Mary Allen
Cat owners often face an important question not only before purchasing a velvet paw, but also every now and then during the keeping: outdoor cat or house cat?
On the one hand, you want to keep your little darling safe, in your own four walls, where neither drivers nor the risk of infection lurk. On the other hand, you want to give the cats freedom to explore their world and give them the territory they need. And so the advantages and disadvantages of free-ranging cats and pure house cats are balanced. More and more owners are therefore opting for a compromise: the cat flap.
As access for house cats, it opens up completely new possibilities, can be individually installed and used.
But how do you get the cat used to the flap? Is she coming back too? Or does the hatch even open the doors of your own home to unwanted visitors? The following article is intended to show what is behind the cat flap.
How does the cat flap work?
The principle cat flap and dog flap is almost identical. The only difference: the cat flap is smaller and therefore best adapted to the body size of a normal cat. Thanks to their dexterity, however, somewhat larger specimens usually still fit very well through the commercially available openings.
Basically, a hole is milled into the front door and the frame for the cat flap is fitted into it. The flap itself can be opened in both directions, i.e. inwards and outwards.
The classic version provides for manual actuation. Or in other words: the cat pushes the flap back with its nose and can then sneak through the opening. The flap then swivels back to its original position.
The advantages: It works with the flap
The main advantage of the cat flap is that it can be used entirely at will by the cat. And without any action on the part of the owner. He can go about his work in a relaxed manner, continue to doze on the sofa or take on other activities.
Especially at night it is an immense relief when the four-legged friend does not push insistently because he wants to get out until one of the two-legged friends finally gets up and unlocks the door.
The cat is free to decide when to go out or back in. Now, not every day is the same. Depending on the weather, mood and mood, cats like to think spontaneously about whether they want to go out immediately or maybe come back again after a few seconds. The cat may also stay out all night and come back in the early hours of the morning. Thus, the cat flap alleviates the need to be on hand for the owner, who is otherwise often inevitably under the command dogma of his diva.
The installation of a cat flap is also relatively easy and can be done quickly with a little manual skill. If necessary, the flap can be blocked from the inside. The acquisition costs are quite manageable. Ultimately, it is just a plastic or metal frame with a hinged flap.
The disadvantages: Having a flap that is too big is also not good
Conversely, if a cat fits through the flap, this usually means that animals of the same size also fit through. Such as martens. raccoons. Foxes. Or strange cats. Since the flap is deliberately not to be subject to constant monitoring (otherwise you could just as easily open and close the door manually), unwanted guests can get into the house unnoticed.
Many stray animals have been caught trespassing because they secretly got in through the cat flap. Usually they are animals looking for food, sometimes also conspecifics willing to mate. Or just small animals that have sought shelter. Nevertheless, access via the cat flap theoretically only belongs to your own pet, not half the neighborhood.
In addition, as easy as the installation may be, it cannot be undone directly. If the hole is in the door and the owner or cat then changes their mind, nailed boards may help, but a new door is actually needed. And then, for better or for worse, it gets expensive. The installation of a cat flap should therefore be well thought out and serve as a long-term solution.
On top of that, the cat flap always brings a certain coldness into the house. The flap never closes precisely, it should remain movable. At the same time, it is neither insulated nor does it offer any particular resistance.
Anyone who fears that the cat flap will make it easier for burglars to gain access to the home should equip the door with round handles instead of a handle, always lock it and remember that the flap is far down on the floor. If in doubt, your trusted insurance company will be happy to advise you.
The latest cat flap technologies
In order to eliminate the disadvantages, but not at the expense of the advantages, the manufacturers of the cat flap have come up with a number of tricks. The latest technologies rely on a transponder system.
For this purpose, the cat is fitted with a chip on its collar, which is verified by a sensor on the flap. Thus, only the cat wearing an approved chip has access through the flap. The door is closed to other animals. The flap is virtually locked and only unlocked when a signal is detected nearby.
The transponder chip works in both directions, so that the velvet paw continues to enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement. In the worst case, an extremely clingy cat will scurry into the house because it is directly after the one in the house.
Such installations can also be individually programmed. For example, if the cat is in heat but is not to be mated, the chip can either be temporarily removed from the collar or blocked using a high-tech cat flap. A second cat with its own chip could continue to use the flap, but the one in heat must remain inside. Such additional functions are also very practical in the event of illness or in special situations.
Tenancy law for cat owners: Can the cat flap be installed at all?
As already mentioned, the installation of a cat flap is not so easy to undo. This is a big problem, especially with rented apartment doors. You know cat nets on the balcony, ramps to get onto the window sill – but a cat flap on the front door? That goes too far for many landlords.
In principle, the landlord or homeowner must agree to the keeping of pets. This applies above all to cats and dogs, as these can usually cause major property damage. The front door is not only used by the cat owner, but also by the neighbors or other tenants.
Some may feel disturbed when the cat meows in the stairwell, others have a cat hair allergy and therefore want as little contact as possible. In fact, it is precisely then that the cat flap can defuse the situation. Instead of the kitty loudly demanding entry for hours, she quickly slips into the house and into her apartment herself.
However, before a cat flap is installed, the written consent of the landlord must be obtained. This will possibly coordinate with the other tenants or at least consult.
The approval is usually accompanied by the condition that the condition of the rented property – i.e. the door(s) – must be restored to its original condition when you move out. In other words, the cat owner has to take care of the new installation including costs and assembly as well as disposal of the old door.
Sometimes the cellar door or the door to the courtyard is an alternative to the front door. Here the cat not only has safer access, it is also less of a nuisance and the doors are usually cheaper.
If there are several cats in the house, you could split the costs and program one chip for each cat, for example. The transponder systems can usually store and recognize several chips anyway. Therefore, nothing should stand in the way of the cat flap. Now only the cat has to play along.
Get the cat used to the flap
If the cat was already outdoors, it will get used to the new flap more quickly. The urge to find a way out is just too great. This also applies to young cats and kittens. Previous house tigers have a much harder time there, and are often reserved and suspicious at first.
In any case, the cat – or even the tomcat – should be shown the cat flap in a calm situation. That the flap can be moved freely, does not make any nasty noises and does not pose any other danger. Some cats already know flaps from the litter box. There are also numerous models with lids and cat flaps.
In principle, curiosity will win out sooner or later. Until then, the velvet paw should not be put under pressure. If she doesn’t even dare to approach the flap, a few words of encouragement and a treat waiting at the other end as a reward will help. It is important that the cat learns to open the flap on its own.
The flaps are neither particularly heavy, nor do they hit the nose badly when swinging back. If you hold the flap up or stick it in place at first, you only delay the process of getting used to it. In the end, the cat should go its own way.
Cat toys can also serve as a playful motivation, involving the cat flap in the game. For example, the squeaky mouse on the thread disappears through the opening and there is only one way to chase it…
Tips for using the cat flap
If the cat then uses its new access in good spirits, a few more, albeit minor, problems arise. For example dirt, mostly in the form of paw prints. A dirt-trapping mat in front of the cat flap can help here and absorb at least the coarsest dirt and moisture.
However, even the best mat does not help with innocent “gifts”. Free-ranging cats like to bring small souvenirs from outside, for example more or less dead birds and mice. With a bit of luck, they will at least be placed on the mat. Some cats also like to carry them into the house. The only thing that helps is closing your eyes and knowing that it is an important concern for the cat and that it actually means well.
It is also important to ensure that the cat flap is always freely accessible for the house tiger, that the little darling cannot get caught anywhere or injure itself and if the collar and chip are lost, you do not have to wait too long in front of the flap.
Even if the cat flap offers a lot of comfort, it never relieves you of the obligation to look after and take care of your pet. But with patience and dedication, the flap is a great extra for both sides.