How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Blog Article

Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cat out and only to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap is a solution to this problem.

It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats in and block access to other cats. There are many advantages of using a cat flap. These include:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to go and come whenever they like. They can be in the dark if they prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be hunting during the night. Many of these animals have diseases that could prove fatal for your cat, so keeping them inside at night will keep them from being bitten by them.

Conventional cat flaps also let other cats in and out - this is a major concern for some pet owners who don't wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their house as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip code and only unlocking for that, so your cat is the only one who can get in and out.

A microchip cat flap may provide security when you are not home like when you are away for the evening or out on holiday. It's connected to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movements inside and outside the house. You can also set a smart curfew to restrict when they are allowed to leave and enter. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pets when you're away.

A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key will provide an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap especially if they're not used to it. Start by letting the flap open so that they can view and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to put their head through the hole by handing the treat or their favorite toy on either side of the flap. You can give them praise and rewards each when they do this. Once they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is essential to select one that is suitable for the size of your pet, so that they can easily move between the two without difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to help secure your home and deter burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually with an appropriate peg that fits into the lock or opt for microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter the house. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are simple to set up, making them ideal for homes with multiple pets.

Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movement inside the house, even if you're not present. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movements of your pets from the door or window by via an app on your smartphone.

This is helpful when you're worried that your cat might wander away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely unlock the flap for your cat and check on your pet's health via the app.

You can also choose a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you more control over who is able to access and exit the door. This is especially useful for those website with an aggressive cat or an older cat that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from coming in when they are sick or if it is raining outside.

Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow entry if the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping your neighbours' cats away from your home.

Convenience

Access to the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps to reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. A lot of cats are also attracted to the scents of plants such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. These can be placed either side of the flap if they are still unsure.

If you have a small hinged panel, which can be affixed to a door or window, it's simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it with their favourite food. It can be difficult to get your cat through the first time however once you've mastered it, you will be able to make it a habit.

Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap that detects your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They're more expensive, but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to your pet's collar to unlock the flap and grant 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 provide various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed, exit only, or cat flap only for entrance. This is useful when you want to regulate the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back, especially if it's late at night or when you're not at home. They are useful when you're away from home for a prolonged time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.

You can also choose a smart cat flap that connects to your smartphone and is operated via an app, that means you can control your cat's entry and exit with ease. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide more peace of mind and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart flaps even come with video monitoring and can be accessed from any location connected to the internet.

Training

If you have a kitten or cat who has never used a flap for their cat, it may take some time to get them used to the idea of being outside on their own. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new situation quickly. Others may require being gently enthused and require time to learn to open the flap using a paw or head. Observing them from the outside and inside can help you determine the best methods to train them but remember that all cats are different.

Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, you should instead try to encourage them using treats. Place here treats on the opposite 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 check here while maintaining an ebullient, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it brings them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.

When your cat starts to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them roam around the outside and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as neighbouring cats.

If you are unsure whether your cat will be capable of surviving 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 toys. This will allow you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation that they need but click here also gives them a way of escape from any stressful situations in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel secure knowing they can always return home should they wish to.