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How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap
Many cat owners are familiar with the feeling of being woken in the middle of the night to let their pets out and then to change their minds and decide to return later. A cat flap solves this issue.

It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow only authorized cats access and deny access to others. A cat flap offers number of advantages, including:

Peace of mind

Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat safe and secure by letting them in and out whenever they want. They can stay inside at night if they want, which reduces the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other felines that might be hunting in the night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that could be fatal for your cat so keeping them inside at night will prevent them from catching them.

Cats can get in and out through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don't want neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their home as a territory and eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door will keep out other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.

A microchip cat flap may even give you peace of mind when you are not home for instance, when you are away for the evening or on holiday. It links to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements into and out of the home and enables you to control the time they are allowed to 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 keep an eye on your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key will provide an additional layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly important if they aren't used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap wide open so that they can be able to see the world outside and smell it. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favourite toy from either side of the flap. You can beg them to do so each time they do it. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market and many of them come with different features. You should choose one that is the appropriate size for your pet's needs so that it can be opened and out without difficulty. You should also look for a durable material that can withstand paws claws and rain.

cat flap step can be locked in a range of ways to help secure your home and prevent burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to programme, making them perfect for homes with several cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to track the movements of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.

This is helpful in the event that you are worried that your cat might wander too far away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can track the location of your pet using the app and remotely lock their cat flap if they do get into trouble.

You can also choose a four-way manual locking system that gives you greater control over who can access and exit the door. This is particularly useful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who may struggle with a standard flap. This is a great option to stop your pet from entering your home when they are sick or when it's raining outside.

Some pet owners choose flaps that scan the pet's chip, and allow it to enter if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, but they work well to keep the cats of your neighbors away from your home.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that occur within the home. Cats are also attracted by the scent of plants like cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary Sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to use it even when they are still uneasy.

It's simple to teach your cat to make use of the small hinged flap that can be fixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through using their preferred food. It may be difficult to make them go through it the first time but when they've mastered it begin, they will be able to adopt the habit.

Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it to be inserted. They are more expensive, but they work by using magnets around your pet's neck to open the flap. These can be a good solution for multi-cat households and keep out stray cats out of the property.

Other models come with different locking options that allow you to choose to lock it open, closed, exit only or entry only. This is useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back, especially if it's late at night or when you're not home. They can also be helpful when you are away from home for extended periods of time and need to ensure that your cat is in a safe place.

You can also opt for a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is controlled by an app, that means you can control your cat's entry and exit with ease. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide more peace of mind and are more secure for your pet. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed anywhere connected to the Internet.

Training


If you have a cat or kitten who has not used a cat flap before, it could take a while for them to get accustomed to the idea of being outside on their own. Based on their individual nature, some cats are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others might require to be gently enthused and require time to master how to open the flap using a paw or head. Examining them from both the outside and inside can help you work out what methods you can use to train them, but remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, it's better to attempt to encourage them giving them treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side. Then, call them through the cat flap, making sure your voice is calm and positive to help make the learning sessions easier for both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap, noticing that it brings them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.

Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin in introducing them to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure they are secure outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like neighbouring cats.

If you're not sure whether 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. This will allow you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation they require, but also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situation in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. You'll also feel safe knowing that they'll always be able to return home should they wish to.

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