Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and decide to go to return within minutes. A cat flap can solve this problem.
It operates by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow only authorized cats in and block access to other cats. There are a number of advantages to having a cat flap that are:
Peace of mind
Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them to go in and out whenever they want. If they want to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will decrease the possibility of being attacked by other cats or feral cats who may be hunting in the late at night. Many of these animals have diseases that can be fatal for your cat and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from catching them.
Cats can get in and out through standard cat flaps. This can be a problem for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbors cats to annoy their pets, mark their homes as a territory or eat their food or get into fights with their cats. upvc door panels cat flap can keep other cats out by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap may even provide peace of mind even when you're not home for instance, when you are out for the evening or on holiday. It links to a hub and app, which tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the home and enables you to control when they can come out and back in using a smart curfew feature that you set. 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 that has a magnetic or infrared collar key can provide an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is important that you spend time training your cat to use the flap, especially if they're not used to it - start by opening the flap to let them see and sniff the outside world. By distributing a favorite toy or food item on either side of the flap you can encourage and reward your cat every time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.
Safety
There are many cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is essential to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet, so that they can move into and out with no difficulty. Look for a durable material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to secure your home and stop burglars from entering. You can lock them manually by using the peg that fits inside the lock, or you can choose microchip-encoded cat doors that allow registered cats to enter the house. These cat flaps are quick to set up and simple to programme, making them ideal for homes with multiple cats.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they enable 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 through the door or window using an app on your smartphone.
This is beneficial when you're worried that your cat may wander too far away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can monitor the health of your pet through the app and remotely lock their cat flap if they are in trouble.
You can also select a four way manual locking system which gives you more options to decide who can access the door and when. This is particularly useful for cats that are more aggressive or if they are older and struggle with a traditional flap. This method can be used to prevent your pets from coming in when they are sick or if it's raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if the microchip is registered, thus keeping out other cats. These systems can be more expensive than other cat flaps however they are a great way to prevent your neighbour's cats from getting into your home.
Convenience
Access to the outside world can keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It can also reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. They can be put either on the other side of the flap if they are still unsure.
It's easy to teach your cat how to use small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a door or window. Place treats at the other end of the flap and encourage them to walk through using their favorite food. It can 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.
A magnetic cat flap can also be utilized. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They're 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 good option for multi-cat households to prevent pets that are stray from entering the property.
Other models come with different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed and exit only or entry only. This is useful if you want to control when your cat goes out and comes back particularly late at night and you're not at home. They can also be helpful if you're away from your home for long periods of time and want to ensure that your cat is 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 entrance and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much safer for your pets and provide more security. Some of these flaps have video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
Training
It may take a while for a cat to get accustomed to going outside by itself if they have never used a flap before. Depending on their nature, some cats are naturally curious and will adjust to the new experience quickly. Some cats will require to be gently urged and taught to open the flap using their paws or their heads. Observing your cat from both the inside and outside can help you decide what training methods to employ. But remember that every cat is different.
Instead of forcing your cat to walk through the flap, you should try to encourage them with treats. Prop the flap open a little (not enough to see the other side) and then place treats on the other side. Then, call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice positive and calm to make the learning sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap and notice that it leads them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.
Once your cat begins to take a lick or use their head to open it, you are able to let them out in the open and enjoy their newfound freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like cats that live nearby.
If you're not sure if your cat can cope with the outdoors, you could always put them in a cage at night or just leave the flap open to ensure they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This allows you to ensure that they get all the exercise and stimulation they require, but also gives them a way of escape from any stressful situation in the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also have the security of knowing that they can always return home if they'd like to.