Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cats out, only for them to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap can solve this problem.
It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats to enter and block access to other cats. A cat flap has a variety of benefits, such as:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them in and out as they please. If they want to remain inside, they can do so at night. This reduces the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats who may be out hunting late at night. They can be carriers of deadly illnesses that your cat may be exposed to if they are left outside at night.
Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats inside and out. This is a major concern for some pet owners who don't wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their home as their own, eating their food or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat flap will keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip and unlocking only for your cat is the only one to be able to enter and exit.
It can also provide peace of mind when you're away from home, such as when you are on vacation or out at night. It connects to a hub and app, which tracks your pet's movements in and out of the house and enables you to control the time they are allowed to come out and in via a smart curfew feature that you can set. The app can be shared with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with an infrared or magnetic collar key will add an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is particularly crucial if your cat isn't familiar with using one. Begin by leaving the flap wide open to let them be able to see the world outside and smell it. Holding out a favourite toy or food item on either side of the flap and encourage and reward your cat each time it puts its head through. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.
Safety
There are a myriad of cat flaps available and many of them come with different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet, to allow them to move between the two without difficulty. You should also look for a durable product that can withstand paws claws and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to secure your home and stop burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually using an appropriate peg that fits into the lock, or choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter your home. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are easy to set up, which makes them perfect for homes with pets that are multiple.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable you to track your pet's movement around the house, even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to track the movements of your pets through the door or window by through an app on your phone.
This is helpful when you're worried that your cat could wander away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely lock the flap for your cat and check on your pet's condition using the app.
You can also opt for the four-way manual locking system, which gives website you more control over who can access and exit the door. This is particularly useful for cats that are aggressive or older and may have difficulty using an ordinary flap. This option can be used to prevent your pets from coming in when they are sick or if it's raining outside.
Other pet owners choose flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry when it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, however they are effective in keeping your neighbours' cats away from your home.
Convenience
Having unrestricted access to the world outside can help keep your cat physically and check here mentally active. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that take place within the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain herbs such as cat thyme and catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to go through it even when they are still uneasy.
It's simple to teach your cat how to utilize small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a door or window. Place treats on the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through using their preferred food. It may be difficult to get your cat through the first time but once you've done it, the practice will become habitual.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They are more expensive, but work by using an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap, granting access to your home. These are a great solution for multi-cat households and keep out stray cats read more out of the property.
Other models offer various locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed and exit only or only for entrance. They are helpful if you need to control the time your cat goes and comes particularly at night or when you're not home. They are useful if you are away from home for a long period of time and want to be sure your cat is safe.
You can also select a check here cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled via an app. This lets you manage the entrance and exit of your cat easily. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much more secure for your pet and provide greater peace of mind. Some of these smart flaps include video monitoring and can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.
Training
It can take time for a cat to become used to being out on their own in the event that they've not used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new experience very quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to learn how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Examining them from both the outside and inside will help you figure out what methods to use to train them, but remember that all cats are different.
Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, you should instead attempt to encourage them giving them treats. Prop the flap open slightly (not enough to see the other side) and then place treats on the other side. Call them through the flap, making sure your voice is positive and calm to make the training sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will allow your cat to learn to navigate the flap by noticing click here that it brings them closer to their 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 can let them explore the outdoors and have fun in their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather and other animals, such as neighbouring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat is able to handle the outdoors you can 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. This will allow you to ensure that they get all the exercise and enrichment they require. It also gives them a way to escape any stressful situation in the house, for instance when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also have the security of knowing that they can always return home whenever they wish to.