Many cat owners can relate to the feeling of being woken up in the middle of the night to let their cat out, only for them to change their minds and want back inside minutes later. A cat flap could solve this problem.
It works by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow access to only authorized cats, and denying access to others. A cat flap offers number benefits, including:
Peace of Mind
Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by allowing it to come and go whenever they please. If they choose to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This reduces the possibility of being attacked by other cats or wild cats that may be out hunting late at late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat could catch if they are left outside at night.
Conventional cat flaps also let other cats inside and out. This is a big worry for some pet owners who don't want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their house as their territory, eating their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip cat door will protect your cat from other cats by reading the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.
A microchip cat flap could even provide peace of mind even when you're not home, such as when you are out for the evening or on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app that monitors your pet's movements inside and out of your home and enables you to control the time they are allowed to come out and in via the smart curfew feature you set. You can also share your app access with friends and family to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets while you're away.
A microchip cat-flap fitted with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar will add an extra layer of protection to your cat's security by only permitting them to use it when their collar is within a certain distance. It is important that you spend time training your cat to use the flap especially if they're not familiar with it. Begin by letting the flap open so that they can view and sniff around. Holding out a favourite toy or treat from either side of flap you can 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 a myriad of cat flaps available with a variety of features. It is important to select one that is the right size for your pet so that it can enter and out easily. Also, upvc door panel replacement cat flap should look for a hard-wearing material that is able to withstand paws, claws, and rain.
Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to help secure your home and stop burglars from gaining access. You can lock them manually by using a peg that fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to enter and exit the house. Cat flaps can be easily programmed and are simple to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they allow you to track your pets movements around the house even when you are away from home. Certain models come with smart technology, which allows you to track the movements of your pets from the door or window using an app on your smartphone.
This can be useful when you're worried that your cat may wander away from home, or you're concerned about them having access to dangerous neighbourhood animals. You can remotely open the flap for your cat and check on your pet's health via the app.
You can also choose the four-way manual locking system which gives you more options to control who can access the door and when. This is especially useful if your cat is aggressive or older and may struggle with a traditional flap. This option can be used to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or if it is raining outside.
Some pet owners opt for flaps that read the microchip of their pet and only allow entry when it is registered, thereby blocking other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they are an effective method to stop your neighbor's cats from entering your home.
Convenience
Being able to access the outside world can keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps to reduce the number of accidents that take place within the home. Many cats are also drawn to the scents of plants like cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. These can be placed either the side of the flap in case they are still unsure.
If you have a small hinged panel, which can be affixed to a door or window it's easy enough to teach your cat how 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 may be difficult to teach your cat the first time, but once you do it should become a habit.
A magnetic cat flap can also be used. It detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to access. They're more expensive, but work by using a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to open the flap and grant access to your home. These are a great choice for households with multiple cats to stop stray animals from entering the property.
Other models come with various locking options. You can set it to either closed or open with an exit only, or entry only. 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 also useful when you are away from your home for long periods of time and you need to ensure that your cat is in a safe place.
You can also select a smart cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is operated via an app, that means you can control your cat's entrance and exit with ease. They're not as simple to install as traditional cat flaps, but they're safer for your pets and provide greater peace of mind. Some of these smart flaps include 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 if they have never used a flap before. Some cats are naturally curious, and will adjust to the new experience very quickly. Some cats will require to be gently pushed and taught to open the flap with their paws or their heads. Observing your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide on the best methods of training to use. Remember that every cat is different.
Instead of yelling at your cat to open the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not in a way that allows you to see it) and then open the flap. Call your cat through the flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn how to utilize the flap since they will see the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other end.
Once your cat is beginning to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can begin introduction to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. But, it's crucial to watch your cat and make sure they are safe outdoors as certain cats are vulnerable to the elements as well as other animals such as cats in the area.
If you're not sure if your cat can cope with the outdoors it is possible to keep them inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. You can ensure that your cat is getting the enrichment and exercise that it needs and provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that could occur in the home. You'll also feel safe knowing that they'll be able to return home if they choose to.