How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Many cat owners know the feeling of being woken in the middle night to let their pets out, only to have them change their minds and want to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap is a solution to this issue.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and block access to other cats. There are a variety of benefits to having a flap for your cat that are:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps help keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to go and come whenever they want. They can remain in the dark if they want, which reduces the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other cats that might be hunting during the night. These animals can carry deadly illnesses that your cat may be exposed to if they are left outside at night.
Cats can get in and out via standard cat flaps. This is a worry for pet owners who don't want their neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their homes as a territory or eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip number and unlocking only for your cat is the only one who can access the door and exit.
It also gives 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 that monitors your pet's movements into and out of the home and enables you to control when they can come in and out via a smart curfew feature that you set. You can also share the app access with family members and friends to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat flap with a magnetic or infrared collar key can provide a further layer of security by only allowing your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a specific distance from it. You should spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is especially important if it's not used to using one. Start by leaving the flap open so they can see the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to poke their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy on either side of the flap and beg them to do so each time they do it. Once they are confident, you can slowly close the flap.
Safety
There are many different cat flaps available on the market. They all have different features. It is essential to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet to allow them to move between the two without difficulty. Also, you should look for a hard-wearing material that can withstand paws, claws, and rain.
Some cat flaps are lockable in a variety of ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually with the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and easy to program, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movements inside the house, even if you're not around. Some models are equipped with smart technology that allows you to track the movements of your pets through the door or window by using an app on your smartphone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat might wander too far away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely unlock their cat flap if they do get into trouble.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can enter and exit the room. This is especially helpful for cats that are aggressive or older and may have difficulty using an ordinary flap. This is a great option to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or it's raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow it to enter when the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, however they are effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors away from your house.
Convenience
Access to the outside world can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that occur inside the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. These can be placed either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
It's simple to teach your cat how to utilize the small hinged flap that can be attached to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to walk through by using their preferred food. It can be difficult to make them go through it the first time, but once they do start, they should continue to follow the habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They're more expensive however they work by putting a magnet on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. These are a great solution for multi-cat households and keep out stray cats out of the home.
Other models come with different locking options that allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These are useful for those who need to regulate when your cat is in and out, especially at night or if you're not home. They can be helpful when you're away from home for an extended time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also select a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone and controlled via an app. This allows you to manage the access and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring, and can be accessed anywhere connected to the Internet.
Training
It may take a while for a cat's body to become comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially in the event that they've not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious, and can adjust to the new environment quickly. Others may require being gently enthused and require time to learn to open the flap by using a paw or a head. Watching cat flap fitting near me from the inside and out can help you determine what methods you can use to train them, but be aware that all cats are unique.
Instead of yelling at your cat to open the flap, try to encourage them with treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side, then call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice steady and positive to make the training sessions more enjoyable for both you and your cat. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat starts to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can begin introducing them to the outdoors and let them enjoy their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as cats that live nearby.
If you're unsure whether your cat is able to handle the outside world, you could always keep them inside at night or just leave the flap open to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This lets you make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require. It also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situations in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also be secure knowing that they are able to return home if they wish to.