Cat Flap Use

[purpleme12]

We got a cat flap fitted 21st August
Our cat took a couple of weeks to actually go out of the cat flap
And wouldn't come back in through the cat flap till a month and a half after
So it's only recently that she's learnt how to use it completely
I've kept it so she can go in and out at any time as she's still getting used to it

If I change it so she can't go out at night, will that confuse her?
Or do they quickly get used to that and understand they can't go out at night?

It will depend on the cat. We lock the cat door at night during firework season (Bonfire Night and Diwali are always close together and Diwali is a big deal where we live so it’s nightly fireworks for over a week here) and our current cat just stoically accepts he can’t go out. Our previous cat hated having the cat door locked and once even vomitted in frustration. We had to relent and let her out after 10pm, by which time most fireworks had stopped. Hopefully your cat will be more on the stoic side.

My cat normally has free access 24/7 via a flap. He hates to be kept in but sometimes needs must. He does become frustrated and tries all the doors but after a while he settles down and accepts it.

I'm not worried about her being frustrated at being inside as she was fine inside at night before we got the cat flap

I'm just worried she'll try go out and find she can't and then think she can't use the cat flap ever anymore

My ginger cat is possibly the dimmest cat I’ve ever met, and even he has worked out that sometimes the cat flap works and at other times it doesn’t.

So I tried locking it now

But then she went to go out and kept pawing it and then again pawing it and she didn't understand

And I felt bad and then I changed it so she could go out 😳😳

Is this something I should overcome??

It’s obviously stressing her being kept in. I’d just let her out. My cat just comes and goes as he pleases 24/7.

I mean this literally while I was stood there with her in the space of a minute

So it wasn't multiple times

So I think it was too early to say she was stressed, she just didn't understand and I gave in

Why do you want to lock the cat flap at night? Mine just have free access to outdoors 24/7 because that’s what makes them happy.

We have this issue (they don't understand locks and just keep punching it until it breaks!) I find putting something solid in front of the cat flap (I use the kitchen bin) works better, cat seems to get the message that the cat flap is unavailable.

@QPRTY Because she's a grey cat so even in the day she doesn't stand out, blends in with the paths and fences etc. So would blend in more in the dark

And I thought it was recommended to keep them in at night?

Also although it hasn't actually happened yet, I wondered if might time was prime time for catching things and I don't want animals brought into the house either! Although that hasn't happened so maybe that isn't something she'll do

Oh yeah that's an idea

As does mine. When I adopted him I was told he must have unfettered access to the outdoors.

My boy at is entirely black. He goes out at night in ninja mode! I don’t see a cats colour being a problem. For me, the cats wellbeing trumps everything.

The reason that the colour of a cat might be a problem (and I mean in the sense they might not stand out) is with cars

This is what I do - after largest cat found that repeatedly head butting or punching the cat flap would get him out. They do look a bit confused and wonder where the flap has gone, but then just accept that it's not available at the moment. It hasn't stopped them using it again normally the next day.

What sort of area do you live in @purpleme12? Is it highly built up with lots of cars which is making you worry?