Rainwater and Cat flaps

[MyAngels]

Hi all

Well our lovely lost kitten (now called Molly) is still with us - it took us about a week to fill her up and she finally now only eats when she wants to, rather than wolfing down everything in sight.

I have a couple of questions for you wise people

• she seems to prefer rainwater to drink (don't blame her, the tap water here is awful - I avoid it). I have 3 water butts so have plenty, should I fill her bowl from them or not?
• we have a catflap, inherited with the house. She will go through it if we hold it open, but can't manage it herself. Any ideas for cat flap lessons? We'd prefer her to come and go as she wishes.

For those who asked before, a photo should be on my profile....

xx

Hello, glad you kept her, my stray just didn't like the cat flap and will still meow for us to open the door even when the cat flaps unlocked, they soon get the hang of them though :)

Of course she could manage it on her own. But why should she when she's got a willing slave or two to do it for her! If it's decent weather outside, I'd just let her miaow and get on with it. (You might find a tad of resistance if it's peeing down with rain.)

They definitely seem to prefer water which isn't from a tap, yes, and she might have got used to the taste of that. If the water butts are squeaky clean you could use them - but if you suspect any stagnation (which wouldn't matter too much for the garden but might for animals) I'd fill a bowl or two from the tap and leave them to stand on the side for a bit so that some of the nasties can evaporate off. (In the wild, the water is usually not standing for so long and is a lot fresher.)

Having said which, I drink tap water and so do my animals so it's your call.

Lots of luck with her. So glad you kept her.