I just moved into a small house and decided that the kitty litter boxes had to go into the garage. We installed a kitty door between the living room and the garage. We have three cats, they seem scared of it. When they are IN the garage they will enter back into the house, but will not enter the garage from the living room! Also when I tape the "plastic door" up, they will use the door, but I cant leave the door up because of the air conditioning. Any ideas on how to get my kitty's to use their new door? thanks all!
2006-10-11 02:40:08 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Well as with most things your cats are trying to get used to it. In their case they have two new things if not more, when you really think about it. They have a new home, new smells, new place for the litter and now this new door to get used to.
I would try a couple of things and all the time remember positive reinforcement works best.
1. Drag a string or fav toy through the door opening, the way in which they are having trouble.
2. Try placing something on the other side of the door that they would love to have, a treat or a new toy. Some thing they will respond to.
Remember you know your cats best if they had a hard time going to the litter in the first place maybe you should try slowly moving the litter from inside and then close to the door and then out to your garage. Cats normally go with slow change better. Good luck! >^..^<
2006-10-11 02:49:26 · answer #1 · answered by KittyKattsMeow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We turned one of our basement windows into a kitty door when we moved to our new house, so the cats could get in when they went out with my husband in the early morning, and not tear the window screens apart. We put a dish of food by the "door", with in a couple days they were using it. Good luck, keep the area where their box is "blocked" off from the rest of the garage and clean. That may help, giving them their own private restroom!
2006-10-11 10:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by MamaSunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are very clever animals. There is probably a smell they don't like in the garage or its colder there than in the house.
You could start, as you would with a kitten, by putting the litter tray on this side of the flap for a day and then onto the other side. In any event you need to persevere with them and they will overcome there dislike of going into the garage.
2006-10-11 09:53:00 · answer #3 · answered by london.oval 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a door with a better seal for the air conditioning. My friend has a kitty door built into the sliding glass door leading outside and it is not an issue with air conditioning.
2006-10-11 09:45:35 · answer #4 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting a toy or food on the garage side of the door.
2006-10-11 09:49:11 · answer #5 · answered by Trixie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had to gently push my cats through the door a few times. Their incentive was to go outdoors though and you may have to use some "lure" to get them to use the box in the garage.
2006-10-11 10:34:59 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reward them for going through. put some catnip are one of their fav. treats on one side of the door.
it may take a while for them to get used to it so just be patient
2006-10-11 11:44:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It Can Be Done If You Train Them.
2006-10-11 10:17:08 · answer #8 · answered by mks 7-15-02 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EASILY DONE
STEP ONE PICK CAT UP BY SCRUFF OF NECK .
STEP TWO TAKE TO BACK DOOR.
STEP THREE DROP KICK INTO GARDEN.
THEY WILL SOON LEARN
2006-10-11 10:07:27 · answer #9 · answered by tonyinspain 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋