Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of getting up in the middle of the night to let their pets out and only to change their minds and come back inside minutes later. A cat flap can solve this issue.

It is operated by scanning your cat's microchip, allowing access only to authorized cats and block access to other. There are a variety of benefits to having a flap for your cat that include:

Peace of mind

Cat flaps keep your cat secure and safe by permitting it to move around whenever they like. If they want to, they can stay in at the night. This reduces the chances of them being attacked by other cats or feral cats that may be out hunting late in the late at night. Many of these animals carry diseases that could be fatal to your cat, and so keeping them in at night will prevent them from getting sick.

Cats are able to enter and exit via standard cat flaps. This is a concern for pet owners who don't want neighbours cats to annoy their pets, mark their house as a territory or eat their food or get into fights with their cats. A microchip cat flap installation cost door can keep out other cats by identifying 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, for example when you are to a vacation spot or go out for the night. It connects to a hub as well as an app, which tracks your pet's movements inside and out of the house and lets you control the time they are allowed to come out and in via an intelligent curfew that you set. 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 an additional layer of security by allowing only your cat to use the flap when their collar is within a specific distance from it. It is important to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap open so that they can observe the outside world and smell it. By distributing a favorite toy or food item from either side of flap you can give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. When they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are a variety of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. You should select one that is the right size for your pet's needs so that it can be opened and exit easily. You should also search for a hard-wearing material that can withstand paws, claws and rain.

Certain cat flaps can be locked in a variety of ways to protect your home from burglars out. You can lock them manually using a peg that fits into the lock, or you can opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to access and leave the house. The cat flaps are simple to set up and easy to program, making them ideal for homes with multiple cats.

Microchip cat flaps are a great method to track your pet's movements in the house even when you're not there. Certain models come with smart technology that allows you to track the movements of your pets through the door or window by via an app on your phone.

This is useful when you're worried that your cat might wander too far away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the area. You can remotely lock the flap for your cat and check on your pet's status through the app.

You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you more control over who is able to enter and leave. This is particularly useful when you have a naive cat or a cat with a long history that might be unable to use a traditional flap. This option can be used to deter your pets from coming in when they're sick or if it's raining outside.

Other pet owners choose flaps that read a pet's microchip and only allow entry when it is registered, thus keeping other cats out. These systems are more expensive than regular cat flaps, however they can be effective in keeping your neighbours' cats away from your house.

Convenience

Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also reduce the amount of accidents that take place 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 entice them through it in case they are hesitant.

If you have a tiny hinged panel that can be fitted to a composite door cat flap or window it's easy 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 can be difficult to get your cat through the first time but once you've done it, it should become a habit.

Another alternative is to opt for a magnetic cat flap that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to be inserted. These are more expensive, however they work by putting a magnet on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. They are a great option for families with multiple cats to keep pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models offer various locking options. You can set it to open or close with an exit only, or entry only. These are useful when you want to control the frequency at which your cat comes and goes, especially at night or when you're away. They may also be useful when you are away from your home for long periods of time and need to ensure your cat remains safe inside.

You can also select a cat-flap with a smart design that is connected to your smartphone, and controlled through an app. This lets you control the entrance and exit of your cat with ease. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps, however they are much safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these smart flaps even have video monitoring and are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Training

It can take time for a cat's body to become comfortable with going out on their own even if they've never used a flap before. Depending on their nature, some are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Some cats will need to be gently encouraged and given time to learn to open the flap doors with cat flap their paws or heads. Watching your cat from both the inside and the outside will help you decide on the best training methods to employ. Remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of yelling at your cat flap fitters to walk through the flap, glass cat flap Installation near Me try to encourage them with treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then open the flap. Make your cat a call through the flap while maintaining a calm, positive voice. This will help your cat learn to navigate the flap and notice that it brings them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.

When your glass Cat flap installation near me begins to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you can let them explore the outdoors and take advantage of their newfound freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure they are safe out there. Some cats may be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, like neighbouring cats.

If you're unsure whether your cat will be capable of surviving the outdoors, you can keep them inside at night, or leave the flap open so they always have access to their litter box, puzzle feeders, and other toys. This lets you make sure that they're getting all the exercise and enrichment they require, but it also provides them with fitting a cat flap means to escape any stressful situations around the house, such as when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll always be able to return home should they wish to.