You are here:
Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat flap
Advertisement
Question
We have just installed a infrared cat flap and my cat is terrified of it.He always used the old one (not infrared) easily.Why is he so scared of this one.
Carolyn,
The infrared may make a high pitched noise when he gets close to it that only the cat can hear, and it may scare him or hurt his ears until he gets used to it.
You might try rubbing the flap with catnip. The smell may make the cat want to 'head-butt' the flap. Or try tying the catflap up and lowering it a little at the time until he will go out of it naturally. Sometimes it takes a cat awhile to warm up to something new. Re-train the cat like you taught him the first time. Try putting his most favorite food on earth on the other side so if he wants it he has to come through the kitty door. Something with a strong smell like sardines (in oil) or tuna.
Once he goes in and out of it a few times and gets used to it he will be fine. The infrared flaps are great. Especially to keep tomcats and skunks (in my area) from coming in. Even birds have been known to use them! Please don't forget to check the batteries periodically!
Tabbi
Related Articles
- Things Cats Hate - Share your cats pet peeves with other readers
- Dora and Hero - Reader Stories: Why I Love Black Cats
- Are Cats Solitary Animals - Share your opinions and experiences with other readers
- My Lovable Tuxedo Cat Bleu - Reader Stories: Living with a Tuxedo Cat
- Neglected, Scrawny Cat Finds Love and Safety - Reader Stories: Animal Rescue Stories
Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.