Buzz
Most cat owners are familiar with the sound of a cat scratching at the door. If you find yourself caught in a cycle where you always let the cat inside just to stop the scratching, it's time to break the habit. You must teach your cat that scratching the door is not allowed. To make this clear to your cat, ensure that it's not bored, hungry, or feeling lonely when the door is closed at night.
Steps
Eliminate the cause of your cat's door scratching
Identify why your cat is scratching the door. Cats can scratch doors for various reasons. Identifying the root cause will help you find the best solution. For example, your cat may scratch the door to be near you or get your attention, to express hunger or a need to go outside, or simply because it’s stretching and sharpening its claws. Pay attention to the signs that can help you understand its behavior.
- For instance, if your cat scratches the door randomly, even when it doesn’t want or need anything, it could simply be bored. In this case, provide more entertainment for your cat (such as puzzle toys and scratching posts).
- If your cat is scratching and meowing or trying to get your attention, it might be asking for something (like petting or food).
Ignore your cat's behavior if it's trying to get your attention. Often, cats scratch doors to draw your attention. If you let the cat inside or go to the door to scold it, you may unintentionally reinforce this behavior. Instead, ignore the sound of the scratching, and gradually, the cat will stop.
- If you're worried that the cat might damage the door, consider purchasing a protective door cover.
Adjust your cat's feeding schedule. Sometimes cats scratch doors because they're hungry or want a treat. If you usually feed your cat and let it roam free before closing the door, try feeding it and then immediately closing the door, allowing the cat to eat and then sleep right after.
- To avoid confusing your cat, don't wait for it to scratch the door before feeding it and then closing the door. Do not reward the scratching behavior; instead, work on preventing it.
Tip: Actively play with your cat before feeding it. If it gets tired from playing, it's more likely to go to sleep after eating.
Spray an insect repellent with an unpleasant scent on the door. You can buy an insect repellent spray that contains essential oils that cats dislike, such as citrus, rosemary, or cinnamon. The cat will stay away from the door because it dislikes these scents.
- You can make your own spray by mixing one part essential oil with three parts water and placing it in a spray bottle.
- Some essential oils may be toxic to cats. Consult your veterinarian to know which essential oils are safe to use to repel cats.
Stick double-sided tape to the door. A simple way to make door scratching unpleasant for your cat is to apply some double-sided tape to the door. Cats dislike the sticky sensation, and this will discourage them from scratching.
- You can buy a specialized product like Sticky Paws tape or use regular double-sided tape.
- You can remove the tape once the cat stops scratching the door.
Trim your cat's claws. Cats scratch doors to wear down their claws when they become too long. To prevent this, check your cat's claws weekly and trim them using a pair of nail clippers.
- If you're not familiar with trimming your cat's claws, consider taking your cat to a veterinary clinic for a professional nail trim.
- You can also use claw covers to reduce scratching behavior.
Modify door scratching behavior
Spend quality time with your cat. If your cat feels bored or ignored, it may scratch the door to get your attention. To prevent this behavior from starting, try spending time cuddling, playing, or talking to your cat before closing the door for the night.
- For instance, you can pet your cat for about 30 minutes before shutting the door and going to bed.
Place a scratching post in your cat's room. You can purchase or create a scratching post covered with carpet or sisal fabric for your cat to scratch. Cats have varying preferences for scratching posts. Some prefer a flat scratching board, others like scratching fabric, while some favor rope or cardboard. Observe your cat's preferences.
- To encourage your cat to scratch the post, sprinkle some catnip around it.
- Place the scratching post near the door where your cat typically scratches. This way, when your cat approaches that area, it will have a proper place to scratch, helping to correct the behavior.
- Ensure the scratching post is tall enough for your cat to stretch and securely fixed to prevent it from moving while your cat uses it.
Provide your cat with plenty of interactive toys. Cats may scratch doors if they are bored, especially if there aren't enough things to interact with in their room. Scatter a variety of toys in your cat's room to keep it entertained. Choose toys with feathers, aluminum foil balls, or toys that make noise.
- Also, make sure your cat's room is comfortable if you want it to sleep there. Provide a small bed or a blanket where it can curl up.
Did you know? It's crucial to check your cat's toys for any loose parts that could fall off and potentially cause harm to your pet.
Give your cat access to high places for climbing. If your cat scratches the door due to feeling cramped, provide it with access to a window or a high spot to climb. Cats love observing their surroundings from a different vantage point and can spend hours looking around.
- If possible, let your cat access an outdoor window to watch birds flying by.
Advice
- There are many ways to prevent your cat from scratching the door, but never resort to declawing them.
What you'll need
- Double-sided tape
- Insect repellent spray
- Toys
