Training Your Cat To Use A Cat Flap
For owners that allow their cat to have access to the outdoors installing a cat flap to give them the ability to go in and out makes it easier on both of you. But just because you installed the flap for the cat to use does not necessarily mean they will do so. For the most part cats are usually very timid of things that are new and cat flaps are something that will take some getting used to as well as time for them to begin using on their own.
Training your cat to use a cat flap to go outside and come in and can be done much easier if you have a friend or spouse that the cat trusts to help you out. Each needs to sit on opposite sides of the flap with treats to entice the cat to come through. At first you may need to hold the flap open and allow the cat to pass through the opening without the flap in place to brush up against them. It may take some work as the cat may start to enter and then retreat only after getting part way through the opening.
Keep offering treats and allowing the cat to pass through eventually with the flap down so the cat must push it open themselves. Eventually your cat will get the idea and realize that the flap on the door is nothing to be afraid of. Once your cat has the hang of it make sure you use features such as the lock to keep the cat inside while you will be away for long periods of time. This will ensure that your cat cannot get out while you are gone and end up lost injured by another animal while you are not there to help them.
Related posts:
