In an effort to protect them from harm, cats constantly need access to open spaces.
Unfortunately, many modern homes have closed and locked doors. Since they are prone to jumping in and out of small openings, they can quickly get confused and be relentless If they don’t have access to all the rooms they need.
So, why do cats hate closed doors?
Cats love to roam around and explore their environment. They can easily climb in and out of small spaces and can easily escape through open doors. Since they explore their surroundings freely, they have a high sense of security.
This also means that they hate being confined and enclosed in small places as they feel trapped and insecure in their own private spaces.
Cats hate closed doors because they feel trapped and confined in their own private spaces without the ability to explore or roam freely.
Continue reading to get more information about this problem.
Why Cats Hate Closed Doors?
Most cats despise closed doors because they can’t roam around freely inside their homes.
It might be related to their hunting instincts as they need to explore their surroundings in order to track their prey and catch their prey easily.
Being Social
Cats are sometimes assumed to be independent animals but they actually have strong social needs.
Cats, like humans, appreciate your company and social interaction with you and others.
As a result, they want to be part and participate of all the activities that happen in their household and home.
If you’re hiding behind a closed door, the cat may become depressed and upset and leave the house altogether.
The cat may stay away for days and if the door is left open, it may come back but won’t stay for long if the door is closed again.
This behavior will cause more stress to the cat as it won’t have access to its private spaces or be able to roam around the house freely as it loves to do.
Curiosity
When you shut a door and leave the cat alone in the room, it probably feels a sense of isolation or even being abandoned especially if it’s a young cat.
They have a dilemma; they want to open the door and roam around the house but they can’t because they’re told not to do so and they feel somehow that the owner no longer wants to play with them.
The cat will use any means to open the bedroom door especially when the owner and all the other family members are around.
Attention
This is a common reason why cats hate closed doors; they want to be noticed and see you or other family members play with them or just pet them.
We all need attention, but cats need it more than we do because they only crave it and want more of it all the time to enjoy and cherish the moments you spend with them.
If they want to be noticed and petted, they’ll just come up to you and meow at you to go outside or play with them and most of the time this will be ignored.
Territory
Cats are territorial animals, and they roam around their territory to mark it and announce their ownership by urinating on trees and other objects and leaving their scent.
They mark as often as possible and are very conscious of how they’re perceived by other felines.
Even if you need to shut a door to go to the toilet, a cat will try to open it and will wait patiently for you to open the door.
This is a way they let you know that they own it or that they feel like they own it.
So it’s no surprise if your cat hates it when you close doors in your home.
It is a problem you have to solve right away. Your pet will grow to hate closed doors in your home and will never use the door that you shut because you’ve ignored its needs.
Do Cats Hate Closed Doors?
Cats hate locked doors because cats love their freedom.
When a door is closed, the cat becomes restricted and irritated with not being able to roam freely.
That closed door suggests that your cat is not allowed in, and cats are very sensitive animals when restricted or when they are told not to do something.
Not only that, but their human companion is also unhappy not having the door open for their pet to go out when it wants.
The only logical thing to do then would be to walk through the door and unlock it, so the cat can go through freely.
Do Cats Get Upset When You Close The Door?
When you shut the foor, it s a simple fact that cats hate being shut out of private spaces.
When it comes to guarding a cat’s territory, we humans need to realize that we are probably the least threatening animal in their territory.
They create as many markings as they need to indicate to the world that they are here.
Even if you need to shut a door to go to the bathroom, do your cat a favor and unlock it before you go through it.
How Do Cats Protest Closed Doors?
Scratching
If their scream for rescue goes unheard, and your closed door doesn’t open for them, they may resort to scratching the door in protest.
Scratching is the final recourse in a battle with humans in which they know they won’t win.
Asking For Help
They are aware that the door will have to be opened eventually and that if they can just scream loud enough to be let in and get out quickly, they can avoid being locked outside.
They will approach a family member, meow and rub up next to the person in order to get their attention, begging to be let in.
Pawing
If meowing and squirming are ineffective in getting the door open, you will find that your cat will be pawing at the door.
The cat seems to be attempting a physical invasion with deliberate and frustrated strikes at the door.
Fidgeting
After meowing for quite some time to no effect, your cat may consider another approach to get your attention.
They’ll stroll back and forth by the door, stopping to stare intently at or paw at the ballpoint pen or key that is left by the door.
Meowing
The cat gets startled and restless while you are in the bathroom, and urgently meows and claws at the door in an attempt to be let in.
They frequently wait in front of closed doors.
Why Do Cats Meow When Doors Are Closed?
Cats meow at closed doors because they cannot go out the door and they want you to open it for them.
Allowing your cat to feel more at-ease in your home will make her more comfortable overall.
They understand that if the doors are open, they are not trapped; they are free to come and go as they please.
How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Meowing When The Door Is Closed?
To discourage your cat from meowing at the closed door, you need to create a transition period where she understands that the doors are to remain closed at all times while you are not home.
Allowing cats to see what goes outside helps their curiosity, so cover your patio doors with curtains or drapes and avoid leaving any windows open.
In certain cases, the cat’s keen interest in what lurks behind the closed door may be a sign of some other problem, such as separation anxiety or the stress of moving to a new home.
They may be more prone to oppose their owners’ wishes for privacy or to be overly attached to family members due to being separated from them for long periods of time.
How to Keep That Door Closed Despite Your Cat’s Protest
Large Object
Another technique to deter the cat from clawing at the door is to place a large object in front of it, such as a laundry hamper or a small box.
But instead of placing the object on the floor or table, place it close to the door so that the cat can’t jump and reach it easily. This will give the cat the idea that it’s too high up to reach it.
The object should be as tall as the cat and at least 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep so that the cat can’t squeeze underneath or behind its large frame.
This will stop the cat from clawing at the door and trying to get to the object, which also means that the cat won’t be able to rub against it to mark it.
Training Mats
Place training mats in front of the closed door so that the cat can rub up against them more because it will be unable to claw against the hard surface of the mats.
Cats will avoid walking on them, so it won’t be able to mark their territory with pheromones.
However, you should not walk on these mats yourself because you will be emitting pheromones onto them and your cat will sniff them out.
Sticky Paws
Sticky Paws may also be a viable option for you since you can use these adhesive strips to temporarily block your cat’s claws from reaching the door.
You’ll need to use multiple strips to cover the entire length of the door’s surface, so make sure that you measure the door first and buy enough of the strips to cover it.
Purchase a Scratching Post
Closed doors might be attractive features and places to mark for cats, but at least you’re able to remove their temptation now.
Get a scratching post so your cat can scratch on something else to keep the claws off the door.
Give Out Toys, Bags, And boxes
Cats are curious animals that love to explore their surroundings and anything that can interest them.
Since they love to play with things, they can easily get bored and stressed out if they don’t have anything to play with.
As a result, they might try to play and eat things they shouldn’t do such as knocking items off shelves and counters, climbing curtains and curtains, or scratching on things and doors that shouldn’t be scratched on such as wooden furniture or doors.
When cats have access to multiple toys to play with, they often have more options and they can entertain themselves instead of going to the door to leave marks and scratches on the doors.
Give Your Cat Attention
In certain circumstances, a cat’s heightened curiosity in what lies beyond a door can result in collisions with the door especially when attempting to get out trying to escape to get attention if there is nothing outside.
If your cat does not spend enough time with humans or is lonely due to the absence of people in the house, then it might resort to marking its territory by scratching on the door to get your attention.
Show your cat how much you love it and that it is a privilege that he gets to spend time with you by giving him plenty of quality time during the day and night.
Apply Anti-chew Spray
Use a taste deterrent to deter your cat from chewing on a door.
Spray the bottom of the door with bitter apple spray then place some aluminum foil or a paper towel on top of the door to help keep the odor of the spray around for as long as possible.
When your cat paws or claws at the door, it will leave a visual reminder and your cat will be put off by the unpleasant taste of the spray.
Also Read: Why does My Cat Pee By The Front Door?
Conclusion
It’s no surprise that when you lock a door, the cat comes out and starts scratching on the door to try to get out.
They may just interpret your attempt to close a door as an attempt to imprison them which in their mind is unacceptable behavior.
In addition, they may be very weary of you when you’re not there and will attempt to get your attention in any way they can.
Why cats meow at closed doors is not fully understood, but it appears that they need to communicate with you in some way to let you know they are not satisfied with the situation and want to get your attention.
By showing your cat love and affection and giving them plenty of attention, you’ll be able to create a stronger bond that will eventually result in fewer incidents where your cat tries to claw or meow at closed doors.