Confined, Supposedly
Posted: Mon 8 December, 2014 Filed under: Animals, Domestic, Getting Organised 4 Comments »Earlier this week, I got a catflap installed in the kitchen back door – which has already made a major difference to the warmth of the house. Prior to this, the cats have been going through an always-open kitchen window (which only opens on to a secure back yard, so it’s never a problem to leave it open) which is fine in summer, but less than optimal in cold weather.
At the moment, while the cats are getting used to this new entry policy for the house – and in fairness to them, neither has ever had to use a flap before – it’s propped open, so there’s still a bit of a draught, but nothing compared to how it was with the open kitchen window.
Of course, the Bengal in particular is (as expected) extremely unhappy about the changes, and keeps yelling at me that She Is Trapped, and It’s Not Fair. She’s using the flap, because it’s now the only way in and out – but it’s still under duress, and the cause of much complaint.
I’m quite sure that the same will be true when we get to the next stage, and I un-prop the flap so that they have to go through the flap itself.
For right now though, having the flap as an open route will allow them to get used to it.
One step at a time, and all that rot.
Close cat flap. Position cat on one side (get it to stay with a few cat treats) and you on the other with bag of cat treats. Rustle bag. Cat learns how to use cat flap instantly.
Or maybe Bengals don’t like cat treats?
It’s a lovely idea. However, cat treats are only appealing to The Bengal when they’re stolen. (In this light, sausages stolen from the local butcher are also regarded as ‘cat treats’)
When treats are offered as bribery/reward/treat they are ignored with disdain.
Yeah, I had a suspicion it would only work with moggies 😉
In fairness, I think it’d work with most cats. It’s just that the Bengal doesn’t appear to be very food-oriented, and gives less of a shit about anything than any other cat I’ve ever owned or lived with. (Even less so than Siamese, which is quite the achievement)