I thought that most cats would jump at the chance of freedom when presented with a means of escape.
Not Milo, bless him. He simply didn’t cotton on, and I was beginning to think he never would.
I have done all the right things, shown him how it works, and stood there for ten minutes holding it open.
But the penny wasn’t dropping.
He is desperate to go out, but leaving the door open wasn’t really an option, what with the weather we have been getting lately.
If he was a good boy and always used the litter tray, it wouldn’t be a problem. He could take all the time in the world to figure it out. But he has adopted other places to use. Too many other places, so it is getting a bit crucial.
I have been diligent about keeping the litter tray clean, even changing the brand of pellets, but nothing has helped.
He has been outside, which should have encouraged him, but he seems so nervous out there, almost a scaredy cat.
Whereas indoors, he is anything but nervous. If you could see the way he flies around the room at top speed like a ginger ninja, you wouldn’t think he would be scared of anything.
Yesterday, we were in the yard, and the wind blew the door closed. Something must have spooked him, for he made for the door and vanished through the catflap like he had been doing it for years. Yay, progress, I thought.
Not from inside, though. I have even used strong tape to hold the flap open, but he didn’t oblige…
This was one problem I didn’t expect, hopefully not for much longer…
Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie 
Ah, bless him. 🙂 … who’d’a’thunked he’d be a scaredy cat! 😀 … probably just taking hit time in case there are any, hmm, cat-devouring monsters, perhaps?
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I don’t think he likes to use his head to push through the flap. Which is weird, for it isn’t difficult…
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Sooner or later, he will use it going out. If he has a favorite toy I would toss it into the yard just outside the flap. If he acts scared out there he is not going to want to use the flap to leave. He needs to be comfortable about going out.
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That’s a brilliant idea, John. Thank you so much, and I’ll let you know if it works…
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😁 I would love to hear if it does work.
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Not so far, John. Maybe tomorrow. Milo has been very sleepy today… 🐈⬛
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Yea it will take time to get him used to the outside.
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Congratulations to both of you! 🙂 Now you can teach him how to protect the house. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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That might take longer, Michael…
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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A piece of string with yummy food bait – someone on the outside of the flap has to pull it slowly once he has been lured… I don’t have cats so no idea if this would work!
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He has done it once or twice but don’t think he has the idea yet… maybe he’s not the sharpest knife in the box!
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I hope he soon figures it out. Maybe it’s not the figuring it out that’s the problem. Maybe it’s the big, hostile outdoors! An agaraphobic cat?
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Milo is a very weird cat… 🐈⬛
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Sending happy flap vibes Milo’s way!
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Thanks, Annette… 🐈⬛💕
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