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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Will my cats ever get how to use the catflap!?

27 replies

NurseySA · 20/03/2013 08:48

We had a microchip activated catflap installed 2 days ago. It has cost a fortune as we have had to put it in the double glazed conservatory door, so I am determined this is going to work!! My cats are a year old and never used a catflap before, I used to leave the window open for them, but other cats were coming in and spraying, eating food etc. For the past 24 hours I have tried everything to get them to use it, Dreamies, taping the door in upright position, shoving them through it. They are both at the moment sitting outside crying to come in and seem terrified of the catflap!!

I have a day off work today and want to do some intensive training, please help me and give some tips for my dopey boys!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/03/2013 08:53

They're 'playing' you. Be strong - and rely on hunger.

Original poster
NurseySA · 20/03/2013 08:56

OK, I will go and clean the bathroom and ignore their sad little faces! I have left a trail of Dreamies by the catflap to try and entice them in.

OP posts:
Hassled · 20/03/2013 08:59

I was going to say put food the other side - it worked for us :o.

They'll get there - cats don't basically like cat flaps (one of mine actually knocks on it with his paw to see if someone will come and open the door for him) but they'll work out it's necessary with a bit of tough love.

FreckledLeopard · 20/03/2013 09:02

Can you entice them with some raw meat on the other side. We did this. DD was one side with the cat, I was on the other with the meat. With a bit of shoving persuasion, she figured it out.

soimpressed · 20/03/2013 09:12

We had this problem. For a long time the cat flap was a very expensive cat window. We had it open for a long time with the batteries out so there was no clicking noise. We used food to tempt her in. After that we started getting her used to the clicking. Once she was happy coming in with it fully open we closed it gradually over time by moving blobs of blu tac down the edge.

She uses it now but if she knows we are in she will knock by putting her head in far enough for it to click so we open the door.

Original poster
NurseySA · 20/03/2013 09:14

I have used a whole bag of Dreamies over the past 24 hours with very little progress, normally they would sell their souls for a sniff of a Dreamie! Tried the pushing them through it as well but they go so stiff and resist. Will put their food by the door and leave them to it for a while, they are currently both on the conservatory roof looking for an SAS style of entry!! I am worried they are both too dumb to learn a how to use the flap and we've spent £200 for nothing.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 20/03/2013 09:17

Remember to talk a lot (to yourself, I know, but maybe the neighbours won't hear) and call to them so that they can hear your voice from the inside of the house.

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 20/03/2013 09:18

They will learn, first sign of a rain storm and no slave human around, they'll figure it out!

pebspop · 20/03/2013 09:18

we pushed our cats through the cat flap a few times and they soon got the hang of it. sit in the hall with your dh outside and push them in and out a few times so they know what to do. this technique worked with older cat and kittens.

Original poster
NurseySA · 20/03/2013 09:28

I am going to take the batteries out and try it without the clicking for today, I just don't want the fat white cat to come in when I am at work as he freaks out my 2 little boys, that was the whole idea of getting the microchip flap....

OP posts:
Original poster
NurseySA · 22/03/2013 18:31

Just wanted to update and thank you all for the advice. Put the batteries back in the flap today, and little Jerry is using the catflap quite happily! Ben is still a bit dubious, I have to hold the door open for him, but I am persevering. So thanks everyone for the very useful tips x

OP posts:
AGiddyKipperInOneHand · 22/03/2013 18:40

Ben & Jerry Grin

I think we are going to have to get this type of cat flap for our two, so we can go away and not have to leave cat litter (they are outdoor cats and we let them in and out through the door when they ask.)

Original poster
NurseySA · 22/03/2013 18:46

It's a brilliant catflap, my two were being bullied by a fat white cat coming in through the conservatory window when we were out, so hopefully all sorted now. Really worth the extra money in my opinion.

OP posts:
starsandunicorns · 22/03/2013 18:51

Had a cat that would get confused with the clapflap and letterbox ( letterbox low in the door but diff door catflap in the back door) she would mewow loads when her head got stuck and give me the confused look and she was the brightest between her and her brother

Original poster
NurseySA · 22/03/2013 19:00

My two have been breaking into their food cupboard and opening the drawers in my bedside cabinet since they were kittens, so really didn't expect the catflap to be such a challenge!!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 22/03/2013 19:30

It wasn't a challenge for them, nursey. It just wasn't as much fun as making you run around at their behest.

Grin
TomArchersSausage · 22/03/2013 19:45

We put one in for our cats (between kitchen and garage) and they were very iffy about it for quite a few days. They got the hang of it alright when their food was the other side of it...needs must and all thatGrin but the fact is they don't like it. I think because the have to push it and it snaps shut and makes a noise.

Dont cave in! Cats can be wilful little terrors. Let their hunger force the issue.

Even now, although ours use it all the time, if anyone's near the door they sit by the cat flap looking pitiful or staring mournfully through it but they know perfectly well what to do. The fact is they'd rather have the door opened for them and are spolit enough to get their own way much of the timeHmm.

I do want to put in another chip activated one to the garden, but I know they'd be equally awkward about it. The reason we need one to the garden is because I spend all day letting one or the other in or out like a doorman.

Alison999 · 15/07/2016 18:33

My cats are 6 years old. They have never had a cat flap before. But they are getting me up 3 or 4 times a night. Thought would never have to go through sleepless nights again.... I have had Microchip cat flap installed, I have been getting my hands ripped to pieces trying to get them to go through it. I've tried pegging the flap open... No good.. Tried enticing them with ham.. No good. Tried though love.....no good . Its only been 2 days... Feels like a lifetime... What should I do... Please help

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/07/2016 14:57

Are they used to cat flaps? Or is their first?

Alison999 · 16/07/2016 15:13

They have never used a cat flap before this is their first.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 16/07/2016 15:21

Two people. One on each side of catflap. Post cat through.

Go and fetch gardening gloves. Put on.

Post cat through flap.
Repeat

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/07/2016 15:31

They're out side now , so you go out side and post them through. When they want to go out post them through or hold it open. Do this every single time without fail. It took ours a week.

My cat knocks as well just in case anyone's about to open it for himHmm

Alison999 · 16/07/2016 15:32

Thank you. I will try that when I have company.

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/07/2016 15:42

I used to push the door on ours, their natural curiosity gets the better of them but they will wait for you to open the door if possible.

Alison999 · 16/07/2016 15:52

Thank you all. I am feeling a bit more confident that they will use it at some time. I was worried that at their age I had no chance.

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