Kitty out in the cold!

[Stars66]

Brrrrrrr it's freezing tonight and my kitty is nowhere to be seen
I've had a cat flap put in last week and am just training her to use it. She's getting it slowly, but only when it's propped open.
Anyway, I have to go to bed and she's not in and hasn't come running like she usually does (I've been put loads in last hour calling /rattling food/keys/ snacks).
She's only 10 months, spayed but still small.
Tell me she'll be fine!

I've not left it open, I don't want any unwanted guests!

So if she comes back she can't get in?

I would leave it propped open...if she is not confident at using it she may not be able to get back in, and she is still quite young (although probably just off having a good old explore & will be back soon!)

It's on the in only setting.
I keep imagining I can hear her and checking

If she's not trained to open it, you have to leave it open.

What if she makes a dash for safety from a predator and can't get in? Or is trying to get back home after being a little injured, say, from a car?

I'm afraid that it goes with the territory.

Definitely leave it propped open for her if she hasn't learned to use it yet. What sort of unwanted guests are you worried about?

Was worried about rats! 2 gardens along are hoarders, it's like a breeding ground

She made it back around 3, dirty stop out!! She's obviously having too much fun exploring!

Little hussy!

(Glad she's back.)

Call me an overprotective mummy but I locked the flap from 5. I don't want to be outside worrying about her again all through the night. oh god how is my DD ever going to be let out?

I've always kept my cats in (if I can) from dusk to dawn on safety grounds. It's part of the deal and they've all accepted it with good grace once they realized that they still did get out after breakfast every day. It very quickly became part of their routine.

Now DDs are another matter!

PS - you've still got a tray out for her to use have you? You don't need accidents at three in the morning.

Yep tray still there. And that's the routine I want.

Am really pissed off with OH, he let her out at about 5 (I've been out at fireworks with dd) and kitty hasn't returned.
Just given him the lecture about fireworks night being the worst time for animals. Been calling her for ages and still no return. I'm shattered so flap is propped open and I hope I'll wake up with her here.

Good luck and I hope you don't have to stay up too late.

Maybe start the routine tomorrow so that she doesn't think the new regime is her being allowed to be a dirty stop-out?

Did she return OK?

Thanks for asking Cosietoes!
She came back very early morning and I've been trying routine since! I have still been taping open cat flap in the day, but this eve after I'd locked she was trying to push the door. So I'm hoping she's sussed out how to get it to work!

Thanks for asking Cosietoes!
She came back very early morning and I've been trying routine since! I have still been taping open cat flap in the day, but this eve after I'd locked she was trying to push the door. So I'm hoping she's sussed out how to get it to work!

It wouldn't surprise me at all - after all, what's the point of having a human and trying to do any work yourself if you can get away with the human doing it? (She sounds like a little madam. )