Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and come to return within minutes. A cat flap solves this problem.
It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow in only authorised cats and deny others access. There are a variety of advantages of using a cat flap. These include:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing them in and out at any time they wish. If they prefer, they can stay in at the night. This will decrease the chances of them being attacked by other cats or wild cats that might be out hunting late in the night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that can be fatal for your cat, and so keeping them in at night will keep them from catching them.
Cats can get in and out through conventional cat flaps. This can be a problem for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their home as their territory or eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep other cats out by reading the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even give you peace of mind when you're away like when you are away for the evening or going on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements inside and out of your home and allows you to regulate when they are allowed in and out via a smart curfew feature that you set. You can also share access to the app with friends and family to ensure that they monitor your pets whilst you are away.
A microchip cat's flap that is fitted with an infrared or magnetic collar key will provide a further layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a certain distance from it. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not used to it - start by letting the flap open so that they can see and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or food item from either side of flap and praise and reward your cat each time it pushes its head through. Once they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are many different cat flaps that are available on the market. They all have different features. It is important to select a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet, so that it can be opened and out easily. You should also look for a durable material that can withstand paws claws, and rain.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to help secure your home and deter burglars from getting in. You can lock them manually using a peg that fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps which allow only registered cats to access and leave the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to programme, making them perfect for homes with several cats.
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 lets you monitor the movement of your pets through the door or window via an app on your smartphone.
This can be useful in case you're worried that your cat could wander away from home or are concerned about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can track the location of your pet's health using the app and remotely unlock their cat flap should they get into any trouble.
You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you more options to control who can enter and exit the room. This is particularly helpful when you have a naive cat or an older cat who might struggle with a traditional flap. This option can also be used to prevent your pets coming in when they're sick or if 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, thus keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, but they are effective in keeping your neighbours' cats out of your home.
Convenience
Unrestricted access to the outside can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the scent of herbs such as cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them through it when they are still in a shaky state.
If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be attached to a door or window it's easy 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 favourite 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 magnetic cat flaps, that recognizes your pet's microchip and allows it in. They are more expensive, however, they function by using magnets on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. They are a great option for families with multiple cats to keep unwanted animals from entering your property.
Other models come with different locking options that allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entry only. This is useful for those who want to control your cat's movements when they go out and returns especially late at night and you're not home. These can be useful if you are away from home for an extended time and want to make sure your cat is safe.
You can also select a cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, that means you can control your cat's entrance and exit easily. These flaps are more difficult to install than traditional cat flaps, however they provide more security and are safer for your pet. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location with an Internet connection.
Training
If you have a cat or kitten who has never used a flap for their cat, it can take a while to get them used to the idea of going out on their own. Certain cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new experience quickly. Others may need to be gently enthused and require time to master how to open the flap with a paw or head. Watching them from the inside and out will help you figure out the best methods to train them however, keep in mind that every cat is unique.
Instead of yelling your cat to walk through the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. The flap should be opened slightly (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place an item on the opposite side. Call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to use the flap as they will be able to see the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other end.
When your cat starts to take a lick or use their head to open it, you are able to let them explore the outdoors and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Certain cats are susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, including neighboring cats.
If you're unsure whether your cat is able to handle the outside world you can always keep them inside at night, or leave the flap unlocked to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and enrichment it requires, but you can also give them a chance to escape any stressful situations that may arise in your home. They will also be secure knowing that they can always return home whenever they'd like to.