View source for How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

To encourage your cat to use the flap, begin by playing and feeding near it. This will help them become comfortable with the sound of it closing and opening. You can also add the scent of your cat to the flap.<br />Next you should open the flap to give your cat a sense movement. Try luring them through by presenting their favorite treats or toys. Certain herbs (such a cat germander valerian, clarysage, and clary sage) have a enticing scent that cats love.<br />Installing the cat flap<br />A cat flap lets your pet move around whenever it wishes without needing to open a windows or door. This will save you time, and reduce the chances of your cat getting involved in something it should not. Cat flaps can be installed in windows, doors and walls. They are easy to put in, even for beginners in DIY.<br />To put a flap on a cat first, take a measurement of the height of your cat's belly from the floor. Then mark [https://articlescad.com/cat-flaps-for-french-doors-601128.html back door with cat flap fitted] on the door you want to place it on. This measurement is essential because cats differ in their belly height. The ideal opening of the cat flap must be at least 10cm higher than your cat's belly height.<br />Next, you need to drill the holes for the screws. You can use the paper template included in most kits to ensure that your holes are in the right location. Choose a circular hole instead of a square hole to reduce the chance of glass breaking later.<br />After the holes have been drilled, you can start to install the cat flap. Be sure to align the edges on the cat flap to the edge of the front door. Once the cat flap is installed it is a good idea for you to seal the inside of the front door and the back flap. This will guard the flap from water damage and also prevent cold drafts.<br />There are [https://zenwriting.net/menplanet71/back-door-with-cat-flap-fitted back door with cat flap fitted] of cat flaps, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are more expensive than others, however all should be easy for your cat to use. Install [https://pettersson-schou-3.federatedjournals.com/cat-flap-glass-door-installation-near-me-1730388581 how much to install a cat flap] that is secured and requires an RFID tag or microchip tag in order to open.<br />Installing a magnetic cat door that can be activated by a magnet is a different option. This option is more costly, but it is more secure and less likely to be activated by a wandering cat.<br />Teaching your cat to use the cat flap<br />The cat flap is a fantastic way to introduce your pet to a new world. It provides your cat with more freedom and control over their food choices and bathroom trips. It may take some time to teach your cat to use the new door, but persistence will pay dividends. Follow these steps to train your pet to use the flap, and you'll soon have a cat who enjoys the freedom it offers!<br />Firstly, it's important to introduce your cat to the sound of the flap opening and closing. If your cat is afraid of the noise, it might not want to go through. Practise several times a day and reward your cat each time it passes through the opening.<br />Once your cat is used to the sound, it's time to teach them how to go through the flap. Start by placing a food treat just inside the flap's opening and encouraging your cat to go through it using their head or paw. You can also pull a toy tied to string through the opening, or slide your hand through it to draw the attention of your cat.<br />As your cat gets more comfortable with the opening, you can lower the flap to ensure that it covers a smaller portion of the opening. This will encourage your pet to push the flap open with their head or paw. Some cats prefer to do this with their paws, while others choose to push through the flap using their heads.<br />Close the flap on the cat's side, wait for your pet and reward them when they come through. Repeat this process every day for an entire week, and your cat will then be allowed to walk through the flap even when it is closed.<br />It's important to remember that you should not make your cat use the cat flap as it can cause stress for them and cause anxiety. Some cats will naturally become comfortable with the flap, whereas others require more encouragement and patience to achieve this.<br />Instruct your cat to use the flap<br />A cat flap is a brand new and strange object for your cat, and it might take some time to become comfortable with it. It is recommended to teach your cat to make small steps to build their confidence and help them get comfortable with the idea of being able to go in and out of the flap. Positive reinforcement is a useful technique, where your cat will be rewards with treats or toys when it approaches the flap. This technique is widely used for cat training, since it encourages desirable behaviour.<br />Begin by luring them to the cat flap by using their favorite toys or food. This will get them more attracted to the flap, and will make them more inclined to explore it. Once your cat has become comfortable walking towards the flap then move the treats or toys closer to the flap until they are within reach of the paws. Keep praising them for passing through, and slowly reduce the flap's opening to allow them to push their head through it.<br />Some cats have trouble transitioning from a fully-open flap to closing one difficult, so you could help them by placing a clothes peg or binder clip on the flap so that it doesn't close completely but is slightly open. You can then entice them through by holding treats on the opposite side of the flap opening and yelling their name.<br />Once your cat has become comfortable with entering and exiting through the flap you can remove the peg, clip or other device and let them play with it with their paws or their heads. Do this for a few days and keep rewarding them for entering and exiting through the cat flap, then you can open it a bit and draw them in with a treat on the opposite side of the opening. Keep this up for a few days and your cat will be able use the flap by themselves. If your cat doesn't use the flap any more most likely because they don't like it anymore, or that it is becoming too difficult. You may need to move the flap to a different location and adjust its sensitivity or replace it entirely.<br />Fixing the flap on the cat<br />Cat flaps allow your pet to come and go from the house without needing to open the front door or get up. This allows them to go out when they want to and not only when you're around and means that they won't be pestering you to walk around the block or meowing in the middle of the night if they need to go outside.<br />It's not as difficult as it appears to put an animal flap for your door. Just follow the instructions included in the kit. After you've cut the space using an jigsaw, you may use decorators caulk in order to seal the joint. It's also a good idea to paint what will be the bare sections of timber inside the cut-out with a wood stain to stop them from taking in water and leading to rot.<br />When you're satisfied that the flap is exactly where it should and there aren't any gaps (it's an excellent idea to check this regularly during the process) It's time to mark the areas on your door where the screws will be going. This is self-explanatory, and should be clearly stated in the instructions for your cat flap.<br />The last thing to do is to screw the flap of cat to secure it. It's easy and is a very simple task for anyone who has attempted it before. The only issue is when you try to install a cat flap inside the frame of a UPVC glass or door. These doors tend to be more thick and can cause some problems when installing the cat flap.<br />With a little patience, your cat will soon be able to utilize the flap to enjoy its benefits. They will be happier and healthier when they can go out and in on their own, rather than having to pester you to do it.<br />