Many cat owners will recognise the feeling of being woken up in the middle of the night to let their cats out and only to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap can solve this issue.

It works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip to allow only authorized cats access and restrict access to all other cats. There are a variety 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 letting them in and out at any time they wish. If they want to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will decrease the chance of being attacked by other cats or feral cats that might be hunting in the late at night. These animals can carry deadly diseases that your cat might contract if out at night.

Cat flaps that are conventional can let other cats in and out - this is a major concern for some pet owners who do not want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, marking their homes as their own, eating their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat and allowing it only for your cat.

It can also provide peace of mind if you're away from home, such as when you are on vacation or out at night. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of your home and lets you control when they are allowed out and back in using an intelligent curfew that you can set. You can also share your app access with family and friends to ensure that they keep an eye on your pets whilst you are away.

A microchip cat flap that has an infrared or magnetic collar key will add a further layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is important that you spend time teaching your cat to use the flap especially if they are not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open to let them see and sniff the outside world. Encourage them to push their head through the hole by holding the treat or their favorite toy on either side of the flap. You can give them praise and rewards each time they do it. Once they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps on the market with a variety of features. It's important to choose the right cat flap for the dimensions of your pet to allow them to move into and out with no difficulty. Also, you should look for a hard-wearing material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps are lockable in a variety of ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg which fits into the lock, or you can choose microchip cat doors that only allow registered cats to enter the house. The cat flaps are easily programmed and are easy to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with pets that are multiple.

Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to monitor your pet's movements within the home even if you're not there. Some models come with intelligent technology that allows you to track your pet's' movements when you walk through the windows or doors using an app on your smartphone.

This is helpful in the event that you are worried that your cat could wander away from home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely open the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's condition using the app.

You can also select the four-way manual locking system, which offers more options to control who can access the door and when. This is especially useful if your cat is more aggressive or if they are older and struggle with a traditional flap. This method can be used to prevent your pets from entering your home when they are sick or if it's raining outside.

Other pet owners choose flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry if it is registered, blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they're a good way to keep your neighbour's cats from getting into your home.

Convenience

Unrestricted access to the outside can help to keep your cat physically and mentally engaged. It also helps reduce the amount of accidents that occur in the home. Many cats also feel enticed by the scent of plants such as cat thyme, catnip (catmint) and clary sage. informative post can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to go through it even in case they are in a shaky state.

It's simple to teach your cat to make use of small hinged flaps that can be fixed to a window or door. Place treats at the other end of the flap and encourage them to go through with their preferred food. It may be difficult to make your cat go through the first time however once you've mastered it, the practice will become habitual.

Another option is to use a magnetic cat flap, which recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it in. These are more expensive however they work by putting a magnetic device on the collar of your pet to open the flap and grant access to your home. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats and stop stray cats from entering your property.

Other models come with a variety of locking options that allow you to make it open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These are great when you want to control the frequency at which your cat goes and comes particularly at night or if you're not home. They may also be useful in situations where you're away from home for long periods of time and need to ensure your cat remains safe inside.

You can also opt for a cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and is controlled by an app, which means you can manage your cat's access and exit with ease. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, but they're more secure for your pet and offer more peace of mind. Some of these flaps also have video monitoring and can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.

Training

If you have a kitten or cat who has never used a cat flap it could take a while to get them used to the idea of going outside on their own. Based on their individual personality, some are naturally curious and will be able to adjust to the new situation quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to master how to open the flap with a paw or head. Examining them from both the inside and outside can help you work out the best methods to train them, but remember that all cats are unique.

Instead of yelling your cat to walk through the flap, you should try to encourage them by giving them treats. Open the flap a little (not enough to see the other side) and place treats on the other side, then call them through the cat flap, making sure your voice is calm and positive to help make the training sessions easier on both of you and your cat. This will allow your cat to learn how to go through the flap, noticing that it brings them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.

When your cat begins to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introduction to the outdoors and let them enjoy their new freedom. But, it's crucial to keep an eye on your cat and ensure they are secure outdoors, as certain cats are vulnerable to the elements and other animals, such as the cats that are in the vicinity.

If you're not sure whether your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can either lock your cat inside at night or leave the flap open to ensure they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and toys. You can make sure that your cat is getting the exercise and stimulation it needs, but you can also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that may occur in the home. They'll also feel comfortable knowing they'll be able to return home if they choose to.
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