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What we did with ours:
Day 1-2:
Switch chip reader on flap off so that the flap allows cat in and out without reading. The clicking noise of the lock mechanism would spook our cats at the beginning.Use masking tape or a lump of blutack to keep door wide open so that cats can move freely in and out without having to push the flap. Leave this for the day while the cats get used to it. Encourage them to go through using treats and toys.
About half way into day one or the following day switch the chip reader back on so that it clicks as they go though.
Day 2-3:
Now you want to lower the flap slightly (about one third of the way down) so that cats start to get used to the flap being in the way, and yet still very easy for them to get through. We used a big lump of blutack to keep the flap ajar. The big issue with this is that when the cats are in the house the flap needs to be ajar outwards so they may squeeze through, and when they are outside you want the flap ajar inwards to the house so again they may fit through. We did this part on a Saturday when we were at home and could monitor where the cats were. Ours tend not to go far and are in and out a lot which helped with this.Day 3-4:
Lower flat a bit further (about two thirds or more, again use blutack) so that there is a bit of a gap but they really have to push through with their head. Again same issue as above.After they get used to the last stage you can remove blutack and fingers crossed the cats should be able to use the flap as normal. I guess it will help if your cat sees the other one using the flap. Our two learnt this over 2-3 days.
We did this over the summer when the cats were keen to go outside. I can’t imagine trying to do this now as all they want to do is sleep on the sofa!
Hopefully the above made sense and good luck!
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Baerli_Baer
@boydsbikes
I took a sickie today and our six month old kittens/cats have been keeping me company. I love them.
Winston (Winnie, foreground) and Nelson (in the background). Brother and sister, from Harringey.
While I'm here, does anyone have any tips to help Nelson figure out the cat flap? They are both chipped and Winnie can come and go as she pleases but Nelson hasnt figured out how to push the flap yet. It's an electric one we got that learns their chip code. We had a problem with other cats coming in.. Is there anything I can do or is Nelson maybe just a bit dim?
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