Help with cat flap traing

We have two 8 month old kittens Max and Lizzie , A few hours after installing the cat flap and showing them how to use it Lizzie was using it without any problems in fact it was like a new toy to her Max on the other hand has not got a clue . If we open the flap up for him he is out like a shot ,we have played with his toys passing them in and out he just stares in complete bemusement Lizzie fed up with being outside by herself has tried showing him which was a fascinating sight her pushing the flap open slightly with her paw waiting for him to do the rest , even she has given up :( With spring just around the corner Lizzie will be spending all her time outside enjoying the fresh air whilst Max paces the window watching her . Has anybody any hints ?

Fresh prawns. Prawns work every time.

Other than that you could hold the flap open with string until he is coming and going and gradually lengthen the string until he gets used to the feeling of the flap on his head, back and tail and the need to push. It might take some patience and persistence over a few days.

Thank you I will try that :)

While Girl MCC are quite bright many of the Boys are rather dim.

We have a flap into the pen and all our cats will go out through it, but two refuse point blank to come back in the same way. Willow even went to sleep on a ledge the other day when it was cold and windy, rather than pushing through. I opened the human door and she was in like a shot.

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Originally Posted by cooncatbob

While Girl MCC are quite bright many of the Boys are rather dim.

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I would always have agreed with this cooncatbob but would you believe my Ruby is bucking the trend,I have had no problems with getting any of the others to use the flap going either way to the pen,a couple of times encouraging them & they have used it but a certain little girl will come in from the pen but will she go out,not on your life we have tried every way possible,her tummy & food are vert attatched but even that won't do it flap up or flap down she just stands & yowls this horrendous noise, she will stand at the hatch looking she will even go part way but then a little head doubles back again,we have been trying for a while now so today every time she goes near it I am going over & "helping"her through it with lots of good girls & seeing if we will have a breakthrough not holding my breath though & already the old knees are complaing when I go down on the floor & the back complains when I stand up{oh the joys of getting older} but going to keep doing it,can not believe that a girl is letting me down like this,come on Max & Ruby lets see who is first to crack this one....x

I will put money on Ruby !!!! We spent the whole weekend trying different things ,Max just stares I think he gets more fun watching us act the fool

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Originally Posted by caranjoy

I will put money on Ruby !!!! We spent the whole weekend trying different things ,Max just stares I think he gets more fun watching us act the fool

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I also spent a good amount of time on my knees putting Ruby through the flap,she didn't voluntary go out but after pushing her through once again she did actually use the tray outside so waited until she came in told her how good she was & gave her treats & she walked over to the flap again & I thought yep cracked it she is going to go out & come back in so she gets more treats,bang,balloon popped took one look & walked away,she is going to the cattery over Easter & they have to go through flap to get to the trays so could be fun. Perhaps we should let Max & Ruby meet up so they can discuss all the strange things that their parents seem to be doing at the moment......

we ended up tying our flap up until they finally got the hang of it - now they bolt through it like 'scalded cats' !

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Originally Posted by H&SWells

we ended up tying our flap up until they finally got the hang of it - now they bolt through it like 'scalded cats' !

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I think I may have to report you to the new moderators for animal cruelty. :rofl:

For tonight I have the answer most probaly will change tomorrow....
A couple of times during the week as long as when she has gone to the opening by encouraging her she has made her on way through but not done it completely off her own back,tonight she is going in & out of her own free will so the answer is for them to have an anaesthetic,there simple,she is still spaced out from her spay & the last place you want her to be is out in the pen but she is going out & sitting on the top most shelf then back she comes to shortly go out again,what must it be doing to her sore tum & I am sure tomorrow when all four paws are firmly down to earth again we will be back to square one but it has proved she can do it if for "one night only"....!

Max finially suceeded this Sunday !!!!! be it with alot of help from his sister . He must have spent a couple of hours watching his sister ,she would use the flap and wait calling him from outside,a paw would open it slightly still he had not a clue . Then it was like I knew how to do it all along he walks up to flap pushes with his head and his out
Normality at last !!!! we can now enjoy some peace and quiet as they go at it outside in their enclosure I think not lol