Hi, I have four cats and a few months ago we installed a cat-flap to our back door so they could come and go as they please.
Before the flap was installed we just used to leave the back door open all the time as we live in a fairly safe area, so they just used to wander in and out and do their business outside.
They're all happy to use the flap, apart from the eldest cat (3 years old) who seems terrified of it at times, especially when using it to leave the house.
Its got to the stage where he is now pooping inside the house fairly frequently and I'm getting tired of having to deal with this lazy?/stupid?/scaredy? cat's poo.
Any tips on how to stop him pooing all over the place, or getting him to use the flap consistently, we have spent hours and even days trying to get him used to it by using treats etc, but it seems like he only ever feels happy about using it to get into the house, and even then he sometimes needs a little encouragement.
ta muchly,
d.
cat scared of cat-flap?
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
When was his/their last vet visit and how did that go?
If it has been a while, I would suggest one to find out why this one is going outside the litterbox, presuming you provide a litterbox for them when they are indoors?
When did this start? Did another cat or animal scare this one? Is there something outside that has scared it?
Even though you live in a fairly safe place, there are other animals...poisonous plants...insects...etc that can still cause harm to your cats...
This forum recommends INDOOR ONLY for the reasons included in the clickable link
Provide 5 indoor litterboxes, since you have 4 cats, or at least 2-3 EXTRA LARGE (underbed storage totes work well) and keep the cats indoors...they will soon adjust, and so will you get used to scooping litterboxes....
If you do not have the time or patience to "deal with" your cat's sudden aversion to going outside, then maybe it is best that you find him a new home where someone will take the time to find out WHY he is going outside the box, provide a box for him and the proper litterbox training for him...
I am sorry if I am a bit blunt...but a cat, or dog, or any animal, is a lifelong commitment on the human's part to provide for and care for that animal...if you see the cat as more of a nuisance or burden, then it is best he finds a new home for him as well as for you...and I mean a proper home...not just booted out of this one for not wanting to go outside in the first place...
If it has been a while, I would suggest one to find out why this one is going outside the litterbox, presuming you provide a litterbox for them when they are indoors?
When did this start? Did another cat or animal scare this one? Is there something outside that has scared it?
Even though you live in a fairly safe place, there are other animals...poisonous plants...insects...etc that can still cause harm to your cats...
This forum recommends INDOOR ONLY for the reasons included in the clickable link
Provide 5 indoor litterboxes, since you have 4 cats, or at least 2-3 EXTRA LARGE (underbed storage totes work well) and keep the cats indoors...they will soon adjust, and so will you get used to scooping litterboxes....
If you do not have the time or patience to "deal with" your cat's sudden aversion to going outside, then maybe it is best that you find him a new home where someone will take the time to find out WHY he is going outside the box, provide a box for him and the proper litterbox training for him...
I am sorry if I am a bit blunt...but a cat, or dog, or any animal, is a lifelong commitment on the human's part to provide for and care for that animal...if you see the cat as more of a nuisance or burden, then it is best he finds a new home for him as well as for you...and I mean a proper home...not just booted out of this one for not wanting to go outside in the first place...
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
His last vet trip was in the summer, just for a check up to see how he was, and everything was fine. Apart from him being scared by the journey and pooing in the cat carrier.
Right now, there are litter boxes in the house, but only the kitten uses them as the others have been ok with pooing outdoors, that is, until recently with the eldest cat and the installation of the flap.
The problem probably started in September when we put in the flap. Prior to this we went to a local college just 5 minutes walk away, so we just used to leave the back door open and let them come and go as they pleased. But, with both my girlfriend and I starting uni in September, we decided it best to put in a flap because we'd be out of town, didnt want to leave the cats in/out all day, and didnt want to get burgled.
I dont know if he's been scared by anyone or anything, our neighbours (an older couple who are also cat daft) took in a stray male, but as far as I have seen, they all interact quite well and this poor old stray has always been in the area and gets on with their girl cat.
All 4 of our own cats seem to get along, they all sleep together quite well in either their room, or elsewhere in the house. The eldest cat does have some scratches on his head at times, which my girlfriend suggests is him fighting, so maybe there's a problem with another cat in the area, or maybe the other cats are using their claws when playing.
We have noticed that the pecking order at meal times seems to have changed... We usually put down a big plate of meat for them once a day (this is as well as them having their own bowls with dry food and water), but the eldest cat seems reluctant to eat from it, shying away while the others stuff themselves. He's ok if given a plate of his own.
Bluntness is fine, by the way... sometimes its the only way to make me understand
I dont want to get rid of him (he's my baby! ), its just worrying that his behaviour has changed so much (we used to refer to him as the brave one, or the mighty one). I'm not tired of dealing with him, just his poo. I think we'll see about a vet's visit for another check-up and get another litter tray just for him.
Right now, there are litter boxes in the house, but only the kitten uses them as the others have been ok with pooing outdoors, that is, until recently with the eldest cat and the installation of the flap.
The problem probably started in September when we put in the flap. Prior to this we went to a local college just 5 minutes walk away, so we just used to leave the back door open and let them come and go as they pleased. But, with both my girlfriend and I starting uni in September, we decided it best to put in a flap because we'd be out of town, didnt want to leave the cats in/out all day, and didnt want to get burgled.
I dont know if he's been scared by anyone or anything, our neighbours (an older couple who are also cat daft) took in a stray male, but as far as I have seen, they all interact quite well and this poor old stray has always been in the area and gets on with their girl cat.
All 4 of our own cats seem to get along, they all sleep together quite well in either their room, or elsewhere in the house. The eldest cat does have some scratches on his head at times, which my girlfriend suggests is him fighting, so maybe there's a problem with another cat in the area, or maybe the other cats are using their claws when playing.
We have noticed that the pecking order at meal times seems to have changed... We usually put down a big plate of meat for them once a day (this is as well as them having their own bowls with dry food and water), but the eldest cat seems reluctant to eat from it, shying away while the others stuff themselves. He's ok if given a plate of his own.
Bluntness is fine, by the way... sometimes its the only way to make me understand
I dont want to get rid of him (he's my baby!
), its just worrying that his behaviour has changed so much (we used to refer to him as the brave one, or the mighty one). I'm not tired of dealing with him, just his poo. I think we'll see about a vet's visit for another check-up and get another litter tray just for him.
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
We do not advocate outdoors for cats, and please read the link Tambrey provided in it's entirety.
Please stop calling your cat names. He's smarter than you think. He doesn't WANT to go outside, and he's obviously intelligent to know why. You shouldn't be forcing any of your cats to go out, at all. Again, start acclimating them indoors only, they will be happier, healthier, safer.
I really hope all your cats are vaccinated and up-to-date, because if they aren't, they are at risk for numerous infectious diseases, and numerous other hazards as explained in the link above. The kitty who keeps getting scratches probably IS fighting with other outdoor cats, and any day he could come home with serious abcesses that require vet treatment. You're also putting them all at risk for getting hit by cars, dog attacks, menacing or harm by people, the list is endless.
The problem with allowing the cats outdoors is that they will be territorial in all aspects, including elimination behavior, which they will then bring those territorial behaviors inside. They don't associate the difference until YOU acclimate them strictly indoors. So, as long as you allow them outdoors, one or more will eliminate inappropriately indoors, and every time the cats come in with different scents, one or more of the other cats are going to react, become stressed and will develop behavior problems. This becomes a domino effect until all the cats are stressed and they start developing health issues as a result of stress. So, the problem isn't the cats, it's your unwillingness to acclimate them indoors.
Think of their health, safety and longevity. Acclimate them indoors only. You said you go to university and are out of town. Does anyone stay with them while you are gone? How long are you gone? You do realize, don't you, that you can't just leave them outside, or expect them to be safe from harm simply because they have a cat door???
Please stop calling your cat names. He's smarter than you think. He doesn't WANT to go outside, and he's obviously intelligent to know why. You shouldn't be forcing any of your cats to go out, at all. Again, start acclimating them indoors only, they will be happier, healthier, safer.
I really hope all your cats are vaccinated and up-to-date, because if they aren't, they are at risk for numerous infectious diseases, and numerous other hazards as explained in the link above. The kitty who keeps getting scratches probably IS fighting with other outdoor cats, and any day he could come home with serious abcesses that require vet treatment. You're also putting them all at risk for getting hit by cars, dog attacks, menacing or harm by people, the list is endless.
The problem with allowing the cats outdoors is that they will be territorial in all aspects, including elimination behavior, which they will then bring those territorial behaviors inside. They don't associate the difference until YOU acclimate them strictly indoors. So, as long as you allow them outdoors, one or more will eliminate inappropriately indoors, and every time the cats come in with different scents, one or more of the other cats are going to react, become stressed and will develop behavior problems. This becomes a domino effect until all the cats are stressed and they start developing health issues as a result of stress. So, the problem isn't the cats, it's your unwillingness to acclimate them indoors.
Think of their health, safety and longevity. Acclimate them indoors only. You said you go to university and are out of town. Does anyone stay with them while you are gone? How long are you gone? You do realize, don't you, that you can't just leave them outside, or expect them to be safe from harm simply because they have a cat door???
..........Traci
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
On a slight tangent, cat doors make me nervous because stray cats and other small wildlife can just walk in like they own the place.
Youtube videos of raccoons and things coming in people's cat doors are kind of funny to watch, until I think about possibly diseased or violent animals. >.>
It certainly is better than leaving your door open though. Haha in this day and age, I wouldn't leave my door open even when I'm at home and fully armed.
Youtube videos of raccoons and things coming in people's cat doors are kind of funny to watch, until I think about possibly diseased or violent animals. >.>
It certainly is better than leaving your door open though. Haha in this day and age, I wouldn't leave my door open even when I'm at home and fully armed.
I read the advice on outdoor living for cats, but for the most, it doesnt apply. I live in rural Scotland, my neighbours are all elderly, whatever pets there are in the area are also cats, which also go freely outdoors. We have clement weather, rarely get torrential rain, snow or storms. The lady behind us leaves food out for our cats as she likes them visiting, especially after the recent death of her own elderly cat. The neighbours look out for our pets as we do for theirs and they all come and go into one another's homes with no disputes between the cats. The Cat Protection League visit every few months to drop off info packs and check on the cats, they've warned us about cat aids and advised us on how best to avoid it... the CPL are quite happy for the cats to roam outside, we asked them when we first got the cats, we also asked the vet. They've had all their shots, there isnt a vermin problem in the area, they kill the odd bird now and then. Rabies and even distemper do not come into consideration as we live in the UK and they've had their shots. They are regularly treated with worming tablets, and they dont have fleas (believe me, I'd know about it because I'm highly allergic to them).
As I have been at pains to explain, the cat is happy to go outside, it does so happily and has always done so, if the back door is open. The problem has been the introduction of a cat flap into the equation. The cat will go out if we open it for him, or leave the door open, but wont use it on his own. He wont even come into the house using the flap unless we sit and coax him in, so your statement that the problem is that he doesnt want to go out is not substatiated. He doesn't like the flap.
Look. I understand your policy on keeping cats inside, I'm sure that it makes sense in a dense urban setting, but I don't live in an area like that. These were farm cats, they like the outdoors, they like to roam, if they didnt, they wouldnt sit at the door pining to get out when kept inside (for example, at Halloween). As you said, they're smart and they know what's good for them, so give them some credit when they decide that they want to go out.
All I wanted was some simple advice on training for use with a flap. Not methods of how to coddle my cat like a toddler. I'll go to a UK site where they'll understand local conditions.
As I have been at pains to explain, the cat is happy to go outside, it does so happily and has always done so, if the back door is open. The problem has been the introduction of a cat flap into the equation. The cat will go out if we open it for him, or leave the door open, but wont use it on his own. He wont even come into the house using the flap unless we sit and coax him in, so your statement that the problem is that he doesnt want to go out is not substatiated. He doesn't like the flap.
Look. I understand your policy on keeping cats inside, I'm sure that it makes sense in a dense urban setting, but I don't live in an area like that. These were farm cats, they like the outdoors, they like to roam, if they didnt, they wouldnt sit at the door pining to get out when kept inside (for example, at Halloween). As you said, they're smart and they know what's good for them, so give them some credit when they decide that they want to go out.
All I wanted was some simple advice on training for use with a flap. Not methods of how to coddle my cat like a toddler. I'll go to a UK site where they'll understand local conditions.
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
Could it be that this one cat got caught in the flap and that is his hesitancy? I don't have them but I understand how they work. Maybe on his way in or out, it snagged him and he is related the flap to that incident.
Question, is this the type of flap that is triggered by magnets on their collars? or just a regular flap? I know you said you don't have a vermin problem in your area but what about raccoons? possums? or squirrels getting through the flap? I've heard a story or two about a raccoon getting inside a home through the cat flap and in one case, slicing the cat clear down it's middle in a fight. The cat survived but thinking about unwanted pests in my home makes my skin crawl.
Question, is this the type of flap that is triggered by magnets on their collars? or just a regular flap? I know you said you don't have a vermin problem in your area but what about raccoons? possums? or squirrels getting through the flap? I've heard a story or two about a raccoon getting inside a home through the cat flap and in one case, slicing the cat clear down it's middle in a fight. The cat survived but thinking about unwanted pests in my home makes my skin crawl.
We did wonder about him maybe getting his tail caught in it. It's a simple flap with a magnet to keep it closed, we did wonder about taking it off, but then we have a wee kitten we dont want to let out (yet). I think we'll just spend the weekend coaxing him in and out with some snacks, I'm sure that he'll enjoy that greatly, heh.
With regard to pests, we dont get any, to be honest, most of the kind of wildlife which could use a flap was hunted to extinction in this part of Scotland centuries ago!
With regard to pests, we dont get any, to be honest, most of the kind of wildlife which could use a flap was hunted to extinction in this part of Scotland centuries ago!
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
Good luck with this, and slightly off topic I would so love to visit Scotland. It sounds like a beautiful place to live.
Re: cat scared of cat-flap?
Of all the places in the entire world, many of which I would love to see, Scotland is the highest on my list. I've had fantasies about going there since I was very young. :P