8. Cat-flap training

Learning to squeeze themselves through a small hole, may not come easily to some cats. Felines do not generally inhabit burrows.

If they have not learned how to use them at an early age, cats can be completely puzzled by cat-flaps. This does not however mean that they are not perfectly able to learn.

One way of showing a cat what to do, is as follows...

1. Tape open the catflap door so that it is easy for the cat to pass through unaided.

2. If the cat needs encouragement to pass through the opening, call them from the other side.

If they enjoy chasing string or string toys, you can throw the toy through to them, get them excited & pull the toy back through the doorway in the hope that they will chase it through.

Offer them a treat through the open catflap from the far side and try luring them through with it.

3. Do this at mealtimes & leave their meal on the other side for them so they have to pass through the hole to get it. (being sure that they are aware that it is there, wafting it under their nose through the open doorway may help).

4. Persist with this challenge daily untill they will pass through the open flap.

5. Gradually, continueing with the routine, reduce the angle at which the door is taped open. Each day the cat should have to push against the flap just a little more, untill it is almost entirely opening the flap with its own body weight.

6. Encourage the cat through with food, with the catflap now fully closed (it should have a transparent flap so you & any food can still be seen clearly). You can push it open and let it swing to demonstrate its function and holding it open, allow them to sniff an enticing treat before allowing the flap to swing shut again. Reward them for success.

Be Patient with them!

View information on, & different types of catflaps