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How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap
Many cat owners have experienced the feeling of being woken in the middle night to let their pets out and then to change their minds and want to return later. A cat flap can solve this issue. 
 
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow in only authorised cats and deny others access. A cat flap offers number benefits, including: 
 
Peace of Mind 
 
Cat flaps can help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them in and out at any time they wish. 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 in the night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could be fatal for your cat, and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from being bitten by them. 
 
Cats can get in and out through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for pet owners who don’t want neighbours cat to bother their pets, mark their house as territory and eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can protect your cat from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat. 
 
A microchip cat flap may even provide peace of mind when you’re away like when you go out for the evening or on holiday. It’s linked to an app and hub that track your pet’s movements within and out of 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 friends and family so that they can keep an eye on your pets while you’re away. 
 
A cat-flap that has a microchip and a magnetic collar key or infrared collars will provide an additional layer of security to your cat’s security by only allowing them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. It is essential to spend time training your cat to use the flap especially if they are not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can view and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or food item from either side of flap, encourage and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, you can gradually close it. 
 
Safety 
 
There are numerous cat flaps that are available on the market. A lot of them come with various features. It is important to select one that is the right size for your pet’s needs so that it can be opened and out without difficulty. Find a sturdy fabric that can withstand rain, paws and claws. 
 
Certain cat flaps are lockable in various ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using the peg that fits inside the lock or opt for microchip cat doors that allow registered cats to access the home. Cat flaps are easy to set up and simple to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats. 
 
One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pets movement around the house, even when you’re away from home. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to track the movement of your pets through the window or door using an app on your smartphone. 
 
This can be useful when you’re worried that your cat could wander away from home or are concerned about their access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely open their cat flap in case they are in trouble. 
 
You can also opt for a four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can access the door and when. cat flap installer near me is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or a cat with a long history that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This can be used to deter your pets coming in if they’re unwell or it’s raining outside. 
 
Other pet owners opt for flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry when it is registered, keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they are an effective way to prevent your neighbour’s cats from entering your home. 
 
Convenience 
 
Having unrestricted access to the outside world can keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated. It can also help to reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of herbs such as cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to encourage them to go through it even when they are still uneasy. 
 
 
If you have a tiny hinged panel, which can be affixed to a window or door, it’s simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it by offering their favorite food. It might be difficult to get your cat through the first time however once you’ve mastered it, it should become a habit. 
 
Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap that recognizes your pet’s microchip and allows it to be inserted. These are more expensive but they function by using the magnetic device that is attached to your pet’s collar to unlock the flap and give it access to your home. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats as they keep out stray cats out of the property. 
 
Other models have different locking options, allowing you to make it open shut, closed, exit only or entry only. These are useful when you want to control the frequency at which your cat goes and comes, especially at night or when you’re not home. These can be useful when you’re away from home for a prolonged period of time and want to be sure your cat is safe. 
 
You can also choose an intelligent cat-flap that’s connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This lets you manage the entry and exit of your cat easily. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, but they’re much safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these smart flaps come with video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere connected to the internet. 
 
Training 
 
It can take time for a cat’s body to become used to being out on their own even if they’ve never used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious and will adapt to the new environment very quickly. Some cats will require to be gently urged and allowed time to master to open the flap with their paws or head. Watching them from the inside and out can help you work out what methods to use to train them but remember that all cats are unique. 
 
Instead of yelling at your cat to open the flap, you should try to encourage them with treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to see the other side) and place an item on the opposite side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice steady and positive to make the training sessions more enjoyable on both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap and notice that it brings them closer to the reward on the other side of the flap. 
 
When your cat starts to lick the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them out in the open and have fun in their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather or other animals, including cats that live nearby. 
 
If you’re unsure whether your cat can cope with the outdoors, you could always lock them in at night or leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can ensure that your cat gets the exercise and enrichment it needs however, you should also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that could arise in your home. They’ll also feel secure knowing they’ll be able to return home if they choose to.