How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners can relate to the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their pets out, only for them to change their minds and decide to go to return within minutes. A cat flap can help solve this problem.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow access to only authorized cats, and denying access to others. A cat flap has a number benefits, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to come and go whenever they want. If they prefer stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats that may be hunting in the late at night. These animals could carry deadly diseases that your cat could contract if out at night.
Cats can enter and exit through conventional cat flaps. This is a concern for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours' cats to harass their pets, mark their home as their territory, eat their food, or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip and unlocking only for that, meaning your cat is the only one who can access the door and exit.
It can also provide peace of mind if you are away from home, for example when you are on vacation or go out at night. It links to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the house and allows you to regulate the time they are allowed to come in and out via a smart curfew feature that you can set. You can also share the app access with family members and friends so that they can keep an eye on your pet while you are 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 only permitting them to use it if their collar is within certain distance. It is crucial to spend time educating your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't used to it - start by letting the flap open to let them see and smell the world around them. By distributing a favorite toy or treat from either side of the flap you can encourage and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps that are available on the market. They all have different features. It's important to choose one that is suitable for the size of your pet, so that they can move between the two without difficulty. Also, you should look for a durable material that can withstand paws, claws and rain.
Certain cat flaps are lockable in different ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using the peg that fits inside the lock, or you can choose microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter your home. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, making them perfect for homes with multiple pets.
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pet's movement around the house, even when you are away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology that allows you to track the movements of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.
This is a great option in case you're worried that your cat may wander too far from home or are worried about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely unlock the flap on your cat's door and check on your pet's status through the app.
You can also opt for the four-way manual locking system that offers more options to decide who can go in and out. This is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat that might struggle with a traditional flap. This is a great option to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan a pet's chip and only allow entry only if the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These flaps can be 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
Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. doors with cat flap helps to reduce the number of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the smell of certain plants like cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them through it if they remain in a shaky state.
If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be affixed 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 encouraging them to use it by offering their favourite food. It may be difficult to make them go through it the first time but when they've mastered it, they should take up the habit.
Another option is to make use of magnetic cat flaps, that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to be inserted. They are more expensive, however they work by putting the magnet on your pet's neck to open the flap. These are a great choice for households with multiple cats to stop stray animals from entering the property.
Other models provide different locking options. You can set it to open or close, exit only, or entry only. These can be useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and come in, especially if it's late at night and you're not home. They are useful if you are away from home for a long period of time and want to be sure that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This lets you control the entrance and exit of your cat with ease. similar web site are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pets. Some of these flaps even have video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat's body to become accustomed to going outdoors on its own, especially if they have not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adapt to the new environment very quickly. Some cats will need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or heads. Watching your cat from both the inside and the outside can help you decide what methods of training to use. But remember that every cat is different.
Instead of yelling at your cat to go through the flap, try to encourage them with treats. Open the flap 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, making sure your voice is positive and calm to make the training sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.
When your cat begins to take a lick or use their head to open it, you are able to let them out in the open and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It is important to watch your cat and ensure that they are safe outdoors as certain cats are susceptible to the elements as well as other animals like neighbouring cats.
If you're not sure whether your cat is capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and toys. This allows you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation that they need but it also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situation in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also have the security of knowing that they are able to return home whenever they'd like to.