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 can relate to the feeling of being woken up in the middle of the night to let their cats out, only for them to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap could solve this problem.
It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and deny access to others. A cat flap offers number of advantages, including:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them in and out as they please. If they want to, they can stay in at night. This reduces the chance of being attacked by other cats or feral cats who may be out hunting late at night. They can be carriers of deadly diseases that your cat might catch if they are out at night.
Cats are able to enter and exit through conventional cat flaps. This is a concern for pet owners who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, mark their home as territory and eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by recognizing your cat's unique microchip number and only unlocking for your cat is the only one who can get in and out.
It can also provide peace of mind when you're away from home, such as when you go on vacation or go out at night. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements into and out of the home and lets you control the time they are allowed to come out and back in using the smart curfew feature you can set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.
A cat-flap that has a microchip and magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar can add an additional layer of security to your cat's safety by only permitting them to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is essential to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap especially if they are not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open to let them see and sniff around. By distributing a favorite toy or treat from either side of flap, praise and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available on the market. A lot of them come with different features. It is essential to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet so that they can move into and out with no difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand rain, paws and claws.
Certain cat flaps are lockable in different ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter the house. Cat flaps are easy to set up and easy to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats.
A key advantage of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Some models have smart technology that enables you to monitor your pets' movements when you walk through the window or door by using an app on your smartphone.
This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat could wander too far from home or are concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can track the location of your pet's health using the app and remotely open their cat flap if they get into any trouble.
You can also opt for the four-way manual locking system, which gives you more control over who is able to enter and leave. This is especially helpful if your cat is old or aggressive and could struggle with an ordinary flap. This method can also be used to prevent your pets from entering your home if they're unwell or it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan the pet's chip, and allow it to enter if the here pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, however they work well to keep your neighbors' cats away from your house.
Convenience
Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It can also help reduce the amount of accidents that take place in the home. Many cats are also attracted by the scents of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. They can be put on either the side of the flap in case they are still unsure.
It's easy to teach your cat to make use of the small hinged flap that can be fixed to a window or door. Place treats on the other end of the flap, and encourage them to walk through by using their favorite food. It may be difficult to get your cat through the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.
Another option is to make use of magnetic cat flaps, that detects your pet's microchip and allows it to enter. They're more expensive however, they function by using magnets around your pet's neck to open the flap. They can be a great solution for households with multiple cats as they prevent stray cats entering the home.
Other models provide various locking options. You can set it to either closed or open with an exit only, or entry only. These can be useful when you want to regulate the time your cat is allowed to go out and come in particularly late at night and you're not at home. They can also be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a long period of time and you need to ensure your cat remains safe inside.
You can also opt for an website intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled by an app. This allows you to control the entrance and exit of your cat easily. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pets. Some of these cat flaps have video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere connected to the Internet.
Training
It can take time for a cat's body to become used to being outside by itself even if they've not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious and will adapt to the new environment quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to master how to more info open the flap by using a paw or a head. Observing them from the inside and out can help you work out what methods you can use to train them but remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, it's better to try to encourage them offering them treats. Prop the flap open a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side. Call them through the flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the learning sessions easier for both you and here your cat. This will help your cat click here learn to navigate the flap, noticing that it brings them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.
Once your cat begins to take a lick or use their head to open it, you are able to let them roam around the outside and take advantage of their newfound freedom. But, it's crucial to keep an eye on your cat and make sure they are safe outdoors as certain cats are susceptible to the elements as well as other animals like cats in the area.
If you're unsure if your cat can handle the outdoors, you could always keep them inside at night or leave the flap unlocked to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it requires, but you can also give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in the home. They will also have the security of knowing that they can always come back home if they want to.