Two weeks to learn to use the cat flap

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We adopted a gorgeous 2yo cat a few weeks ago, she was a semi stray. She refuses to use the cat flap unless we open it for her, if we try to post her through it (so that she opens it herself with her head) she gets upset and runs away to hide. In two weeks we are going away for a week and have someone lined up to come in once a day to feed her. But we can't leave her if she can't get in or out. If I have to I will put her in a cattery but I would prefer not to because she's used to being so independant and she'll probably hate it.

We have another cat that uses the flap happily and I was kind of hoping she'd watch the other one and catch on. Any ideas? Is she just being lazy?

Actually, it sounds as if she's enjoying having staff to do her work for her!

But also, has she got a tray or two to use inside the house? Maybe she's had some bad experiences outside if she was semi-stray and isn't too motivated to go out if it's nice and warm inside the house.

Have you tried the "hungry cat one side, favourite food the other side" approach?

Does your cat like to play/chase things? We got one of my cats to use the cat flap herself through opening it a bit and getting her to push it the rest of the way, and also by playing with a ribbon and making it dissapear through the cat flap and encouraging her to chase it through.

That would make sense cozie. She has managed to get herself out a few times, and then left herself stranded outside. There's nearly always someone at home so she's never let outside for more than an hour or two, but we have occasionally found an indignant, cold cat waiting for us at the back door. You would think if she can get out, then she can get in. After all she's lived on her wits for months. But somehow she doesn't realise the flap works both ways. We can, and will, leave a couple of trays for her, but I would hate to think of her locked out.

Thank you, two good suggestions to try Norbert and Sleepingdragon.

Not to damp your enthusiasm, but it took my dimbo Lion 3 years to get the hang of the catflap. Even propping it open. Even while watching the Snowshoe use it on a multiple daily basis

Then she knows how to use it fine.

Look at it from her perspective - inside, she's got a nice warm pad with love and hot and cold running food. Outside is cold, nasty and with other cats.

I reckon you would have seen a difference if it had been summer with birds twittering and the sun beating down.

Your call on how tough you're going to be but myself, I wouldn't be too tough until I was confident that she was completely acclimatised to the new home. How is she getting on with the other cat by the way?

PS - the reason I mentioned the other cat is that she may not yet be entirely confident about it. If she's been used to living on her wits, then putting her head into a box and going into potentially 'unknown' territory where she could be pounced on (all of which might make her vulnerable in her own eyes) isn't really a good idea.

Looks like she trusts you though so is happier to be let in and out with you around to have her back.

She might be happier in a few weeks once she's gained a bit more trust - and also the litter trays might help. If you need to put her in a cattery, I wouldn't worry too much though. She's likely used to being in a confined place (from a rescue, say) so she may not like it that much but as soon as she's back 'home', she'll be OK.

PPS (Sorry - doing six things here.)

If you're going to put her in a cattery, I'd make the decision fast. Those catteries which are going to be open over the festive season (and there may not be that many of them) are going to be booked quickly - and you'll need to ensure that she has all her (documented) jabs and treatments beforehand to meet cattery requirements.