How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners are familiar with the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and want to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip to allow in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. There are many advantages of having a flap for your cat that are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to go and come whenever they like. If they choose to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that may be hunting at night. These animals could carry deadly illnesses that your cat may contract if not kept in the dark.
Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats in and out - this is a major issue for some pet owners who do not want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their house as their own, eating their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even provide peace of mind even when you're not home for instance, when you go out for the evening or on holiday. It links to a hub as well as an app that tracks your pet's movements into and out of the home and lets you control the time they are allowed to come out and back in using a smart curfew feature that you set. You can also share your app access with family and friends to ensure that they monitor your pets while you're away.
A microchip cat flap that has a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide a further layer of security by allowing only 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 familiar with it. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage more info to push their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy from either side of the flap. You can praise and reward them every when they do this. Once they are confident using the flap, you can gradually close it.
Safety
There are numerous cat flaps that are available on the market. A lot of them come with various features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can move into and out with no difficulty. Also, you should look for a hard-wearing material that can withstand paws claws, and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to access and leave the home. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, making them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to monitor your pet's movements inside the house, even if you're not around. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movements of your pets through the door or window by through an app on your smartphone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat may wander off from your home or you're concerned about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can remotely unlock the flap for your cat and monitor your pet's health via the app.
You can also select the four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can access the door and when. This is particularly useful for those with an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that may struggle with a standard flap. This method can be used to deter your pets from coming in if they're unwell or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry when it is registered, thereby blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, however they can be effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors away from your home.
Convenience
Access to the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats are also drawn to the scents of plants such as cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. They can be put either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
It's easy to teach your cat how to use a small hinged flap that can be affixed to a window or door. Place treats on the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through by using their preferred food. It can be difficult to get them through the first time, but when they've mastered it, they should take up the habit.
Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it to be inserted. They are more expensive, but they work by using magnets around your pet's neck to unlock the flap. They can be a great solution for multi-cat households and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models come with different locking options which allow you to make it open shut, closed, exit only or entrance only. They can be helpful when you want to regulate when your cat goes out and comes back, especially if it's late at night or when you're not home. They can be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a prolonged period of time and want to be sure that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is operated via an app, which means you can control your cat's entrance and exit without difficulty. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps but they offer greater security and are safer for your pets. Some of these flaps come with video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat's body to become accustomed to going out on their own even if they've not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new environment very quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to master how to open the flap using a paw or head. Watching them from the inside and out will help you figure out what methods to use to train them however, be aware that every cat is unique.
Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, try and encourage them by giving them treats. Place a treat on the opposite side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then open the flap. Your cat should be called through the cat flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap and notice that it brings them closer to their 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 begin in introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them experience their new freedom. It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Certain cats are susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, such as neighboring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat can handle the outdoor world, you could always keep them inside at night or leave the flap unlocked to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and enrichment it requires, but you can also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in your home. They'll also be secure knowing that they can always return home whenever they wish to.