Many cat owners will recognize the feeling of being woken up in the middle of the night to let their cats out but only to change their minds and decide to go back inside minutes later. A cat flap solves this problem.

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

Peace of mind

Cat flaps are a great way to keep your cat safe and secure by allowing them to go in and out as they please. If they choose to stay inside, they are able to do so at the night. This reduces the chance of being attacked by other cats or feral cats that might be out hunting late at night. These animals could carry deadly illnesses that your cat may contract if out at night.

Cats can get in and out via standard cat flaps. This is a concern for some pet owners, who don't want their neighbors' cats to harass their pets, mark their home as their territory, eat their food, or fight with their cats. A microchip cat door can keep out other cats by recognizing the unique microchip number of your cat, and then unlocking it only for your cat.

A microchip cat flap can even provide peace of mind even when you're not home, such as when you are going out for dinner or out on holiday. It connects to a hub and an app, which tracks your pet's movements into and out of the house and enables you to control the time they are allowed to come out and in via a smart curfew feature that you set. It is possible to share the app with family and friends, so they can keep track of your pets while you're away.

A microchip cat-flap fitted with magnetic collar keys or an infrared collars will provide an extra layer of security to your cat's safety by the ability to use it if their collar is within a certain distance. It is recommended to spend some time teaching your cat how to use the flap. This is particularly important if they aren't familiar with using one. Begin by leaving the flap open so that they can be able to see the world outside and smell it. In the meantime, by distributing a favorite toy or treat from either side of the flap you can encourage and reward your cat every time it pushes its head through. Once they are confident using the flap, you can slowly close it.


Safety

There are numerous cat flaps on the market. They all have different features. You should choose a cat-flap that's the appropriate size for your pet's needs so that it can be opened and exit easily. Also, you should look for a durable material that is able to withstand paws, claws and rain.

Some cat flaps are lockable in various ways to protect your home and keep burglars out. You can lock them manually by using a peg that is inserted into the lock, or choose microchip cat flaps that permit only registered cats to be allowed into and out of the home. The cat flaps are simple to set up and simple to program, which makes them perfect for homes with several cats.

The main benefit of microchip cat flaps is that they permit you to track your pets movements around the house even when you're away from home. Certain models are equipped with smart technology that enables you to track your pet's' movements through the windows or doors using an app on your smartphone.

This can be useful if you're concerned that your cat may wander away from home or you're concerned about their access to animals that could be dangerous in the neighbourhood. You can remotely unlock the cat flap and check your pet's status through the app.

You can also opt for a four way manual locking system which gives you more options to decide who can go in and out. This is especially useful if your cat is old or aggressive and could have difficulty using a traditional flap. This is a great option to prevent your pets from coming in when they are sick or it is raining outside.

Certain pet owners choose to use flaps that scan the pet's chip and only let it in when the pet is registered. This prevents other cats. These systems are more expensive than other cat flaps but they're a good method to stop your neighbor's cats getting into your house.

Convenience

Unrestricted outside access can help keep your cat mentally and physically active. It can also help reduce the number of accidents that happen within the home. Many cats are also drawn by the smells of herbs such as cat thyme (catmint), catnip and clary sage. These can be placed either on the other side of the flap if they are still hesitant.

If you have a small hinged panel that can be affixed to a window or door, it's simple enough to teach your cat to use it by placing treats on the opposite side of the flap, and encouraging them through it by using their favorite food. It may be difficult to make them go through it the first time, but when they've mastered it start, they should continue to follow the habit.

Another option is to make use of a magnetic cat flap, that detects your pet's microchip and lets it to enter. They're more expensive but they work by using the magnet on your pet's neck to unlock the flap. These are a great solution for households with multiple cats and keep out stray cats out of the home.

Other models provide different locking options. You can choose to lock it open or closed, exit only, or entrance only. This is useful if you want to control when your cat goes 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 prolonged time and you want to make sure that your cat is secure.

You can also opt for a smart cat flap that connects to your smartphone and can be controlled by an app, which means you can control your cat's entry and exit with ease. These aren't as easy to install as traditional cat flaps but they're much safer for your pets and provide more peace of mind. Some of these cat flaps come with video monitoring, and are accessible from any location with an Internet connection.

Training

It can take some time for a cat to get comfortable with going outdoors on its own, especially even if they've not used a flap before. Based on their nature, some cats are naturally curious and adjust to the new experience quickly. Others might require to be gently enthused and require time to master how to push the flap open with a paw or head. Examining your cat from the inside and from the outside will help you decide on the best training methods to employ. Remember that every cat is unique.

Instead of yelling your cat to walk through the flap, try to encourage them with treats. The flap should be opened slightly (not enough to be able to see the other side) and then place a treat on the other side, then call them through the flap, keeping your voice steady and positive to make the learning sessions easier for both you and your cat. This will allow your cat to learn to navigate the flap by noticing that it takes them closer to their reward on the opposite side of the flap.

Once your cat starts to push the flap open with a lick or a head, you can begin in introducing them to the outdoor world and let them explore their new freedom. It's important to watch your cat to ensure that they are safe outside. Certain cats are vulnerable to the weather and other animals, like cats that live nearby.

If you're unsure if your cat can cope with the outdoor world you can always put them in a cage at night, or leave the flap unlocked so that they have constant access to their litter tray, puzzle feeders, and toys. This allows you to ensure that they get all the exercise and stimulation they require. doors with cat flap gives them a way to escape any stressful situation in the home, like when you're cooking or cleaning. You'll also feel safe knowing that they'll be able to return home if they choose to.