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 recognize the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and come to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap can help solve this problem.
It operates 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 cat flap that include:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to move around whenever they want. If they prefer, they can stay in at the night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that might be hunting in the late at night. These animals could carry deadly illnesses that your cat may catch if they are out at night.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats inside and out. This is a major concern for some pet owners who do not want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their home as their territory, eating their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip code and only unlocking for your cat is the only one to be able to enter and exit.
A microchip cat flap can even give you peace of mind when you are not home, such as when you go away for the evening or going on holiday. It links to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of the house and enables you to control when they can come out and back in using the smart curfew feature you set. You can also share the app access with family members and friends to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide additional security by only allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance of it. It is important that you spend time teaching your cat to use the flap especially if they're not used to it. Start by opening the flap to let them see and smell the world around them. Holding out a favourite toy or food item from either side of flap you can give your cat praise and a reward every time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It's important to choose one that is suitable for the size of your pet, to allow them to move between the two without difficulty. Also, you should look for a durable material that can withstand paws, claws and rain.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and stop burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually with an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to program, which makes them ideal for homes with several cats.
Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to monitor your pet's movements inside the house, even if you're not present. Some models have smart technology that enables you to track your pets' movements through the windows or doors using an app on your smartphone.
This is beneficial if you are concerned that your cat might wander too far away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can check the status of your pet's health using the app and remotely unlock their cat flap should they get into any trouble.
You can also select a four way manual locking system that offers more options to decide who can access the door and when. This is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat that might struggle with a traditional flap. This can also be used to prevent your pets coming in if they're unwell 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, thereby blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to keep your neighbour's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Having unrestricted access to the outside world can help keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It can also to reduce the number of accidents that occur within the home. Many cats are also enticed by the smell of herbs such as cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to encourage them to go through it even in case they are in a shaky state.
If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be fitted to a door or window, 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 might be difficult to get your cat through the first time, but once you do it should become a habit.
Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. These are more expensive, however they work by putting a magnet placed on the neck of your pet to unlock the flap. They are a great option for multi-cat households to more info prevent unwanted animals from entering your property.
Other models offer different locking options. You can set it to either closed or open and exit only or entry only. These are great for those who need to regulate the time your cat is in and out, especially at night or when you're not home. These can be useful when you're away from home for a prolonged time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also select a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This lets you manage the entrance and exit of your cat easily. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much more secure for your pet and provide greater security. Some of these smart 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's body to become comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially even if they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious and can adjust to the new experience very cat flap install quickly. Others may need to be gently enthused and require time to learn to push the flap open with a paw or head. Watching them from the inside and out will help you figure out what methods you can use to train them but keep in mind that all cats are different.
Instead of trying to push your cat through the flap, it's better to attempt to encourage them giving them treats. The flap should be opened just a bit (not enough to see the other side) here and then place a treat on the other side. Then, call them through the flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make read more the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it brings them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.
When your cat begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them roam around the outside and enjoy their newfound freedom. However, it's important to keep an eye on your cat and make sure they are secure outdoors, as certain cats are susceptible to the elements and other animals like neighbouring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can keep them inside at night, or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. This lets you ensure that they get all the exercise and enrichment check here they require. It it also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situation in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll always be able to return home should they wish to.