Many cat owners can relate to the feeling of being awakened up in the middle of the night to let their pets out, only for them to change their minds and want to go back in a few minutes. A cat flap can solve this problem.

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

Peace of Mind

Cat flaps can help keep your cat secure and safe by allowing them in and out whenever they want. If they want to stay inside, they are able to do so at night. This will decrease the chances of them being attacked by other cats or wild cats that might be hunting at late at night. cat flap installation can carry deadly diseases that your cat could contract if out at night.

Cats can get in and out through standard cat flaps. This can be a problem for some pet owners, who don't want neighbours' cats to harass their pets, mark their house as a territory and eat their food or engage in fights with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep other cats out by identifying the unique microchip number of your cat and unlocking it only for your cat.

A microchip cat flap can even provide peace of mind when you're away like when you are going out for dinner or out on holiday. It connects to a hub and app that tracks your pet's movements into and out of the home and allows you to regulate when they are allowed out and back in using an intelligent curfew that you can set. You can also share the app access with friends and family so that they can monitor your pet while you are away.

A microchip cat flap that has a magnetic or infrared collar key will add an additional layer of security by allowing your cat to use the flap only when their collar is within a certain distance of it. It is important to spend time training your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly important if it's not familiar with using one. Start by leaving the flap open so they can observe the outside world and smell it. Encourage them to put their head through the hole by handing out a treat or favourite toy from either side of the flap and praise and reward them every when they do this. Once they feel confident you can gradually close the flap.

Safety

There are many cat flaps available and many of them come with different features. It is important to select a cat flap that suits the size of your pet, to allow them to move in and out without any difficulty. Choose a sturdy material that is able to withstand the elements of rain, paws and claws.

Certain cat flaps are lockable in various ways to secure your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that fits into the lock, or opt for microchip cat flaps that allow only registered cats to enter and exit the house. These cat flaps can be easily programmed and are simple to set up, which makes them perfect for homes with multiple pets.

Microchip cat flaps are a great way to track your pet's movement within the home even if you're not around. Some models are equipped with smart technology, which allows you to monitor the movements of your pets through the door or window using an app on your smartphone.

This is beneficial when you're worried that your cat might wander off from their home or have access to dangerous animals in the neighbourhood. You can check the status of your pet through the app and remotely lock their cat flap if they are in trouble.

You can also select a four-way manual locking system that gives you greater control over who can be allowed to enter and exit. This is especially useful when your cat is a bit old or aggressive and could have difficulty using an ordinary flap. This option can be used to keep your pets from entering your home when they are sick or if it is raining outside.

Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan the pet's chip, and let it in if the pet is registered. This keeps out other cats. These flaps can be more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good method to stop your neighbor's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Access to the outdoors without restrictions can help to keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also to reduce the number of accidents that happen in the home. Cats are also attracted by the smell of certain herbs such as cat thyme and catnip (catmint) and clary sage - these can be placed on either side of the flap to entice them to use it even if they remain hesitant.

If you have a small hinged panel that can be fitted to a door or window it's easy to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap, and encouraging them to use it with their favorite food. It may be difficult to get them through the first time but once they do start, they should continue to follow the habit.

Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap that detects the microchip of your pet and allows it to enter. They are more expensive, but they work by using magnets around your pet's neck to open the flap. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats as they prevent stray cats entering the property.

Other models come with different locking options that allow you to set it to open or closed, and even exit or entry only. These can be useful if you want to control the time your cat is allowed to go out and comes back, especially if it's late at night or you're not home. They can be helpful when you're away from home for a long time and want to make sure your cat is safe.

You can also opt for a cat flap that is connected to your smartphone and can be operated via an app, that means you can control your cat's access and exit with ease. These are not as easy to install as traditional cat flaps however they are much safer for your pets and offer more security. Some of these smart cat flaps come with video monitoring, and can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Training

It may take a while for a cat's body to become comfortable with going outside by itself if they have not used a flap before. Depending on their nature, some cats are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others might require to be gentle and encouragable, and will need time to learn how to open the flap with a paw or head. Watching your cat from both the inside and from the outside can help you decide what methods of training to use. But remember that every cat is different.

Instead of forcing your cat to go through the flap, try to encourage them by giving them treats. Open the flap just a bit (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place an item on the opposite side. 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 help your cat learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it leads them closer to their reward on the other side of the flap.

When your cat starts to play with the flap or use their head to open it, you are able to let them roam around the outside and have fun in their new freedom. It is important to monitor your cat to ensure they are safe outside. Some cats could be vulnerable to the weather or other animals, such as neighbouring cats.

If you're not sure if your cat will be able to cope with 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 toys. You can make sure that your cat gets the exercise and enrichment it needs, but you can also provide them with a way to escape any stressful situations that might arise in the home. They'll also be secure knowing that they are able to return home whenever they wish to.
cat flap installation