We use the "open the door for the animals" method.
It has pros and cons. Our previous cat used to knock on the door with her paw which was really cute, but the current two haven't learned that and just miaow for "let me in" and "let me out".
Pros include that it limits the amount of time they are wandering about killing wildlife or otherwise getting into trouble, and that we don't get enemy cats breaking in through the cat flap.
Cons include that their personal liberties are a bit restricted, and it can be annoying to have to open the door half a dozen times in an evening, and sometimes they get locked out by accident.
Thanks for that - really helpful. I think I'd rather let them in and out so I know where they are. Like you, front door is unlikely to a reasonable option but currently the cats are hypothetical so who knows how sensible they'll be!
We use the "open the door for the animals" method.
It has pros and cons. Our previous cat used to knock on the door with her paw which was really cute, but the current two haven't learned that and just miaow for "let me in" and "let me out".
Pros include that it limits the amount of time they are wandering about killing wildlife or otherwise getting into trouble, and that we don't get enemy cats breaking in through the cat flap.
Cons include that their personal liberties are a bit restricted, and it can be annoying to have to open the door half a dozen times in an evening, and sometimes they get locked out by accident.