Cat won't use cat flap!

GlynD

Gold_Dust wrote: »

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

No. Treats are dispensed too liberally here. She'd take no notice. Not unless we found a new treat she was mad about.

peachyprice

We've always had to tape the cat flap open for at least a week or two for our cats to get used to it, but they all have in the end.

It's amusing to see the different methods they use to get in once they et used to it. One of mine was used to a bog standard cat flap then we got a magnetic one, it took her years to get used to going head first instead of foot fisrt, even then she'd occasionally forget and we'd have to open the door for her after 10 mins of her pawing the flap.

GlynD

peachyprice wrote: »

We've always had to tape the cat flap open for at least a week or two for our cats to get used to it, but they all have in the end.

It's amusing to see the different methods they use to get in once they et used to it. One of mine was used to a bog standard cat flap then we got a magnetic one, it took her years to get used to going head first instead of foot fisrt, even then she'd occasionally forget and we'd have to open the door for her after 10 mins of her pawing the flap.

We've had that too. We've got used to leaving the cat flap taped open now so don't even bother to fit the magnetic tags to their collars. Our oldest was always for pushing with the paw rather than going in head first.

I don't know about you but we've also had situations where we had to lock the cat flap to prevent escape for anyone going to the vet. It's not what I'd call a foolproof idea. Madam can wreck a cat flap in minutes by ripping at it. It just goes to show how tough cat's claws really are.

arbroath_lass

Have you tried food instead of treats? Put her outside before mealtime and call her in through the catflap - even if you have to hold it open a few times.

GlynD

arbroath_lass wrote: »

Have you tried food instead of treats? Put her outside before mealtime and call her in through the catflap - even if you have to hold it open a few times.

Thank you. I see where you're coming from but the problem is, we don't have mealtimes here. Food is available 24/7. We feed on the basis that cats are grazers and need to feed in small amounts regularly.

I think I'm going to go for the option of propping it open during the day and closing the window she normally uses to see if I can't get her used to coming and going through the flap. Then I'll close it and see if I can't persuade her to push it open with her paw.

Snap-ant

We had the same problem with Mr P who couldn't use the flap.
Took us 6 months but succeeded :T

Firstly (summer time) we put a peg on the side high up so the flap was almost open.
Gradually over the weeks, moving the peg further down - so he could get his nose under the flap & get out.
Then the next step was removing the magnetic trim & the peg so flap just flapped in the wind - he mastered this as no push as such needed.
Then we cut a bit off magnetic trim & put it back on the flap so there was a small bit of push needed.
Gradually adding more magnetic trim until finally he can use it the way it was made :D:D

GlynD

Snap-ant wrote: »

We had the same problem with Mr P who couldn't use the flap.
Took us 6 months but succeeded :T

Firstly (summer time) we put a peg on the side high up so the flap was almost open.
Gradually over the weeks, moving the peg further down - so he could get his nose under the flap & get out.
Then the next step was removing the magnetic trim & the peg so flap just flapped in the wind - he mastered this as no push as such needed.
Then we cut a bit off magnetic trim & put it back on the flap so there was a small bit of push needed.
Gradually adding more magnetic trim until finally he can use it the way it was made :D:D

Although we'll do it slightly differently to you this is more or less the plan for us at the moment. Today I've taped the flap open so she can see it and go in and out if she fancies it. Once she starts using it then we'll close the window in the bedroom, during the day anyway.

Once we're happy she knows where it is and is using it then we'll take the tape off during the day and see if she pushes it open for herself although we'll spend a bit of time showing her how to do it.

In one respect we're fortunate because we've found that if she wants out and can't get out she will miaow in a specific way. It's a helpful signal, as I'm sure she intends it to be.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Simple.

1 Place cat outside

2 Close door

3 Place food inside

wait.

GlynD

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

Simple.

1 Place cat outside

2 Close door

3 Place food inside

wait.

I thank you for the simplicity of your answer but if you read the thread you'll find that won't work because of the fact that food is available for both cats 24/7.

Then there's the issue of her being a rescue cat. There's no way we would ever put her under any stress as regards food. She starved for long enough when she was a stray, she won't be starved here. I'd rather keep the bedroom window open for the rest of my life than do that to her.

amandagreen82

I suggest you try and force her get through the catflap a few times. Just be gentle and it should be fine, might take up to 4 weeks to train her properly!