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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect my cats to use the flippin, soddin, bloomin catflap!

71 replies

LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 15:14

We got it installed last year before we went away so our neighbours could look after them without waiting for them to come in and out while we were on holiday. 8 months later and we are still holding the damn thing open for them both!

The older cat even uses it like a door knocker, pushing it open to make a noise to let us know he wants to come in so it's not like he can't work it!

Any tips for getting cats o use one by themselves?

OP posts:
Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 20:19

Its a regular catflap - no magnet as we were worried they would loose collars and get stuck outside

Mr Milkshake ignores them and makes them wait unless it's raining, then he takes pity on them.

But DD(3) who they both hated when she was born and up to when the catflap was installed is now their best friend (or fav employee ). She opens the flap for them, feeds them and gives them attention when we're too busy.

Have tried the wafting of a full plate of tuna at them....they just yowled really really loud, until I was in danger of being reported to the RSPCA for animal cruelty and/or the council for noise pollution - bl**dy things!

OP posts:
Themis · 21/02/2007 20:37

Many years ago we used to have a fox that came into the house everynight through the cat flap, our cats just sat whiilst he ate their food!

Bloody stink downstairs in the morning, couldn't work out what it was for ages , until I corned the fox early one morning in the kitchen. It then proceeded to panic and rip the cat flap from the door attempting to get out !

shimmy21 · 21/02/2007 20:39

Only way I've found is the propping open thing for a week or two. They have to get used to the idea that this is a normal entrance/exit before they will start shoving their noses aginst it to open it. Cats are just thick and they will not make any attempt to try to understand what your telling them by waving food etc. They have to use the door before they 'get' it.

Hassled · 21/02/2007 20:42

My cat is clever enough to manage a cat flap but stupid enough that he brought a mouse in through it - and the mouse was already dead and in a mouse-trap. Somebody somewhere is missing a mouse trap and thinking "it must have been a hell of a mouse"

cazzybabs · 21/02/2007 20:45

Hah this is brilliant. I have tears rolling down my cheeks!

Those cats have it susssed...ours on the otherhand use the cat flap or don't go out!

bigknickersbigknockers · 21/02/2007 20:49

I had a cat that moved in with us that wouldnt use the cat flap even though it watched my other 2 cats come and go as they pleased. I went out side with some boiled ham and he nearly broke the cat flap off he was in such a rush to get to his favorite boiled ham. use whatever his favorite food is. I did this quite a few times one afternoon till he got the message.

FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 20:50

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 20:51

I miss my cat that I had from my teens - he would have worked out the flippin catflap - he was a megastar in the world of cats.

He came home one day with two rainbow trout...in a polythene bag, from the fish counter at Tesco, just down the road - how often do you come accross a cat who can do his own shopping? Either that or had an extremely teed off neighbour - according to the ticket on the bag these things cost a fortune (did we own up?...did we heck!) And I'll never know how he managed to get the bag into our garden which was surrounded by 6ft high fence, wall and gate??

God I miss that cat

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 20:53

Message withdrawn

FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 20:53

Message withdrawn

malaleche · 21/02/2007 20:57

Haven't read whole thread but we starved ours for a day then put the food on the other side of the flap and shoved them through it, never looked back!

alcyone · 21/02/2007 20:58

icod....Funniest thing heard in ages.

BuffysMum · 21/02/2007 21:00

My in laws have had a hole in there french doors for a few months, finally got the cat flapl installed, have now had the darn thing taped open for years! Although one particularly foul weather the day the thicky cat did manage to get in through it after it had fallen shut after he was already drenched though.......this is the same cat that fell off the window sill - fortunately onto the conervatory roof

Who'd have pedigrees...........

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 21:06

Icod - PMSL at the magnet story

OP posts:
PussyWillow · 21/02/2007 21:16

My oldest cat once very proudly struggled home in through the cat flap with a very old and rubbery fried egg

We have used processed cheese squares to get one cat to use the cat flap

And we also had a ramp at our old house as the flap was high up

On the other hand my latest kitten learnt without any one teaching her and now comes and goes as she pleases

myturn · 21/02/2007 21:16

Rofl at the metal bowl saga.... Ours have magnetic keys on their collars, but they also have metal name tags which get stuck to the keys and stop them getting in... driving me nuts.

Cats aren't daft LowFatMilkshake... they will make you open the catflap as long as you will carry on doing it...

Like others have said, they will do it themselves if they are hungry enough. Alternatively, they may go get their grub elsewhere - they are not known for their loyalty are they? Our first cat went and lived with neighbours over the road because he couldn't stand the sound of newborn dd1 shrieking all day every day. I wanted to join the cat...

MamaGod · 21/02/2007 21:33

yes

gingermonkey · 21/02/2007 21:44

Without a doubt, yes. My cat does the same (he is an inbred pedigree though so I doubt he has much of a brain)

BuffysMum · 21/02/2007 21:50

I also want to know if it is unreasonable to expect the cat not drink out of my glass of water every time my back is turned - it's a nightmare, even if I run him fresh water into his bowl no he has to have mine!!!!!!!! Lovely - not!

FluffyMummy123 · 21/02/2007 21:54

Message withdrawn

BuffysMum · 21/02/2007 21:57

glad I'm not the only one suffering - ewwwww I'm allergic to cats anyway so if I don't realise and then get drink it's itchy and really ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww as I know why.

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 22:00

When MIL stayed with us while I was having DS she let malecat drink from her teacup - now you cant put a mug down without his head appearng from somehwere to try and nick it!

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myturntobeDave · 21/02/2007 22:02

Euuuww... I love my cats (have their picture on my phone and not my daughters - a bit worrying that - need to join catsnet) but would freak if I found them drinking out of my cup or glass...

Original poster
LowFatMilkshake · 21/02/2007 22:04

Yes!

FIL hates MIL cats - and thought I was as cat mad as her - I do love my cats - but not to have them do that! So he gloats when I tell them to shoo!

OP posts:
myturntobeDave · 21/02/2007 22:06

D'you want a good cat tip? Do ya? Do ya?