How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of getting up in the late at night to let their cats out, only for them to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap can solve this issue.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow access only to authorized cats and deny others access. There are a variety of benefits to having a cat flap that include:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to move around whenever they like. If they want to remain inside, they can do so at night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats that may be out hunting late in the night. Many of these animals have diseases that could be fatal to your cat, so keeping them inside at night will prevent them from catching them.
Cats can enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don't want neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their homes as territory, eat their food, or fight with their cats. A microchip cat door will keep out other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even give you peace of mind when you're away, such as when you are going out for dinner or on holiday. It links to a hub as well as an app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the house and lets you control the time they are allowed to come in and out via the smart curfew feature you can set. You can share the app with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key will add a further layer of security by only allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is important that you spend time teaching your cat to use the flap, especially if they are not used to it. Start by opening the flap so that they can see and smell the world around them. By distributing a favorite toy or a treat from either side of flap, give your cat praise and a reward each time it puts its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are numerous cat flaps on the market. Many of them offer different features. You should choose a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet so that it can enter and exit easily. Choose a sturdy material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to help secure your home and prevent burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually with the peg that fits inside the lock, or you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. Cat flaps are easy to set up and easy to program, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to monitor your pet's movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Some models come with smart technology that allows you to monitor your pets' movements when you walk through the window or door through an app on your smartphone.
This is helpful if you are concerned that your cat may wander off from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can remotely lock the flap on your cat's door and check on your pet's status through the app.
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking system that offers more options to control who can go in and out. This is particularly helpful when you have a naive cat or a cat with a long history that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This option can be used to deter your pets from coming in when they're sick or if it's raining outside.
Other pet owners choose flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry if it is registered, thereby keeping out other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other cat flaps however they are a great way to keep your neighbour's cats getting into your house.
Convenience
Unrestricted access to the outside can help to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated. It can also reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain plants like cat thyme and 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 uneasy.
If you have a tiny hinged panel, which can be attached to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap and encouraging them to use it with their favourite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat 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 used. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They are more expensive, but they work by using the magnet placed on the neck of your pet to unlock the flap. These can be a good solution for multi-cat households and prevent stray cats entering the home.
Other models come with different locking options that allow you to make it open, closed, exit only or entrance only. These can be useful when you want to regulate when your cat goes out and comes back especially late at night or you're not at home. They are also useful when you are away from home for long periods of time and you need to ensure that your cat stays in a safe place.
You can also choose a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is controlled by an app, which means you can control your cat's entrance and exit easily. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're more secure for your pet and provide greater peace of mind. Some of these flaps also include video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
It can take some time for a cat to become used to being outdoors on its own, especially in the event that they've not used a flap before. Based on their individual nature, some are naturally curious and be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Others may need to be gently encouraged and need time to learn to push the flap open with a paw or head. Observing them from the inside and out can help you determine the best methods to train them but remember that every cat is unique.
Rather than trying to force your cat through the flap, try and encourage them by using treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then open the flap. Call your cat through the flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it brings them closer to the 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 introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. cat flap installation near me is important to keep an eye on your cat and make sure they are secure outdoors, as some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals like neighbouring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat can handle the outdoors it is possible to keep them inside at night, or leave the flap open to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This lets you ensure that they get all the exercise and stimulation that they need but it 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 secure knowing they'll be able to return home if they want to.