how do you get your cats to use the cat flap?

[Mercedes]

Got a cat flap fitted last week and have persuaded the cats to use it when I either hold it open or prop it open. We're going away at half term and although I've got friends who will come round and feed them I want them to be able to come and go.
What do I do? Any tips?

the fast and dirty way:

get an accomplice
stand either side of the door
shove the cat in and out a few times until they get the idea

be gentle

They usually suss it out themselves. I used to be worried that one of my cats hadn't got it and hold the flap open for him. Until I got up one day and caught him admiring birds on the other side. Lazy sod had just enjoyed being waited on

Yup, stuff 'em through a few times.

There may be some protesting and [spreadeagling] but all mine (now all gone to lie on the great pile of ironing in the sky) got the hang of the catflap pretty quickly.

Good luck

another one who favours the "stuffung them through a few times" method

Weeellll...you can try the stuff 'em through approach. But I'd wear metal gauntlets TBH. Friend of ours did this with a rather elderly cat he aquired. Took weeks for his wrists to heal up..

yes those chain mesh gauntlets that butchers wear would come in useful

Stuff them through and give them a treat on the other side so there's some incentive. Crueler method - shut them out at dinnertime. They soon come through when the hear the biscuit tin shaken!

Tip: if using the stuff-them-through method, wear elbow length protective gloves, goggles and a hard hat. Some cats do not appreciate being manhandled!

I have tried the stuffing through method a couple of times and it doesn't seem to have worked yet. And I tried locking out one of the cats at dinnertime last night. It still didn't come through - in the end I had to fall back on holding the flap open. Mind you I was in the middle of the playdate from hell, putting out the kids dinner and stopping my dd's friend trying some cat food so maybe I didn't have enough patience. I'll give it ago again.

lol @ iota

make notes cod, you have this joy to come with chianti and barolo or whatever their names are

make notes cod, you have this joy to come with chianti and barolo or whatever their names are

A couple of times won't cut it I'm afraid.

Be prepared for a couple of weeks of stuffing

Mine still forgets occasionally he has a magnetic collar and sometimes doesn't get his head close enough for it to work. Scratches with his paws to no avail. Keeps his claws down I suppose .

Alternately, borrow a dog, place cat near cat flap then introduce dog to room. Guaranteed to work. Of course, the cat may never come back in again but that's the chance you take.

Put their food on the otherside and wait for them to crack.

x posts iota - we must know the same cats...

OMG I thought my cats were stupid, but they both got the hang of the cat flap really quickly!

I tied it open with some string around the flap and the other end around the door handle. Then used the 'stuff-them-through method' a few times, they soon got the hang of it. Could be draughty though, ours opened onto a utility room so it wasn't too bad, but it did mean they had 2 flaps to get through to reach the outside world!!

Update - I've been cruel and have closed the door and taken their dinner outside - they used the cat flap. I also put them outside and put the dinner out inside - they used the cat flap.

They did hang around waiting for me to open the door but eventually they cracked.
Thanks for all the tips.