Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cat out but only to change their minds and decide to go to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap is a solution to this issue.
cat flap fitting near me works by scanning the microchip of your cat's microchip, allowing only authorized cats access and block access to other cats. The flap can provide a variety of benefits, such as:
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. They can be in their home at night if wish, which will reduce the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that might be out hunting during the night. Many of these animals have diseases that could prove fatal for your cat, so keeping them inside at night will stop 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 homes as a territory and eat their food or fight with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.
It can also give you peace of mind when you are away from home, for example when you are on vacation or go out at night. It links to a hub as well as an app that tracks your pet's movements in and out of the home and enables you to control when they are allowed out and back in using a smart curfew feature that you can set. You can also share your app access with friends and family to ensure that they keep an eye on your pet while you are away.
A microchip cat-flap with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar can add an additional layer of security to your cat's security by only the ability to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is essential to spend time educating your cat to use the flap especially if they're not used to it. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can view and sniff the outside world. Holding out a favourite toy or treat from either side of the flap and praise and reward your cat every time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident, you can slowly close the flap.
Safety
There are a variety of cat flaps available on the market. A lot of them come with various features. It is important to select a cat-flap that is the appropriate size for your pet, so that it can be opened and out easily. Choose a sturdy material that can withstand the elements, rain, and claws.
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 that is inserted into the lock, or 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, making them ideal for homes with multiple pets.
The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pet's movements around the house, even when you are away from home. Certain models are equipped with smart technology that allows you to track your pets' movements when you walk through the windows or doors through an app that you can download on your phone.
This is useful in the event that you are worried that your cat may wander off from home or if they have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can remotely lock the flap on your cat's door and monitor your pet's status through the app.
You can also select a four way manual locking system, which gives you more options to control who can access the door and when. This is especially useful for those with an aggressive cat or a cat with a long history that may struggle with a standard flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from coming in 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 the microchip is registered, thereby keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than other flaps for cats, but they're a good method to stop your neighbor's cats from getting into your home.
Convenience
Having unrestricted access to the outside world can keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated. It can also help reduce the number of accidents that occur within the home. A lot of cats are also attracted by the scents of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint) catnip, catnip, and clary sage. These can be placed either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.
It's easy to teach your cat to use the small hinged flap that can be affixed to a door or window. Place treats at the other end of the flap, and encourage them to go through by using their preferred food. It might be difficult to teach your cat the first time however once you've mastered it, you will be able to make it a habit.
Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, that recognizes your pet's microchip and allows it in. They're more expensive, however they work by putting an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap and grant access to your home. These are a great choice for multi-cat households to prevent pets that are stray from entering the property.
Other models come with a variety of locking options which allow you to make it open shut, closed, exit only or entrance only. These can be useful for those who want to control when your cat goes out and come in particularly late 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 that your cat is secure.
You can also opt for a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled by an app. This allows you to manage the access and exit of your cat in a matter of minutes. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps however they are much more secure for your pet and offer more peace of mind. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring and can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Training
If you have a kitten or cat who has never used a flap for their cat, it may take some time for them to get accustomed to the idea of going out on their own. Depending on their personality, some are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others may need to be gently enthused and require time to learn how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Examining your cat from the inside and from the outside can help you decide what methods of training to use. Remember that every cat is different.
Instead of trying to make your cat go through the flap, try and encourage them by using treats. The flap should be opened a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and place a treat on the other side. Then, call them through the cat flap, keeping your voice calm and positive to help make the training sessions more enjoyable on both of you and your cat. This will aid your cat in learning to use the flap because they will be able to see the way it gets them closer to the reward on the other side.
Once your cat starts to push the flap open by licking or shaking their head, you can begin introduction to the outdoors and let them experience their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe out there. Some cats could be susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, like neighbouring cats.
If you're not sure if your cat can cope with the outdoor world it is possible to keep them inside at night or just leave the flap open to ensure that they have access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders and toys. This allows you to make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require. It also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situations in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They will also have the security of knowing that they will be able to return home whenever they want to.