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 have experienced the feeling of waking in the middle night to let out their cats but only to change their minds and decide to return a few minutes later. A cat flap is a solution to this problem.
It operates by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing in only authorised cats and block access to other. A cat flap has a number benefits, including:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to move around whenever they like. They can stay in their home at night if want, which reduces the chance of being attacked by feral cats or other cats who might be hunting at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could prove fatal for your cat, and therefore keeping them inside at night will stop them from getting sick.
Cats are able to enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This is a worry for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their homes as territory and eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.
It can also provide peace of mind if you're away from home, such as when you go to a vacation spot or go out for the night. It links to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements in and out of the home and lets you control when they are allowed out and in via a smart curfew feature that you can set. You can also share your app access with family members and friends to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets while you're away.
A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key can provide a further layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a certain distance from it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not familiar with using one. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can be able to see the world outside and smell it. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or treat on either side of the flap, praise and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet, to allow them to move into and out with no difficulty. Look for a durable material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
Certain cat flaps are lockable in different ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to enter the house. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to programme, making them ideal for homes with several cats.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pet's movement around the house, even when you're away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology that lets you monitor the movement of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat may wander away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely unlock the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's condition using the app.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to control who can access the door and when. This is especially useful for cats that are aggressive or older and may be unable to use a traditional flap. This can also be used to prevent your pets coming in if they're unwell or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry when it is registered, keeping out other cats. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, however they work well to keep your neighbors' cats away from your house.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help check here keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It also helps to reduce the number of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats are also drawn to the scents of plants like cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. These can be placed on either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.
It's simple to teach your cat to use small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through using their preferred food. It can be difficult to make your cat go through the first time but once you've done it, it should become a habit.
Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap, that recognizes your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. These are more expensive, but they work by using magnets placed on the neck of your pet to unlock the flap. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats and keep out stray cats out read more of the property.
Other models come with different locking options. You can set it to open or closed and exit only or entry only. These are useful if you need to control when your cat is in and out particularly at night, or if you're not home. They are also useful when you are away from home for long periods of time and need to ensure that your cat is safely indoors.
You can also select an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This allows you to control the access and exit of your cat easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide more security and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart flaps have video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
If you have a kitten or cat who has never used a cat flap it could take a while to get them used to the idea of being outside on their own. Some cats are naturally curious and will adjust to the new situation very quickly. click here Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to learn how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Watching your cat from both the inside and from the outside can help you decide what training methods to use. However, remember that every cat is different.
Instead of yelling your cat to go through the flap, try to encourage them here by giving them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then prop the flap open. Make your cat a call through the flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn how to use the flap as they will be able to see that it brings them closer to the reward at the other end.
Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them enjoy their new freedom. It is important to watch your cat and ensure that they are safe outdoors as some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other here animals like cats that are in the vicinity.
If you're unsure whether your cat can handle the outdoor world you can always lock them in at night or just leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This lets you ensure that they get all the exercise and enrichment that they need but also gives them a way of escape from any stressful situation in the house, for instance when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also be able to rest in the knowing that they can always return home whenever they wish to.