How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of being woken up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap can solve this issue.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats to enter and block access to other cats. There are many benefits to using a cat flap. These are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to go and come whenever they please. They can stay inside at night if they want, which reduces their chances of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that may be out hunting in the late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might contract if not kept in the dark.
Cats can enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This is a worry for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their home as territory or eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap can even provide peace of mind when you are not home, such as when you go out for the evening or out on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of your home and allows you to regulate the time they are allowed to come out and back in using the smart curfew feature you can set. The app can be shared with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pet when you're away.
A microchip cat flap that has an infrared or magnetic collar key can provide an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap if 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 used to it. Start by letting the flap open so that they can view and sniff the outside world. Holding out a favourite toy or treat from either side of flap and give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, you can gradually close it.
Safety
There are a myriad of cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It is important to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet, to allow them to move in and out without any difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to help secure your home and prevent burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually using an appropriate peg that 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.
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pets movements around the house, even when you're away from home. Certain models are equipped with smart technology that enables you to track your pet's' movements through the windows or doors by using an app on your smartphone.
This can be useful if you're concerned that your cat could wander away from home or are worried about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap should they get into any trouble.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you more control over who can be allowed to enter and exit. This is particularly useful for those with an aggressive cat or an older cat who might be unable to use a traditional flap. This option can be used to deter your pets from entering your home when they're sick or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if the microchip is registered, thus keeping out other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, however they are a great way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help to keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also decrease the number of toileting accidents that happen within the home. i loved this feel enticed by the scent of plants such as cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to encourage them to go through it even if they remain in a shaky state.
If you have a tiny hinged panel, which can be affixed to a door or window it's easy 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's not easy to master the process the first time but once they've done it, they should take up the habit.
Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap that detects your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They are more expensive, however, they function by using the magnet around your pet's neck to unlock the flap. They are a great option for families with multiple cats to keep stray animals from entering the property.
Other models come with different locking options which allow you to set it to open, closed, exit only or entrance only. These can be useful for those who want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back especially late at night or you're not home. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from your home for extended periods of time and want to ensure your cat remains safe inside.
You can also select a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, which means you can manage your cat's access and exit without difficulty. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, but they're much more secure for your pet and provide greater security. Some of these smart flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.
Training
It can take time for a cat's body to become accustomed to going outside by itself in the event that they've not used a flap before. Based on their nature, some cats are naturally curious and adapt to the new environment quickly. Some cats will require to be gently encouraged and given time to learn to open the flap using their paws or head. Examining your cat from the inside and from the outside can help you decide what training methods to employ. Remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling at your cat to walk through the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then prop the flap open. Your cat should be called through the flap, while speaking in an upbeat, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn to navigate the flap and notice that it leads them closer to the reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat is beginning to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather or other animals, including 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 so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and other toys. This allows you to ensure that they get all the exercise and enrichment they require, but also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situation in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also be secure knowing that they can always return home whenever they'd like to.