How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap > Free Board

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Many cat owners have experienced the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let out their cats but only to change their minds and decide to return a few minutes later. A cat flap solves this issue.

It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and deny access to others. There are a variety of benefits to having a cat flap that are:

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing them in and out whenever they want. If they want to, they can stay in at the night. This will decrease the chances of them being attacked by other cats or wild cats who may be hunting at late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that could be fatal for your cat and therefore keeping them inside at night will stop them from being bitten by them.

Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats inside and out. This is a major concern for some pet owners who do not want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their home as their own, eating their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat flap can keep other cats out by reading your cat's unique microchip and only unlocking for your cat is the only cat to access the door and exit.

A microchip cat flap may even provide peace of mind even when you're not home for instance, when you are out for the evening or out on holiday. It's connected to an app and hub that tracks your pet's movement in and outside the house. You can also set a smart curfew to control when you allow them to enter and leave. You can also share your app access with family and friends so that they can keep an eye on your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat flap with a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide a further layer of security by only allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is important that you spend time educating your cat to use the flap, particularly if they aren't used to it - start by opening the flap so that they can see and sniff around. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or a treat from either side of flap you can give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps available with a variety of features. It's important to choose a cat flap that suits the size of your pet, so that they can easily move between the two without difficulty. Look for a durable material that can withstand rain, paws and claws.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and stop burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually by using a peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the home. These cat flaps are quick to set up and easy to program, making them perfect for homes with multiple cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pets movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Some models are equipped with smart technology that lets you monitor the movements of your pets through the window or door via an app on your smartphone.

This is useful when you're worried that your cat might wander off from your home, or you're concerned about their access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely unlock their cat flap cost flap if they get into any trouble.

You can also select the four-way manual locking system, which gives you more control over who is able to enter and leave. This is especially useful when your cat is a bit old or aggressive and could struggle with the traditional flap. This option can be used to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or it's raining outside.

Other pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if it is registered, thus blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good way to prevent your neighbour's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Unrestricted outside access can help to keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It can also to reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also enticed by the smell of plants such as cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to go through it even if they remain uneasy.

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 opposite side of the flap and encouraging them to use it by offering their favourite food. It may be difficult to teach your cat the first time, but once you do you will be able to make it a habit.

Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap, which recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it in. They're more expensive, however they work by putting the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap, granting access to your home. These are a great choice for families with multiple cats to keep pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models offer different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or close and exit only or only for entrance. They can be helpful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and come in especially late at night or when you're not at home. These can be useful when you're away from home for a prolonged time and you want to make sure that your cat flap insulation is secure.

You can also opt for an intelligent cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be operated by an app which means you can control your cat's entry and exit without difficulty. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much more secure for your pet and offer more peace of mind. Some of these cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Training

If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a cat flap it could take a while to get them used to the idea of going outside on their own. Based on their personality, some are naturally curious and be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Some cats will require to be gently pushed and allowed time to master to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Observing your cat from both the inside and outside will help you decide which methods of training to use. But remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, try to encourage them using treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then prop the flap open. Your cat should be called through the cat flap, while speaking in a calm, positive voice. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap by noticing that it leads them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.

Once your cat is beginning to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can start introduction to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. However, it's important to watch your cat and ensure that they are secure in the outdoors since some cats can be vulnerable to the elements and other animals such as neighbouring cats.

If you're not sure whether your cat will be able to cope with the outdoors, you can keep them inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and toys. You can ensure that your cat gets the exercise and stimulation it requires, but you can also give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that could arise in your home. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll always be able to return home if they choose to.