Do you find yourself constantly
worrying about your pet getting lost
because he escaped? Cats have different personalities. While some household
cats would be perfectly content staying indoors, others might have a
particularly adventurous streak and couldn’t stop themselves from bolting the
minute they see a chance. It’s all fun and games until they get themselves
injured or worse, fail to find their way back home. As a cat owner, you should
definitely know how to keep the cat from running out the door.
Why Cats Try to Escape?
Why does my cat keep running out
the door? There are quite a few notable reasons why cats run away.
Prey drive
Felines are driven by a predatory
instinct passed on to them by their ancestors in the wild. They see small animals as prey and tend to
run after them. And while you feed them the highest quality kibble, some cats
still prefer the thrill of the hunt from time to time.
Territorial instinct
Cats may decide to “claim” and
explore their territory, which could extend far beyond the house. It’s also
normal for them to want to roam the neighborhood just to look around. They like
to be apprised of potential threats and dangers within their territory.
The Instinct to mate
Male cats, especially have a huge
tendency to run away in search for a mate.
Prevention Tips
There are many ways on how to
keep your cat from running out the door. From securing all possible exits to
making sure that are enough things to keep your pet entertained indoors, you
can overcome the problem of a door-darting feline and never have to worry about
your cat escaping again.
Toys and play
How to keep my cat from running
out the door? Maybe your cat is bored and wants to see what the outdoors has to
offer. He would be less inclined to go on a potentially dangerous adventure on
his own if you make his home a complete cat paradise. Set up a cat tree,
scratching posts, or puzzle feeders well away from the door. A cat tree near
the window gives your pet a good outdoor view while keeping him safely inside.
Give your cat toys to play with and play with him whenever you have the chance.
Door training
How do I keep my cat from running
out the door? Whenever you arrive home from work or anywhere outside, don’t
greet your cat by the door no matter how excited you are to see him. Take your
time removing your coat and taking off your shoes. Pat and greet your cat in
other parts of the house, but never near the door. Apply the same practice
before you leave the house. The idea is to keep your cat as far away from the
door as possible and tempering his curiosity.
Cat doors
How to keep cats from running out
the front door? If you own an indoor-outdoor cat, cat doors are designed to
help you better manage your pet’s comings and goings. Train your cat that he is
only allowed to go out through the cat door. Lock the cat door at night or
limit access as needed. With or without a cat door, have your cat associate
freedom only with one door—it could either be the side door or back door, as
long as it’s one that’s used less frequently.
Allow some outdoor time
If your cat door opens to a yard,
make it safer by installing safety barriers or in-ground fences. You can even
build your pet his very own outdoor cat sanctuary. Cats can also be taken with
you on walks, given that they’re leash trained.
Door deterrents
How to stop my cat from running
out the door? The idea of running out the door can be very appealing to some
cats. It would then be your job to train your pet. For his own good, you must
teach your cat that trying to sneak past that forbidden door isn’t at all worth
the effort. Foil any escape plans by literally laying out sheets of aluminum
foil on the way to the door. Cats generally dislike the texture and sound of
walking on those.
Specially designed double-sided
tapes could also be effective deterrents. You can also try spraying your cat
with water or making a loud noise whenever you see him moving towards the door.
Do it consistently until your cat stops getting into the habit.
Spaying/ neutering
Spaying or neutering helps
alleviate your pet cat’s mating drive. Studies show that up to 90% of spayed or
neutered cats are less likely to want to escape. This is one of the most
reliable ways on how to keep a cat from running out the door. The surgical
procedure must be performed by a certified vet. Spaying and neutering also
comes with a host of health benefits for felines.
Leash training
Leash training would be a great
way for an indoor cat to enjoy the outdoors. Not all cats can be leash trained
though but you can give it a try by knowing the basics of leash training your cat.
Basic behavior training
If your cat knows to follow
commands such as “come” or “sit,” it would be much easier to prevent him from
escaping or running, especially if there are emergency situations. Positive
reinforcement helps your cat associate following commands with getting rewards.
Offer treats if your cat comes to you when you call him.
Proper containment
How to stop a cat from running
out the front door? Have measures in place for what to do whenever you’re
having guests or a service repairman over. Cats can get excited if around
unfamiliar people or situations and this might cause them to try to run away.
Put your cat in a crate or safely away in a closed room if there are other
people around and about the house.
Extra precautions
You can do all of the above and
your cat might still find a way to escape. It doesn’t hurt to take extra
precautions in case the worst happens. Have your cat
microchipped and make sure that his collar tags are always updated with the
correct information. Another precaution you can take is to put up a sign
warning visitors and neighbors to watch out for the cat and to always close the
door behind them.
Cats are clever and fast, and some of them could be very determined to escape. With proper training and care, you can learn how to keep an indoor cat from running out the door. Take the time to train and play with your cat, keep him happily busy, escape-proof your home, and take precautionary measures.
