Strange cat through cat flap: What to do?

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night because a strange cat is wandering around your house! The unexpected intrusion of a strange cat through your own cat flap can be stressful for you and your four-legged friends. To solve this problem, it is important to understand the reasons why strange cats use the flap and to take effective defensive measures.

In this article, you will learn how to protect your home from unwanted guests, how to react correctly if a strange cat has entered, and how to take preventative measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

Why do strange cats use your cat flap?

Strange cats use your cat flap for a variety of reasons. Curiosity is one of the main reasons, as cats are naturally exploratory. They like to explore new environments and often seek human attention. This behavior may lead them to enter your home through the cat flap in the hope of meeting a new friendly face or simply exploring new territory.

Another reason strange cats come through your cat flap is hunger . Cats have small stomachs and require up to 20 small meals a day. If they are only fed once or twice a day by their owners, they may look elsewhere for food. Your home could be considered a reliable source of food, especially if you regularly provide food for your own cat.

There are also conflicts between cats that can lead to unwanted visits:

• Dominant cats invade other people's homes to challenge the cats living there.
• Some strange cats mark with urine to show their dominance.
• These intruders can be attracted to food left out in the open and thus cause conflict with your cat.

Cats' routines and habits also play a role. Once a strange cat has figured out that your cat flap is an easy entry point, it may develop the habit of coming regularly. Breaking the habit of a strange cat once it has accepted your cat flap as an entry point can be difficult.

The consequences of strange cats using your cat flap can be stressful for you and your cat:

• Your cat could lose its food and no longer feel safe in its own home.
• Fights can occur, causing injuries and additional stress.
• The strange cat could mark in your house, causing unpleasant smells and cleaning problems.

How to protect your home from strange cats

To prevent strange cats from entering your home, it is important to create physical barriers . One simple method is to install nets or grilles on windows and doors. These not only prevent cats from entering, but also ensure adequate ventilation.

Technical aids can also be effective. Motion detectors can be connected to sprinkler systems or to lights that light up as soon as a cat approaches. This deters the animals without harming them.

Here are some natural deterrents you can use:

• Spread citrus fruit peels around the house as cats do not like the smell.
• Apply vinegar or essential oils such as lavender or lemongrass near the cat flap.
• Plant rue plants in the garden, whose smell keeps cats away.

You can also make your home less inviting for unfamiliar cats. Remove or secure food sources , such as open cat food or easily accessible garbage cans. Make sure sleeping areas and hiding places are not easily accessible.

Some cat owners use electronic cat flaps that are only activated for their own cat using a chip or collar. This way, your cat flap remains closed to other strays.

Remember that every cat reacts differently and what works for one cat may not necessarily work for another. Observe the reactions of the unfamiliar cats to different methods and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Strange cat in the house: How to react correctly

If you find that a strange cat has entered your home, stay calm and try not to make the situation worse. Panic can frighten the cat and lead to aggressive behavior. Speak in a gentle voice to calm the cat and move slowly so that it does not feel threatened.

First, try to identify the strange cat. It may be lost and want to go home. Check if it is wearing a collar with contact information or if it looks sick or injured. In such cases, you should contact the owner or, if necessary, take the cat to a vet.

To safely escort the strange cat out of your house, you can take the following steps:

• Open doors or windows to provide an escape route.
• Place some food or water near the exit to attract them there.
• Avoid cornering the cat or trying to catch it by force.

If the cat is hesitant to leave the house, you can give him more control over the situation. Allow him to move at his own pace and let him decide when he wants to leave. This may mean giving him some time to orient himself and find the exit himself.

If the cat is particularly anxious and hiding, it is important to be patient . Don't force it to come out, but give it space and time to feel safe. In the meantime, you can make the environment calming by playing soft music or dimming the lights.

Remember that strange cats often enter homes by accident and can be just as frightened as you are surprised. Treat her with respect and care to ensure she is unharmed and the situation can be resolved in a stress-free manner for everyone involved.

Preventive measures against unwanted four-legged friends

Preventative measures can be crucial in preventing strange cats from entering your home. It starts with removing incentives that could entice a strange cat to explore your home. This includes, most importantly, not leaving food outside, which could be seen as an invitation.

Your garden or yard can be made less attractive to curious cats with a few adjustments . Here are a few ideas you can implement:

• Grow plants that cats don't like, such as lavender or lemon balm, around the house.
• Install water or noise- producing devices that deter cats as soon as they approach.

Securing access points is also an effective method. This includes putting protective netting on windows or installing an electronic cat flap that is only accessible to your own cat. These measures not only keep out strange cats, but also provide protection from other wild animals.

Another preventative measure is to make your home less inviting . This includes:

• Hiding toys and beds that might attract a strange cat.
• Closing gaps and hiding places that could serve as shelter.

Ultimately, it is important to regularly check whether the measures taken are effective. Observe the behavior of cats in your area and adapt strategies if necessary. Communication with neighbors can also help to find common solutions and tackle the problem of stray cats collectively.

Flappie: The intelligent solution for your cat flap

Have you heard of Flappie ? This smart cat flap offers an innovative solution to the problem of strange cats coming through your cat flap. With Flappie, your home remains prey-free and only accessible to your own cat. By using a camera and artificial intelligence, Flappie detects prey animals and prevents your cat from bringing them into the house.

The benefits of Flappie are impressive and can significantly improve your life with your cat:

• Selective access control prevents the entry of strange cats.
• Prey detection using state-of-the-art AI technology.
• Flappie app for remote control of the cat flap with push notifications and videos. Don't think too long and consider the benefits of Flappie for your home. Visit https://flappie.ch and learn more about this innovative cat flap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if strange cats come through the cat flap?

To prevent strange cats from coming through your cat flap, you can install physical barriers such as nets or grilles, use technical aids such as motion detectors, distribute natural deterrents such as citrus fruit peels or install electronic cat flaps that are only unlocked for your own cat using a chip or collar.

What can you do about strange cats?

There are various measures you can take against strange cats: create physical barriers, use technical aids such as motion detectors, use natural deterrents such as citrus fruit peels or vinegar, remove or secure food sources and use electronic cat flaps that are only accessible to your own cat.

What do I do with a strange cat in my house?

If a strange cat has entered your home, stay calm and speak in a gentle voice to calm the cat. Try to identify the cat and contact the owner if it is wearing a collar. Offer it an escape route through open doors or windows and lure it to the exit with food or water. Do not force it to come out and give it time to feel safe.