Advice pls on how to get cat to use cat flap!

[red devil]

*Light blue touch paper and stands well back...*

CATS are not as clever as people think, according to experts at the University of Exeter.

Psychology lecturer Britta Osthaus says cats do not understand cause-and-effect.

The Exeter expert attached fish and biscuit treats to one end of a piece of string and placed them under a plastic screen to see if the cats could work out that pulling on the string would pull the treat closer.

They were tested using a single baited string, two parallel strings where only one was baited, and two crossed strings where only one was baited.

No cat consistently chose correctly between two parallel strings and with crossed strings they succeeded no more than might be expected by chance.

Osthaus said: "They performed even worse than dogs, which can at least solve the parallel string task."

The study helped show the limits of feline intelligence, Osthaus, who conducted the research while a teaching fellow at Exeter University, told The Guardian.

"If we know their limits we won't expect too much of them, which in turn is important for their welfare. I am not trying to say cats are stupid, just they are different."

[jollybaby]

No the cats just didn't like the supposed treats . . . Dogs will eat anything!

[red devil]

Whereas cats...

http://www.norcalblogs.com/post_scripts/fat-cat.jpeg

[ianr]

> Whereas dogs...

It's a bit more close-run if you look at more of/about her work here. When dogs were given a problem configuration that differed slightly form one that they had some natural preparedness to solve, they reverted to good old digging as the way to success. :) That's in the Guardian article.

[jollybaby]

So are we saying that emc should get rid of her cat and get a dog?

[red devil]

Got it in one, but remember to take out the old cat flap...

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/07/08/article-1033317-01E1DBF900000578-164_468x404.jpg

[Alan Medic]

maxxi Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Alan Medic Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > This thread has made me really want to watch

> Top

> > Cat again. Does anyone know if it's on an

> channel

> > these days?

>

> "Okay, Chooch you keep an eye out for Dibble,

> Fancy you sweet-talk the feline in question, Spook

> you're in charge of picking the lock, Brain

> distract the householder and Benny if Dibble shows

> go into your lost Aunt routine. Okay let's move

> it, move it, move it!"

>

> "Gothca TC"

> "She'll be putty in my hands TC"

> "Like er, far out TC"

> "Duh, okay TC"

> "Sure thing TC!"

>

> http://www.dan-dare.org/Dan%20FRD/TopCat3.gif

Found it! 5.40 a.m on Boomerang. Set to record.

[Ridgley]

Try to entice your cat by holding her favourite food, through the cat flap and see if your cat comes through it?

[emc]

Have taken on all the (sensible) advice - and it seems to be working, so thanks very much everyone

[Lost Yorkshire Man]

Cats respond most readily to names that end in an "ee" sound.

So if the cat is called Geraldine it will not listen to you when you try get it through the cat flap.

Try changing her name to elsie

[Ridgley]

My cat's name is Hettie maybe there some truth to that:)

[emc]

Mine is Rosie....

[Loz]

Hurrah! I finally managed to get the cat to use the flat cap!

http://7reasons.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/flatcapcatincatflap.gif?cda6c1

In fact it as so successful I did the same with all the local cats. They've now formed a band.

http://www.rathergood.com/independent_woman

[red devil]

Top Tip...save money and buy a flat-pack cat, and get it to use the letter box

http://files.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/268651_S/Cat-Meets-Suitcase.jpg

[OtAcaciaRP....]

CLEVER PICTURES, TALENTED BOY FOX!

[Frankito]

Love it reddevil person, giving Ms A Curtain a run for his money...