How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and come to return within minutes. A cat flap can solve this problem.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow access to only authorized cats, and denying access to others. A cat flap has a variety of benefits, such as:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them to go in and out whenever they want. If they want to, they can stay in at the night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or wild cats who may be hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that can be fatal to your cat, so keeping them inside at night will keep them from being bitten by them.
Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats in and out - this is a major issue for some pet owners who don't wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their house as their own, eating their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap can even give you peace of mind even when you're not home, such as when you go away for the evening or on holiday. It is linked to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movement in and out of the house. You can also set a smart curfew in order to restrict when they are allowed to leave and enter. You can also share access to the app with friends and family to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets whilst 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 only permitting them to use it if their collar is within certain distance. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not familiar with it. Begin by leaving the flap open to let them see and smell the world around them. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy from either side of the flap. You can praise and reward them every time they do it. When they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are many different cat flaps that are available on the market. They all have various features. It's important to choose a cat flap that suits the size of your pet so that they can move into and out with no difficulty. You should also look for a hard-wearing material that can withstand paws claws, and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in different ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats.
A key advantage of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to monitor your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to track the movements of your pets through the window or door through an app on your phone.
This is useful if you are concerned that your cat might wander away from home or if they have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can remotely lock the cat flap and monitor your pet's health via the app.
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you more control over who is able to be allowed to enter and exit. This is particularly useful for those 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 when it's raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow it to enter if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.
Convenience
Having unrestricted access to the world outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. They can be put either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
If back door with cat flap fitted have a small hinged panel that can be fitted to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap and guiding them through it by using their favorite food. It can be difficult to master the process the first time but once they do begin, they will be able to adopt the habit.
Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. These are more expensive, however they work by putting the magnet on your pet's neck to open the flap. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats and stop stray cats from entering your property.
Other models come with a variety of locking options, allowing you to choose to lock it open, closed, exit only or entrance only. These are great for those who need to regulate when your cat is in and out, especially at night or when you're not home. They are useful in situations where you're away from home for a long time and want to make sure your cat is safe.
website can also select a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you control the entrance and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps however they are much safer for your pets and offer more peace of mind. Some of these flaps include video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with 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 being out on their own. Some cats are naturally curious and can adjust to the new situation very quickly. Some cats will need to be gently pushed and taught to open the flap using their paws or head. Observing your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide which methods of training to use. Remember that every cat is different.
Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, it's better to try and encourage them by giving them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. Make your cat a call through the flap while using a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap and notice that it brings them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them out in the open and have fun in their new freedom. It is important to watch your cat and ensure that they are secure in the outdoors since some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals, such as the cats in the area.
If you're not sure if your cat can handle the outside world you can always lock them in at night or leave the flap unlocked 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 however, you should also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that could arise in your home. They'll also be able to rest in the knowing that they can always come back home if they'd like to.