Do all you cat owner's rate magnetic cat flaps? Let me know!

[clairdey-cat]

I have recently bought a magnetic cat flap to stop other people's cats coming into my house!
The trouble is, my 2 cats cannot work out how to use the thing, as they are used to using their paws to open the cat flap, and you have to 'butt' this one. Any ideas as to how I can train my daft moggies?
Also, the mechanism that opens the cat flap doesn't seem very receptive to the magnet. Have other people had good or bad experiences with them? I would be very interested to know!
Cheers
Claire x

[jason]

i have a hale security door for mine, its a double flap with magnets at the bottom. i had to keep the flaps open for about a week, then close one flap for a couple weeks and then close both. took using some tuna and treats initially to get them interested in using it.

keep the flaps cleaned (warm soapy water works) or they will quit using it as it get grimy with snot and hair since they use thier nose to push it open.

[clairdy-cat]

Thanks for the tips!
The trouble is, my usually(very) greedy cats are not tempted by food! They just sit there all night looking at me through the transparent cat flap with very sad faces! Now and again they paw at it but nothing more. Even when I open the flap they still won't go through.
I'm also worried that if the magnet moves on the collar it won't activate the mechanism. Does this happen often?

[Traci]

ughhh...radio collars etc...I've never known them to be of any real use or effective. Dogs are more tolerant of them...cats are not.

[clairdy-cat]

hmmm, I suspected as much- seemed too good to be true!
Trouble is, this horrible Ginger tom keeps coming in and peeing all over the house. We can't locate it's owner but I don't think it's a stray because it's really fat! This cat flap seemed like the only option to keep the bugger out!
Thanks for the advice any-hoo
Claire x

[jason]

They just sit there all night looking at me through the transparent cat flap with very sad faces! Now and again they paw at it but nothing more. Even when I open the flap they still won't go through.

mine did that as well for about a week or so. i didnt know you meant the flaps that are activated by the collar, my cats dont do collars so i never tried it.

best of luck.