Training Your Cat to use a Cat Door

Training Your Cat to Use a Cat Door

Why does a cat who has just come in, want to go out again – and vice versa? Is he trying to drive you mad?

Cats like to keep an eye on their territory and if their territory includes outside as well as inside, they usually like to check it often. And after they have checked outside, what’s going on inside? The cat needs to come back in again to check.

Installing a cat door should end your days as a door opener, giving your cat the choice to come and go as he wants. But that is not the only advantage. Cat doors are large enough for a cat but too small for most dogs and if you are worried about next door’s cat, or even raccoons, skunks or opossums using the door, you can buy a cat door that works automatically, opening only for your cat who is wearing a collar with an attachment that releases the door catch.

After you have your cat door installed, leave it for a week or two until your cat takes its presence for granted. Cats are not too keen on change and it may take you cat a while to become used to the new cat door.

When training your cat to use a cat door, tape the flap up securely for a few days so that he can see that he can come and go when it pleases him. Make certain that the flap is taped up securely. If the door falls down and hits your cat it will take a long time to coax him near it again.

Once he has found how convenient it is to come and go at will, remove the tape and with the door closed, gently push your cat through the door to the outside, using your hand to help your cat open the door. When your cat is halfway through the door, allow him to complete the manoeuvre by himself. Once through the door, give plenty of praise and perhaps a tasty treat. Repeat the exercise from the outside. When training your cat continue to help your cat through the door a few times until he gets the idea. When training your cat go over the lesson in short sessions over several days until it is obvious that your cat has the idea. Cats learn quickly which means that a week of training will most probably be sufficient.

It is always a good idea, when training a cat, to do so before a meal when you know that your cat is hungry. In this way it is easy to tempt him to come through the cat door with his favorite treat. Make certain that he receives a reward each time he gets it right.

If you already have a cat that uses the cat door, you usually don’t have to do any training as your new cat will usually learn from the other cat.

Patience is required for training your cat to use the cat door. Do not scold when he gets things wrong but use lots of praise when he gets it right and before long your cat will be coming and going of his own accord, leaving you in peace.

For more information on training your cat and the history of cat doors visit, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_door target ="_blank"