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 being woken up in the late at night to let their cats out, only for them to change their minds and come to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap could 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. A cat flap has a number benefits, including:
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 be in their home at night if prefer, which reduces the chance of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be hunting during the late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that can be fatal to your cat, so keeping them inside at night will keep them from getting sick.
Cat flaps that are conventional can allow other cats in and out - this is a major issue for some pet owners who do not want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip number and unlocking only for your cat is the only one to access the door and exit.
A microchip cat flap can even give you peace of mind when you are not home like when you go going out for dinner or on holiday. It is linked to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movements inside and out of the house. You can also set a smart curfew to restrict when they are allowed to leave and enter. You can also share access to the app with friends and family to ensure that they monitor your pets while you're away.
A microchip cat-flap fitted with a magnetic collar key or infrared collar can add an extra layer of security to your cat's safety by allowing them to use it if their collar is within certain distance. It is important that you spend time training your cat to use the flap especially if they're not used to it. Start by opening the flap so that they can view and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or a treat from either side of the flap you can encourage and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can move in and out without any difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand rain, paws and claws.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in various ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to enter and exit the house. Cat flaps are easy to set up and simple to program, which makes them perfect for homes with several cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great method to track your pet's movement in the house even when you're not there. Some models come with smart technology that allows you to monitor your pets' movements through the window or door by using an app on your phone.
This can be useful if you're concerned that your cat might wander off from your home or are worried about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can remotely lock the flap for your cat and check on your pet's health via the app.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system, which gives you more options to decide who can access the door and when. This is particularly useful for cats that are old or aggressive and could be unable to use the traditional flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from entering your home when they are sick or if it is raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow entry if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, here however they are a great method to stop your neighbor's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It can also decrease the amount of accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. These can be placed on either on the other side of the flap if they are still unsure.
It's easy to teach your cat how to utilize here small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through with their favorite food. It may be difficult to make your cat go through the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.
Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap, that detects your pet's microchip and more info allows it in. They are more expensive, but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and grant it access to your home. These are a great choice for families with multiple cats to keep unwanted animals from entering your property.
Other models offer different locking options. You can set it to open check here or close and exit only or only for entrance. This is useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and returns, especially if it's late at night or you're not home. They can also be helpful in situations where you're away from your home for a long period of time and want to ensure that your cat is safely indoors.
You can also choose a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone and controlled via an app. This lets you manage the access and exit of your cat easily. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps but they're more secure for your pet and provide greater peace of mind. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the Internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat to become used to being outside by itself if they have not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious and can adjust to the new situation quickly. Some cats will need to be gently pushed and given time to learn to open the flap using their paws or heads. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you determine what methods you can use to train them but keep in mind that all cats are different.
Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, it's better to try to encourage them offering them treats. The flap should be opened a little (not enough to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side, then call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the learning sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it leads them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.
When your cat begins to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them roam around the outside and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are secure read more outside. Some cats could be susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, such as neighboring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat is able to handle the outside world you can always lock them in at night or just leave the flap unlocked to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can ensure that your cat gets the exercise and enrichment it needs and give them a way to escape any stressful situations that may occur in the home. They will also be able to rest in the knowing that they are able to return home whenever they wish to.