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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Catflap training

6 replies

Pob13 · 01/10/2025 15:59

Due to building works we had to install a catflap quickly without the time to train the cats how to use it. It has now been several months of the flap being taped open and the cats going through freely. It has been set up with their chips so they are used to the unlocking click noise it makes when their head is near. However we now need to close it and have no idea how to get the cats to push the flap themselves! Does anyone have any tips?

OP posts:

Callistamon62 · 01/10/2025 16:56

This is what I have done with cats I have had, start by lowering the flap a little, using a clothes peg to hold it open so they have to push it a little to get out. Then peg it the other way to get back in. So they get the idea of pushing it. I would slowly lower the clothes peg over time, so they have to push it a bit more, then a bit more until it is just about shut. Has worked with my mine and hasn't taken too long for them to get the idea.

Ruggerlass · 01/10/2025 17:10

We closed it. I guided my cat through with my husband at the other end with treats and vice versa. After a few goes he got the hang of it. His is a chip one too.

AnonSugar · 01/10/2025 17:13

Just close the flap?

Poirot1983 · 01/10/2025 17:15

I taught my cats how to do it by carrying them to it and pushing them through. Did it twice with each cat and that was all that was required. Didn't need to give them the handbook I had prepared for them or the video, thankfully.

Clever little creatures, they are.

NormalAuntFanny · 01/10/2025 17:26

Pushing them through has always worked for me.

If they are outside it's surprising how quickly they will learn to come in by themselves. Inside to out is less motivating.

Just don't watch them or they will sit there and miaow at you to open the door!

ChasingTheDuck · 01/10/2025 19:32

Treats either side. I ended up putting a tunnel in a wall after no cat flap for years. Everyone told me my old boys would never figure it out. One is like grand central station and in and out all bloody day. The other sits in the tunnel glaring at the rain but can't quite spin around in it to enter the house without popping out of the wall first.

Anyway, what I'm saying is despite the clicking and the newness, treats and a shove helped. And they got it quickly.

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