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 are familiar with the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let out their cats but only to change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this issue.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats access and block access to other cats. A cat flap offers number benefits, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to move around whenever they please. They can remain in their home at night if wish, which will reduce the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other cats who may be out hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that can be fatal for your cat, so keeping them inside at night will keep them from getting sick.
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 homes as their own, eating their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip code and only unlocking for your cat is the only one to access the door and exit.
It can also give you peace of mind if you are away from home, like when you are on vacation or out at night. It is linked to an app and hub that track your pet's movement in and out of the home. You can also set a smart curfew in order to regulate when you can allow them to leave and enter. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet while you're away.
A microchip cat flap that has an infrared or magnetic collar key will provide an additional 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 teaching your cat to use the flap particularly if they aren't used to it - start by letting the flap open so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Holding out a favourite 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 are confident using the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available and many of them come with different features. It is important to select a cat flap that suits the dimensions of your pet so that they can move in and out without any difficulty. You should also search for a durable product that can withstand paws, claws and rain.
Some cat flaps are lockable in various ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to enter and exit the home. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are easy to set up, which makes them perfect for homes with pets that are multiple.
Microchip cat flaps are a great method to track your pet's movement inside the house, even if you're not there. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movements of your pets from the door or window using an app on your smartphone.
This is beneficial if you are concerned that your cat may wander off from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can track the location of your pet through the app and remotely unlock their cat flap in case they do get into trouble.
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can go in and out. This is particularly useful for those with an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that might struggle with a traditional flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from coming in when they are sick or when it's raining outside.
Other pet owners choose flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry if it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors out of your home.
Convenience
Having unrestricted access to the outside world can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. It also helps to reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the smell of certain plants such as cat thyme and 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, which can be attached to a window or door it's easy to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the check here flap and guiding them to use it by offering their favorite food. It's not easy to make them go through it the first time, but once they've done it, they should take up the habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be used. It detects the microchip of more info your pet and allows it access to. These are more expensive but work by using a magnetic device on your pet's collar to unlock the flap and give it access to your home. They can be a great solution for households with multiple cats as they keep out stray cats out of the home.
Other models come with a variety of locking options which allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entrance only. These can be useful when you want to regulate when your cat goes out and come in particularly late get more info at night or when you're not home. They can also be helpful in situations where you're away from your home for extended periods of time and want to ensure your cat remains in a safe place.
You can also choose a smart cat flap that connects to your smartphone and can be operated via an app, which means you can control your cat's access and exit easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide greater peace of mind and are safer for your pets. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location with an Internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to become accustomed to going outside by itself in the event that they've never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new experience quickly. Some cats will need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or heads. Observing them from the inside and outside can help you work out what methods you can use to train them however, be aware that all cats are different.
Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, it's better to attempt to encourage them giving them treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to see the other side) and place an item on the opposite side, then call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the training sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to utilize the flap since they will realize that it helps them get closer to the reward on the other end.
Once your cat starts to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them enjoy their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as cats that live nearby.
If you are unsure whether your cat is in a position to handle the outdoors, you can either lock your cat inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can make sure that your cat gets the exercise and stimulation it needs however, you should also give website them a way to escape any stressful situations that may occur in the cat flap bifold doors home. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll be able to return home if they want to.