Should I cover the cat-flap?

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

It's a funny thing with cats - some of them love to look out of the windows and see what's going on.  Other, more timid cats, get spooked by things that look in the windows from the outside (like other cats).

A friend of ours has a complex cat tunnel which leads down through the floorboards of their property and out through what was an old air brick, now enlarged, and into their garden  (which is slightly sunken in nature).   I guess we do what we must for our cats.   

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

We live in a flat, the only direct route to outside is through the wall. We have a large window alongside the cat-flap but usually have the blinds closed once the light is going (so quite late at this time of year but much earlier in winter). Alf still prefers to peer through the cat-flap though! Covering it really didn't work, Alf could move anything temporary that I tried to use, but Alf seems to be more relaxed recently anyway.

[no1catman]

I must admit, I can't get passed that going through a cavity wall (certainly a challenge for the cat to get through) was not the best but 'only' option!? Aren't there any doors (preferably with glass panels) nearby, that could have been used?
Which brings me to the next query, do you have any windows nearby that the cat could look out of - to keep watch for the unwanted tom-cat!?
My cat (when not sleeping) loves to stare out of the upstairs bedroom window, downstairs will do the same with the French-doors, too much of a diva to go through the kitchen back-door cat-flap during the day, but at least does during the night - helped by movement sensor lights just outside.

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

I'm not sure that it is really making much difference, TBH. It is just a temporary cover that Alf pushes out of the way to get out in the morning, he can also push it away to look for the Floofy Monsta, so it is not really serving its purpose. It's hard to know whether to go for something permanent with so little information 

[Judecat (Paula)]

How is it going Lyn? Is Alfie happier with the cat flap covered?

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

I put up a very temporary cover yesterday but it is really too soon to see how Alf reacts.

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

I'd definitely look at something temporary in nature, but solid enough it's not readily disturbed by Alf.  Poor lad.  Trooders can be a real pain. 

[Misa]

SORRY NO IDEAS ON THIS

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

I'm thinking of just putting a box or something in front of the flap for now. As long as Alf can't just push it out of the way, it should be enough to see if it helps. It might also cut down the draught that comes through that aperture too!

[Judecat (Paula)]

Maybe a silly thought, but you could knock together a small panel that would fit inside the cat flap door bit and remove it when you unlock it, then Alf wouldn't be able to see Mr Floof when the door was locked. Just wire and canvas or felt would do the job.

It wouldn't help if it made Alfie more nervous not being able to see Mr Floof though. Cheap enough to bin though if it did.

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

Thanks Sue. Yes, I am only thinking of covering the flap when it is locked, not blocking Alf's route to outside.

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

It's a tricky one, Lyn.  Jackson Galaxy is an advocate of sight blocking, but I wouldn't want to block access to the flap, personally.  try covering the flap when its not in use and see how that works. 

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

The background -

We have our cat-flap in the lounge wall, it is really about the only place we could put it. As it goes through the cavity wall, there is quite a long tunnel between the lounge and the outside world. The flap is controlled by micro-chip, so only Alf can come in.

My chair is very near to the cat-flap. This was dictated by availability of electrical sockets for my powered rise/recline chair and ease of watching the TV.

The problem -

There is a big, fluffy, white + black cat in the area who beats up on Alf  Alf seems constantly worried at the moment and can often be seen peering out through the cat flap 'Is ee der? Am I sayf?' Even when he is on my lap, his eyes are fixed on the flap - although he does relax eventually.

The lounge blinds are usually closed, so Alf cannot see out through the windows. However, I have tried leaving the blinds open (that wouldn't really be a permanently workable solution) but it really doesn't make any difference - I guess the angle is too acute to see the area by the flap properly.

Alf seems fine otherwise. His litter tray is near to the flap and we haven't had any inappropriate marking etc

The question -

Do you think it would be a good idea to cover the cat-flap when it is locked, or might that make Alf worse because he can't see if Bad Cat is there? The potential problem with that is that Alf wouldn't be able to go out before brekfus if we were late up. He would much rather go out than use his litter tray.

Do my PurrsPals have any advice please?