Training an adult cat to use a cat flap

m0rgana

hello! I am trying to encourage my cat to use the cat flap, and am becoming more and more frustrated with her reluctance to use it, even though she is clearly desperate to get out! I'd appreciate some tips on what to do next.

The kitty in question came to us from an animal shelter at around 12-18 months old. It is uncertain as to whether she was ever even a pet (although she is quite good-natured so it is hard to believe she was feral). Either way, she has no idea what a cat flap is or how to use it.

She is very happy and confident going outside and will let herself in and out when we leave the door open, but sadly we're not in an area where I'm happy doing this for extended periods of time!

I have tried showing her how to use the flap: have left it open for her to practice going in and out, left her by the door when I know she wants to go out and even stood on the other side waving cat treats through the open flap, but she is still very, very wary about using it.

What can I do? This is a cat who is used to living outdoors and there is no way we want her becoming an indoor only cat now.

Thoughts?

ItchyFeet

Have you tried leaving the flap propped open for periods of time?

User_Bob

We had this with old boy Jack (sadly now gone) We tried eveything, food on the other side of cat flap, flap propped upen, us on other side of cat flap pretending to use it.

We slowly came to the realisation that he was using it whole-scale when we werent there, and then laughing at us waving our arms and leaving treats and food as part of the "see the humans try and fit in the cat flap" game he'd invented !!

Thats cats for you !

bikeyspice

Our cat was much older than that when he got his first cat flap. We just had to pick him up and gently ease him through the flap so he could get used to going through it.

Only took a couple of tries and he figured it out for himself

m0rgana

Thanks guys, yes I've had cats in the past that were just plain lazy - regularly used the cat flap while we were out but insisted on having it opened up for them when we were there, even when they seemed desperate to get out. It makes very little sense in human terms!

This cat clearly has no idea, and right now I can't see how we're going to make her learn. But I suspect as time goes on and defending the territory becomes more of a pressing issue she will probably start getting out by any means. It's just so frustrating at the moment as I know she's unhappy being cooped up in the heat, but I can't do anything to help when I'm not in!

crumblepie

My cat got his first cat flap at the grand old age of 6. Showed him how to open the flap using his paw to push it open, opened the flap to show him the outside world was there - he looked bemused. He'd go right up to the flap and look but no joy... I left the flap open using masking tape started with it fully open and slowly lowered it until he had to open it.

He'd go out and I'd shut the door so he had to use the flap to get in. that was the idea - he sat outside with his face right up to the flap and meow to come in. But I think he was playing with me as I'm convinced he used it when I was in work and create a fuss when I was at home to come in and out.

Took him three weeks or so to get the whole 'this is my new door' thing, but he still sits the other side and meows to come in when he can't be bothered. He uses his paw to open the door and then push his way through, rather than using his head. But that's more to do with me showing him to open the flap with my hand.

VoucherMan

How about the ring-pull method.

If they're outside when I try to open a can (whether it's for me or them) they forget their reluctance to use cat flaps.

Once they hear the 'pop' from a ring-pull being lifted they can jump over the wall, across the yard, down the steps & through the first flap, across the cellar, up the steps, through another flap and be climbing up the kitchen unit doors before I've fully removed the tab.