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 getting up in the middle of the night by a call to let their pets out, only to have them change their minds and decide to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this issue.
It operates by scanning your cat's microchip to allow access only to authorized cats, and denying access to others. There are many advantages of having a cat flap that are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to move around whenever they please. They can stay inside at night if they want, which reduces the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other cats who might be hunting in the night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could be fatal for your cat and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from catching them.
Cat flaps that are conventional can let other cats in and out - this is a major concern for pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their house as their own, eating their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap can even give you peace of mind when you're away, such as when you go away for the evening or out on holiday. It links to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements into and out of your home and lets you control when they can come out and in via the smart curfew feature you can 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 flap 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 from it. It is crucial to spend time educating your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open to let them see and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or food item from either side of the flap and praise and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, you can gradually close it.
Safety
There are numerous cat flaps on the market. They all have different features. It is important to select a cat-flap that's the right size for your pet's needs so that it can enter and exit easily. You should also look for a durable material that is able to withstand paws, claws, and rain.
Certain cat flaps are lockable in various ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to programme, making them perfect for homes with several cats.
Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to track your pet's movements within the home even if you're not present. Some models come with smart technology that enables you to track your pets' movements when you walk through the window or door by using an app that you can download on your phone.
This is a here great option if you're concerned that your cat could wander too far from home, or you're concerned about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can remotely unlock the flap for your cat and check your pet's health via the app.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system that gives you more control over who is able to enter and leave. This is especially useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This option can be used to prevent your pets from entering your home when they are sick or when it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan a pet's chip and only allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they are an effective way to prevent your neighbour's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. more info It can also reduce the number of accidents that happen inside the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. They can be put on either on the other side of the flap if they are still unsure.
If you have a tiny hinged panel, which can be attached to a door or window, it's simple enough to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap and guiding them to use it by offering their favorite food. It may be difficult to make your cat go through the first time but once you've done it, it should become a habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be used. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They're more expensive, however they work by putting a magnetic device on your pet's collar to unlock the flap, granting access to your home. They are a great option for multi-cat households to prevent pets that are stray from entering the property.
Other models come with a variety of locking options that allow you to set it to open, closed, exit only or entrance only. This is useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and come in particularly late at night or when you're not at home. They are useful in situations where you're away from home for an extended time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also choose a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be operated by an app which means you can manage your cat's access and exit easily. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pet. Some of these smart flaps include video monitoring and more info are accessible from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a flap for their cat, it can take a while to get them used to the idea of going outside on their own. Some cats are naturally curious and will adjust to the new situation very quickly. Others might require to be gently encouraged and need time to learn to open the flap using a paw or head. Examining them from both the outside and inside can help you work out what methods to use to train them however, keep in mind that all cats are unique.
Rather than trying to push your cat through the flap, try to encourage them 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. Call your cat through the cat flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn how to use the flap because they will see that it helps them get closer to the reward at the other end.
When your cat begins to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them explore their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, like neighbouring cats.
If you're unsure if your cat can handle fitting a cat flap the outside world, you could always lock website them in at night or leave the flap open 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 gives them a way to escape any stressful situation in the house, for instance when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also have the security of knowing that they can always return home if they'd like to.