Cat scared of cat flap

I have an ongoing problem with a cat who is really frightened of the cat flaps that we have. To get outside he has to go through 2. He was getting very upset about it, very frustrated etc. so throughout the summer I propped them open for him. Now of course it's much colder, and I've tried gently putting him through, coaxing him with food but it's just not working. He sits and cries if they are closed because he just loves going out, and he wants to see his best feline friend who lives next door!

I've an open plan house, so can't even just shut a door - I wish it was that simple! Does anyone have any ideas on what I could try? I've hooked up a curtain just to stop a bit of the draught but it's still not good and I don't want to shut him in either.

 

can't offer any help cause my cats are all inside only. I wish I could install a dog door when Molly gets here but can't do that cause then my cats would get out :roll: and I fear wildlife would get in.
Could be your cat will never accept the doors.

 

I have a cat flap in the door to access my basement for the litter.

Four of my cats learned very quickly - we did the food and coaxing thing.

But, when we got Kitters, she simply wouldn't learn. We tried everything we could think of (toys, food, slight pushing)... nothing worked. We even tried tough love one night and sat there waiting for her to come upstairs through the door from the basement. She simply stood on the other side and cried her heart out.

So, to this day, we now have the cat door taped open.

I guess, in short, if you learn anything, share it with me. I gave up on trying. But, that's because my door only accesses places within the house, not outside. You have a little more of a delima.

Good luck.

 

Thank you for replying ..

Hi

Well, I'll keep trying, but at the moment it's so cold here I'm afraid Horatio is either inside or out! When he's out he can get into a conservatory, just not into the house.

Bring on the summer!

 

How about using a pet doorbell mat or pet doorbell?

http://vermont.itcstore.com/default.aspx?p=10709

The pet chime might be hard to use though. How does one train a cat to use it?

http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP...=802&f=N&tp=1524&frompg=94&topg=94&menupage=0

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/s...den/ref=xs_ap_sai13_xgl60/102-0542518-3413765

 

Vene, a pet doorbell mat is an awesome idea! I never would have thought of that.

 

Amazing! I never realised stuff like that existed. Thanks for the links, fantastic idea although I'm not sure it is the answer for us personally.

Thankyou so much for taking the time to reply with the links for me - I really enjoyed looking at the sites.

 

Let kitty in the house

Ya we have been using one for our Kitty now for years, he does not even know he is ringing the bell. Saw the users at the same link above, but also saw the story about how it works. It works great for us.

http://www.vermont.itcstore.com/default.aspx?p=101176

 

Someone today mentioned to me a remote controlled cat flap, which apparently a collar activates! I've had a look online but can't find one, anyone else heard of these?

 

Saw one yesterday while browsing at pet door bells on the net. What happens if the cat loses the collar? Wouldn't it be stuck outside?

http://www.hitecpet.com/autpetdoorfo1.html

 

Exactly, and I have to say I'm not a lover of collars anyway. It's all clever stuff though.

We had a slight breakthrough earlier, when horatio tried to come into the house through the cat flap! He pushed it a little, then it closed. Then he pushed it again, then it closed etc etc! He didn't make it, but the exciting thing is he tried! I'm guessing that now he's tried once, he'll try again and hopefully in time will actually get all the way through!

It's been about 3 months since he's been going out, and the week I get my act together and post on here he decides to have a go!

Wish him luck!