How To Train A Cat To Use A Cat Door

Introduction

Cats are clever creatures, but they’re also notoriously stubborn. If you’ve just installed a cat door in your home, congratulations! Cat doors are an easy way to keep your indoor cat happy while also letting her enjoy the great outdoors. But how do you get a cat to use one? Here are several ways to train a cat to use a cat door.

If you’ve just installed a cat door in your home, congratulations! Cat doors are an easy way to keep your indoor cat happy while also letting her enjoy the great outdoors. But how do you get a cat to use one? Here are several ways to train a cat to use a cat door.

If you’ve just installed a cat door in your home, congratulations! Cat doors are an easy way to keep your indoor cat happy while also letting her enjoy the great outdoors. But how do you get a cat to use one? Here are several ways to train a cat to use a cat door:

Make sure the flap is wide enough for your pet. You don’t want her getting stuck or frightened because she can’t fit through it easily. If necessary, remove some hardware from inside and outside so that when opened from either side of the door (with only 3/4″ space on each side), there will still be room for her body size.
Move the flap up and down gently so she can see what happens when it opens and closes – this will make sense of why something may happen outside once they enter through it which could scare them from going out again until they realize nothing bad happened when they entered through before hand so now they know there isn’t anything dangerous waiting around every corner waiting too attack them once they come back inside again later on after being outside all day long without being hurt by anything else around them at any given time during their travels throughout other areas away from home base itself where house owners live with pets inside as well where everyone lives happily ever after forevermore.”

Place the flap open and let your cat explore it

The first step of the training process is to place the flap open and let your cat explore it. Your cat will be able to walk through and get used to the sensation of being able to go in either direction. You can also rub a little catnip on the inside of the flap or even put some food at a distance outside of it so your cat will want to investigate this new object in their environment.

Put treats on either side of the flap and encourage her to go through it

Put treats on either side of the flap and encourage her to go through it.
If she doesn’t go through the flap, try again later.
If you have trouble getting her in and out, try putting treats at both sides of the flap, at waist level (or below) for easier access for your cat.

Use a clicker or praise your cat when she goes through the flap

One of the best ways to train a cat is with a clicker. You can use it to teach your cat any number of tricks, like learning how to use a cat door.

Using a clicker during training will help you focus on giving clear instructions, which will help your cat pay attention and learn faster.

Place scents on both sides of the flap

Once you’ve set up the flap, it’s time to train your cat. Start by placing scents on both sides of the flap. On one side, place catnip or tuna juice and on the other place a dab of your cat’s scent, like from under her chin or belly. Now it’s time for some treats!

When you see your kitty approaching her new door with curiosity, open it just enough for her to get through but not enough so she can escape outside. You may have to hold onto her as she enters so that she doesn’t get scared off upon seeing strange sights beyond the flap. Once inside (or once she goes through), reward her with lots of praise and give her some yummy food treats! If you’re having trouble getting her used to going through this new opening at first try putting extra treats right inside so that they’re only accessible when she passes through properly (make sure they aren’t too far inside though!). Your furry friend will start getting used to having access between rooms in no time!

The sooner you start training, the easier it will be for your cat to learn this new skill

The sooner you start training, the easier it will be for your cat to learn this new skill. The longer you wait, the more work it will be for both you and your kitty. It’s best to train cats while they are still young so they can get used to performing this action as a kitten rather than an adult cat. This gives them years more experience using a cat flap from an early age, which makes learning how to use one even easier!

If possible, keep up a regular routine with your cat by feeding them at similar times every day (even on weekends) and play with them for several minutes every hour or so throughout the day (they love when we pet them!). This consistency in their schedule will help make training much simpler since they will know exactly when it is time for food or playtime!

You can also use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behavior such as using their paws correctly on the flap instead of clawing at it like crazy 🙂 You won’t need anything fancy like clickers but if not available then just verbally acknowledge their efforts by saying “good job!” while taking out some treats from inside pocket 😉

Conclusion

Once your cat is using the flap with confidence, you can install the locking device, if you have one. You also might need to adjust your training for kittens and senior cats—kittens are usually more adventurous, so you don’t have to do as much encouragement or preparation. Senior cats may need a little extra coaxing and maybe a few more treats! Finally, if your cat isn’t getting it after a week of consistent training, some cats just don’t like cat doors (or at least not right away). Don’t be discouraged if that’s the case with yours; keep trying, and eventually she’ll get it!