Cat won't use cat flap!

GlynD

We have two cats. One has used the catflap all of her 13 years. The other one, a rescue approximately 2 years old, hasn't figured it out no matter how much we try to show her how to use it.

She'll go through the hatch ok if we hold it open but doesn't seem to be able to work it out that she can push it open herself.

As a result we have to leave top opening window open all the time for her with the resultant chill in that room and the inevitable slide marks down the window.

Has anyone ever come across this before or have any suggestions which might help us teach our wee one how to use the catflap?

dandelionclock30

Have you done that where one person pushes her through at one side and then the other pushes her back through from the other side.
I would just keep doing this till she gets it and shut the window, she'll get it as she wont want to be out in the cold.I wouldnt be leaving the window open because of possible burglars.

Polmop

Ours would never use it, he used to stick his head through it and cry to come in

GlynD

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Have you done that where one person pushes her through at one side and then the other pushes her back through from the other side.
I would just keep doing this till she gets it and shut the window, she'll get it as she wont want to be out in the cold.I wouldnt be leaving the window open because of possible burglars.

It would need to be a very tiny burglar I can promise you.

Thanks for your advice but we've already tried a gentler version of this.

room512

We have exactly the same problem - we bought an expensive cat flap with special collars and since we have moved in we have had to tape the cat flap open! Spent hours pushing them in and out and it makes no difference.

Money_maker

Think we used something to prop the catflap open so she could get used to it. Ours was trickier as it passes through a cavity wall and is like a mini tunnel!

Marmaduke123

GlynD wrote: »

Has anyone ever come across this before or have any suggestions which might help us teach our wee one how to use the catflap?

Sometimes they don't like to push the flap at first, or think it's locked somehow if it isn't open.

To teach our cats we have always tied the flap up at first, and then when they are happy going in and out, gradually, and I mean gradually, lowered it over days or weeks, whatever is necessary.

Cats are creatures of habit, so you will need to close the window the cat is used to using. If she is reluctant to use the cat flap at all, even tied up, put her outside at feeding time, and call her from inside, holding the food bowl near the catflap. Continue as necessary!

GlynD

room512 wrote: »

We have exactly the same problem - we bought an expensive cat flap with special collars and since we have moved in we have had to tape the cat flap open! Spent hours pushing them in and out and it makes no difference.

We've done the same, taped the catch open.

Money_maker wrote: »

Think we used something to prop the catflap open so she could get used to it. Ours was trickier as it passes through a cavity wall and is like a mini tunnel!

We're stopping short at propping ours open. There are other cats in the neighbourhood and they're prone to dropping in for dinner. Fortunately they don't know how to use cat flaps either.

Interesting that you've put yours through the cavity wall though. Did you do that yourself or was it already there? It is something I'm considering.

snowdrop1967

Another one here, we bought a cat flap which works with her microchip to stop other cats coming in, she will use it to go out but not to come in.

GlynD

Marmaduke123 wrote: »

Sometimes they don't like to push the flap at first, or think it's locked somehow if it isn't open.

To teach our cats we have always tied the flap up at first, and then when they are happy going in and out, gradually, and I mean gradually, lowered it over days or weeks, whatever is necessary.

Cats are creatures of habit, so you will need to close the window the cat is used to using. If she is reluctant to use the cat flap at all, even tied up, put her outside at feeding time, and call her from inside, holding the food bowl near the catflap. Continue as necessary!

Good tips there.

I'm starting to agree with the "tied open" "propped open" school of thought. Even if it's only during the day. If the window is ever closed she searches round the house for another way out or meows to get one of us to let her out. Perhaps, given that she's already been in and out of the catflap, she might use it without prompting.

Now this is why I popped the question here - brainstorming my lazy brain.

Gold_Dust_2

Probably a stupid question, but have you tried tempting her through with treats?