To get your cat to use the cat flap, begin by playing and feeding close to 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.
Then, prop the flap open a little to give your cat a sense of movement. Try to lure them in by holding out their favorite food or toy. Certain plants (such a cat germander, valerian, clarysage and clary sage) are attractive scents that cats love.
Installing the cat flap
A cat flap lets your pet leave and come back whenever it wants without you having to open a window or door. This will save you time and energy, as well as reduce the likelihood of your cat being involved in things that it shouldn't be. Cat flaps can be installed in windows, doors and walls. They are simple to install even for beginners in DIY.
To install a cat flap, first take a measurement of the height of your cat's belly from the floor. Then mark the height on the door you wish to install it in. It is essential to use this measurement, since different cats have different belly heights. Ideally, the opening of the cat flap must be at least 10cm higher than your cat's belly height.
The next step is to drill the screw holes. Most kits include a paper template to help you, and using this will allow you to ensure that your holes are in proper positions. Choose a circular hole instead of a square hole to decrease the risk of the glass breaking later.
After the holes have been drilled after which you are able to attach the cat flap. You will need to be careful to align the edges of the flap to the door's edge. After the cat flap has been installed it's a good idea for you to seal the inside of the front door as well as the back flap. This will shield the flap from water damage and prevent cold drafts.
There are many kinds of cat flaps, each having their own advantages and drawbacks. Some are more expensive than others, but they should all be easy for your cat to use. Install a cat flap that is secure and requires an RFID tag or microchip tag in order to open.
Another option is to put in an electronic cat flap which can be activated with magnets. This is more expensive than other options, but is more secure and less prone to being activated by cats that wander around.
Teach your cat to use the flap for cats.
The cat flap can open up an entire new world for your pet. It gives your cat more independence and control of their poop and foraging as well as allowing them to go to a secure area in case they are afraid of the outside world. It may take time to teach your cat to use the new door, but patience will pay dividends. Use the tips below to teach your pet how to use the flap, and you'll have a happy cat who is awed by the freedom it offers!
It's crucial that your cat is accustomed to the noise the flap makes when it closes and opens. If your cat is scared of the noise, they may not want to pass through. Practise several times a day and reward your cat every time it passes through the opening.
Once your cat is comfortable with the sound, it's time to teach them how to go through the flap. Start by placing food treats just inside the flap opening and then encouraging your cat with their paws or their head to move through. You can also pull a toy tied to string through the opening, or slide your hands through it to draw the attention of your cat.
As your cat becomes more comfortable with the opening then you can lower the flap to ensure that it covers a smaller portion of the opening. This will help your pet to push the flap open by using their head or paw. Some cats prefer to do this using their paws while others choose to push the flap with their heads.
Then, close the flap for cats and wait for your cat to walk through it and then give them a treat in the event that they do. Repeat this process every day for one week, and your cat will be capable of going through the flap even though it is closed.
It's important to keep in mind that you shouldn't force your cat into using the flap. This could cause anxiety and stress. Certain cats will be comfortable using the cat flap on their own, while others may need encouragement and patience.
Getting your cat to use the flap
It might take a while for your cat to become comfortable with the flap. It is best to train your pet to use the flap in small steps. This will help build their confidence and they'll become more comfortable with the concept. A great method is positive reinforcement, which entails rewarding your cat with treats or toys when they are near the flap. This technique is widely used for training cats, as it encourages desirable behaviour.
Begin by luring your cat towards the flap with food or their favourite toys. This will make them more interested in exploring the flap, and will make them more inclined to explore it. Once your cat has become comfortable walking towards the flap, move the toys or treats closer to the flap until they are within reach of your paws. Keep praising the cat for making it through, and lower the flap gradually so that your cat can only use their head.
Some cats are unable to make the transition from a fully-open flap to an enclosed flap difficult, so you could help them by placing a clothes peg or binder clip on the flap to ensure that it doesn't close completely but is slightly open. You can then lure the cat in by placing the treat at the other end of the cat flap and calling their names.
Once your cat has become used to entering and leaving through the flap, remove the clip, peg or other device and let them nip it with their paws or their heads. You can do this for a few days, and continue rewarding them for going in and out through the cat flap, then you can open it slightly and encourage them to enter by offering a treat on the opposite side of the opening. Continue with this training for some more days, and you'll soon have a cat that can navigate the flap on their own. If your cat does not use the flap any more most likely because they aren't enjoying it anymore or has become too inconvenient. It could be necessary to relocate the flap to a new location or adjust its sensitivity, or you might even need to replace it altogether.
Fixing the cat flap
Cat flaps let your pet enter and exit the house without having to open the door or get up to allow them in. This lets them go out when they'd like and not just when you're there and also 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 complicated as it might seem and is fairly self-explanatory if you follow the instructions included in the kit you've bought. Once you've mapped out the door's area and used a jigsaw to cut it out you can apply some decorators caulk to make your joint water tight. It's also an excellent idea to paint the timber pieces that are left inside the cutout with a wood stain to prevent them from taking in water and leading to the rot.
After you're satisfied that the flap is placed properly and that there aren't any gaps, it's the time to mark the areas of your door where screws should be placed. Again, cat flap installer is pretty simple to explain and should be mentioned clearly in the instructions specific to your cat flap.
The last step is to screw the flap into the correct position. Again, this is pretty straightforward and again should be an easy task for anyone who has attempted it before. The only problem is when fixing into an UPVC or glass door as these tend to have varying thicknesses and can cause some problems when trying to fix the cat flap to them.
With a little patience, your cat will soon be using the flap and enjoying all the advantages it brings. They will be healthier and happier when they can go in and outside on their own, instead of needing to beg you to let them in.