Hi,

I am looking for some advice on introducing my cats to the outside world please. I've had them for 3 months, and in that time they have been kept indoors, and not seemed to concerned about going out. They are brothers, and just over 2 years old. Their previous owner let them out in her enclosed garden occasionally.

We have a magnetic cat flap, and have got them used to wearing magnets, and let them in the garden supervised last weekend, with the flap taped open (they didn't seem to grasp the concept of pushing it open!) but aren't sure where to go from here.

My garden backs onto a field, and they can easiliy get into the field, and on from there, so we thought it may be best to keep them in at night. But as we both work all day - we need to feel happy that they can use the flap.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry can't help but didn't want you to feel ignored - trust your instincts?!

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Keep them in at night - that is the most important advice. Get them in before dusk if possible and get them used to coming to a sound - whistle, tin banging. When they come give them a treat immediately.


You can teach them to go through the flap by enticing with treats. What I did was tape the flap open - as you have done. But once they have the concept of going through it they need to get used to the feel of the flap on their back and tail.

Be sure that you can spare a morning or afternoon and untape it. Everytime they want to go through hold it open a little so that they get used to pushing but also feel the weight of it on their back etc.

This shouldn't take more than a few gos. Then let the flap close itself and entice the cat through with food or treats. Again it shouldn't take long for them to get the hang of it.

Mine were same age as yours and 'got it' fairly quickly.

I assume they are neutered, vaccinated and chipped?

Thanks so much for your help. I'll give it a try when it stops raining. They've both been, vaccinated, neutered and chipped, so nothing left to do but try it!

We just pushed their noses though the flap a few times soon as they smelt the air they wanted to go out it was a little more tricky getting them back in though they will soon get the hang of it cats aren't silly !!

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To get my three to use the cat flap I used string and pulled it through as they chased it until now they go through it quite confidently.

I did have it taped open for a while first