How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners know the feeling of waking in the middle night to let their pets out and then to change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap solves this problem.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and deny access to others. The flap can provide a number benefits, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing them in and out whenever they want. They can remain in their home at night if prefer, which reduces the chance of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be hunting at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might be exposed to if they are not kept in the dark.
Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats out and in - this is a major concern for pet owners who don't wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by reading your cat's unique microchip code and only unlocking for that, meaning your cat is the only one to get in and out.
It can also give you peace of mind if you are away from home, for example when you go on vacation or out at night. It connects to a hub and an app, which tracks your pet's movements into and out of the house and enables you to control when they are allowed out and back in using the smart curfew feature you can set. You can also share access to the app with friends and family to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets while you're away.
A microchip cat flap that has a magnetic or infrared 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 from it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is particularly crucial if your cat isn't familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. By distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of the flap you can encourage and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. Once they're comfortable using the flap, gradually close it.
Safety
There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market with a variety of features. You should choose a cat-flap that's the proper size for your pet's needs so it can be able to enter and out without difficulty. Choose upvc door panel cat flap that can withstand rain, paws and claws.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and stop burglars from entering. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the house. Cat flaps can be easily programmed and are simple to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
Microchip cat flaps are a great method to monitor your pet's movements within the home even if you're not present. Some models come with smart technology that allows you to track your pet's' movements as they walk through the windows or doors using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful if you're concerned that your cat could wander away from home or are concerned about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap if they are in trouble.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you more control over who can enter and leave. through wall cat flap is especially useful for those with an aggressive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This option can be used to prevent your pets from entering your home when they are sick or when it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they are an effective way to prevent your neighbour's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It can also reduce the amount of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also enticed 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 through it when they are still in a shaky state.
It's simple to teach your cat how to make use of small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through by using their preferred food. It may be difficult to get your cat through the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They are more expensive, but work by using a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to open the flap and give access to your home. These can be a good solution for households with multiple cats 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 entry only. These can be useful if you want to control your cat's movements when they go out and returns particularly late at night or you're not home. They are useful if you are away from home for a long time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you manage the entrance and exit of your cat easily. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much more secure for your pet and offer more peace of mind. Some of these flaps also include video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
It can take some time for a cat to get used to being out on their own in the event that they've not used a flap before. Based on their nature, some are naturally curious and be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Certain cats need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap using their paws or heads. Observing your cat from both the inside and from the outside will help you decide which training methods to use. Remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling your cat to go through the flap, try to encourage them with treats. Open the flap just a bit (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side. Call them through the flap, making sure your voice is positive and calm to make the training sessions more enjoyable on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to use the flap because they will be able to see that it brings them closer to the reward at the other side.
Once your cat is beginning to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. However, it's important to keep an eye on your cat and ensure they are secure outdoors, as some cats can be vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals, such as the neighbouring cats.
If you are unsure if your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so that they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the enrichment and exercise that it requires, but you can also give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that could occur in the home. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll always be able to return home if they want to.