Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/25/2008

Question
I have had Jodie for 3 weeks. She is a domestic shorthair, nearly one year old. The house we live in has cat doors already installed from the previous owner. There are two doors she must get through to go outside, one from kitchen to outside passage way, and the second to the outside. She is having difficulty using them, particularly one that is to the outside because it is magnetized and harder to open without pushing it firmly with her head. I have begun a training regime but inconsistently, so today I begin more regular training. Do you have any tips to make this more effective?  Also, do you think that the scent from the previous cat could be putting her off?
Thank you, Sandra

Answer
Sandra,

If the cat door has a magnet, remove it for now if you can, to make the door easier to open at the beginning. Teach the cat to walk through the hole in the door by taping the flap open, or remove the flap altogether temporarily while the cat gets used to the idea of coming and going. Rig the flap so it's still open, but less each day, so that he can see through the space but must push past the flap. Lower the flap a little each day.

Do not frighten the cat. That is the number one mistake people tend to make. The most common way to scare the cat is to shove him through the pet door. Don't do it! He may associate his fright with the cat door and avoid it. Coax him through with a treat, then praise and reward him when he does. NEVER punish or reprimand when training.

You might try rubbing the flap with catnip. The smell may make the cat want to 'head-butt' the flap which will help. Try putting his most favorite food on earth on the other side of the flap so if he wants it he has to come through the kitty door. Something with a strong smell like sardines (in oil) or tuna. You can also try a shoestring (or similar). Have the regular door open a bit so you can be on both sides, Pull the string, or whatever, slowly out the bottom of the cat flap. As the cat is trying to catch the string he will be pushing on the flap as he tries to get it. Reverse the play, pull it from outside in so he realizes the flap goes both ways. Doing that helps make the cat door training a pleasant experience, and not one that causes stress and anxiety.

Training is slow and takes time and patience. It usually takes about two weeks (sometimes more) for a cat to get used to using the flap.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi