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 will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap solves this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. There are many advantages of using a cat flap. These are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to come and go whenever they like. If they choose to remain inside, they can do so at the night. This will reduce the chances of them being attacked by other cats or feral cats that might be hunting in the night. They can be carriers of deadly illnesses that your cat may catch if they are not kept in the dark.
Cats are able to enter and exit via standard cat flaps. This is a concern for pet owners who don't want their neighbours' cats to harass their pets, mark their house as territory, eat their food, or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
It can also give you peace of mind when you're away from home, like when you go on vacation or out at night. It connects to a hub as well as an app that monitors your pet's movements inside and out of your home and allows you to regulate when they can come out and in via a smart curfew feature that you set. You can share the app with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pets when you're away.
A microchip cat flap that has an infrared or magnetic collar key will add additional security by allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance from it. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap especially if they are not used to it - start by letting the flap open to let them see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to put their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy from either side of the flap. Then beg them to do so each when they do this. When they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are numerous cat flaps available on the market. They all have different features. You should choose a cat-flap that's the proper size for your pet so that it can enter and exit easily. Find a sturdy fabric that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps are lockable in various ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually with the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter your home. Cat flaps are easy to set up and simple to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great method to monitor your pet's movements inside the house, even if you're not around. Certain models come with smart technology, which lets you monitor the movements of your pets from the window or door using an app on your phone.
This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat might wander off from your home or you're concerned about their access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can check the status of your pet through the app and remotely lock their cat flap should they get into any trouble.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system, which gives you more control over who is able to enter and leave. This is particularly helpful when you have a naive cat or a cat with a long history that may struggle with a standard flap. This method can also be used to stop your pets from entering your home when they're sick or it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan a pet's chip, and allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, but they work well to keep your neighbours' cats away from your home.
Convenience
Being able to access the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated. It can also to reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also drawn by the scents of herbs like cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. These can be read more placed either on the other side of the flap if they are still unsure.
If you have a small hinged panel that can be fitted to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap and encouraging them to use it with their favorite food. It's not easy to get them through the first time, but once they do start, they should continue to read more follow the habit.
Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, which recognises your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They're more expensive, but work by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and grant it access to your home. These can be a good solution for multi-cat households and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models come with various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close with an exit only, or only for entrance. These are great when you want to control the frequency at which your cat comes and goes, especially at night or when you're not home. They can be helpful when 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 connects to your smartphone and can be operated by an app that means you can control your cat's access and exit without difficulty. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're safer for your pets and provide more peace of mind. Some of these smart cat flaps have video monitoring and can be accessed anywhere that has an internet connection.
Training
It can take time for a cat to get used to being outside by itself if they have never used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious and will adjust more info to the new environment quickly. Some cats will require to be gently encouraged and taught to open the flap using their paws or their heads. Observing them from the inside and outside can help you work out the best methods to train them however, keep in mind that every cat is unique.
Instead of forcing your cat to open the flap, you should try to encourage them by giving them treats. Open the flap a little (not enough to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to use the flap as they will realize that it brings them closer to the reward at the other end.
Once your cat starts to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoor environment and let them enjoy their new freedom. get more info It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as neighboring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either here lock your cat inside at night or leave the flap open so that they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and other toys. This lets you make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require, but also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situations around the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll be able to return home if they want to.