How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

To encourage your cat to use the flap, start by playing and feeding near it. This will make them familiar with the sound it makes when it closes and opens. It is also helpful if you add your cat's scent to the flap. Next, let the flap open a little to give your cat the impression of movement. Try luring them to come through by presenting their favorite food or toy. Certain plants (such as cat germander, clary sage and valerian) offer a enticing scent that many cats love. Installing the cat flap A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever it wants without you needing to open a window or door. This will help you save time, and decrease the chances of your cat being involved in an incident it should not. Cat flaps can be fitted in windows, doors and even on walls. They are simple to install even for novice DIY'ers. To fit a cat flap, first determine the height of your cat's belly from the floor. Then mark this point on the door that you would like to install it in. This measurement is essential, as cats vary in their belly height. Ideally, the opening of the flap for cats should be at a minimum 10cm higher than the height of your cat's belly. The next step is to drill holes for the screws. Most kits include a paper template to help you through the process, and this will ensure that your holes are in the right places. Use a circular rather than square hole to minimize the chance of glass breaking later. Once the holes have been made, you can begin to put the flap on. Make sure you align the edges of the flap with the edge of the front door. After the cat flap has been installed it's an ideal idea to seal the inside of the front door and the back flap. This will shield the flap from water damage and prevent cold drafts. There are many different types of cat flaps, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are more expensive however, they must all be easy to use for your cat. Install a cat flap that is secure and requires the use of a microchip or collar tag in order to open. Installing a magnetic cat door that can be activated by a magnet is an alternative option. It is more expensive than other options, however it is more secure and less prone to being caused by stray cats. Your cat should be taught to use the flap The cat flap is an excellent method of introducing your pet to a brand new world. It gives your cat more independence and control over their food choices and bathroom visits. It may take time to train your cat to use the new door, but patience will pay dividends. Use the tips below to help train your pet to use the new flap. You'll soon have a feline who is happy and enjoys its freedom! It is crucial to introduce your cat to the sound of the flap closing and opening. If your cat is afraid of the noise, it might not want to go through. Do it a few times per day and reward your cat each time it enters the opening. Once your cat has become comfortable with the noise then you can start teaching them to walk through the flap. Start by placing a food treat in the flap's opening and encourage your cat to walk through it with their paws or head. repairmywindowsanddoors could also try dragging a toy attached to a string through the opening, or simply putting your hand through the flap to draw their attention. As your cat gets more confident going through the opening, you can lower the flap so that it covers a smaller portion of the opening. This will help your pet to open the flap with their head or paw. Some cats prefer using their paws to open the flap, while others prefer using their heads. Close the flap on the cat's side and wait for your pet to come through and reward them if they do come through. Repeat this every day for approximately one week, and your cat will be allowed to walk through the flap even when it is closed. It is important to note that you should never oblige your cat to use the cat flap, because it could be stressful for them and create anxiety. Some cats will become comfortable using the cat flap on their own while others may require patience and encouragement. Get your cat to use the flap It might take a while for your cat to become accustomed to the cat flap. It is best to train your cat to use the flap in small steps. This will help to build their confidence, and they'll become more comfortable with the idea. A great method is positive reinforcement. This involves rewarding your cat with treats or toys whenever they come close to the flap. This method is widely recommended to train cats since it promotes positive behavior. Begin by luring them to the flap using their favourite toys or food. This will get your cat attracted to exploring and moving through the flap. Once your cat is confident in walking towards the flap, begin to move the toys or treats closer to the opening, until they are just within the reach of their paws. Reward them for getting through and slowly lower the flap so that your cat can only use their head. It is possible to help cats transition from an open flap to a closed flap by putting a clothes peg on the flap. This will allow it to remain open, but not completely. You can then entice the cat through by holding the treat on the opposite side of the flap and calling their name. Once your cat has become accustomed to entering and leaving through the flap, remove the clip, peg or other device and let them play with it with their paws or heads. You can do this for a couple of days, and continue rewarding them for entering and exiting through the flap. then start to open it a bit and lure them in with a treat on opposite side of the flap. Continue this training for a few days and your cat will be able use the flap on their own. If your cat does not use the flap anymore, it's likely that they aren't enjoying it anymore or it has become too inconvenient. You might need to move the flap to a new location or adjust its sensitivities, or even need to replace it completely. Fixing the cat flap Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out of the house without you needing to open the doors or stand up to let them in. This allows them to go out whenever they want to, not just when you're there and it means they won't be pestering 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 seem and is fairly self-explanatory If you follow the steps that are supplied with the kit you purchased. Once you've marked out the door's opening and used a jigsaw cut it out you can use caulk for decorators to make the joint water tight. It's also a good idea to paint the timber pieces that are left inside the cut-out with a wood stain to stop them from taking in water and causing decay. If you're satisfied that the flap is sitting exactly where it should be and there aren't any gaps (it's recommended to check it regularly throughout the process) It's time to mark out the areas on your door where the screws will be going. This is self-explanatory, and should be clearly explained in the instructions for your cat flap. The last thing to do is to screw the flap on the cat. It's a relatively simple process and should be easy for anyone who has done it before. The only problem is when fixing into a UPVC or glass door, as these tend to have varying thicknesses, which can cause difficulties when trying to fix a cat flap into them. With a bit of patience, your cat will soon be able to use the flap to enjoy all the benefits it offers. They will be happier and healthier when they are able to let themselves out and in on their own, instead of needing to beg you to let them in.