Many cat owners know the feeling of being woken in the middle of the night by a call to let their pets out, only to have them change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can solve this issue.
It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip to allow access only to authorized cats and block access to other. There are a number of advantages of having a flap for your cat that include:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to go and come whenever they want. If they prefer, they can stay in at night. This will decrease the chances of them being attacked by other cats or wild cats who may be out hunting late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that could be fatal for your cat so keeping them inside at night will keep them from getting sick.
Cat flaps that are conventional can let other cats inside and out. This is a major concern for some pet owners who don't want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their house as their territory, eating their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door can keep other cats out by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
It also gives you peace of mind when you are away from home, such as when you go to a vacation spot or go out for the night. It connects to a hub and an app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the home and allows you to regulate the time they are allowed to come out and in via an intelligent curfew that you can set. You can share the app with family and friends so they can keep track of your pet when you're away.
A microchip cat-flap with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar can add an extra layer of protection to your cat's safety by only allowing them to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is recommended to spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is especially crucial if your cat isn't used to using one. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. By distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of the flap, encourage and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is important to select a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet, so it can be able to enter and exit easily. Also, you should look for a durable material that can withstand paws, claws and rain.
Some cat flaps are lockable in different ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. Cat flaps are easy to set up and easy to program, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple cats.
Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movement within the home even if you're not around. Certain models come with smart technology that lets you monitor the movements of your pets through the door or window via an app on your smartphone.
This is a great option if you're concerned that your cat more info may wander away from home or you're worried about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely open the flap for your cat and monitor your pet's health via the app.
You can also select a four way manual locking system which offers more options to control who can access the door and when. This is particularly helpful for those with an aggressive cat or an older cat who might be unable to use a traditional flap. This option can be used to prevent your pets from coming in 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 the microchip is registered, thus keeping more info other cats out. These systems are more expensive than standard cat flaps, however they are effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors away from your house.
Convenience
Being able to access the world outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also decrease the number of accidents check here that occur inside the home. Many cats are also enticed by the scent of herbs such as cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary Sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to use it even if they remain uneasy.
It's easy to teach your cat how to make use of a small hinged flap that can be fixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other side of the flap and encourage them to walk through by using their preferred food. It's not easy to get them through the first time but once they've done it start, they should continue to follow the habit.
Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, which recognises your pet's microchip and lets it to be inserted. They are more expensive, however they work by putting magnets on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. These are a great solution for multi-cat households and stop stray cats from entering your home.
Other models have different locking options, allowing you to choose to lock it open, closed, exit only or entry only. These are useful if you need to control when your cat comes and goes particularly at night, or when you're away. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from your home for long periods of time and want to ensure your cat remains safely indoors.
You can also opt for an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you control the access and exit of your cat with ease. These cat flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps but they offer greater peace of mind and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart cat flaps are equipped with video monitoring and are accessible from any location that has an internet connection.
Training
If you have a cat or kitten who has not used a cat flap before, it can take a while to get them used to the idea of being out on their own. read more Certain cats are naturally curious and can adjust to the new situation quickly. Some cats will need to be gently encouraged and allowed time to master to open the flap with their paws or head. Examining your cat from the inside and from the outside will help you decide which training methods to use. But remember that every cat is different.
Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, it's better to attempt to encourage them offering them treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then prop the flap open. Your cat should be called through the cat flap while maintaining an upbeat, calm voice. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap and notice that it brings them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.
When your cat begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them explore the outdoors and enjoy their newfound freedom. However, it's important to watch your cat and ensure that they are safe outdoors as certain cats are vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals like neighbouring cats.
If you're unsure if your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and other toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and enrichment it requires however, you read more should also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that could arise in the home. You'll also feel safe knowing that they'll be able to return home if they want to.