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 are familiar with the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night by a call to let their cats out and then to change their minds and want to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this problem.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow only authorized cats in and deny access to others. A cat flap offers number of advantages, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to move around whenever they want. They can be inside at night if they prefer, which reduces the chance of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be hunting in the late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat could be exposed to if they are left outside at night.
Cats are able to enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This is a concern for some pet owners, who don't want neighbours' cats to harass their pets, mark their house as territory or eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip number and unlocking only for your cat is the only one to access the door and exit.
It can also give you peace of mind when you're away from home, such as when you go on vacation or go out at night. It connects to a hub as well as an app that monitors your pet's movements in and out of the home and enables you to control the time they are allowed to come out and in via the smart curfew feature you 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 cat-flap that has a microchip and a magnetic collar key or infrared collar can add an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by allowing them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. It is crucial to spend time training your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't familiar with it. Begin by letting the flap open so that they can view and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding the treat or their favorite toy from either side of the flap. Then praise and reward them every time they do it. Once they are confident using the flap, you can slowly close it.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available with a variety of features. It is essential to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can move between the two without difficulty. You should also 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 prevent burglars from entering. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to enter and exit the house. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are simple to set up, making them ideal for homes with pets that are multiple.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology that lets you monitor the movements of your pets from the door or window via an app on your smartphone.
This is beneficial if you are concerned that your cat may wander off from home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can check the status of your pet's health using the app and remotely lock their cat flap if they do get into trouble.
You can also opt for a four way manual locking system which offers more options to decide who can go in and out. This is particularly useful when your cat is a bit old or aggressive and could struggle with an ordinary flap. This can also be used to stop your pets from 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 the microchip is registered, thus keeping out other cats. These systems are more expensive than other flaps for cats, however they are a great way to prevent your neighbour's cats from getting into your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted access to the outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also help to reduce the number of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the smell of plants like cat thyme and catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them to use it even in case they are hesitant.
If you have a small hinged panel, which can be fitted to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat 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 might be difficult to teach your cat the first time however once you've mastered it, it should become a habit.
Another option is to use magnetic cat flaps, which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it in. They are more expensive, but they function by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap and give it access to your home. These can be a click here good solution for multi-cat households and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models come with different locking options, allowing you to set it to open, closed, exit only or entrance only. These can be useful when you want to regulate the time your cat is allowed to go out and returns especially late at night or when you're not at home. They can also be helpful if you're away from your home for long periods of time and want to ensure that your cat stays in a safe place.
You can also select an intelligent cat flap that connects to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, which means you can control your cat's entrance and exit with ease. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps however they are much safer for your pets and provide greater peace check here of mind. Some of these flaps also come with video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected website to the internet.
Training
It may take a while for a cat's body to become used to being out on their own even if they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and can adjust to the new situation quickly. Others might require to be gently encouraged and need time to master how to push the flap open with a more info paw or head. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you determine what methods to use to train them however, keep in mind that every cat is unique.
Rather than trying to push your cat through the flap, it's better to try and encourage them by giving them treats. Prop the flap open a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side, then call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the training sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap, noticing that it takes them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.
Once your cat is beginning to open the flap by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It is important to watch your cat and ensure they are secure in the outdoors since some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals like neighbouring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat can cope with the outdoor world, you could always keep them inside at night, or leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This will allow you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment that they need but also provides them with a means to escape any click here stressful situations in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also be secure knowing that they will be able to return home if they wish to.