How to Teach Your Cat to Use a Cat Flap Without Forcing Them

Start with the flap held securely open, reward your cat for approaching it, and let them choose when to step through. Practise in both directions before asking them to push the flap themselves. Never push a reluctant cat through.

Check the destination first

For an Australian household, a cat flap does not have to mean unrestricted outdoor roaming. It can connect two indoor rooms or lead to a securely enclosed outdoor area. Check that the destination is genuinely escape-proof and that your cat can return indoors; a flap alone does not make a balcony or garden secure. RSPCA Australia supports safe contained outdoor access as one way to give cats choice and stimulation.

Before training, check that the opening is an appropriate size for your cat, that the flap moves freely, and that its lock is set for the direction you intend. If the flap has a lock, practise its settings yourself before leaving your cat to use it. A four-way locking cat flap is one option when you need to control which way the flap opens; check the product dimensions and your cat's size before buying or installing it.

Build confidence in small steps

1. Choose a quiet time. Leave the flap open securely so it cannot swing against your cat. Place a treat near the opening and reward any calm investigation.
2. When your cat is comfortable approaching, offer a treat on the other side and invite them through. Let them turn back if they want to. Repeat from the opposite side so returning feels familiar too.
3. Lower the flap gradually over several short sessions. Reward your cat for touching it, then for pushing through at their own pace. If they hesitate, return to the last easy step rather than pushing them.
4. Once they use it willingly, practise with the flap in its normal position and the intended lock setting while you are there to supervise.

Cats Protection recommends holding the flap open at first, using small rewards and practising passage in both directions. Sessions can be brief; your cat's comfort matters more than finishing on a timetable.

What if your cat still avoids it?

Look for practical obstacles: a flap that catches, a noisy swing, an awkward step, or an unsettling animal or activity on the far side. Make sure the other side offers a calm, accessible retreat. Do not restrict food, water or toileting access to pressure your cat into using the flap. If reluctance is sudden or your cat appears painful, distressed or unable to move comfortably, speak with your veterinarian.

A successful introduction is one where your cat can pass through and come back by choice. Keep the access route and its destination safe, and give them time to learn.