How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap is a solution to this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing access only to authorized cats, and denying access to others. There are a number of benefits to having a flap for your cat that include:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to move around whenever they please. They can be in their home at night if wish, which will reduce the chance of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that may be out hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that could be fatal for your cat, and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from being bitten by them.
Cats can enter and exit via standard cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don't want neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their house as their territory and eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep other cats out by reading the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even provide peace of mind when you are not home for instance, when you are out for the evening or on holiday. It is linked to an app and hub that track your pet's movements within and outside the house. You can also set a smart curfew in order to regulate when you can allow them to enter and leave. You can also share access to the app with family and friends so that they can monitor your pets whilst you are away.
A microchip cat-flap fitted with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar will add an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by permitting them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. It is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap, particularly if they aren't used to it - start by leaving the flap open to let them see and sniff the outside world. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or treat from either side of the flap and praise and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.
Safety
There are many cat flaps available, with many offering different features. You should select one that is the right size for your pet so it can be able to enter and out without 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 stop burglars from entering. You can lock them manually with an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and easy to program, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pets movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to track the movements of your pets through the door or window via an app on your smartphone.
This is useful if you are concerned that your cat might wander off from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can check the status of your pet through 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 that offers more options to decide who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This option can be used to stop your pet from coming in when they are sick or if it is raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.
Convenience
Being able to access the outside world can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also reduce the number of accidents that take place within the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain plants such as cat thyme, 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 in a shaky state.
If you have a tiny hinged panel, which can be fitted to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap and guiding them to use it with their favourite food. It might be difficult to make your cat go through the first time but once you've done it, you will be able to make it a habit.
Another alternative is to opt for magnetic cat flaps, that recognizes your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. 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 access to your home. They can be a great solution for households with multiple cats and prevent stray cats entering the home.
Other models come with various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed, exit only, or entry only. These are great for those who need to regulate the time your cat goes and comes, especially at night or when you're not home. They can be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a prolonged time and you want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also select a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is operated by an app which means you can control your cat's access and exit without difficulty. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps however they provide more peace of mind and are safer for your pet. Some of these cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location connected to the Internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat to become comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially if they have not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new environment very quickly. cat flap fitters near me may need to be gently encouraged and need time to learn how to push the flap open by using a paw or a head. Observing them from the outside and inside will help you figure out what methods to use to train them but remember that all cats are different.
Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, you should instead try to encourage them offering them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. Your cat should be called through the flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it leads them closer to the reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat starts to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them explore their new freedom. But, it's crucial to watch your cat and ensure they are safe outdoors as certain cats are susceptible to the elements and other animals, such as the neighbouring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat is able to cope with the outdoors, you can keep your cat inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the enrichment and exercise that it requires and give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that could arise in the home. They will also have the security of knowing that they are able to come back home if they want to.