Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the late at night to let their cat out, only for them to change their minds and want to return within minutes. A cat flap is a solution to this issue.

It is operated by scanning the microchip of your cat to allow only authorized cats to enter and restrict access to all other cats. The flap can provide a number benefits, including:

Peace of mind

Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat secure and safe by letting them in and out at any time they wish. They can stay in the dark if they wish, which will reduce the risk of being attacked by feral cats or other felines that may be out hunting at night. They can be carriers of deadly illnesses that your cat flap cost near me may catch if they are out at night.

Conventional cat flaps can also allow other cats inside and out. This is a major issue for pet owners who don't want neighbour's cats harassing their pets, marking their home as theirs, consuming their food or engaging in fights with them. A microchip-encoded cat flap can keep other cats out by capturing your cat's unique microchip code and unlocking only for that, so your cat is the only cat to be able to enter and exit.

It can also give you peace of mind if you are away from home, for example when you go on vacation or go out at night. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements inside and out of your home and enables you to control the time they are allowed to come out and back in using an intelligent curfew that you can set. You can also share your app access with friends and family to ensure that they monitor your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat-flap fitted with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collar will add an additional layer of security to your cat's security by only the ability to use it when their collar is within certain distance. It is essential to spend time teaching your cat to use the flap especially if they are not familiar with it. Begin by opening the flap so that they can view and sniff the outside world. By distributing a favorite toy or a treat on either side of the flap, give your cat praise and a reward each time it pushes its head through. Once they feel confident then you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are a myriad of cat flaps on the market, with many offering different features. It is important to select the right cat flap for the size of your pet, so that they can easily move into and out with no difficulty. You should also search for a durable product that can withstand paws, claws and rain.

Some cat flaps can be locked in a range of ways to help secure your home and prevent burglars from entering. You can lock them manually using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to enter and exit the house. These cat flaps are quick to set up and easy to program, which makes them ideal for homes with multiple cats.

One of the major advantages of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pet's movements around the house even when you're away from home. Some models have intelligent technology that allows you to track your pet's' movements as they walk through the upvc door panel cat flap or window through an app on your smartphone.

This is useful if you are concerned that your cat could wander away from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighborhood. You can track the location of your pet through the app and remotely lock their cat flap should they get into any trouble.

You can also opt for the four-way manual locking system that gives you greater control over who is able to be allowed to enter and exit. This is especially helpful when your cat is a bit old or aggressive and could struggle with a traditional flap. This method can be used to stop your pet from coming in when they are sick or when it is raining outside.

Some pet owners opt for flaps that scan the pet's chip, and let it in if the pet is registered. This is to keep out other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they are an effective method to stop your neighbor's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Having unrestricted access to the outside world can help keep your cat mentally and physically engaged. It also helps reduce the number of accidents that occur inside the home. Many cats are also drawn by the smells of herbs like cat thyme (catmint) as well as catnip and clary sage. These can be placed on either side of the flap if they are still hesitant.

It's simple to teach your cat to utilize a small hinged flap that can be fixed to a upvc door panel replacement cat flap or window. Place treats on the other side of the flap and encourage them to go through using their favorite food. It can be difficult to get your cat through 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 magnetic cat flaps, that recognizes the microchip of your pet and allows it to be inserted. These are more expensive but they function by using an electronic device attached to the collar of your pet to open the flap, granting access to your home. These are a great choice for families with multiple cats to keep pets that are stray from entering the property.

Other models come with a variety of locking options, allowing you to set it to open shut, closed, exit only or entry only. These are useful for those who need to regulate when your cat goes and comes, especially at night or if you're not home. They can also be helpful in situations where you're away from home for a long period of time and want to ensure that your cat stays safely indoors.

You can also opt for a cat flap that connects to your smartphone and is operated via an app, which means you can manage your cat's entrance and exit without difficulty. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flap fitting flaps however they are much more secure for your pet and provide more peace of mind. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring, and can be accessed anywhere connected to the Internet.

Training

It can take time for a cat to become accustomed to going outside by itself in the event that they've not used a flap before. Certain cats are naturally curious and will adjust to the new situation very quickly. Others may require being gently encouraged and need time to learn how to push the flap open using a paw or head. Watching them from the inside and outside will help you figure out what methods you can use to train them however, remember that all cats are different.

Rather than trying to make your cat go through the flap, it's better to try and encourage them by offering them treats. Place treats on the opposite side of the flap (but not enough to see it) and then prop the flap open. Make your cat a call through the flap while using an ebullient, calm voice. This will help your cat learn how to go through the flap and notice that it leads them closer to the reward on the opposite side of the flap.

Once your cat is beginning to open the flap with a lick or a head, you can start introducing them to the outdoor world and let them experience their new freedom. However, it's important to watch your cat and ensure that they are secure in the outdoors since certain cats are susceptible to the elements as well as other animals such as cats in the area.

If you're unsure whether your cat flap in bifold doors is able to handle the outdoor world you can always put them in a cage at night or leave the flap open so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This allows you to ensure that they're getting all the exercise and stimulation they require, but it also provides them with a means of escape from any stressful situation in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. They'll also feel secure knowing they'll be able to return home if they choose to.