We recently had a cat flap installed but my cats just sniff it and won't use it. How do I convince them to stick their heads through it. I've tried pushingn them out it a couple of times but they just sit outside sniffing it and meowing to get back in.
2006-11-27 22:41:49 · 11 answers · asked by Carrie S 7 in Pets ➔ Cats
Get on the other side with cat treats and call them while holding it open. After they figure out there's a treat on the other side, close it and call them again. Do this till they get the hang of it. Good luck!
2006-11-27 22:47:09 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well, if the flap comes off - do that temporarily. If they dont like the idea of jumping you could place sturdy boxes either side just so they get used to going in and out of this entrance/exit. Then - are they hungry cats? If yes, you could 'starve' them for a day (or just delay their feed for a few hours ;) and then put the flap back on, with them outside. Maybe some cooked chicken or runny tinned tuna fish would tempt them to use the flap.
If you attempt to push them they will just not do it - cats are stubborn animals and dont like being told what to do!
Probably best not to hover around it though as they can get worried and suspicious of you.
I have a cat who is totally freaked by the sound of plastic carrier bags. So when he was being lazy, I noticed that as i brought some shopping in he ran outside using the cat flap very quickly!
2006-11-27 22:50:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem a few years ago when i introduced my Cat to a Cat flap. he was already about 7 years old. what I did was prop it open and ignored him when he asked to go out.he soon got the idea that there was a door just for him.I left it propped open for a couple of days then closed it. he expected it to be open inspected it and pushed himself through, then looked at me as if to say "who's a clever boy then" don't try to force them through it they will just become afraid of it.you could always try to make a game of it as well stand outside with it propped open, call the Kitty's and dangle a paper butterfly on a bit of thread outside.Cats will do anything for a paper butterfly.
2006-11-28 12:25:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a while try keeping the door open with wide sticky tape. Put one end of tape on the flap and hitch it open-they will get used to jumping through.
When you move on to the next stage, if they are all one side of the flap, put a clothes peg at the bottom of the flap to keep it slightly ajar-easier to push open when they are wary.
Don't push them through as that will alarm them and they will associate the flap with bad things!
Good luck!
2006-11-27 23:38:32 · answer #4 · answered by spanishkitties 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I remember spending a good couple of hours, with me on the outside and my mum on the inside just putting out cat through, and giving her a treat on the other side !!! She eventually got the hang of it after waiting for the wind to blow it open a little then pulling it with her paw instead of pushing !!! your cats will get used to it if you keep showing them and rewarding them.
2006-11-28 01:47:42 · answer #5 · answered by Ktloop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pop them out through it, then call them from the inside and offer a treat. Try a dish of pilchards, when they make an attempt to push the door open, praise them and put the pilchards near so they can sniff if. You can also lift the door slightly so that they can see that there is a way indoors. They will get the hang of it eventually, it just takes a little time.
2006-11-27 22:47:20 · answer #6 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
put your cat on one side of the door, and their dinner on the other, they'll be able to smell it, if their being really dense about it, open the cat flap a bit so they can see the food, and leave em to it. bit of tough love.
2006-11-27 22:49:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
push em through it a couple of times then they will see it takes them outside or get a cat that knows how to and make other cat watch or try to get through your self (fat chance but it will be funny)
2006-11-27 22:44:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive literally just taught my 3 cats to use our newly installed catflap, just keep putting them through it and on no circumstances open the door, if they sit outside and wont come through it again, walk outside and push them back through it into the house, if the cat runs past you, just walk up to her pick her up, take her back outside and push her through it again.
another way i found to entice them in is wen there outside sitting by door wanting you to open it, just pick up there food bowl, leave it clearly in there view on the inside of house and in the end the hunger will get better of them and they'll walk through it. one of mine wouldnt walk back through it once i pushed her out but i after ahe waited out there a while i just walked outside and pushed her back through it, now all 3 of mine use it all the time and are loving the freedom.
good luck
2006-11-28 01:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by sweetness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep pushing them in and out but don't open the door they will get the hang of it in no time
2006-11-27 22:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by DR.PHIL-A-LIKE 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋