My cats think I am an idiot

[ubik]

They are rescue cats, about a year old. Not the sharpest cats I've ever had, but have had a tough start in life etc etc

Three months in they are healthy, glossy coats, getting fatter and are playing and meowing instead of skulking about.

But one does not 'get' the cat flap. I hold the damn thing open for her and she just sniffs my hand and looks at me contemptuously waiting for me to open the door. In the end I give up and open the door and she runs out. Hours later I see a little black face looking though the plastic cat flap and have to open the door again to let her in.

It's getting colder and I would really like her to be able to get in and out whenever she likes rather than waiting for us.

Any advice?

Sorry, I've got no advice because I also have a dim black cat, who peers hopefully through the cat flap until a human opens the door for her. Our other two will happily come in and out.

I've shown her what to do, encouraged, used food to tempt her, left her to it (then given in!), shoved her through - nothing works.

I just wanted to sympathise!

Sorry, Blackbird. That cat is bright and not dim. At any rate, she has you running around after her like a good 'un.

I've tried treats too. She just behaves like I am an idiot, looking at me like 'open the effing door, dumbo.'

Grr

Try propping the flap open permanently by using a stick or a pencil so it becomes 'just a hole' that it can pass through without having to push at anything. Then when the cat has become used to this hole being the exit/ entrance, remove the prop. If the cat is still refusing to use the flap, show it repeatedly how the flap is moving by pushing it back and forth with your hand, before you prop it open to let the cat in. When it's cold enough it will learn to push its way in.

I did this with a very timid rescue cat, it took 2-3 months but now she is running in and out through the flap all the time.

i would just leave her there!

or poke her head through so she can see how it works?

if you keep opening the door for her how will she learn what the catflap is for?

Have you tried 'posting' the cat in and out of the catflap?

No help to you, but my dms ginger Tom can use his cat flap perfectly well, but if they are around he bangs the cat flap like a door knocker, so they open the door for him.

Hmmmmm

Am liking the posting idea

I think I am too impatient. I get so fed up with her gormlessly gazing at the doorthat I just end up opening it for her. Her sister goes in and out of catflap no problem, was hoping dim cat would copy.

It's good to know that it can take months, we have only had the catflap for four fucking weeks so mybe, y'know by the summer she will have worked it out.

(I love her really)

(love the knocking on the catflap, ours used to leap up and down outside the french windows hoping to catch someones attention)

If cat hates the rain > wait until it is bucketing down and cat is hungry. Put cat outside. Close door. Put bowl of tuna next to cat flap. Hold cat flap open and waft tuna about.

It's all about the cat being sufficiently motivated to learn.

Sounds like Mog the forgetful cat. I love that story !