How to train a cat to use a cat flap

A cat flap can give your cat freedom to explore the outside world while making everyday life a little easier for you, too.

But while some cats take to a flap straight away, others need time, patience and reassurance. We’re here to guide you through cat flap training step by step, helping your cat build confidence at their own pace.

For many cats, having access to the outdoors supports natural behaviours such as roaming, exercise and toileting without a litter tray. A cat flap also gives you flexibility, removing the need to act as a doorman throughout the day.

If a new cat flap appears overnight, it’s completely normal for your cat to hesitate at first. But with patience and the right approach, most cats learn to use one comfortably and confidently in their own time.

A good time to begin cat flap training is once your cat is fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped and ready to explore safely.

That said, you can absolutely teach an older cat to use a cat flap, too. Adult cats may take a little longer to adjust – especially if they’ve never encountered a cat flap before – but progress is still very achievable with calm, consistent practice.

Start by keeping the cat flap closed and locked. Spend time nearby, playing or offering treats, so your cat can investigate without pressure. The goal here is simple: help your cat see the flap as part of their environment, rather than something to avoid.

Placing treats or favourite toys near the flap can help to create positive associations from the very beginning.

Once your cat seems relaxed around it, prop the flap open using tape so it doesn’t move. This creates a clear, open doorway and removes any fear of unexpected movement.

Timid cats, in particular, benefit from being able to see what’s on the other side before stepping through. They may also benefit from having potted evergreen shrubs to hide behind once outside (although make sure neighbourhood cats don’t use these to ambush your cat).

With someone on each side of the opening, encourage your cat by using high-value rewards. Food treats, a favourite toy or gentle verbal praise can all work well.

This stage is about motivation, not pressure. If your cat hesitates, give them time. Every small step forward helps build confidence.

Short, regular sessions work best. Practise a few times a day over a week or more, depending on your cat’s comfort level.

Avoid lifting or pushing your cat through the opening as this can undo progress and create anxiety.

When your cat is happily walking through the open space, let the flap rest lightly so they have to push it themselves. Many cats master this quickly once they realise the flap moves easily.

Remember, you’ll need to train your cat to use BOTH sides of the cat flap. Many cats seem to master one side but don’t automatically transfer this learning to the other. It’s important that your cat feels confident returning to the house and is able to do so.

Once your cat is confident, you can unlock the flap and let them come and go independently.

Watch our cat flap training video to see these steps in action.

Not all flaps are made equal, and choosing the right one can make training easier.

These basic flaps open when pushed. They’re affordable and straightforward, but they don’t control which animals can enter your home. It’s very common for other cats to sneakily enter the home, often without the resident cat’s owner realising. This can lead to various behavioural issues, such as redirected aggressive behaviour, spraying, toileting outside the litter tray etc, due to the fear, anxiety and frustration caused by the intruder.

A microchip cat flap recognises your cat’s unique microchip, helping keep out unwanted visitors. While these flaps cost more, many owners feel the added security is worth it – especially in multi-cat neighbourhoods.

Some microchip cat flaps can even let you choose which cats have outdoor access, which is particularly handy if you have one cat that needs to be kept in (e.g. if recovering from surgery) while allowing the others to go outside.

Some cat flaps also link to your phone, so you can see which cats are in and monitor their movements. This can help identify their usual patterns of behaviour and detect when something changes.

If your cat is still unsure, you can try: 

• Feeding meals near (and eventually through) the flap
• Using familiar scents on the flap to make it feel ‘safe’
• Keeping routines predictable during training
• Ensuring the area outside the flap feels calm and secure to help with confidence

If you're unsure how to make progress with cat flap training, Petplan customers with cat insurance can use our Pet Expert Chat feature to speak with a professional and ask any training questions. Just log in to your My Petplan account to get started.

Learning how to train a cat to use a cat flap is all about trust, patience and positive reinforcement. By taking things slowly and supporting your cat at their own pace, you can help them gain confidence and enjoy safe, independent access to the outdoors.