To encourage your cat to use the flap, start by playing and eating near to it. This will make them familiar with the sound it makes when it closes and opens. It can also help when you add your cat's scent to the flap.
Then step is to open the flap slightly to give your cat a sense of movement. Try luring them to come through by holding out their favorite treats or toys. Certain herbs (such as cat germander, clary sage, and valerian) offer a enticing scent that cats love.
Installing the flap for cats
A cat flap allows your cat to go and come whenever it wants without having to open the door or window. This will save you time and effort and also reduce the risk of your cat being involved in things that it shouldn't be. Even novice DIYers can easily install cat flaps in windows, doors, and walls.
To install a cat flap on a door take a measurement of the height of the belly of your cat from the floor. Mark this area. This measurement is crucial, as cats vary in their belly height. The cat's entrance flap must be at least 10cm above the waist of your cat.
Next, you need to drill holes for the screws. You can use the paper template included in most kits to ensure your holes are in the right position. Use a circular rather than square hole to reduce the chance of glass breaking later.
After the holes have been drilled and the holes are drilled, you can begin to install the cat flap. You must be careful to align the edges of the flap to the door's edge. After the cat flap has been installed it's an ideal idea to seal the inside of the front door as well as the back flap. This will help prevent cold draughts and protect the flap from water damage.
There are many kinds of cat flaps that are available, each with its own pros and drawbacks. Some are more expensive than others, however all should be easy for your cat to use. If you'd like to restrict access to certain 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 an electronic cat flap which can be activated with magnets. This option is more expensive, however it is more secure and less likely to be activated by a wandering cats.
Teach your cat to use the cat flap
The cat flap is a fantastic way to introduce your pet to a brand new world. It gives your cat more freedom and control over their foraging and toilet trips and also allows them to hide in a safe area in case they feel threatened by the external world. It may take some time to train your cat to use the new door, but patience will pay dividends. Use the tips below to help your cat learn to use the flap, and you'll soon have a cat that loves the freedom it offers!
It's important that your cat becomes accustomed to the sound the flap makes when it opens and closes. If your cat is scared of the sound, it may not want to go through. Practise a few times a day, and offer your cat treats each time they pass through the opening.
Once your cat is accustomed to the sound, it's time to teach them how to go through the flap. Begin by placing a food treat in the opening of the flap and encourage your cat to walk through it with their paws or head. cat flap installer near me could also play with a toy that is tied to a piece of string through the opening or even just holding your hand inside the flap to catch the attention of your cat.
As your cat grows more confident as they gain confidence, you can lower the flap to ensure that only a tiny portion of the opening is covered. This will make it easier for your cat to press on the flap with their head or paw in order to open it. Some cats prefer doing this with their paws, while others prefer to push the flap using their heads.
You should then close the flap and wait for your cat to come through it and then give them treats if they do. Repeat this daily for a week or so and your cat will become confident going through the flap while it is closed.
It is important to remember that you don't have to force your cat into using the flap. This can cause stress and anxiety. Some cats will naturally become confident using the cat flap, whereas others require more encouragement and patience to get there.
Instruct your cat to use the flap
It may take some time for your cat to get accustomed to the cat flap. It is best to teach your pet to use the flap slowly. This will increase their confidence and they will get more comfortable with the concept. The best method is positive reinforcement. This involves rewarding your cat with treats or toys whenever they come close to the flap. This method is highly recommended for cat training, as it can encourage desirable behavior.
Start by luring them to the flap using their favorite toys or food. This will get them more interested in exploring the flap, and will make them more inclined to explore it. Once your cat is comfortable walking towards the flap and is comfortable, move the toys or treats closer to the opening until they are within reach of the paws. Continue to praise them for going through, and slowly reduce the opening of the flap so that they can only push their head through with it.
You can help certain cats transition from an open flap to a closed one by putting a clothes pin on the flap. This will allow it to remain open but not completely closed. You can then entice them through by holding treats on the other side of the opening and call their name.
Once your cat is used to entering and leaving through the flap you can take the clip, peg or other device and let them nip it with their paws or heads. Do this for a few days and keep rewarding them for going in and out through the cat flap, then you can prop it open slightly and draw them in with a treat on other side of the opening. Keep this up for a few days and your cat will be able to use the flap by themselves. If your cat doesn't utilize the flap after some time, it is likely that they aren't satisfied with it or it is no longer convenient for them. You might need to relocate the flap to a different place or adjust its sensitivity, or you might even have to replace it altogether.
Fixing the flap on the cat
Cat flaps let your pet leave and come back to the home without needing to open the front door or get up. This lets them go out when they want to, not just when you're there and also means they won't be pestering you to take a stroll around the block or meowing in the middle of the night if they have to go outside.
It's not as hard as it appears to put the cat flap for your door. Just follow the instructions provided with the kit. Once you've marked out the area in the door and then used a jigsaw cut it out you can apply some decorators caulk to make the joint water-tight. It's also an excellent idea to paint the timber sections that aren't bare inside the cut out with some wood stain to stop them from absorption of water and creating rot.
When you're satisfied that the flap is exactly where it should be and that there are no gaps (it's an excellent idea to check this regularly during the process) then it's time to mark out the areas on your door where screws will be going. This is, in fact, pretty self-explanatory and should be stated clearly in the instructions for your specific cat flap.
The last thing to do is to screw the flap on the cat. This is also pretty simple and should be a very simple task for anyone who has done it before. The only issue is when you try to install a cat flap inside a UPVC door or glass. These doors tend to be thicker and can present some difficulties when installing the cat flap.
With a bit of patience, your cat will soon be using the flap and enjoying all the advantages it brings. They will take pleasure in the freedom of letting themselves go in and out on their own, rather than having to nag you to open it for them. They'll be happier and healthier as a result too.