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 being woken in the middle night to let their cats out and then to change their minds and decide to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap could solve this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip to allow access only to authorized cats and block access to other. There are a number of benefits to having a cat flap that are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help to keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out at any time they wish. They can stay inside at night if they want, which reduces their chances of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that could be fatal to your cat, and therefore keeping them inside at night will keep them from getting sick.
Cats can get in and out through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for some pet owners, who don't want neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as their territory or eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even give you peace of mind when you're away like when you go away for the evening or out on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app, which tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the house and lets you control the time they are allowed to come out and in via the smart curfew feature you can set. It is possible to share the app with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with a magnetic or infrared collar key will add an additional layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a certain distance from it. It is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't familiar with it. Begin by opening the flap to let them see and smell the world around them. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favourite toy on either side of the flap. You can give them praise and rewards each time they do it. Once they're comfortable using the flap, you can slowly close it.
Safety
There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the dimensions of your pet to allow them to move into and out with no difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and prevent burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually by using the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter your home. Cat flaps are easy to set up and easy to program, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
A key advantage of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pets movements around the house, even when you're away from home. Some models have smart technology that enables you to track your pet's' movements when you walk through the door or window by using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful if you are concerned that your cat might wander away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can remotely lock the flap on your cat's door and check on your pet's health via the cat flap installer near me app.
You can also choose a four-way manual locking mechanism, which gives you more control over who can enter and leave. This is particularly helpful for those with an aggressive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This can also be used to stop your pets from entering your home when they're sick or if it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan a pet's chip and only let it in only if the pet is registered. website This prevents other cats. These systems are more check here expensive than normal cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping your neighbours' cats out of your home.
Convenience
Being able to access the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated. It can also decrease the amount of accidents that happen within the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain 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 through it if they remain in a shaky state.
If you have a small hinged panel that can be fitted to a door or window it's easy to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it with more info their favourite food. It can be difficult to get your cat through the first time but once you've done it, the practice will become habitual.
A magnetic cat flap could also be used. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They are more expensive, however they work by putting a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and grant it access to your home. They can be a great solution for households with multiple cats and keep out stray cats out of the property.
Other models have different locking options, allowing you to make it open, closed, exit only or entry only. This is useful when you want to regulate the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back, especially if it's late at night and you're not home. They can be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a prolonged time and want to make sure your cat is safe.
You can also opt for an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled by an app. This allows you to control the access and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide greater peace of mind and are safer check here for your pet. Some of these smart cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring and are accessible from any location that has an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to get accustomed to going outside by itself if they have not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new situation quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to learn to open the flap with a paw or head. Watching your cat from both the inside and from the outside will help you decide which methods of training to use. However, remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling your cat to open 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 prop the flap open. Call your cat through the cat flap while maintaining an ebullient, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap and notice that it brings them closer to the reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin in introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, like cats that live nearby.
If you're unsure whether your cat can cope with the outdoor world, you could always put them in a cage at night or just leave the flap unlocked so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This lets you make sure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation they require, but also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situations around the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also be secure knowing that they can always return home if they wish to.