also drawn by the scents of herbs like cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. They can be put on either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.

It's easy to teach your cat to make use of small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap and encourage them to go through by 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 make use of a magnetic cat flap that recognizes your pet's microchip and allows it to be inserted. These are more expensive, however they work by putting the magnet placed on the neck of your pet to unlock the flap. They are a great option for households with multiple cats to stop pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models offer different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close, exit only, or entry only. This is useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and come in especially late at night or when 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 your cat is safe.

You can also opt for a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled by an app. This lets you manage the access and exit of your cat easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are safer for your pets. Some of these smart cat flap installation cost flaps come with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location that has an internet connection.

Training

If you have a cat flap glass door installation near me or kitten who has not used a cat flap before, it can take a while to get them used to the idea of being out on their own. Based on their individual nature, some cats are naturally curious and adapt to the new environment quickly. Certain cats need to be gently pushed and taught to open the flap using their paws or heads. Watching your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide which training methods to use. Remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, try to encourage them using treats. Place a treat on the opposite side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. Your cat should be called through the cat flap, while speaking in an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.

When your cat begins to open the flap by licking or shaking their head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. But, it's crucial to keep an eye on your cat and ensure that they are secure outdoors, as certain cats are vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals such as cats that are in the vicinity.

If you're unsure whether your cat flap cost can handle the outdoor world, you could always put them in a cage at night, or leave the flap unlocked to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and 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 arise in your home. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll always be able to return home if they choose to.