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 know the feeling of being woken in the middle night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and decide to return later. A cat flap is a solution to 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 number of advantages of using a cat flap. These include:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help to keep your cat secure and safe by allowing them to go in and out as they please. If they choose to remain inside, they can do so at night. This will reduce the chances of them being attacked by other cats or feral cats that might be hunting at night. They can be carriers of deadly illnesses that your cat may catch if they are out at night.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats out and in - this is a major concern for some pet owners who don't want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their home as their territory, eating 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 access the door and exit.
A microchip cat flap may even provide peace of mind when you're away for instance, when you are away for the evening or on holiday. It links to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements into and out of the house and lets you control the time they are allowed to come in and out via a smart curfew feature that you can set. You can also share the app access with friends and family to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with an infrared or magnetic collar key will add a further 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 are not familiar with it. Begin by letting the flap open so that they can view and sniff around. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or food item on either side of the flap, praise and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, you can gradually close it.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps on the market with a variety of features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can move between the two without difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps are lockable in various ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter your home. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, making them perfect for homes with multiple pets.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to monitor your pet's movements around the house even when you are away from home. Some models come with smart technology that enables you to track your pet's' movements as they walk through the door or window by using click here an app that you can download on your phone.
This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat more info may wander off from your home or you're concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can track the location of your pet using the app and remotely lock their cat flap should they get into any trouble.
You can also select a four way manual locking system that offers more options to control who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly helpful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who may struggle with a standard flap. This method can also be used to prevent your pets from 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 when it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, however they are effective in keeping your neighbours' cats away from your house.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help to keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the scent of herbs such as cat thyme and catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to go through it even in case they are in a shaky state.
If you have a small hinged panel, which can be affixed to a window or door it's easy to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap and guiding them to use it with their favorite food. It can be difficult to teach your cat the first time, but once get more info you do it should become a habit.
Another alternative is to opt for magnetic cat flaps, which recognises website your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. They're more expensive, but work by using a magnetic device on your pet's collar to unlock the flap and grant access to your home. They can be a great solution for households with multiple cats as they stop stray cats from entering your property.
Other models come with a variety of locking options which allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entrance only. This is useful when you want to regulate when your cat goes out and returns, especially if it's late at night or when you're not at home. They are useful if you are away from home for a long time and you want to make sure your cat is safe.
You can also choose a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is controlled by an app, which means you can control your cat's entrance and exit with ease. These flaps are more difficult to install than website traditional cat flaps, however they provide more security and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart flaps also have video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to get used to being outside by itself in the event that they've not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adapt to the new environment very quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or heads. Watching your cat from both the inside and outside will help you decide on the best training methods to employ. Remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling at your cat to open the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side. Then, call them through the flap, making sure your voice is positive and calm to make the training sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it brings them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.
Once your cat is beginning to open the flap by licking or shaking their head, you can start introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them experience their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe out there. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like cats that live nearby.
If you're not sure if your cat is able to handle the outdoor world, you could always lock them in at night, or leave the flap unlocked to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This lets you make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require, but also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situations in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they can always return home if they choose to.