Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cat out and only to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this issue.
It operates by scanning your cat's microchip to allow access to only authorized cats and block access to other. There are many advantages to having a flap for your cat that are:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by permitting it to come and go whenever they want. They can be inside at night if they want, which reduces the chance of being attacked by feral cats or other cats that might be hunting in the night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might contract if out at night.
Cats can enter and exit through standard cat flaps. This is a worry for pet owners who don't want their neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as their territory, eat their food, or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by reading your cat's unique microchip number and only unlocking for your cat is the only cat to access the door and exit.
It also gives you peace of mind when you're away from home, for example when you go on vacation or go out at night. It links to a hub as well as an app, which tracks your pet's movements in and out of your home and lets you control the time they are allowed to come in and out via the smart curfew feature you set. You can share the app with your family and friends so they can keep track of your pet when you're away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide additional security by only allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance of it. It is crucial to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not familiar with it. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by holding out a treat or favorite toy on either side of the flap. Then praise and reward them every when they do this. Once they are confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps on the market with a variety of features. You should choose a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet, so that it can enter and out easily. Look for a durable material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and deter burglars from entering. You can lock them manually using a peg that fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to enter and exit the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to program, which makes them ideal for homes with several cats.
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to monitor your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Certain models are equipped with intelligent technology that allows you to monitor your pets' movements through the windows or doors through an app that you can download on your phone.
This is useful when you're worried that your cat could wander too far away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely open the flap on your cat's door and check your pet's condition using the app.
You can also select a four-way manual locking mechanism that gives you greater control over who can enter and leave. This is especially useful if you have an aggressive cat or an older cat who may struggle with a standard flap. cat flap installers repairmywindowsanddoors can be used to prevent your pets from entering your home when they are sick or it is raining outside.
Some pet owners choose flaps that scan the pet's chip and only allow it to enter if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, but they can be effective in keeping your neighbors' cats away from your house.
Convenience
Being able to access the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It can also reduce the amount of accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats are also drawn by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. They can be put either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
If you have a small hinged panel, which can be attached to a window or door it's easy enough to teach your cat how to use it by placing treats on the other side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it by offering their favourite food. It's not easy to make them go through it the first time, but once they do, they should take up the habit.
Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, that detects your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. These are more expensive however they work by putting an electronic device attached to your pet's collar to unlock the flap and grant access to your home. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats as they prevent stray cats entering the property.
Other models provide different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close, exit only, or only for entrance. They are helpful when you want to control the time your cat is in and out particularly at night, or if you're not home. They can be helpful when you're away from home for a prolonged time and want to make sure that your cat is secure.
You can also select an intelligent cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be operated by an app that means you can control your cat's access and exit easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, but they offer greater security and are more secure for your pet. Some of these cat flaps have video monitoring, and are accessible from any location 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 going outside on their own. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new experience quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to learn to open the flap using a paw or head. Observing your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide on the best training methods to use. However, remember that every cat is unique.
Instead of trying to push your cat through the flap, try to encourage them using treats. Prop the flap open a little (not enough to see the other side) and then place treats on the other side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the training sessions easier on both you and your cat. This will aid your cat in learning to utilize the flap since they will see the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other end.
Once your cat begins to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them roam around the outside and have fun in their new freedom. It is essential to keep an eye on your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Certain cats are susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, such as cats that live nearby.
If you're not sure if your cat can handle the outdoors it is possible to put them in a cage at night or just leave the flap open to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can make sure that your cat gets the enrichment and exercise that it needs and give them a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in the home. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll always be able to return home if they want to.