How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners have experienced the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night by a call to let out their cats and then to change their minds and decide to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can solve this problem.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats to enter and restrict access to all other cats. There are many advantages of having a cat flap that are:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to go and come whenever they please. They can stay in their home at night if want, which reduces the chance of being attacked by wild cats or other cats that might be out hunting in the night. Many of these animals have diseases that can be fatal for your cat and therefore keeping them inside at night will prevent them from catching them.
Cats are able to enter and exit via standard cat flaps. This is a worry for pet owners who don't want their neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their home as a territory or eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat flap will keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip number and only unlocking for that, so 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, like when you go on vacation or go out at night. It links 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 back in using an intelligent curfew that you can set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pets while you are away.
A microchip cat-flap fitted with a magnetic collar key or infrared collars will provide an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by only allowing them to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap wide open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding the treat or their favorite toy on either side of the flap and praise and reward them every time they do it. Once they are confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available and many of them come with different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet to allow them to move into and out with no difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and prevent burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually by using an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or you can choose microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to programme, making them perfect for homes with several cats.
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to monitor your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to monitor the movements of your pets from the window or door using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat could wander off from your home, or you're concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can check the status of your pet through the app and remotely unlock their cat flap should they are in trouble.
You can also choose a four-way manual locking system that gives you more control over who is able to access and exit the door. This is especially useful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who may struggle with a standard flap. This option can also be used to stop your pets from coming in when they're sick or it's raining outside.
Other pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry when it is registered, thus blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, however they work well to keep your neighbours' cats away from your home.
Convenience
Access to the outside world can help keep your cat physically and mentally active. It can also reduce the amount of accidents that happen within the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the scents of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. These can be placed either side of the flap if they are still unsure.
It's simple to teach your cat how to use the small hinged flap that can be affixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through using their preferred food. It can be difficult to make your cat go through the first time however once you've mastered it, it should become a habit.
Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, that recognizes the microchip of your pet and allows it in. They're more expensive but they work by using the magnet on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models offer different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed with an exit only, or only for entrance. This is useful if you want to control when your cat goes out and come in particularly late at night or you're not home. They may also be useful when you are away from your home for extended periods of time and you need to ensure that your cat stays safely indoors.
You can also choose an intelligent cat flap that connects to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, that means you can control your cat's entry and exit easily. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, however they are much safer for your pets and provide greater security. Some of these flaps include video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the internet.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to get accustomed to going out on their own if they have never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adapt to the new situation very quickly. Others may require being gentle and encouragable, and will need time to master how to push the flap open using a paw or head. Observing your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide which training methods to employ. However, remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of forcing your cat to walk through the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Prop repairmywindowsanddoors open slightly (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place an item on the opposite side. Call them through the flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the training sessions easier for both of you and your cat. This will aid your cat in learning to use the flap as they will see that it brings them closer to the reward on the other side.
When your cat starts to take a lick or use their head to open it, you can let them out in the open and take advantage of their newfound freedom. But, it's crucial to keep an eye on your cat and make sure they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are vulnerable to the elements and other animals like cats in the area.
If you're unsure whether your cat is capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and toys. This allows you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require, but also gives them a way of escape from any stressful situation in the house, for instance when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also have the security of knowing that they can always return home if they'd like to.