How to Train Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap

Begin by feeding them and playing with the cat flap. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door will aid them in becoming familiar with the sound it makes when it closes and opens. It also helps when you include your cat's scent on the flap.
Then step is to open the flap a little to give your cat a sense of movement. Try to lure them in by grabbing their favorite food or a toy. Certain plants (such the 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 cat to move around whenever it wants without having to open the door or window. This will help you save time, and reduce the chances of your cat being involved in an incident it shouldn't. Cat flaps can be fitted in windows, doors, and walls and are easy to put in, even for those who aren't experts in DIY.
To install a cat flap on a door take a measurement of the height of the cat's belly from the floor. Mark this area. This measurement is important because cats differ in their belly height. Ideally, the opening of the flap for cats should be at a minimum 10cm higher than your cat's belly height.
Next, you need to drill the holes for the screws. You can use the paper template included in most kits to make sure that your holes are in the right location. Use a circular rather than square hole to reduce the risk of the glass breaking later.
Once the holes are drilled after which you are able to attach the cat flap. You will need to be sure to align the edges of the flap with the door's edge. Once the cat flap is installed it is recommended to seal the inside of the front door and the back flap. This will prevent cold drafts and shield the cat flap from water damage.
There are many kinds of cat flaps each with its own pros and disadvantages. Some are more expensive however, they must all be simple to use by your cat. Install a cat flap that is secure and requires the use of a microchip or collar tag in order to open.
Another option is to put in a cat flap that is magnetic, that can be activated by the help of a magnet. This is more expensive than other options, however it is more secure and less prone to being activated by cats that wander around.
Teach your cat to use the flap
The cat flap is a fantastic method of introducing your pet to a brand new world. It gives your cat more freedom and control over their toilet and foraging and also allows them to hide in a safe area in case they feel threatened by the outside world. Persistence is key to getting your cat to use their new door. Use the tips below to help train your pet to use its new flap. You'll soon have a feline who is happy and enjoys its freedom!
It is essential that your cat becomes accustomed to the noise the flap makes when it closes and opens. If your cat is afraid of the noise, it might not want to pass through. Practice it several times throughout the day and reward your cat every time it enters the opening.
Once your cat has become accustomed to the noise then you can start teaching them to pass through the flap. Begin by placing a tasty treat just inside the opening of the flap and encouraging your cat to go through it using their paws or head. You can also pull a toy tied to a string through the opening, or slide your hand inside to draw their attention.
As your cat gets more comfortable with the opening You can lower the flap to ensure that it covers a smaller part of the opening. This will allow your cat to push the flap open with their head or paw. Some cats prefer to use their paws to open the flap while others prefer to use their heads.
You should then close the flap for cats and wait for your pet to walk through it and then give them a treat if they do. Repeat this every day for a week or so, and your cat should become confident going through the flap while it is shut.
It is important to remember that you should not force your cat to using the cat flap. This could cause stress and anxiety. Some cats will naturally become comfortable with the flap, whereas others need more encouragement and patience to achieve this.
How to get your cat use the cat flap
A cat flap is a novel and unfamiliar item for your cat, and it could take some time to become accustomed to it. It is best to train your cat to use it in small steps that will increase their confidence and allow them to become comfortable with the idea of entering and exiting through the flap. Positive reinforcement is a good technique, where your cat gets rewarded with toys or treats when it approaches the flap. This technique is widely used for training cats, as it encourages good behavior.
Begin by luring them to the cat flap with their favorite toys or food. This will get your cat interested in exploring and going through the flap. Once your cat is confident in moving towards the flap, they can begin to move the toys or treats closer to the opening, until they are within reach of their paws. Keep congratulating them for getting through, and then gradually lower the flap's opening so that they can only move their head with it.
Some cats are unable to make the transition from a fully-open flap closing one difficult, so help them by placing a clothes peg or binder clip on the cat flap so that it does not shut completely but is open. You can then lure them in by placing treats on the other side of the opening and call their name.
Once your cat is accustomed to stepping through and out of the flap, you can start to take the peg off or clip and let them play through it with their heads or paws. After a few days, you can reward the cat for going in and out through the cat flap. Then, you can prop the flap slightly open and lure them with a treat from the other side. Continue with this training for a few more days and you will soon have a cat who can navigate the flap on their own. If your cat doesn't utilize the flap after some time it's likely that they're not satisfied with it or it's become uncomfortable for them. It could be necessary to move the flap to a new place or adjust its the sensitivity, or even have to replace it altogether.
Fixing the cat flap
Cat flaps allow your pet to enter and exit the house without needing to open the door or stand up to let them in. This lets them leave whenever they want to, not just when you're there and means that they won't be pestering you to take a stroll around the block or meowing in the middle of the night if they need to leave.
The installation of a cat flap onto 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've bought. Once you've marked out the area in the door and used a jigsaw to cut it out you can apply some caulk for decorators to make the joint water-tight. It's also recommended to paint what will be the bare sections of timber inside the cut-out with some wood stain to prevent them from taking in water and creating rot.
When you're sure that the flap is placed properly and that there aren't any gaps, it's the time to mark the areas on your door where the screws should be set. Again, this is fairly simple to explain and should be mentioned clearly in the instructions for your particular cat flap.
The last step is to screw the flap in the correct position. This is a pretty simple process and should be a breeze for anyone who's done it before. The only problem is when fixing into a UPVC or glass door as these doors tend to have varying thicknesses. This can cause issues when fixing 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 out and in on their own, rather than needing to beg you to do it.