Encouraging cat to use cat flap

[noitsachicken]

Any tips?
She will go through if it is held open, but not push it herself.
As a result she spends most of the day either out or in, and I am worried about when we go on holiday.

Thanks

[Pandopops]

Tape it open for a while or let her look through & hold a treat up for her to see.

[Lovelydiscusfish]

Yes, tie it open. Some cats get it straight away, but one of mine took months! She's not the brightest, bless her.

[MadauntofA]

Ours took a while - he is either vary daft or very clever as we used a lot of chicken held on the other side to encourage him. Taping helped us too.

[Lucymatilde]

My cat knew perfectly well what to do but preferred to wait for me to do it for her. Eventually she got chased by an ugly bruiser Tom and crashed straight through the flap. Needs must when there's a tom after you. She uses it ok now.

[sugarplumfairy28]

Cat flaps in general go against everything a cat 'knows' to do, and it can actually be a very daunting thing for them to face. With the flap shut they can't see or hear what faces them on the other side, sticking your head through to an unknown situation can put them off.

Try and provide cover, pot plants for example, so that upon exiting they know there is an immediate safe place to survey what's going on outside.

Don't try and force them through as it may add to any anxiety they already have about it.

You could try encouraging them by being on one side with some treats but that might be hit an miss.

[RatOnnaStick]

One of mine took 3 years to work it out if I didn't prop it open.

[Solmum2b]

Does your cat flap have s Perspex window? Or is it opaque ? A window one where they can see out is probably best. we had to encourage our girl cat with treats to get her to use it, but we have another cat also who knew what he was doing, so she may have followed his lead. Good luck

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

My cat uses the cat flap perfectly well when no one is around but if we are around we must bend to her will and open the door