Hello All,

hope everyone is well here . Long time no chat

Anyway, we have installed a cat flap for my 2 cats.
Installed it about 1.5 months ago.

Clive picked up on it very quick, was very curious and within next 3-4 days learnt to use no problem. Probably would have done quicker if i was home full time.

Indiya is a different story. She is a smart girl, we think she is actually smarter than Clive, but a bit more shy and less dominant maybe.
I showed her and Clive how to use catflap, she watched Clive going in and out fine, she would go through the catflap if i open it myself, but she wont open it herself. She even would not attempt to open it. She would sit quietly next to it and wait for either me or Clive to open it for her.

My husband thought it is the noise that stops her from attempting it , and suggests we replace it to quiet one. But I have not seen her being scared of the noise really. and it was there over a month now - so I am not sure whether it the new cat flap would help . It is like she does not like the idea of pushing that flap with her head or paws. She wants it to open for her , as in 'for princess !

any ideas to help me with catflap training ?

Thanks in advance !

Is she alright with being outside?


Heather

Find a treat that she loves and put her one side and you and the treat the other and see if she will open it to get the treat from you. It would be s good idea if Clive is somewhere else if possible.

At the moment she has YOU perfectly trained!


Heather

Have you tried putting her in the "toilet area" and calling her from the other side (without her being able to see you)?

....make sure she is hungry and Clive is not about either!

Has she had any "accidents"?


Heather

Would it be possible for you just take the flap off so that it is just a hole rather than a swinging door? My cats hated the flap door on their litter box and refused to use it but once i took off the flap so it was just a gap they were happy to go in and out.

we left the flap off in the end because the cats just hated it, it's just for the litter box though so we don't have to worry about drafts or anything. You could try taking it off until she's used to going in and out through the hole and then put it back on later and see if she is more comfortable with the idea then.

update ,

Little princess refused to perform tricks for treats, she thought it was disgraceful ! so no joy this time.
will be trying again later !

One thought - Is there a drop down to get outside? Could you make a ledge on the other side so she steps through at the same level?

No help, - but our boy found the way out but not back in for days without us opening it, and broke the outer flap before he managed it!
Gin still doesn't use it although she watches Jaz.