Many cat owners are familiar with the feeling of waking in the middle of the night by a call to let out their cats and then to change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can solve this problem.
It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow access to only authorized cats and block access to other. A cat flap has a number of advantages, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to go and come whenever they like. If they prefer, they can stay in at night. This will reduce the chances of them being attacked by other cats or feral cats that may be hunting in the night. These animals can carry deadly illnesses that your cat may catch if they are not kept in the dark.
Conventional cat flaps also allow other cats out and in - this is a big worry for pet owners who don't 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 recognizing your cat's unique microchip and only unlocking for your cat is the only cat to be able to enter and exit.
A microchip cat flap may even give you peace of mind when you are not home for instance, when you go out for the evening or out on holiday. It's linked to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movements within and out of the home. You can also set a smart curfew in order to regulate when you can allow them to leave and enter. You can also share your app access with family members and friends to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat flap with a magnetic or infrared collar key will provide additional security by allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a specific distance of it. You should spend some time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is especially important if they aren't used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap wide open so that they can see the outside world and smell it. Holding out a favourite toy or food item on either side of the flap you can praise and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they are confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are numerous cat flaps that are available on the market. A lot of them come with different features. It is important to select one that is the right size for your pet so that it can be opened and out without difficulty. Look for a durable material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to protect your home and deter burglars from entering. You can lock them manually by using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to enter and exit the house. These cat flaps are quick 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 allow you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to monitor the movements of your pets from the door or window through an app on your phone.
This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat could wander too far from home or are concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely open the flap on your cat's door and check on your pet's health via the app.
You can also choose a four-way manual locking system, which gives you more control over who can access and exit the door. This is especially helpful if your cat is more aggressive or if they are older and have difficulty using a traditional flap. This can also be used to stop your pets from entering your home when they're sick or if it's raining outside.
cat flap install opt for flaps that scan a pet's chip, and let it in only if the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they are an effective way to keep your neighbour's cats from getting into your home.
Convenience
Access to the world outside can help keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that happen inside the home. Many cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. They can be put on either the side of the flap in case they are still hesitant.
It's easy to teach your cat to utilize small hinged flaps that can be affixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through with 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 alternative is to opt for magnetic cat flaps, that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They are more expensive, but they function by using the magnetic device that is attached to the collar of your pet to unlock the flap and give access to your home. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats and prevent stray cats entering the home.
Other models come with various locking options. You can set it to either closed or open and exit only or entry only. They are helpful if you need to control the frequency at which your cat comes and goes particularly at night or when you're not home. They are useful in situations where you're away from home for an extended period of time and want to be sure that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone and controlled through an app. This lets you manage the access and exit of your cat with ease. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide greater peace of mind and are more secure for your pets. Some of these flaps also include video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat's body to become comfortable with going outside by itself in the event that they've never used a flap before. Based on their personality, some are naturally curious and be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to learn how to push the flap open by using a paw or a head. Watching them from the inside and outside can help you work out what methods you can use to train them but keep in mind that all cats are different.
Instead of yelling at your cat to go through the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Place an item on the other side of the flap (but not so much that it is visible to it) and then open the flap. Call your cat through the cat flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will aid your cat in learning to utilize the flap since they will realize the way it gets them closer to the reward at the other end.
Once your cat begins to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them explore the outdoors and enjoy their newfound freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like cats that live nearby.
If you're unsure whether your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so that they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it needs, but you can also give them a way 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 should they wish to.