How to Get a Kitten Used to a Kitty Door

Some kittens learn to use the kitty door naturally, while other kittens have a harder time understanding exactly what it is. When you want your kitten to use the kitty door, but it simply won't do it on its own, set up regular training sessions to help teach it that the door simply leads to another place to explore.

Things You'll Need

  • Masking tape
  • Kitten treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tape the flap of the kitty door up so it's out of the way. Your kitten may feel intimidated by the flap and not understand how to get in and out of the door. When you temporarily remove this obstacle, the kitten can see what's on the other side of the door.

    • 2

      Show the kitten the door. Now that the flap is out of the way, let the kitten observe the door. Put your hand through the door to show the kitten that there's no barrier.

    • 3

      Take out a few kitten treats and place them in your hand. Let the kitten sniff your hand, so it knows you have treats. Place your hand with the treats through the door once more. Open your hand and show the kitten the treats. This coaxes the kitten to go through the door.

    • 4

      Place the treats on the other side of the door where the kitten can see them. If your kitten doesn't respond to the treats, open the door and walk outside. Leave the kitten inside. Pick up the treats once more in your hand. Get down on the ground and look at the kitten through the kitty door. Show the kitten the treats in your hand. Carefully coax the kitten to come to you and the treats by speaking in an upbeat tone of voice. Keep showing the kitten the treats. Practice this until the kitten successfully goes through the door and comes to you.

    • 5

      Lower the flap of the kitty door a little. Practice getting the kitten through the door with the treats and gentle coaxing. Each time the kitten successfully goes through the door on its own, stop the session for the day. During your next session, lower the flap a little more until the flap is completely down. By this time, the kitten should be used to the flap and the door.