The cat keeps opening the door. What to do?

Pet owners often complain about the behavior of their pets: a wayward cat scratches the door and even opens it when it pleases. It is especially unpleasant if the pet does this at night, accompanying the process with appropriate sounds. What is the reason for this behavior?

Cat psychology

There is an opinion that cats are antisocial creatures, introverts who prefer the loneliness of human company. However, it is not. In fact, they need communication just as much as dogs. They enjoy spending time and playing together with the owner.

In addition, cats are territorial creatures. This means that they try to control the space that belongs to them and extremely do not like to be limited in anything, especially when it comes to their property.

Closed doors in the eyes of a pet are just such a limitation, an obstacle behind which the feline territory is located.

To make sure that everything is in order there, the cat seeks to open the doors. But as soon as this happens and she understands that there is no danger, then interest in the room most often fades away.

It has been noticed: the more affectionate and sociable a cat is, the more it will worry about the problem of a closed door. She can meow, scratch her, scrape, trying in every possible way to attract the attention of the owner. Moreover, the peak of such activity will certainly fall at the time of the highest activity of the pet. That is, if the cat does not sleep at night, most likely, it is then that she will put things in order.

What to do?

Fighting cat habits will require maximum attention and patience from the owner. But even this, alas, does not always guarantee a positive result. Sometimes you have to come to terms with the nature of the pet.

So, if your cat’s habit of constantly opening doors is bothering you, try the following steps:

1. Distract the cat. Catnip can help with this. Try rubbing it on a scratching post or cat tree to switch your pet’s attention;

2. Give physical activity. About an hour before bedtime, play with your pet properly, try to exhaust him with intense games. A tired cat is unlikely to be capable of nocturnal activity;

3. Don’t Forget the Toys. This is another distraction: favorite balls, a cardboard box, a fishing rod, or a simple rope with a candy wrapper will surely arouse the cat’s interest;

4. Sticky tape and tape. This method is based on cats’ dislike for sticky surfaces. Try sticking double-sided tape on the door. Perhaps he will discourage the pet from scratching and scraping;

5. Never mind. This method works well when it comes to a young cat. As a rule, maturing pets need attention, which is why they try to attract the owner in every possible way. To get rid of this habit will help ignoring. You can not only call a pet, but also scream and swear at him. Soon the cat will realize that her actions will not bring the expected results, and will stop doing it.

No matter how annoying your pet’s behavior is, try to understand it. When a cat scratches at the door, it acts on the level of instincts.

If nothing helped in the fight against addictions, try adapting the environment: you can, for example, install a cat hole on the door. So the pet will be able to control its territory and not disturb the owner.