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 recognise the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and want to return within minutes. A cat flap could solve this issue.
It works by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing access only to authorized cats and deny others access. The flap can provide a number of advantages, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help to keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them to go in and out at any time they wish. If they want to, they can stay in at the night. This will decrease the possibility of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that might be hunting at night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that could be fatal for your cat so keeping them inside at night will prevent them from being bitten by them.
Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats in and out - this is a big worry for pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their homes as their own, eating their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip and only unlocking for that, so your cat is the only cat to be able to enter and exit.
A microchip cat flap can even give you peace of mind when you're away for instance, when you go going out for dinner or out on holiday. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of the house and lets you control when they are allowed out and in via the smart curfew feature you can set. You can share the app with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet while you're away.
A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key can provide additional security by only allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance of it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is especially important if it's not used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap open so they can observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy on either side of the flap. Then beg them to do so each time they do it. When they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety 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 easily move into and out with no difficulty. You should also look for a durable material that can withstand paws, claws and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and prevent burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually with the peg that fits inside the lock, or you can choose microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to enter the house. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are simple to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to monitor your pet's movements around the house, even when you're away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movements of your pets through the window or door through an app on your smartphone.
This can be useful if you're concerned that your cat could wander too far from home or are worried about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can remotely open the flap for your cat and check on your pet's status through 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 particularly helpful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This is a great option to stop your pet from entering your home when they are sick or when it is raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, however they can be effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors out of your home.
Convenience
Access to the outside world can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that take place in the home. Many cats are also attracted by the scents of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. They can be put either the side of the flap in case they are still unsure.
If you have a small hinged panel that can be fitted to a window or door it's easy to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap, and read more encouraging them through it by using their favorite food. It's not easy to make them go through it the first time, but once they do start, they should continue to follow the habit.
Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it to be inserted. These are more expensive, however they work by putting a magnet on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. These are a good option for multi-cat households to cat flaps prevent unwanted animals from entering your property.
Other models offer various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed, exit only, or entry only. This is useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and comes back particularly late at night or you're not at home. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from home for long periods of time and need to ensure your cat remains safe inside.
You can also choose a smart cat-flap that is connected to your smartphone and controlled by an app. This allows you to control the entrance and exit of your cat with ease. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps, however cat flap installation cost near me they are much safer for your pets and provide greater peace of mind. Some of these cat flaps have video monitoring, and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the Internet.
Training
If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a flap for their cat, it may take some time to get them used to the idea of being out on their own. Depending on their personality, some are naturally curious and will adjust to the new experience quickly. Certain cats need to be gently pushed and taught to open the flap using their paws or head. Observing cat flap installation in glass doors near me your cat from both the inside and from the outside will help you decide on the best methods of training to use. However, remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling at your cat to walk through the flap, you should try to encourage them with treats. The flap should be opened a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place a treat on the other side. Then, call them through the flap, making sure your voice is steady and positive to make the training sessions more enjoyable for both of you and your cat. This will aid your cat in learning to use the flap as they will realize that it brings them closer to the reward on the other side.
When your cat begins to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can start introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their cat flap cost new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like neighboring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat can handle the outdoor world you can always put them in a cage at night, or leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it requires, but you can also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in your home. They'll also be able to rest in the knowing that they will be able to return home whenever they want to.