Training your cat to use the cat fl ap
Most cats will learn to use the cat fl ap almost at once but there are a few
who may be a little nervous at fi rst. The following tips will help your pet to
take full advantage of the outdoor freedom and indoor comfort – which
you want for your cat – and which your new cat fl ap provides.
The most important rule is to be patient with your cat. Don’t be in a hurry.
Let your cat work out for itself that it can go in and out of doors. Don’t
force it through the fl ap or it may become frightened.
Many cat owners install cat fl aps when they move house. If this applies
to you, make sure that your cat is familiar with his or her surroundings
before you fi t the cat fl ap. Take it on supervised trips outdoors on a
leash and make sure it also feels secure and comfortable in its new
indoor environment. Cats can develop long lasting fears in unfamiliar
surroundings.
Once you have installed your cat fl ap, leave the fl ap open for some time.
You can do this by using a long strip of masking tape; open the fl ap and
use the tape to keep it held open by fi xing the other end of the tape to the
surface above. Make sure that the fi xing is secure so that the fl ap can not
fall down accidentally. Let your cat become familiar with it and go in and
out freely.
Establish a motive for your cat to use the door. A good one is food.
First feed the cat near the door, inside and then near the door outside.
Repeat as often as you need to. Most cats, especially kittens, also have a
strong urge for freedom,
perhaps to hunt. Cats are
also social creatures –
they enjoy the company
of other cats. This can be
another reason for them
to explore outside.
If this is something new
to your cat, it may take
some patience to teach
your cat how to use it.
When your cat makes
progress, give them a
lot of praise - they’ve
earned it!
6
