How To Train Your Cat To Use A Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their pets out, only for them to change their minds and decide to go to return within minutes. A cat flap can solve this issue.

It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing access only to authorized cats, and denying access to others. There are a variety of benefits to having a flap for your cat that are:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them to go in and out at any time they wish. They can remain inside at night if they prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be out hunting at late at night. They can be carriers of deadly diseases that your cat might catch if they are left outside at night.

Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats out and in - this is a major issue for some pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip number and unlocking only for that, so your cat is the only cat to be able to enter and exit.

It also gives you peace of mind if you are away from home, for example when you are on vacation or go out at night. It's connected to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movement in and outside the house. You can also create a smart curfew that will regulate when you can allow them to enter and leave. You can also share the app access with family and friends to ensure that they monitor your pets while you're away.

A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key can provide an additional layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance from it. You should spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is especially important if they aren't used to using one. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy on either side of the flap and give them praise and rewards each time they do it. Once they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are many cat flaps available and many of them come with different features. You should choose one that is the right size for your pet, so that it can enter and exit easily. Choose a sturdy material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and deter burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to access and leave the house. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to program, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to monitor your pet's movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Some models come with intelligent technology that allows you to track your pets' movements through the windows or doors through an app that you can download on your phone.

This is a great option when you're worried that your cat flap installation may wander too far from home or you're concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can check the status of your pet through the app and remotely lock their cat flap if they do get into trouble.

You can also select the four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to control who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly useful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who might be unable to use a traditional flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from entering your home when they are sick or if it is raining outside.

Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan the pet's chip, and 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 prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. It can also decrease the number of toileting accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats are also drawn by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. They can be put on either side of the flap if they are still hesitant.

It's easy to teach your cat to utilize a small hinged flap that can be fixed to fitting a cat flap upvc door panel with cat flap or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through using their preferred food. It can be difficult to teach your cat the first time but once you've done it, the practice will become habitual.

Another alternative is to opt for magnetic cat flaps, that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it in. They're more expensive but they work by using a magnet placed on the neck of your pet to unlock the flap. These are a great solution for multi-cat households and keep out stray cats out of the property.

Other models offer various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close with an exit only, or only for entrance. These can be useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and returns particularly late at night or when you're not at home. They may also be useful if you're away from your home for extended periods of time and need to ensure your cat remains in a safe place.

You can also choose a cat flap that connects to your smartphone and is operated via an app, which means you can manage your cat's entry and exit easily. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location that has an internet connection.

Training

If you have a cat or kitten who has not used a cat flap before, it could take a while to get them used to the idea of going out on their own. Certain cats are naturally curious and can adjust to the new environment very quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and allowed time to master to open the flap using their paws or heads. Examining them from both the inside and out can help you determine the best methods to train them but keep in mind that all cats are unique.

Instead of yelling your cat to go through the flap, you should try to encourage them with 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 flap, keeping your voice steady and positive to make the training sessions more enjoyable on both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to utilize the flap since they will see the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other end.

Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoor world and let them enjoy their new freedom. It is important to watch your cat and make sure they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are susceptible to the elements and other animals like cats that are in the vicinity.

If you're unsure whether your cat is capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. This allows you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require. It also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situations around the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also be able to rest in the knowing that they will be able to return home whenever they'd like to.