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 go back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this problem.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing access only to authorized cats and deny others access. A cat flap offers number benefits, including:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out whenever they want. If they prefer, they can stay in at night. This will reduce the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats who may be hunting in the late at night. They can be carriers of deadly diseases that your cat might catch if they are not kept in the dark.
Cats can enter and exit through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their house as territory and eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat door will protect your cat from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
It can also provide peace of mind if you're away from home, for example when you are on vacation or out at night. It links to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements into and out of the home and lets you control when they are allowed in and out via a smart curfew feature that you can set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet when you're away.
A microchip cat flap with an infrared or magnetic collar key can provide an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is recommended to spend some time teaching your cat how to use the flap. This is especially important if they aren't used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap open so they can see the outside world and smell it. By distributing a favorite toy or a treat from either side of flap, give your cat praise and a reward every time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are many different cat flaps available on the market. A lot of them come with various features. You should select one that is the appropriate size for your pet's needs so that it can be opened and out easily. You should also search for a hard-wearing material that can withstand paws, claws, and rain.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and prevent burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually using an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to program, making them ideal for homes with several cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movement inside the house, even if you're not present. Certain models come with smart technology that lets you monitor the movements of your pets from the window or door using an app on your phone.
This is useful if you're concerned that your cat may wander away from home or you're worried about them having access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can remotely lock the cat flap and check on your pet's condition using the app.
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you greater control over who is able to be allowed to enter and exit. This is particularly useful for those with an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This method can be used to deter your pets from entering your home if they're unwell or it's raining outside.
Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan a pet's chip and only let it in only if the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, however they can be effective in keeping your neighbours' cats out of your home.
Convenience
Being able to access the outside world can help keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It can also help reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. Many cats are also drawn by the scents of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap if they are still unsure.
It's easy to teach your cat how to make use of the small hinged flap that can be affixed to a door or window. Place treats at the other end of the flap and encourage them to go through using their favorite food. It may be difficult to make them go through it the first time, but once they do begin, they will be able to adopt the habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it access to. These are more expensive, however, they function by using magnets on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. They can be a great solution for multi-cat households and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models provide different locking options. You can set it to either closed or open, exit only, or only for entrance. These are great if you need to control the time your cat comes and goes particularly at night, or when you're away. These can be useful when you're away from home for a long time and you want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also select an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This allows you to control the entrance and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much safer for your pets and provide more peace of mind. Some of these smart flaps even have video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
If you have a kitten or cat who has not used a cat flap before, it could take a while to get them used to the idea of going out on their own. Depending on their nature, some cats are naturally curious and will be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Some cats will need to be gently urged and taught to open the flap with their paws or head. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you work out what methods you can use to train them but be aware that all cats are different.
Instead of trying to force cat flap step through the flap, you should instead attempt to encourage them using treats. Place a treat on the opposite side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then open the flap. Make your cat a call through the flap while using an upbeat, calm voice. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap and notice that it brings them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.
Once your cat starts to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can start in introducing them to the outdoor world and let them explore their new freedom. It is important to watch your cat and ensure they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals, such as the cats in the area.
If you're not sure if your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and toys. This will allow you to ensure that they get all the exercise and stimulation that they need but it also provides them with a means to escape any stressful situations in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel secure knowing they can always return home should they wish to.