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 getting up in the middle of the night to let their cat out and only to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap is a solution to this issue.
It operates by scanning your cat's microchip to allow in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. There are a variety of advantages to having a cat flap that include:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out whenever they want. If they prefer stay inside, they are able to do so at the night. This will decrease the chances of them being attacked by other cats or feral cats who may be hunting at night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that could be fatal for your cat, and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from getting sick.
Cat flaps that are conventional can let other cats out and in - this is a big worry for pet owners who do not want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door will keep out other cats by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap may provide security when you are not home, such as when you go away for the evening or out on holiday. It's linked to an app and hub that track your pet's movement in and outside the house. You can also set a smart curfew to control when you allow them to enter and leave. You can also share the app access with friends and family so that they can monitor your pets whilst you are away.
A microchip cat-flap with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar can add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by allowing them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. It is important that you spend time teaching your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not used to it - start by leaving the flap open so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy from either side of the flap. You can give them praise and rewards each time they do it. Once they are confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are many different cat flaps available on the market. They all have different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can easily move between the two without difficulty. Also, you should look for a hard-wearing material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and prevent burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually with a peg which fits into the lock, or you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter the house. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to install, making them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
Microchip cat flaps are a great method to monitor your pet's movements within the home even if you're not around. Some models come with smart technology that enables you to track your pets' movements through the windows or doors by using an app on your phone.
This is useful if you're concerned that your cat could wander away from home or you're worried about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can track the location of your pet using the app and remotely unlock their cat flap should they do get into trouble.
You can also choose a four-way manual locking mechanism, which gives you more control over who can access and exit the door. This is particularly useful if you have an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that might struggle with a traditional flap. This method can be used to website deter your pets from coming in when they're sick or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that scan the pet's chip, and let it in when the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps however they are a great method to stop your neighbor's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted access to the outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It can also reduce the number of accidents that occur within the home. Many cats are also attracted to the scents of plants such as cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap if they are still hesitant.
If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be attached to a door or window 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 by offering their favourite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat the first time but once you've done it, it should become a habit.
Another option is to make use of magnetic cat flaps, that detects your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They cat flap cost near me are more expensive, however they work by putting the magnetic device that is attached to your pet's collar to unlock the flap, granting it click here access to your home. They can be a great solution for multi-cat households and prevent stray cats entering the property.
Other models come with various locking options. You can set it to open or close with an exit only, or entry only. They can be helpful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and come in particularly late at night and you're not at home. These can be useful when you're away from home for an cat flaps for french doors extended period of time and want to be sure that your cat is secure.
You can also choose an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you control the entrance and exit of your cat easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide greater peace of mind and are safer for your pet. Some of these cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the Internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat to become comfortable with going out on their own if they have never used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and can adjust to the new environment very quickly. Others may need to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to master how to open the flap using a paw or head. Watching them from the outside and inside can help you work out what methods you can use to train them, but keep in mind that all cats are unique.
Instead of yelling your cat to go through the flap, you should try to encourage them by giving them treats. Place a treat on the opposite side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. Your cat should be called through the cat flap, while speaking in a calm, positive voice. This will aid your cat in learning to use the flap as they will see the way it gets them closer to the reward at the other side.
When your cat starts to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them out in the open and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure they are safe out there. Some cats could be susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, including neighboring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat can cope with the outside world it is possible to keep them inside at night or through wall cat flap leave the flap open to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This will allow you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment that they need but also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situation in the house, for instance when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also be secure knowing that they can always return home whenever they wish to.