How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

To get your cat to use the flap, start by playing and eating near it. This will make them familiar with the sound of it closing and opening. It is also helpful if you include your cat's scent on the flap. Then, move the flap slightly to give your cat an impression of movement. Try to entice them by holding their favorite food or an item toy. Certain herbs (such a cat germander, valerian, clarysage and clary sage) have a enticing scent that cats are known to love. Installing the cat flap A cat flap lets your pet move around whenever it wishes without needing to open a window or door. This will help you save time and effort and reduce the risk of your cat being involved in things that it shouldn't be. Even novice DIYers can install cat flaps on windows or doors. The same can be done for walls, as well as in the wall. To put a flap on a cat first measure the height of your cat's belly from the floor. Then mark this measurement on the door you wish to put it in. This measurement is essential because cats differ in their belly height. Ideally, the entrance of the cat flap must be at least 10cm higher than the height of your cat's belly. The next step is to drill the screw holes. The majority of kits include a template on paper to guide you, and using this will make sure that your holes are in the right places. Use a circular instead of a square hole to decrease the chance of glass breaking later. After the holes have been drilled after which you are able to install the cat flap. Make sure you align the edges on the flap to the edge of the front door. Once the cat flap is installed it's a good idea for you to seal the inside of the front door as well as the back flap. This will guard the flap from water damage and prevent cold drafts. There are many different types of cat flaps, each having their own advantages and drawbacks. Some are more expensive, but they should all be easy to use for your cat. If you want to limit access to a certain group of people, you might want to consider installing a secure flap that requires an RFID chip or microchip to be activated. Another option is to put in a magnetic cat flap, which can be activated with the help of a magnet. It is more expensive than other options, however it is more secure and less prone to being caused by stray cats. Teach your cat how to use the flap for cats. The cat flap can open up an entire new world for your pet. It provides your cat with more control and independence in their foraging and toilet trips and also allows them to hide in a safe area in case they are afraid of the outside world. It's important to keep trying to get your cat to use their new door. Follow the steps below for teaching your pet how to use the flap. Soon you'll have a feline who is happy and enjoys its freedom! First, it's crucial to get your cat used to the sound of the flap opening and closing. If your cat is afraid of this sound, it might be reluctant to open the flap in any way. Practice it several times throughout the day and reward your cat each time it enters the opening. Once your cat has become comfortable with the sound and the noise, you can begin teaching them to pass through the flap. Begin by placing food items just inside the flap opening and encouraging your cat with their paws or their head to move through. You can also drag a toy attached to string through the opening, or slide your hand inside to attract the attention of your cat. As cat flap fitters near me gets more comfortable with the opening, you can lower the flap to ensure that it covers only a small portion of the opening. This will help your pet to open the flap by using their head or paw. Some cats prefer using their paws to open the flap while others prefer using their heads. Close the cat flap and wait for your pet to come through and reward them when they make it through. Repeat this every day for approximately one week, and your cat will be capable of going through the flap even though it is closed. It is important to note that you should not force your cat to use the cat flap as it can be stressful for them and cause anxiety. Some cats will naturally become comfortable using the flap, while others will require more encouragement and patience to get there. Instruct your cat to use the flap It could take a while for your cat to get familiar with the cat flap. It is recommended to teach your pet to use the flap in small steps. This will increase their confidence and they will become more comfortable with the concept. Positive reinforcement is a good method, where your cat gets rewarded with toys or treats as it approaches the flap. This method is highly recommended for cat training as it promotes positive behavior. Start by luring them to the cat flap by using their favorite toys or food. This will get your cat curious about exploring and walking through the flap. Once your cat has become comfortable walking towards the flap then move the toys or treats closer to the flap until they are within reach of your paws. Continue to praise them for going through, and then gradually reduce the opening of the flap so that they can only push their head through with it. Some cats are unable to make the transition from a fully-open flap an enclosed flap difficult, so assist them by putting a clothes peg or binder clip on the cat flap so that it doesn't close completely, but remains open. You can then lure them through by holding a treat on the other side of the cat flap opening and yelling their name. Once your cat has adapted to exiting and entering the flap, you can begin to remove the peg or clip and let them go through it with their heads or paws. After several days, reward the cat for going in and out through the flap. Then, you can prop the flap slightly open and lure them with a treat from the other side. Continue with this training for some more days, and you'll soon have a cat who can use the flap independently. If your cat doesn't use the flap after a while it's likely that they aren't happy with it or that it has become inconvenient for them. You may need to relocate the flap to another place or adjust its sensitivities, or even need to replace it entirely. Fixing the flap on the cat Cat flaps allow your pet to leave and come back to the house without having to open the front door or get up. This allows them to go out when they'd like and not just when you're there and also means they won't be begging you to take a stroll around the block or yelling in the middle of the night if they need to go outside. Installing a cat flap on your door isn't as difficult as it may appear and is pretty easy to do if you follow the instructions that are supplied with the kit you purchased. Once you've marked out the door's area and used a jigsaw cut it out, you can use some caulk for decorators to make the joint water tight. It's also a good idea to paint the timber sections that aren't bare inside the cut out with a stain for wood to prevent them from absorption of water and leading to rot. Once you are satisfied that the flap is placed properly and that there aren't any gaps it's time to mark the areas on your door where the screws are to be placed. Again, this is pretty self-explanatory and should be stated clearly in the instructions for your particular cat flap. The final step is to secure the flap of cat to secure it. It's easy and is an easy task for anyone who has done it before. The only problem is when fixing into an UPVC or glass door, as they tend to have different thicknesses, which can cause issues when fixing the cat flap to them. With a bit of patience and patience, your cat will soon be using the flap and enjoying the advantages that it offers. They will be happier and healthier when they are able to let themselves out and in on their own, instead of having to nag you to let them in.