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 waking in the middle of the night to let their pets out and then to change their minds and want to return later. A cat flap can solve this issue.
It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and restrict access to all other cats. A cat flap has a variety of benefits, such as:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to go and come whenever they like. If they choose to, they can stay in at the night. This reduces the chance of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that may be hunting in the late at night. They can be carriers of deadly diseases that your cat could contract if not kept in the dark.
Conventional cat flaps also let other cats inside and out. This is a major concern for some pet owners who do not wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their house as their territory, eating their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door will keep out other cats by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even give you peace of mind when you are not home like when you are out for the evening or going on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app, which tracks your pet's movements into and out of the house and allows you to regulate the time they are allowed to come in and out via the smart curfew feature you can set. You can also share access to the app with friends and family so that they can monitor your pets whilst you are away.
A microchip cat-flap with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar will add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by only allowing them to use it if their collar is within certain distance. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap, particularly if they aren't used to it - start by leaving the flap open so that they can view and sniff around. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of the flap and encourage and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, gradually close it.
Safety
There are many cat flaps available, with many offering different features. It's important to choose a cat flap that suits the dimensions of your pet so that they can easily move into and out with no difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
Some cat flaps are lockable in different ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that fits into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to enter and exit the home. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are simple to set up, making them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to monitor your pet's movements around the house, even when you're away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which lets you monitor the movement of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.
This is useful if you're concerned that your cat may wander too far from home or you're concerned about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can track the location of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap in case they are in trouble.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to decide who can access the door and when. This is especially useful when check here you have a naive cat or an older cat who may struggle with a standard flap. This is a great option to stop your pet from entering your home when they are sick or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that scan the pet's more info chip, and allow entry if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, but they work well to keep your neighbours' cats away from your house.
Convenience
Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also reduce the number of toileting accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also drawn by the scents of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. These can be placed either side of the flap if they are still unsure.
It's simple to teach your cat to make use of a small hinged flap that can be affixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through with their preferred food. It may be difficult to get your cat through the first time but once you've done it, you will be able to make it a habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. These are more expensive however they work by putting the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and grant access to your home. They are a great option for multi-cat households to prevent pets more info that are stray from entering the property.
Other models offer various locking options. You can set it to open or close and exit only or entrance only. They can be helpful when you want to regulate your cat's movements when they go out and come in particularly late at night or when you're not home. They are useful when you're away from home for an extended time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This lets you manage the access and exit of your cat easily. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, but they're much more secure for your pet and provide more security. Some of these smart flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.
Training
If you have click here a kitten or cat who has not used a cat flap before, it can take here a while to get them used to the idea of being out on their own. Depending on their personality, some are naturally curious and will adapt to the new environment quickly. Some cats will need to be gently pushed and given time to learn to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Watching your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide which methods of training to use. But remember that every cat is different.
Instead of yelling your cat to open the flap, try to encourage them with treats. Open the flap slightly (not enough to see the other side) and place treats on the other side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the training sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to use the flap because they will realize that it helps them get closer to the reward on the other end.
Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can begin in introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them experience their new freedom. But, it's crucial to watch your cat and make sure they are secure outdoors, as certain cats are susceptible to the elements and other animals like cats in the area.
If you're unsure whether your cat can cope with the outdoors you can always keep them inside at night or just 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 stimulation they require. It it also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situations around the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also have the security of knowing that they can always come back home if they'd like to.