Many cat owners have experienced the feeling of waking in the middle of the night to let out their cats and then to change their mind and want to return a few minutes later. A cat flap can help solve this problem.

It operates by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing in only authorised cats, and denying access to others. The flap can provide a number benefits, including:

Peace of mind

Cat flaps keep your cat safe and secure by allowing it to come and go whenever they want. They can stay in their home at night if prefer, which reduces the risk of being attacked by wild cats or other cats that might be out hunting in the night. Many of these animals are carriers of diseases that could prove fatal for your cat so keeping them inside at night will keep them from catching them.

Conventional cat flaps also let other cats inside and out. This is a big worry for pet owners who do not wish to have neighbours' cats harassing their pets, marking their homes as theirs, consuming their food, or getting into fights with them. A microchip cat flap will keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip and only unlocking for that, so your cat is the only cat to access the door and exit.

It also gives you peace of mind if you're away from home, like when you are on vacation or go out at night. It is linked to an app and hub that monitors your pet's movement in and out of the home. You can also set a smart curfew to restrict when they are allowed to enter and leave. You can also share your app access with family and friends to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat flap with a magnetic or infrared collar key can provide additional security by allowing your cat to use the flap if their collar is within a specific distance of it. You should spend some time training your cat how to use the flap. This is especially important if it's not used to using one. Begin by leaving the flap open to let them observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to put their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favorite toy on either side of the flap. Then praise and reward them every time they do it. Once they're confident with the flap, slowly close it.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps on the market. A lot of them come with various features. It is important to select a cat-flap that is the proper size for your pet so that it can enter and out easily. You should also search for a durable product that can withstand paws claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps are lockable in a variety of ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the home. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are easy to set up, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple pets.

Microchip cat flaps are an excellent way to track your pet's movements in the house even when you're not around. Certain models are equipped with intelligent technology that allows you to track your pets' movements as they walk through the window or door by using an app on your smartphone.

This can be useful when you're worried that your cat might wander too far from home or you're concerned about them having access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can remotely open the cat flap and monitor your pet's health via the app.

You can also opt for a four way manual locking system that offers more options to control who can go in and out. This is especially helpful for cats that are more aggressive or if they are older and have difficulty using a traditional flap. This is a great option to stop your pet 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 if it is registered, thus blocking other cats. These systems are more expensive than normal cat flaps, however they are effective in keeping the cats of your neighbors away from your house.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help to keep your cat mentally and physically active. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain plants like cat thyme or catnip (catmint) and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap to help encourage them to go through it even in case they are uneasy.

It's easy to teach your cat flap installation near me 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 using their favorite food. It might be difficult to make your cat go through the first time, but once you do the practice will become habitual.

Another option is to make use of magnetic cat flaps, which recognises the microchip of your pet and allows it in. These are more expensive, but they work by using a magnet around your pet's neck to open the flap. They are a great option for households with multiple cats to stop pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models come doors with cat flap different locking options which allow you to set it to open shut, closed, exit only or entry only. They are helpful for those who need to regulate the time your cat goes and comes, especially at night or when you're away. They are also useful when you are away from your home for a long period of time and want to ensure that your cat is safe inside.

You can also select an intelligent cat-flap that's connected to your smartphone and controlled via an app. This allows you to control the entry and exit of your cat with ease. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps however they are much more secure for your pet and offer more security. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring and are accessible from any location connected to the Internet.

Training

It may take a while for a cat's body to become used to being outside by itself in the event that they've not used a flap before. Based on their individual nature, some are naturally curious and will adapt to the new environment quickly. Some cats will need to be gently pushed and taught to open the flap with their paws or head. Watching them from the inside and out will help you figure out what methods to use to train them but be aware that all cats are different.

Instead of trying to force your cat through the flap, try and encourage them by offering them treats. Open the flap a little (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side, then call them through the cat flap, making sure your voice is calm and positive to help make the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will help your cat learn how to go through wall cat flap the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.

Once your cat begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them roam around the outside and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure they are safe out there. Certain cats are susceptible to weather conditions and other animals, including neighboring cats.

If you are unsure if your cat will be in a position to handle the outdoors, you can lock them inside at night, or leave the flap open so that they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders and other toys. You can ensure that your cat flap installation bristol gets the enrichment and exercise that it needs and provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that could occur in the home. They will also be able to rest in the knowing that they will be able to come back home if they want to.