Cat flap - aaaarrrrgh.....

[Silvercatowner]

Our two rescued young cats will happily use the (new and expensive) cat flap whilst it is taped open. But they refuse to use it when they need to open the flap themselves. They sit outside sulking (and I'm terrified that they will vote with their paws and go find themselves a new home to live in).

So far we have tried to tempt them through with their current dried and wet food, and we are getting through packets of Dreamies very quickly.

Any suggestions please? It's fine to have the flap taped open in this weather but will be a bit drafty in winter!

Hahaha mine did this, I got him through with premium ham t was an expensive lesson but he learned. I waited as long as possible after his previous meal so he was hungry, then I gave him a piece of the ham, h went mad for it naturally. Then I put him on the other side of the cat flap.

First I opened it, showed him the ham and let him walk through and get it.
Then I closed it, waited a second, opened it and let him come get it. Then closed it, poked it open a bit and teased him with the ham and closed it so he HAD to open it for ham.

It actually took a long time, did each step a few times but we got there

Our kitty struggled with this. We started with it taped open, and the propped it open at an angle (so it was partially open but she had do sort of push/squeeze through) and gradually reduced the angle. She got it in the end and now there's no stopping her. Probably took a week or so to get her used to it (and when we moved we had to do the whole process again with the new flap!)

Part of me thinks she's such a diva she just didn't fancy using her head to push the door open!

My old girl never worked it out. She was 20 and she had a cat flap from a kitten, but not the brightest.
Current cat observed the installation process, then strolled through it straight away.

We had one person on each side of the flap and posted the cat through from one side to the other a few times every day. They got the message in the end!

We did try the 'posting' method and have the scars to show for it! Next step is to investigate posh ham/tuna/caviar.