cat flap - recommendations?

cat_saving_expert

My friends cat had the same problem, she just refused to go through the cat flap, even if it was tied open the cat seemed afraid of it.
We put our heads together and worked on it for about 3-4 months in the summer and now the cat will use it.

First thing we did was remove the cat flap completely, leaving an open hole in the door (this was summer so no cold drafts), the cat started to use the hole in the door straight away and was given lots of praise and food treats for doing it, it was left like that for a week or 2, then the 'dreaded' cat flap was put back and tied open, the cat was a bit nervous but got lots of praise whenever she used the catflap and it was left like this until the cat got used to it.
Then finally the flap was put down and the cat was encouraged to go through.... it worked and now she always uses it with no problems.

I know your cat is already ok with going through the cat flap when its tied open but sometimes its good to go back a step, if the cat doesn't like the flap remove it and take away the negative association completely, then you can start at step one and create positive associations with the cat flap - treat and fuss when using the cat flap = cat flap is good!

I think your idea with putting a bit of curtain there is brilliant, perhaps if this works you could gradually make the curtain a bit more weighty so the cat gets used to the feel of it rubbing on her back as she uses the catflap and one day put the plastic back.

What ever you do taking it slowly is important - you can't rush a cat in training.

Be_Happy

Thanks cat saving expert. Our cat is completely at ease with the flap when held open, but she just can't stand it touching her body. Think we'll just have to stick with the curtain idea to keep out the draught.

trinidadone

It has been really interesting reading some of the contibutions on this thread. I now have a question for money savers. My four year old tabby is starting to explore the great outdoors after i moved into a lovely home. I managed to get a collar on her last week, which she seems not to mind, but I now think I need to get some sort of ID Disc, any ideas where to get one, and how much do they cost? Also, I know this may sound silly, but what details do I include, or not include on the disc?

UKTigerlily

Lee_Dunford wrote: »

It has been really interesting reading some of the contibutions on this thread. I now have a question for money savers. My four year old tabby is starting to explore the great outdoors after i moved into a lovely home. I managed to get a collar on her last week, which she seems not to mind, but I now think I need to get some sort of ID Disc, any ideas where to get one, and how much do they cost? Also, I know this may sound silly, but what details do I include, or not include on the disc?

Hiya, IMO a microchip is much better than a collar, in fact, essential! You don't say if she's chipped, but collars seem to come off all the time, can cause hair loss under where they go & even the safety ones don't always work. I stopped putting collars on mine after one got the collar in his mouth wedged at the back (Safety/quick release collar), I was lucky my ex was there as I couldn't release him & he was trying to put his paw up to get it off.

With a microchip at least your cat will be scanned & returned to you if ever taken to a vet (Like in an RTA) or taken to a rescue if she strays. Having said all that, on the disk normally the cats name is on the front & phone number &/or address on the back. I used to put name & phone number & then phone number on the inside of the collar too, until I stopped using them!

I know [EMAIL="P@H"]P@H[/EMAIL] do them, sometimes places that do key cutting have them, pet shops, eBay I think? Also online;

http://www.ultimateanimals.co.uk/acatalog/engraved_pet_ID_tags_dog_tags_catID.html
http://www.catclub.net/shop/index.cfm/page/shop/action/list/CategoryDSP/6/
http://www.tagiffany.co.uk/
http://www.qualitypettags.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

trinidadone

thanks for the advise and links

ailuro2

Definitely a chip, there was a story on here at the weekend about someone's cat turning up after being missing since last summer, so it's well worth the money.

trinidadone

wow, well the next thing is how much and wear, shall I just take my moggy to my local vet? I know the importance of a chip, but not keen on inflicting stress and discomfort to my little cuitie, I know she hates that carrier like the plague

HelzBelz

I'd definitely go for a cat flap, but we keep ours locked at night now, they are great and means you avoid that feeling of being the cats personal door man, as for mice getting through them, the only mice that have ever got through ours have been attached to the inside of a cats mouth