my cat is a neutered 2 year old boy and he refuses to use the cat flap. we instaled the cat flap a few weeks ago but he just refuses to use it. when it was first put in, we left it propped open for a couple of days and he got used to going through it but now that he has to push it open, he wont use it. he has started going to the toilet in the lounge. is he just lazy or is there something i can do to help him get used to it?
2007-03-04 20:48:13 · 12 answers · asked by Mrs Chicagosgirl!! 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Try using a litter box and let him get used to the idea of opening the flap himself. Cats are funny creatures, very intelligent but they don't like change and can take months to adapt. You need to be patient, he will come round.
2007-03-04 20:55:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is the cat flap clear? Cats will usually adjust to them faster if they can see what is on the other side. My girls were never trained to use one, they figured it out, I think mostly because they could see through it.
He's not lazy, he just doesn't want to be caught in a bad situation. And once he marks a spot, he will keep going back.
Put his litter box in the lounge for a few days, yes I said that. Then when he is using his box regularly. Put it outside and lift the flap again. Consider buying a clear flap. Or live with the litter box in the house.
2007-03-05 04:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by zeebarista 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a problem that'll only get worse if you don't get him to go outside! Once they start going in the house it's the devil's own job to get them to stop - even when they do get use to the cat flap! He's not lazy - he's scared - something bothers him, the flap itself, the noise it makes either pushing through or banging behind him, anything - maybe there's another cat out there who knows how to get in and he's scared of him - it does't matter what it is, as far as he's concerned it's too bad for him to cope with. If he's always using the same place in the house then you've got a good chance of training him to use a litter tray at that place - but if he's going everywhere you'll just have to spray the area constantly with whatever proprietary brand your pet shop has, or your vet recommends. If another cat is getting in, or he thinks another cat can get in, he could be using his behaviour as a marking defence - which makes it easier to stop when he's calmed down, at least. Go back to leaving the flap open, certainly, and shutting whatever doors you can when you're not in the house. Has the flap got a magnet in it to hold it shut? We had to take it out of one flap we had as one of the cats was too much of a princess to push hard ... the flap let in the wind and rain, but at least she learned to go out! Are you using magnet collars - they're a hell of thing for a cat to get used to - one of mine still resists after years - mostly about coming in though, (when the magnet has to operate) so she howls plaintively outside instead. So maybe he's frightened he can't get in again?
If he's miserable try Feliway products (they have a website).
They also have a safe to use spray to cover his tracks, but with a tom, even a neutered one, you'll need something stronger and more persistent.
When you think you've cracked it - and not before - you'll probably have to get some new carpet, as someone else suggested, and paint the walls and wood work where he has sprayed against them.
Oh, it's a joy having cats isn't it!
By the way, there are homeopathic vets who have a range of products that can help - I don't have a website address, but I'm sure you could just google 'homeopathic vets' - you don't necessarily have to take the cat to see them. Homeopathy really works on cats, even if you might be suspicious of it for yourself.
2007-03-08 05:54:32 · answer #3 · answered by MiniCat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once a cat has peed somewhere the scent remains and he keeps going back there to relieve himself. You can try proprietary products to get rid of the scent, but to be honest, when this happened to me some time ago, I finished up by throwing out the carpet! It might work if you keep him shut in the room with the cat flap, propped open, so he has no choice but to go out - after a week or so he will have got into the new habit, and if the pong in the lounge has gone by then, you should be ok. Good luck!
2007-03-05 05:01:50 · answer #4 · answered by mad 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Open the cat flap again. Good luck, cos once they start peeing inside, you need to do a lot of cleaning to remove the smell, or else they always want to go there again.
2007-03-05 04:52:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's just a case of the cat being lazy, you could try redusing the size that you prop the flap open until he has no choice but to open it himself. Failing that i'd invest in a kitty litter tray.
2007-03-05 04:57:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
1.Leave the cat flap open
2. Check your cat for urinary track infection
3. Get him a litter box inside the house
4. Push him SOFTLY through the cat flap once or twice, leaving a treat on the other side, and encourage him to use it.
2007-03-05 05:19:13 · answer #7 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yeah there alot of things you can do....and that is by training him and then next couple of month your cat will be going to the toilet outside...cats are not really lazy, it just that your cats just want to be trained and wanted a loving family and make sure you let your cat know hat you love him.
2007-03-05 04:56:09 · answer #8 · answered by scotty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like your cat prefers the lounge
or
maybe your cat scensed something he doesn't like on the cat flap. try cleaning the cat flap (maybe wash it with clean water-no soap)
2007-03-05 04:52:40 · answer #9 · answered by xiaopangzhu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what you need to do is get a wet damp clothe and rub your cat then rub the cloth on and around the door this will make the cat know thats its his area and no other cats will come in when hes out
2007-03-05 08:12:52 · answer #10 · answered by oledaveyboy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋