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 are familiar with the feeling of being woken in the middle of the night to let out their cats but only to change their mind and want to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap solves this issue.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats in and restrict access to all other cats. There are a variety of benefits to having a flap for your cat that include:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to move around whenever they please. They can remain in the dark if they wish, which will reduce their chances of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be out hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that could prove fatal to your cat, and therefore keeping them inside at night will prevent them from catching them.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats out and in - this is a big worry for some pet owners who do not want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their house as their own, eating 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.
A microchip cat flap could even provide peace of mind when you're away for instance, when you go away for the evening or on holiday. It connects to a hub as well as an app, which tracks your pet's movements in and out of the house and lets you control when they can come out and in via the smart curfew feature you set. You can also share your app access with family members and friends so that they can keep an eye on your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat-flap with a magnetic collar key or infrared collars will provide an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by permitting them to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is recommended to spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap open so they can see the outside world and smell it. Holding out a favourite toy or a treat from either side of flap, give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are many cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It is important to select one that is the proper size for your pet, so it can be able to enter and exit easily. You should also look for a hard-wearing material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in various ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually with the peg that fits inside the lock, or you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. Cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple pets.
A key advantage of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pet's movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Certain models are equipped with intelligent technology that allows you to track your pet's' movements when you walk through the windows or doors using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful if you're concerned that your cat could wander off from your home or are worried about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap if they are in trouble.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can go in and out. This is especially useful when your cat is a bit get more info aggressive or older and may have difficulty using an ordinary flap. This can also be used to prevent your pets coming in when they're sick or it's raining outside.
Other pet owners choose flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry if it is registered, thus keeping out other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, but they can be effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors out of your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted access to the outside can help to keep your cat physically and mentally active. It can also decrease the amount of accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the scent of plants like cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them to use it even in case they are uneasy.
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 opposite side of the flap and encouraging them to use it with their favorite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.
A magnetic cat flap could also be used. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They're more expensive however, they function by using magnets on your pet's neck to open the flap. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats as they stop stray cats from entering your property.
Other models website come with different locking options, allowing you get more info to make it open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These can be useful for those who want to control your cat's movements when they go out and come in especially late at night and you're not home. They can be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a website prolonged time and you want to make 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 through an app. This allows you to manage the entrance and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pet. Some of these cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring, and can be accessed from anywhere that has an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to become used to being outdoors on its own, especially even if they've not used a flap before. Based on their individual nature, some cats are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to master how to open the flap using a paw or head. Observing them from the inside and out can help you determine what methods to use to train them however, remember that all cats are different.
Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, try to encourage them using treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then open the flap. Call your cat through the flap, while speaking in a calm, positive voice. This will aid your cat in learning to use the flap because they will realize the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other end.
Once your cat begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them roam around the outside and enjoy their newfound freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe out there. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as neighboring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat is able to handle the outdoor world it is possible to keep them inside 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 enrichment it needs and give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that could arise in your home. They'll also have the security of fitting a cat flap in a upvc door knowing that they can always come back home if they wish to.