Training cats to use a cat flap

[littlebillie]

I have two cats one who gets how it works and the seemingly smarter cat who is baffled.

Any cat flap wisdom?

Have you tried the leaving it open thing ? - clip a clothes peg on the edge near the hinge for a few days and they usually get the idea. Mind you, we had one that knew perfectly well how to - she just didn't want to. She used to lie in the middle of the kitchen and look miserable to guilt- trip us.

It took a week for boss to work out how it works he'd still rather come in/out in the more civilised manner..... ie the butler

Took me ages to get fluffy kitty to use the cat flap.

He was fine with the cat flap taped open but would not even entertain the idea that he might have to push it open himself.

I did lots of shoving him through and rewarding with treats. Lots of enticing through with tuna with the flap a little bit open. Left him inside with me outside with tuna.

I put some pot plants around the outside to give him a 'safe' space to get out into as people said he might be scared of not being able ot see if the coast was clear.

I left him inside whilst I went out to work with the cat flap closed (and he loved going outside) and returned home every day for a week to find him inside and desperate to go out.

I had given up hope.. and then he just did it! The little shit. I was on the phone and he just walked up and pushed the flap and went out.

So I reckon persevere. Hopefully your cat will get it.

He still screws up is face like he hates it but he goes in and out and in and out all the time so can't hate it that bad.

Saturday night she finally got it! She was soooo pleased with herself. This week left us a dead bird in the hallway....